Chevrolet Corvette (C1)

Chevrolet Corvette (C1)
Chevrolet Corvette (C1)
	1954 Corvette
Overview
Manufacturer	Chevrolet (General Motors)
Production	June 1953–July 1962
Model years	1953–1962
Assembly	United States: Flint Assembly, Flint, Michigan (1953–early 1954); United States: St. Louis Assembly, St. Louis, Missouri (early 1954–1962);
Designer	Harley Earl; Bob Cadaret (1956)
Body and chassis
Class	Sports car
Body style	2-door convertible/roadster
Layout	FR layout
Platform	Series E2934 (1953–1957); Series J800 (1958-1959); Series 0800 (1960-1962)
Chassis	Body-on-frame
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	102.0 in (2,591 mm) (1953–1962)
Length	167.3 in (4,249 mm) (1953–1955); 168.0 in (4,267 mm) (1956–1957); 177.2 in (4,501 mm) (1958–1962);
Width	69.8 in (1,773 mm) (1953–1955); 70.5 in (1,791 mm) (1956–1957); 72.8 in (1,849 mm) (1958–1961); 70.4 in (1,788 mm) (1962);
Height	51.5 in (1,308 mm) (1953–1957); 51 in (1,295 mm) (1958–1962);
Curb 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 the first generation of the Corvette sports car produced by Chevrolet. It was introduced late in the 1953 model year and produced through 1962. This generation is commonly called the "solid-axle" generation, as an independent rear suspension did not appear until the 1963 Sting Ray.

The Corvette was rushed into production for its debut model year to capitalize on the enthusiastic public reaction to the concept vehicle. However, expectations for the new model were largely unfulfilled. Reviews were mixed, and sales fell far short of expectations through the car's early years. The program was nearly canceled by General Motors, but decided to make necessary improvements because Ford was developing a two-seater that became the Thunderbird.