The first of a legendary line, the Corvette was created by America's General Motors Corporation in response to the British open two-seaters that were increasingly appearing, albeit in modest numbers, on American roads during the early 1950s.
The result was distinctly transatlantic in flavor with, to European eyes, a garish open two-seater body created by GM's styling supremo, Harly Earl. Because of low production volumes envisaged, it was made of glass fiber. This was mounted on a bespoke chassis and under the hood was a 235cid (3.8 liter) six-cylinder engine; two-speed automatic transmission, with a floor gear change, was fitted.
In truth this first Corvette of 1953 was a bit of a horror but then America's last true sports car had been the Mercer Raceabout of 1911! Only available in that first year in polo white with a red interior, GM's first performance model was marred by indifferent handling, a worrying characteristic when the top speed was an alarming 105mph.
Against a background of poor sales, the Corporation contemplated scrapping the Corvette but wisely, in 1955, replaced the six with a 265cid V8. A three-speed manual gearbox arrived for the 1956 season. Performance perked up and the car was now capable of speeds nudging the 120mph mark.
Data and information On Corvette
Engine Location: Front, in-line
Configuration: Six-cylinder
Bore and Stroke: 90 x 100mm
Capacity: 235cid
Valve operation: Pushrod
Horsepower: 150bhp @ 4200 rpm
Transition: Automatic, two-speed
Drive: Rear
Chassis: Box section
Suspension-front: Wishbones and coil spring
Suspension-rear: Half-elliptic spring
Brakes: Drum
Top Speed: 105mph
Acceleration: 0-60mph:11.2 seconds
