Chevrolet Corvette C1 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chevrolet Corvette (C1)
1954 Corvette
Overview
Manufacturer	The Chevrolet Division of General Motors
Production	June 1953–July 1962
Model years	1953–1962
Assembly	United States: Flint, Michigan (1953–early 1954) United States: St. Louis, Missouri (early 1954–1962)
Body and chassis
Class	Sports car
Body style	2-door convertible
Layout	FR layout
Related	Chevrolet Corvette Scaglietti Coupe
Powertrain
Engine	235 cu in (3.9 L) Blue Flame I6 265 cu in (4.3 L) Small-block V8 283 cu in (4.6 L) Small-block V8 327 cu in (5.4 L) Small-block V8
Transmission	2-speed Powerglide automatic 3-speed manual 4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	102 in (2,600 mm) (1953–1962)
Length	167.3 in (4,250 mm) (1953–1955) 168 in (4,300 mm) (1956–1957) 177.2 in (4,500 mm) (1958–1962)
Width	69.8 in (1,770 mm) (1953–1955) 70.5 in (1,790 mm) (1956–1957) 72.8 in (1,850 mm) (1958–1961) 70.4 in (1,790 mm) (1962)
Height	51.5 in (1,310 mm) (1953–1957) 51 in (1,300 mm) (1958–1962)
Weight	2,886 lb (1,309 kg) (1953–1954, 1956) 2,805 lb (1,272 kg) (1955) 2,849 lb (1,292 kg) (1957) 2,926 lb (1,327 kg) (1958) 2,975 lb (1,349 kg) (1959) 2,985 lb (1,354 kg) (1960–1961) 3,065 lb (1,390 kg) (1962)
Chronology
Successor	Chevrolet Corvette (C2)

The Chevrolet Corvette C1 is a super cool sports car. It was the very first version of the famous Chevrolet Corvette. This car was made from 1953 to 1962.

In 1963, a new version came out, called the Chevrolet Corvette C2. The C1 is known for its classic style and being an important part of American car history.

The First Chevrolet Corvette: C1

The Chevrolet Corvette C1 is a legendary car. It marked the beginning of a long line of amazing sports cars. This first generation set the stage for all future Corvettes.

Birth of a Legend: How it Started

The idea for the Corvette came about in the early 1950s. Chevrolet wanted to build a true American sports car. Before this, many sports cars came from Europe.

The first Corvette was shown to the public in 1953. It was a big hit and quickly became a symbol of American style and performance. Production began in June 1953.

Cool Features and Design

The C1 Corvette was designed to be exciting and stylish. It had a sleek, low-slung body. This made it look fast even when standing still.

The car was built as a two-door convertible. This meant you could drive with the top down. It was perfect for sunny days and cruising.

Engines and Power

Early C1 models came with a "Blue Flame" straight-six engine. This engine had six cylinders in a row. It was good for its time.

Later, more powerful V8 engines were added. These V8 engines gave the Corvette much more speed. They made it a true performance car.

You could choose between automatic or manual transmissions. Manual transmissions let the driver shift gears themselves. This gave more control over the car's power.

Body Styles and Looks

The C1's look changed a bit over its production years. The first models had a simple, elegant design. They were very smooth.

Later models got more aggressive styling. They had different grilles and headlights. These changes kept the car looking fresh and exciting.

The car's body was made of fiberglass. This was a new and interesting material for cars back then. It helped make the car lighter.

The C1's Journey Through the Years

The C1 Corvette evolved quite a bit during its nine years of production. Each year brought small improvements or design changes. These changes made it better and more popular.

Early Years: 1953-1955

The very first Corvettes were made in Flint, Michigan. Only 300 were built in 1953. They all came in Polo White with a red interior.

In 1954, production moved to St. Louis, Missouri. More cars were made, and new colors became available. The "Blue Flame" engine was still the only option.

The 1955 model year was important. This is when the first V8 engine option was introduced. This made the Corvette much faster and more appealing to sports car fans.

Mid-Years: 1956-1957

The 1956 Corvette got a fresh new look. It had exposed headlights and side coves. These coves could be painted a different color.

More powerful V8 engines were offered. Some even had fuel injection. This was very advanced technology for the time.

The 1957 models continued to improve performance. They offered even stronger V8 engines. These cars were becoming serious contenders in racing.

Later Years: 1958-1962

The 1958 Corvette featured a new front end with four headlights. It also had more chrome trim. The car looked bolder and more luxurious.

Models from 1959 and 1960 kept similar styling. They refined the design and improved handling. These cars were popular for their blend of style and speed.

The 1961 and 1962 models had a redesigned rear end. It featured a "ducktail" design. This look hinted at the next generation Corvette, the C2. The 1962 model was the last of the C1 series.

Corvette C1 Gallery

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  1953–1955 Corvette

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  1956–1957 Corvette

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  1958–1960 Corvette

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  1961–1962 Corvette

Images for kids

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  Performance-themed logo

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  Interior of a 1954 Corvette

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  Options in 1956-57 included a car radio that featured both transistors –cutting-edge technology at that time – and a vacuum tube

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  Fuel-injected 1957 convertible

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  1958 convertible

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  1959 was the next to last year for tail lights atop the rear fenders

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  There were fewer and heavier teeth in the grill in 1960

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  1961 was the last year for two-tone paint until 1978

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  A 1959 Scaglietti Corvette

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  Corvette Corvair show car, rear view

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  1955

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  1957

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  1960

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  1962