The new C7 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is set to roll out of the assembly line later this year. The C7 has very little in common with the older generations of Corvettes, but the car undeniably owes its birth to GM’s illustrious legacy of 60 years in sports and muscle cars.
The most striking feature of the new “Vette” is that the car is a total revamp from the earlier 6 generations of Corvettes, both the interior and the technology of the model. The other generations of Corvettes were the result of significant upgrades from the older cars as opposed to re-imaginations of the design.
The original C1 model was displayed at the New York Auto Show in 1953. The C1 Corvette with 150 horsepower, 235 cubic inch, 6 and 5 inch power glide transmission was in great demand. The C2 Sting Rays that started production in 1963 had split windows on the rear – a unique feature of the 1963 C2’s, and produced 360 horsepower that was eventually increased to 375 horsepower in 1964. The C2’s of 1967 are some of the most popular classic cars of all times, still bringing in extremely high auction prices. The C3 generation of Corvettes (manufactured between the years 1968-1982) exuded sophistication in their design and kept mostly in line with what the former Corvette designs had been, with only a few minor upgrades. It was the C4’s and C5’s that saw major changes in the technical details of the car. For example, the ‘Gen-lll’ ‘LS-1’ engine was made of aluminum using the latest production techniques, which made it sleeker, faster and more powerful than any of the previous models. The C6 took the best of the C5’s and produced a new generation car with more power and flare . The smooth and fast power trains, stylish looks and other striking features were available for a price lesser than that of the previous C5 model, which made this car more appealing to the general public, but still a high-value collectible.
The new C7 Chevrolet Corvette, fitted with the ‘Stingray’ title on its fenders, ensures a better driving experience because it is 100 pounds lighter than the C5’s. Fitted with the LT1 V8 engine that produces 450 horsepower and 450lb ft of torque, the new car races at 0.60 mph in less than 4 secs. The Drive Mode Selector, next to the shift knob, moves between 5 drive modes: weather, eco, tour, sport and track. The other stand alone features of the new car include Brembo brakes, cylinder deactivation, variable valve timing and an all new combustion system.
The first model of the C7 was auctioned at the Barrett Jackson Automotive Auction held in Scottsdale, Arizona. Rick Hendrick, NASCAR team owner, paid $1.1 million for the car with the production number 0001, which is nearly 20 times more than the starting price of $55,000.
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About the Author
Drew Yagodnik is Vice President of Classic Automobile Insurance Agency, Inc. Classic Automobile Insurance Agency has been protecting collector, classic and exotics since 1992.
http://www.gizmag.com/2014-chevrolet-Corvette-stingray/25849/
http://www.edmunds.com/chevrolet/Corvette/history.html
http://media.gm.com/product/public/us/en/c7/home.html