CHEVROLET CORVETTE

OVERVIEW

• Manufacturer: Chevrolet (General Motors)
• Also called:

Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray

(1963–1967)

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

(1969–1976, 2014–present)

• Production: 1953–present
• Model years:

1953–1982

1984–present

1953–1962 (C1)

1963–1967 (C2)

1968–1982 (C3)

1984–1996 (C4)

1997–2004 (C5)

2005–2013 (C6)

2014–2019 (C7)

2020–present (C8)

• Assembly:

United States:

Flint, Michigan 1953

St. Louis, Missouri 1954-1981

Bowling Green, Kentucky 1981- Present

BODY AND CHASSIS

• Class: Sports car (S)
• Body style:

2-door coupé

2-door convertible

• Layout:

FR layout/FMR Layout (1953–2019)

RMR layout (2020–present)

POWERTRAIN

• Engine:

235 cu in Blue Flame I6

265 cu in, 283 cu in, 327 cu in, 350 cu in small-block V8

305 cu in small-block V8 (1980; California only)

396 cu in, 427 cu in, 454 cu in big-block V8

5.7 L LT1, LT4, LT5 V8

5.7 L LS1, LS6 V8

6.0 L LS2 V8

6.2 L LS3 V8

7.0 L LS7 V8

6.2 L LS9 supercharged V8

6.2 L LT1 V8

6.2 L LT2 V8

6.2 L LT4 supercharged V8

6.2 L LT5 supercharged V8

DIMENSIONS (C8)

• Wheelbase:2 in (2,723 mm)
• Length:3 in (4,630 mm)
• Width:1 in (1,933 mm)
• Height:6 in (1,234 mm)
• Curb weight: 3,366 lb (1,527 kg) (dry)

CHRONOLOGY (C8)

• Predecessor: Chevrolet Corvette (C7)

SOME INFORMATION ABOUT CHEVROLET CORVETTE

The Chevrolet Corvette, colloquially known as the ‘Vette, is a two-door, two-passenger sports car manufactured and marketed by Chevrolet across more than 60 years of production and eight design generations.

From 1953 to 2019, it was front-engined, and since 2020, it is mid-engined. With its generations noted sequentially from C1 to C8, the Corvette serves as Chevrolet’s halo vehicle and is widely noted for its performance and distinctive plastic—either fiberglass or composite—bodywork.

HISTORY

• First generation (C1; 1953–1962)

It first appeared as a show car for the 1953 General Motors Motorama, held January 17–23 at New York’s Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. At the time, Chevrolet general manager Thomas H. Keating said it was six months to a year away from production readiness. The car generated enough interest to induce GM to make a production version to sell to the public.

• Second generation (C2; 1963–1967)

The second generation (C2) Corvette, which introduced Sting Ray to the model, continued with fiberglass body panels, and overall, was smaller than the first generation. The C2 was later referred to as mid-years. The car was designed by Larry Shinoda with major inspiration from a previous concept design called the “Q Corvette,” which was created by Peter Brock and Chuck Pohlmann under the styling direction of Bill Mitchell.

• Third generation (C3; 1968–1982)

The third generation Corvette, patterned after the Mako Shark II concept car, was introduced for the 1968 model year and was in production until 1982. C3 coupes featured the first use of T-top removable roof panels. It introduced monikers that were later revived, such as LT-1, ZR-1, Z07, and Collector Edition.

In 1978, the Corvette’s 25th anniversary was celebrated with a two-tone Silver Anniversary Edition and an Indy Pace Car replica edition of the C3. This was also the first time that a Corvette was used as a Pace Car for the Indianapolis 500.

• Fourth generation (C4; 1984–1996)

The fourth-generation Corvette was the first complete redesign of the Corvette since 1963. After extensive testing and modifications were completed, it was initially retired as a display sitting in an external wall over the Bowling Green Assembly Plant’s employee entrance.

Later this only surviving 1983 prototype was removed, restored, and is now on public display at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It is still owned by GM.

On February 12, 2014, it was nearly lost to a sinkhole which opened up under the museum. Eight other Corvettes were severely damaged.

• Fifth generation (C5; 1997–2004)

The C5 Corvette was redesigned from the ground up after sales from the previous generation began to decline. The C5 was a completely new design that featured many new concepts and manufacturing breakthroughs that would be carried forward to the C6 & C7.

It had a top speed of 176 mph (283 km/h) and was judged by the automotive press as a breakthrough with vastly improved dynamics in nearly every area over the previous C4 design. Innovations included a 0.29 drag coefficient, near 50/50 weight distribution, active handling (the first stability control for a Corvette). It also weighed less than the C4.

• Sixth generation (C6; 2005–2013)

The C6 wheelbase was increased while body overhangs were decreased when compared to the C5. Retractable headlights were replaced with fixed units.

The C6 brought a new and improved interior compared to the C5. As a result of the upgraded interior, the C6 had a slight increase in passenger hip room. It also sported an updated LS1/LS6 engine now called the LS2.

• Seventh generation (C7; 2014–2019)

Development for the seventh generation Corvette started in 2007. Originally set to be introduced for the 2011 model year, its introduction was delayed for three years. It was finally released for the 2014 model year.

Mid-engine and rear-engine layouts had been considered, but the front-engine, rear-wheel drive (RWD) platform was chosen to keep production costs lower.

Eighth generation (C8; 2020–present)

The Corvette C8 is the first production Corvette to have a rear mid-engine configuration. It is also GM’s first rear mid-engine production car since the 1984 Pontiac Fiero.

It is powered by a 6.2 liter naturally aspirated V8 called the LT2, this engine generates 495 horsepower and 470 lb/ft of torque when equipped with the Z51 performance package. The Corvette C8 convertible is the first Corvette with a retractable hardtop.

In January 2020 the car became the most expensive charity vehicle sold that week at the Barrett-Jackson auction, selling for $3 million. The proceeds of the sale went to the Detroit Children’s Fund.

MAITENANCE SCHEDULE FOR CHEVROLET CORVETTE

• 7,500 miles

Every 7,500 miles, there will be a handful of checks you will want to have performed to help you gauge if various components of the car are working properly and safely. Along with checking the engine oil, washer fluid, and tire pressure and wear, you will want to check for fluid leaks and inspect the engine air cleaner filter, brake system, exhaust system, fuel system, and restraint system.

Along with those checks you will also want to inspect the following:

– Halfshafts

– Drive shafts

– Parking Brake

– Automatic Transmission Park Mechanism

– Accelerator Pedal

– Gas Struts

– Starter Switch

• 15,000 miles

Along with all the checks a part of the 7,500-mile interval, at 15,000 miles you will want to replace the windshield wiper blades.

• 22,500 miles

At this point, you will need to do one added replacement by changing out the passenger compartment air filter.

• 37,500 miles

This is when the engine air cleaner filter should be replaced if it hasn’t been yet. Driving in heavy traffic or poor air quality areas may result in this service needing to be done sooner, which is why it is important to inspect it every 7,500 miles.

• 45,000 miles

Along with replacing the windshield wiper blades and passenger compartment air filter again, you will also want to have the rear axle fluid changed. Be sure to inspect the evaporative cooling system as well.

You may want to change the transmission fluid during this interval depending on the type of driving you do. A professional technician can help you determine if this is needed.

• 60,000 miles

If you have the LT4 or LT5 Supercharged engine, this is when your spark plugs will need to be replaced. While they are being replaced, also have the technician inspect the wires of the spark plug.

If you have the LT1 engine, the spark plugs will need to be replaced at 97,500 miles.

Source: wikipedia, diverchev.