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Experience the heart-pounding, adrenaline-packed feeling that only a Chevrolet Corvette can inspire. One of America’s most beloved sports cars, it went from a 1950s country-club cruiser to a high-performance icon in a matter of decades. From the fully transformed 1956 model to the highly anticipated eighth-generation C8 that hits lots with the 2020 model year, let’s explore our top four picks for the most famous ‘Vettes throughout history.
The Birth of a Legend
Chevrolet restyled the Corvette for the 1956 model year. It features exposed headlamps, sculpted side coves, and roll-up windows. This fully transformed sports car offers newly-available (at the time) factory-installed removable hardtops and an available power-operated folding roof.
Its revised front fascia and scalloped sides added a more distinctive look and the V-8 carried over with an updated camshaft design. This new powerhouse put out 210 horsepower with the standard four-barrel carburetor.
A Few Famous Actors
Many of us were first introduced to the Corvette in movies. This super sports car started its silver screen career in 1955 with Mickey Spillane’s private-eye film “Kiss Me Deadly,” featuring one of just four black versions made that year. Since that debut, this popular Chevy has appeared in hundreds of movies and is driven by some of the most famous actors in the world, including Elvis Presley.
One of the all-time best Corvette scenes comes right out of the 1997 film “Con Air,” starring Nicholas Cage. The 1967 roadster was in mint condition until its shiny silver pearl paint job was utterly destroyed by the flick’s curtain.
The Fastest Car on the Lot
Guess who topped the list as the fastest production car ever made in 1969? You’re right. It’s the third-generation Corvette ZL1. It hit dealer lots right in the middle of the country’s muscle car boom. Slated to replace the legendary L88, it was lighter, more exotic, and sported a sleek, aggressive design.
This midyear engine release touted a racing-inspired, all-aluminum, 7.0-liter big-block that was officially rated at 430 horsepower. It was quick and dominated the quarter-mile with its 12.1-second run. The modern, 2019 ZL1 variant of this supercar offers driving enthusiasts a top track speed of 212 mph. Those figures make it the fastest production Corvette — ever.
Today’s 2020 C8
No guide to the ‘Vette is complete without a brief discussion about the upcoming model year. This new bowtie hotrod is the first ever to arrive on the lot with its engine mounted behind the passenger compartment.
The striking 2020 variant is all hard lines, and it’s 6.2-liter “LT2” V-8 in the base Stingray model pairs nicely with the all-new eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Say goodbye to the manual gearbox and hello to the performance exhaust option. With the LT2 engine, it produces 495 horsepower and redlines at 6600 rpm.
This famous two-seater found its way into our hearts like no other American sports car before it. Which legendary Corvettes is your all-time favorite?
Image Via Pixabay
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