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1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962

1953-1962: Although initial response was skeptical, pure numbers show what the public wanted. Only 316 models were built in 1953, but production increased to 3,640 the next year. In 1955, a 195hp V-8 appeared as an option and in '56, the Blue Flame Six was replaced by a 210 & 225hp V-8. The base price at this time was $3,149.

In 1957, the biggest news involving Corvette was a 250hp fuel-injected engine option. By '58, dual headlights and a horsepower range of 230-290 were evident and production was up 45% to 9,168 units. In 1959, Sports Cars Illustrated clocked a 0 to 60 time of 6.6 seconds in a 290hp model with a 4-speed.

In 1960, production rose again to 10,261 units. The most powerful carbureted engine had 270hp while the fuel-injected engines had 275 and 315 horses. In 1962, the base engine had 250hp but was available up to 360hp. The price at this time was around $4000.

Corvette history was started June 30th, 1953 when production on the 1st fiberglass Corvette was completed. For the most part, all 300 1953 Corvettes produced were hand built and featured dual exhaust. The only engine choice was the base one, a Chevrolet "Blue Flame" six-cylinder 235/150 engine. 1953 & 1954 Corvettes were very similar, but since 1953 only came in Polo White with a red interior, you know that any other exterior color means it is not a genuine 1953 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster. Over 70% of the original 1953s still exist.

PRODUCTION 1954	3,640
BASE PRICE	$2,774
BASE STYLE	Roadster (convertible)
OPTIONAL STYLE	none
BASE ENGINE	235 cubic inches, 150 horsepower "Blue Flame 6"
ENGINE OPTIONS	235/155 (not option, but later in production year)
COLOR CHOICES	Polo White, Pennant Blue, Sportsman Red, Black
TOP COLORS	Beige
INTERIOR COLORS	Red, Beige
POPULAR OPTIONS	Heater, Turn Blinkers, AM Radio, Whitewalls
SERIAL NUMBERS	Body & Chassis: E54S001001 -- E54S004640

Corvette history: In December, 1953 production of the 1954 Corvette was moved to St. Louis, Missouri. Part way through the production year, a change in the camshaft increased the parade horsepower a whole 5 miles per hour. More ways to tell 1954 Corvettes from the 1953 model: (1) All 1953's had black canvas tops, for 1954 they were beige, (2) All 1953s' had red interiors, some of the 1954's were beige.

PRODUCTION 1955	700
BASE PRICE	$2,774
BASE STYLE	Roadster (convertible)
OPTIONAL STYLE	none
BASE ENGINE	235 cubic inches, 155 horsepower "Blue Flame 6"
ENGINE OPTIONS	235/195 eight cylinder
COLOR CHOICES	Polo White, Harvest Gold, Gypsy Red, Copper, Pennant Blue
TOP COLORS	White, Beige, Dark Green
INTERIOR COLORS	Red, Yellow, Light Beige, Dark Beige
POPULAR OPTIONS	Heater, Turn Blinkers, AM Radio, Windshield Wipers
SERIAL NUMBERS	Body & Chassis VE55S001001 -- VE55S001700

Corvette history: The only year to offer both 6 and 8 cylinder engines. Although only 700 were made, options were plentiful. To tell from 1953, 1954 look at engine, look at new colors of Gold & Copper, look for dark green or white vinyl (no longer canvas) tops, or look for the yellow interior option. In addition, you could now zoom along with the new 3 speed manual transmission option. Only 15 Copper Color Corvettes were sold.

PRODUCTION 1956	3,467
BASE PRICE	$2,900
BASE STYLE	Roadster (convertible)
OPTIONAL STYLE	none
BASE ENGINE	265 cubic inches, 210 horsepower
ENGINE OPTIONS	265/240 @ $172
COLOR CHOICES	Polo White, Aztec Copper, Venetian Red, Cascade Green, Artic Blue
INTERIOR COLORS	Red, Beige
POPULAR OPTIONS	Power Operated Folding Top, Windshield Wipers, AM Radio, Auxiliary Hardtop, Parking Brake Alarm
SERIAL NUMBERS	Body & Chassis E56S001001--E56S004467

Corvette history: All new body design for 1956, and glass roll up windows. Combine that with the hardtop option, windshield wiper option, and you could actually go for a long distance cruise. Many also had contrasting color coves, dual four barrel carbs, seat belts, and radios. As you can see from the big production boost, Corvette was here to stay. Venetian Red and Onyx Black were the 2 most popular colors.

PRODUCTION 1957	6,339
BASE PRICE	$3,176
BASE STYLE	Roadster (convertible)
OPTIONAL STYLE	none
BASE ENGINE	283 cubic inches, 220 horsepower
ENGINE OPTIONS	283/245, 283/270, 283/250 (fuelie), 283/283 (fuel injection)
COLOR CHOICES	Polo White, Aztec Copper, Venetian Red, Cascade Green, Artic Blue, Inca Silver, Onyx Black
INTERIOR COLORS	Red, Beige
WHEEL COLORS	Black, Copper, Green, Blue, Red, Silver
POPULAR OPTIONS	heater, white walls, auxiliary hardtops, AM radio, two-tone paint
SERIAL NUMBERS	Body & Chassis E57S100001--E57S106339

Corvette history: Corvette becomes a racy sports car winning the 12 hour Sebring Race. The 1957 Corvette with 283/283 fuel injection with a 4 speed manual transmission is one of the most sought after collector Corvettes. Remember 1957 was the last year for single headlights, also the 1st year for the 283 engine, and that the popular black exterior color was not offered in 1956. Also a very high number of 1957 Vettes opted for whitewalls and a heater. Onyx black color lead by a high margin, followed by Venetian Red & Polo White.

PRODUCTION 1958	9,168
BASE PRICE	$3,591
BASE STYLE	Roadster (convertible)
OPTIONAL STYLE	none
BASE ENGINE	283 cubic inches, 230 horsepower 3 speed manual
ENGINE OPTIONS	283/245, 283/270, 283/250 (fuelie--504 sold), 283/290 (fuel injection--1,007 sold as $484 option)
COLOR CHOICES	Snow crest White, Silver Blue, Signet Red, Panama Yellow, Charcoal, Regal Turquoise, Black
INTERIOR COLORS	black, charcoal, red
POPULAR OPTIONS	Heater, White Walls, AM radio, Auxiliary Hardtop, Wipers
SERIAL NUMBERS	Body & Chassis J58S100001--J58S109168

Corvette history: First year for dual headlights, and only year for chrome rear windstrips on the trunk lid. Whole new body panel design, new interior, and for the first time seat belts were no longer an option, now being factory installed. The speedometer now gave a reading up to 160 miles per hour. The louvers on the hood were non-functional, adding to the looks. Of the 8 color choices, 2/3 were either White, Blue, or Charcoal.

PRODUCTION 1959	9,670
BASE PRICE	$3,875
BASE STYLE	Roadster (convertible)
OPTIONAL STYLE	none
BASE ENGINE	283 cubic inches, 230 horsepower 3 speed Manual
ENGINE OPTIONS	283/245, 283/270, 283/250 (fuelie), 283/290 (fuel injection--745 sold @ $484 extra)
COLOR CHOICES	Snow crest White, Roman Red, Tuxedo Black, Frost Blue, Crown Sapphire, Classic Cream, Inca Silver
TOP COLORS	Black, Blue, White, Red, Turquoise
INTERIOR COLORS	Black, Blue, Red, Turquoise
POPULAR OPTIONS	Heater, White Walls, Washers, Auxiliary Hardtop, Positraction, Four Speed Manual Transmission, Sunshades
SERIAL NUMBERS	Body & Chassis J59S100001--J59S109670

Corvette history: First year for black interiors, and a dash storage bin. Gone from 1958 were the chrome rear windstrips on the trunk lid, and the hood louvers. The base engine and options were exactly the same, the armrest were in a new position, providing just a little more interior room. 1959 was the only year to order a Turquoise convertible top.

PRODUCTION 1960	10,261
BASE PRICE	$3,872
BASE STYLE	Roadster (convertible)
OPTIONAL STYLE	none
BASE ENGINE	283 cubic inches, 230 horsepower
ENGINE OPTIONS	283/245, 283/270, 283/275 (fuelie), 283/315 (fuel injection)
COLOR CHOICES	Roman Red, Tuxedo Black, Horizon Blue, Ermine White, Cascade Green, Sateen Silver, Tasco Turquoise
INTERIOR COLORS	Black, Blue, Red, Turquoise
WHEEL COLORS	Black, Blue, Red, Turquoise, Maroon, White, Silver, Green
TOP COLORS	Black, Blue, White
POPULAR OPTIONS	heater, AM radio, windshield wipers, Auxiliary hardtop, whitewall tires,positraction rear axle
SERIAL NUMBERS	Body & Chassis 00867S100001--00867S110261

Corvette history: Very little change from 1959, different seat pattern, and the largest engine option was now rated at 315 horsepower. An all new, all aluminum cross flow radiator was included with 270- or 315 hp engines . New radius rods form an extra link between the frame & rear axle. Cascade Green was a very unpopular color, with only 140 made, if you see one today it is no longer called unpopular, instead it is rare. As power windows were a rather expensive option, only about 1 in 5 1960 Corvettes had it.

PRODUCTION 1961	10,939
BASE PRICE	$3,934
BASE STYLE	Roadster (convertible)
BASE ENGINE	283 cubic inches, 230 horsepower
ENGINE OPTIONS	283/245, 283/270, 283/275 (fuelie), 283/315 (fuel injection)
COLOR CHOICES	Roman Red, Tuxedo Black, Jewel Blue, Ermine White, Fawn Beige, Honduras Maroon, Sateen Silver
INTERIOR COLORS	Black, Blue, Red, Fawn
WHEEL COLORS	Black, Blue, Red, Beige, Maroon, White, Silver, Green
POPULAR OPTIONS	heater, AM radio, 4 speed manual trans, auxiliary hardtop, Positraction,whitewalls
SERIAL NUMBERS	Body & Chasis 10867S100001--10867S110939

Corvette history: Major styling change with a whole new rear design, new bumpers, and the 1st year for the 4 round taillights. Gone was the chrome vertical bar grille, now an aluminum one... no more shark teeth! 1961 was also the last Vette year for optional wide whitewall tires, and also the last chance option to have the cove a contrasting paint color. For the first time exhaust pipes exited under the rear body panel & bumper.

PRODUCTION 1962	14,531
BASE PRICE	$4,038
BASE STYLE	Roadster (convertible)
OPTIONAL STYLE	none
BASE ENGINE	327 cubic inches, 250 horsepower
ENGINE OPTIONS	327/300, 327/340, 327/360 (fuel injection)
COLOR CHOICES	Roman Red, Tuxedo Black, Ermine White, Fawn Beige, Honduras Maroon, Sateen Silver, Almond Beige
INTERIOR COLORS	Black, Fawn, Red
WHEEL COLORS	Black, Fawn/Beige, Red, White Silver, Maroon
POPULAR OPTIONS	Positraction, 4 speed stick, auxiliary hardtop, Positraction
SERIAL NUMBERS	Body & Chassis 20867S100001--20867S114531

Corvette history: A whole new engine, the 327 was introduced, including the powerful 327/360 fuelie. The coves no longer had trim, and therefore were always the same color as the exterior. The trunk made its final appearance until the C5 era. 1962 is a very popular year for collectors, with the "Shark Gills" near the coves.