C1 Corvette Information | Vette Vues Magazine

21Aug 2020 by vettevues

1956 Corvette History, Features and Specifications

1956 Corvette Information, C1 Corvette Information

Today on the Vette Vues blog, we are looking at the 1956 Corvette's history, features, specifications, and some great Corvette photos. Just three years after its introduction, Corvette was under attack from within as Chevrolet and GM management considered disappointing sales. But it was under the protection of three very powerful advocates: Harley Earl, Chevrolet President Ed Cole, and engineer Zora Arkus Duntov. Earl, Cole, and Duntov were determined to establish Corvette as America’s premier sports car. But, critics said that the Corvette's styling was already aging. The 1956 Corvette represented the first major redesign of the original body style. The new sports car, the 1956 Corvette, body received a new redesigned with the cove inserts and smoother exterior lines. This first-generation Corvette now offered buyers outside door handles, roll-up…

23Jul 2020 by vettevues

1956 Corvette Advertisements

1956 Corvette Information, C1 Corvette Information, Vintage Corvette Magazine Ads

Chevrolet produced a lot of 1956 Corvette advertisements. Today on our blog we are taking a look back at some of these advertisements. We also want to share a little history of the C1 1956 Chevrolet Corvette. We have included some 1956 Corvette Trivia questions for your next club get-together. 1956 had an all-new, streamlined body for the Corvette with roll-up windows. The Corvette "roadster" finally qualifies as a true "convertible." There were three engine choices now, and nearly all buyers opted for the 225 hp, dual four-barrel carbureted 265 c.i. V-8. The Corvette transmission choices were split by almost 50-50 between autos and 3-speed manual units. FIBERGLASS FACT: A rare option was the special high-lift camshaft that provided an (unofficial) output of 240 hp! Trivia Questions Here are a…

14May 2020 by vettevues

1953 Corvette Magazine Ads & Trivia

1953 Corvette Information, C1 Corvette Information

In this article, we are looking at the 1953 Corvette Magazine ads. At the end of the ads, we will also look in our Rear Vues at what was happening during the time with a little 1953 Trivia. [envira-gallery slug="1953-corvette-photo-gallery"] Did you know the only two options available on the 1953 Corvette were a heater and an AM radio? As we look at the 1953 Corvette Magazine Ads, we thought you might enjoy a little trivia about what was happening in 1953. Publishing has always been difficult. In 1953, a new publication came on the scene. Its publisher borrowed $1,000 from his mother and a few others to start it in a Hyde Park kitchen (Chicago). The first issue came out in December but was undated, because they were unsure…

10May 2020 by vettevues

1957 Corvette Magazine Ads

1957 Corvette Information, C1 Corvette Information, Vintage Corvette Magazine Ads

Before we look at our 1957 Corvette Magazine Ads, we also want to share a little trivia. This comes from our Vette Vues Magazine column “Rear Vues” where we feature Corvette Magazine Ads from the Ladd B. Chase Collection. In 1957, there were massive promotional campaigns from Ford Motor Company. In magazine ads, they announced “E-Day” in which a new car was going to be introduced. This would take place on September 4, 1957. 2.5 million Americans poured into dealerships around the country. “E-Day” was the debut of the 1958 model year Edsel. Enthusiasm was high! In the first year, 63,110 Edsels were sold in the United States; an additional 4,935 units were sold in Canada (to put it in perspective-Chevrolet produced 6,339 1957 Corvettes). The Edsel was sold through a new…

14Apr 2020 by vettevues

1954 Corvette Magazine Ad

1954 Corvette Information, C1 Corvette Information, Corvette News and Archives, Vintage Corvette Magazine Ads

Here are some 1954 Corvette Magazine ads and a few extra ones for you to enjoy. If you look closely, some look as if they are duplicates, but there is a slight variation on them. We have also included some brochures and even some postcards. Also, we have included some other Chevrolet Magazine Ads you might enjoy seeing. We hope you enjoyed our collection of 1954 Corvette Magazine Ads. At the end of the ads is a little trivia you might enjoy. As we look at the year 1954 and the ads for the 1954 Corvette, I found it very interesting to look at the economy. The Dow Jones rose to an all-time high of 382.74. This was the first time the Dow surpassed its 1929 peak level that it…

26Oct 2019 by vettevues

Rare 1954 Corvette Bubble Top

1954 Corvette Information, C1 Corvette Information

Today we are looking back at a rare 1954 Corvette Bubble Top. GM styling chief Harley Earl commissioned approximately 20 plastic bubble canopy tops for the 1954 Corvette, most of which went to special customers and dealers. The C1 Corvettes (first-generation)did not have a factory hardtop configuration. The base Corvette cost $2774.00. There were bubble tops for the early Corvettes produced by a handful of aftermarket companies including Model Builders of Chicago, Plasticon and Scottop of California. The bubble tops were crafted from plexiglass and provided taller drivers a tad more headroom in the cockpit. These ran around $500. 1955 Corvette Bubble Top Vintage Magazine Ads 1955 Corvette Bubble Top Vintage Magazine Ads 1954 Corvette History Chevrolet began production of the 1954 model Corvettes from its freshly refurbished St. Louis…

09May 2019 by vettevues

1953 VIN 003 Cutaway Corvette Donated to the NCM

1953 Corvette Information, C1 Corvette Information, Corvette News and Archives

Car Revealed as part of National Corvette Museum's Gateway Remodel Gateway Exhibit at the National Corvette Museum A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held during the National Corvette Museum’s annual Michelin NCM Bash, introducing the more than 1,500 Corvette enthusiasts in attendance to the newest exhibit area of the Museum. Thanks to the generosity of donors to the 2018 giving campaign, visitors to the Museum will now be greeted by a welcoming admissions area leading to the completely revamped Gateway exhibit. A surprise announcement was made as part of the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Ed and Teresa Foss of Roanoke, Indiana, owners of the 1953 Corvette Chassis #003 (the earliest existing Corvette chassis) donated their educational cutaway utilizing the chassis to the Museum. The fully functional vehicle was built explicitly for educational and display…

08May 2019 by vettevues

No. 1 Briggs Cunningham 1960 Le Mans Corvette Racer

1960 Corvette Information, C1 Corvette Information, Chevrolet Corvette History

In this article, we will look at some photos that appeared in Vette Vues Magazine in 2012 from Corvettes at Carlisle and some from the Bloomington Gold event in 2018 of the No. 1 Briggs Cunningham 1960 Le Mans Corvette Racer. But first, a little history of this unique Corvette that has been in the courts for several years. No. 1 Briggs Cunningham 1960 Le Mans Corvette Racer at the June Bloomington Gold 2018 held at the Indianapolis Speedway. One of three 1960 Corvettes that Briggs Cunningham raced at the 24 Hours of Le Mans that year labeled “1,” “2,” and “3.” The No. 3 wound up winning the race, and No. 1 and No. 2 failed to finish. No. 1 Briggs Cunningham 1960 Le Mans Corvette Racer at the…

30Apr 2019 by vettevues

C1 Corvette – THE HISTORY OF BODY KITS & DRESS-UP PARTS

C1 Corvette Information, Chevrolet Corvette History, Corvette Features

C1 Corvette History of Body Kits and Dress-up This is the first re-post of six-part series that looks back at the various custom modifications that could be installed by an owner, contracted to a shop, or purchased as turn-key vehicles. This re-post presents additional photos to those which were selected for print in VETTE VUES. In this series, VETTE VUES presents a photographic summary of the major trends in customization, as it has evolved through the various year groups. The treatment for each year group follows a set format. Examples of kits (or parts) that were offered in that actual time period will be presented first, followed by various retro-themed kits or turn-key cars developed in later years. Miscellaneous items are included at the end of each year group. NOTE:…

28Dec 2018 by vettevues

1957 Corvette Big Brake Airbox Goes to Auction

1957 Corvette Information, C1 Corvette Information, Corvette News and Archives, Corvettes at Auction

The earliest known Airbox Corvette, Lot S140, will be auctioned Saturday, January 12, 2019, at the Mecum Kissimmee Auction. What a unique opportunity to own one of 43 Airbox Cars produced of which only twenty-two are known to exist. This award-winning 1957 Corvette is Serial No. 4007 and was completed on May 15, 1957. The car was ordered by a Chevrolet dealer and racer, Bill Howe, in Middleton Ohio during a special SCCA event in which GM announced the car's development. That was in January of 1957. After waiting months he finally flew to St. Louis to take delivery at the plant. This was only days before the Cumberland, Maryland road races. He drove to the track with just two hours of rest where Bill Howe took third place, right…