SPOT.
Photo of a Chevrolet Corvette

Chevrolet Corvette

From 150-hp six-cylinder beginnings to the 1,250-hp ZR1X.12

Researched October 23, 2026 from 40 sources

Also called

  • America's Sports CarA widely used sobriquet for the Corvette family.1
  • solid-axleUsed for the C1 because independent rear suspension did not arrive until the 1963 Sting Ray.3
  • King of the HillThe C4 ZR1's prototype nickname; Lotus helped develop its upgraded brakes and steering.4

At a glance

Engine
C1: 3.9 L I6; C1–C8: 4.3–7.4 L V8s, including C8 hybrids1238
Layout
Front-engine RWD through 2019; C8: mid-engine RWD or AWD12
Gearbox
2–8-speed automatics, 3–7-speed manuals; C8: 8-speed dual-clutch2315
Built at
USA: Flint Assembly; St. Louis Assembly; Bowling Green Assembly Plant23

The story

Conceived as an all-American two-seat sports car, the Corvette arrived in 1953 as a fiberglass roadster. Eight generations span C1 to C8, with lightweight fiberglass and composite bodywork a family signature.135

1953: 300 Polo White roadsters begin the story19531963: Sting Ray gains independent rear suspension19631968: C3 brings T-tops and Mako Shark II lines19681984: C4 launch leaves 1983 behind19841997: C5 brings the LS1 and rear transaxle19972006: 505-hp Z06 faces Ford GT and Dodge Viper20062014: C7 Stingray: the final front-engine era20142025: 6:49.275 at the Nürburgring2025 Chevrolet Corvette (C1): 1953–1962C1Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray (C2): 1963–1967C2Chevrolet Corvette (C3): 1968–1982C3Chevrolet Corvette (C4): 1984–1996C4Chevrolet Corvette (C5): 1997–2004C5Chevrolet Corvette (C6): 2005–2013C6Chevrolet Corvette (C7): 2014–2019C7Chevrolet Corvette (C8): 2020–presentC8 1960197019801990200020102020
GenerationsMilestones123459101215182122
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1953–1962Chevrolet Corvette (C1)
1963–1967Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray (C2)
1968–1982Chevrolet Corvette (C3)
1984–1996Chevrolet Corvette (C4)
1997–2004Chevrolet Corvette (C5)
2005–2013Chevrolet Corvette (C6)
2014–2019Chevrolet Corvette (C7)
2020–presentChevrolet Corvette (C8)
1953300 Polo White roadsters begin the story
1963Sting Ray gains independent rear suspension
1968C3 brings T-tops and Mako Shark II lines
1984C4 launch leaves 1983 behind
1997C5 brings the LS1 and rear transaxle
2006505-hp Z06 faces Ford GT and Dodge Viper
2014C7 Stingray: the final front-engine era
20256:49.275 at the Nürburgring
  1. 1953

    300 Polo White roadsters begin the story

    Production began June 30 in Flint; the first model year brought 300 hand-built Polo White convertibles with fiberglass bodywork.13

  2. 1963

    Sting Ray gains independent rear suspension

    The C2 Sting Ray added a coupe and independent rear suspension that transformed grip; 327-cu-in V8 options spanned 250–360 hp, with fuel injection topping the range.167

  3. 1968

    C3 brings T-tops and Mako Shark II lines

    Inspired by the Mako Shark II, the C3 introduced T-tops and ran through 1982; assembly moved from St. Louis to Bowling Green in 1981.18

  4. 1984

    C4 launch leaves 1983 behind

    The C4 skipped a retail 1983 model year; one preproduction survivor remains at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green.4

  5. 1997

    C5 brings the LS1 and rear transaxle

    The C5 linked its new 345-hp LS1 to a rear transaxle through a torque tube, while a hydroformed frame strengthened the platform.9

  6. 2006

    505-hp Z06 faces Ford GT and Dodge Viper

    The C6 Z06 faced the Ford GT and Dodge Viper with 505 hp from a pushrod V8, beating the Viper over the quarter-mile, 11.6 to 12.0 seconds.1011

  7. 2014

    C7 Stingray: the final front-engine era

    The last front-engine C7 Stingray used an aluminum structure and carbon hood; in 2014, a US Z51 cost $53,800, with UK pricing set at £61,645.1213

  8. 2025

    6:49.275 at the Nürburgring

    Drew Cattell drove the 1,250-hp ZR1X to 6:49.275; all three Corvette laps were logged in the Prototype/Pre-Production category.14

Every generation

  • Chevrolet Corvette
    C11953–1962
  • Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray
    C21963–1967
  • Chevrolet Corvette
    C31968–1982
  • Chevrolet Corvette
    C41984–1996
  • Chevrolet Corvette
    C51997–2004
  • Chevrolet Corvette
    C62005–2013
  • Chevrolet Corvette
    C72014–2019
  • Chevrolet Corvette
    C82020–present

Power over the years

From 150 hp to 1,250 hp in 72 years.

05001,0001,500 19501960197019801990200020102020 hp 1953 · 150 hp · Blue Flame six, SAE gross1955 · 195 hp · 265 small-block V8, SAE gross1957 · 283 hp · 283 fuel-injected V8, SAE gross1972 · 200 hp · L48 base engine, SAE net1990 · 375 hp · C4 ZR-1 LT51993 · 405 hp · C4 ZR-12002 · 405 hp · Z06, LS62006 · 505 hp · Z06, 7.0 L LS72014 · 455 hp · C7 Stingray LT12020 · 495 hp · C8 Stingray Z512023 · 670 hp · Z06, 5.5 L LT62025 · 1,250 hp · ZR1X, Nürburgring run 1,250 hp ZR1X, Nürburgring run 150 hp Blue Flame six, SAE gross
1239101214161718
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1953150Blue Flame six, SAE gross
1955195265 small-block V8, SAE gross
1957283283 fuel-injected V8, SAE gross
1972200L48 base engine, SAE net
1990375C4 ZR-1 LT5
1993405C4 ZR-1
2002405Z06, LS6
2006505Z06, 7.0 L LS7
2014455C7 Stingray LT1
2020495C8 Stingray Z51
2023670Z06, 5.5 L LT6
20251,250ZR1X, Nürburgring run

Versions

8 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • C5 Z06

    Performance

    C5 Z06

    2001–2004

    405 hp
  • C6 Z06

    Performance

    C6 Z06

    2006–2013

    505 hp
  • C7 Z06

    Performance

    C7 Z06

    2015–2019

    650 hp

    39,940 built

  • C4 ZR-1

    Performance

    C4 ZR-1

    1990–1995

    405 hp

    6,939 built

  • C4 Grand Sport

    Limited

    C4 Grand Sport

    1996

    330 hp

    1,000 built

  • C2 Z06

    Racing

    C2 Z06

    1963

    360 hp

    199 built

  • Racing

    ZR2

    1971

    425 hp

    12 built

  • Racing

    ZL1

    1969

    430 hp

    2 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • C1 gains side coves for 1956; the 1958 redesign brings four exposed headlights.13
  • 1963 C2 coupe: long hood, fastback roof and a center spine dividing the rear window.22
  • C3 coupes have removable T-top panels; the 1982 Collector Edition adds a glass hatch.14
  • C7: angular taillights and four exhaust tips arranged in one central row.15
  • C8: a forward-set cockpit, large air intakes and prominent side scoops.2

Year by year

  1. 1963–1964

    Only 1963 coupes combine split rear glass with nonfunctional hood grilles; 1964 gets one-piece glass and loses the grilles.17

  2. 1972–1974

    1972 has chrome bumpers at both ends; 1973 pairs a urethane nose with chrome rear bumpers; 1974 switches both ends to urethane.18

  3. 1977–1978

    1978 replaces upright rear glass with a fastback; Silver Anniversary cars wear silver/gray, while Pace Car replicas add two-tone paint and red striping.125

  4. 1982 / 1993 / 2003

    1982 Collector’s Edition wears silver/beige; 1993 40th Anniversary is Ruby Red; 2003 50th Anniversary is burgundy with champagne wheels.25

  5. 2004–2005

    The C5 ends with pop-up headlights in 2004; the 2005 C6 returns to exposed headlights.910

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Chevrolet Corvette
    Corvette
    Photo of a Camaro
    Camaro

    Camaro

    The C7's angular rear lamps resemble the Camaro's; look for the Corvette's four exhaust tips grouped in the center.15

  • Photo of a Chevrolet Corvette
    Corvette
    Photo of a 1991-on base C4 Corvette
    1991-on base C4 Corvette

    1991-on base C4 Corvette

    Square taillights also appear on base cars. A ZR-1 keeps its high brake light on the hatch glass and has a wider rear body.17

  • 1996 LT4 Corvette without Grand Sport package

    An LT4 alone does not identify a Grand Sport. Look for blue paint, a white center stripe, red left-fender marks and gloss-black wheels.20

Against its rivals

  • Ferrari 348ts

    Corvette vs Ferrari 348ts

    Base price lower is better

    Corvette$58,995
    Ferrari 348ts$101,050
    17
  • Dodge Viper SRT10 (2006)

    Corvette vs Dodge Viper SRT10 (2006)

    Quarter-mile time lower is better

    Corvette11.6 s
    Dodge Viper SRT10 (2006)12 s
    11
  • Ford GT (2006)

    Corvette vs Ford GT (2006)

    Quarter-mile time lower is better

    Corvette11.6 s
    Ford GT (2006)11.5 s
    11

Prices

Value today $14.3K–$85.0K17

Price when newAuction saleValue todayPrices on a log scale
$1K$10K$100K$1M$10M 1960197019801990200020102020 Value today: $14,250–$85,000 1953 · $3,490 · US first-production price1963 · $4,252 · US base coupe1990 · $58,995 · US ZR-1, before destination1996 · $37,225 · US base, Sport Coupe2006 · $65,800 · US base, Z062014 · $51,995 · US base coupe, incl. destination2014 · $53,800 · US Stingray with Z512015 · $78,995 · US base, Z062019 · $119,995 · US ZR1 coupe, original sticker2020 · $88,305 · US as tested, 3LT Z51 1953 · US$3,490 · US first-production price, 1953 model year 2013 · $1,000,000 · 2014 Stingray convertible, charity, Barrett-Jackson2014 · $2,860,000 · 1969 L88 Lightweight, Barrett-Jackson2021 · $2,695,000 · 1967 L88 coupe, Mecum Glendale2025 · $74,500 · 2023 Stingray convertible 3LT Z51, 9k miles, BaT2025 · $55,000 · 2008 Z06 2LZ, 25k miles, BaT2025 · $15,555 · 2001 coupe 6-speed, 70k miles, BaT2025 · $35,000 · 1991 ZR-1 6-speed, 13k miles, BaT2025 · $172,000 · 1963 split-window coupe 4-speed, 9k shown (TMU), BaT2025 · $53,500 · 1957 4-speed, 98k miles shown (TMU), BaT2026 · $73,504 · 1954 six-cylinder, refurbished, 75k miles shown, Bring a Trailer2026 · $30,000 · 2004 Z06 Commemorative Edition, 28k miles, Bring a Trailer2026 · $38,000 · 2015 Stingray convertible 2LT 7-speed, 27k miles, BaT $2.9M Barrett-Jackson, 2014
3681112131517181920213334353637383940
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1953Launch price$3,490US first-production price, 1953 model year
1953Price when new$3,490US first-production price
1963Price when new$4,252US base coupe
1990Price when new$58,995US ZR-1, before destination
1996Price when new$37,225US base, Sport Coupe
2006Price when new$65,800US base, Z06
2014Price when new$51,995US base coupe, incl. destination
2014Price when new$53,800US Stingray with Z51
2015Price when new$78,995US base, Z06
2019Price when new$119,995US ZR1 coupe, original sticker
2020Price when new$88,305US as tested, 3LT Z51
2013Auction sale$1,000,0002014 Stingray convertible, charity, Barrett-Jackson
2014Auction sale$2,860,0001969 L88 Lightweight, Barrett-Jackson
2021Auction sale$2,695,0001967 L88 coupe, Mecum Glendale
2025Auction sale$74,5002023 Stingray convertible 3LT Z51, 9k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$55,0002008 Z06 2LZ, 25k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$15,5552001 coupe 6-speed, 70k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$35,0001991 ZR-1 6-speed, 13k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$172,0001963 split-window coupe 4-speed, 9k shown (TMU), BaT
2025Auction sale$53,5001957 4-speed, 98k miles shown (TMU), BaT
2026Auction sale$73,5041954 six-cylinder, refurbished, 75k miles shown, Bring a Trailer
2026Auction sale$30,0002004 Z06 Commemorative Edition, 28k miles, Bring a Trailer
2026Auction sale$38,0002015 Stingray convertible 2LT 7-speed, 27k miles, BaT
2026Value today$14,250–$85,000

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 8 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “24 hours averaging 283.059 km/h”
    • “Dealer-order turbos and a 410 km/h Sledgehammer”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 8 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 40 sources
  1. Chevrolet Corvette - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. Chevrolet Corvette (C8) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  3. Chevrolet Corvette (C1) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  4. Chevrolet Corvette (C4) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  5. Old Chevy Corvette Buyer’s Guide hotrod.com
  6. Tested: 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Changes the Course of Corvette History caranddriver.com
  7. Your Handy 1963-67 Chevrolet Corvette (C2) Buyer’s Guide | IMSA imsa.com
  8. Chevrolet Corvette (C3) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  9. Chevrolet Corvette (C5) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  10. Chevrolet Corvette (C6) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  11. 2006 Ford GT vs. Dodge Viper SRT10 vs. Chevrolet Corvette Z06: The Right Stuff motortrend.com
  12. C7 Corvette Years: Best Years, Years to Avoid, What to Check zipcorvette.com
  13. 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Z51 review, price and specs | evo evo.co.uk
  14. The Corvette ZR1X Is the Fastest American Car At the Nürburgring caranddriver.com
  15. Chevrolet Corvette (C7) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  16. Corvette Engines and Horsepower by Year, 1953 to 2027 - VetteFacts.com vettefacts.com
  17. C4 Corvette ZR-1 (1990–1995): Specs, LT5, Problems, Prices zipcorvette.com
  18. EXCLUSIVE: 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray First Test: The C8 Keeps Its Promises motortrend.com
  19. 28k-Mile 2004 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Commemorative Edition for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $30,000 on April 16, 2026 (Lot #238,236) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  20. 1996 Grand Sport Specifications Page grandsportregistry.com
  21. The Most Valuable Corvettes from C1 to C6 | IMSA imsa.com
  22. Chevrolet Corvette (C2) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  23. The 1968 - 1982 C3 Corvette Buyers Guide | CorvSport.com corvsport.com
  24. Founding Fathers Part 4: Corvette Godfather, Zora Arkus-Duntov motortrend.com
  25. Chevrolet Corvette: Highlighting the Special Editions caranddriver.com
  26. Founding Fathers Part 3: Bill Mitchell, Creator of the Corvette Look motortrend.com
  27. One and Only | Issue 166 | Corvette Magazine corvette-mag.com
  28. Power Broker | Issue 168 | Corvette Magazine corvette-mag.com
  29. Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports No. 3 | IMSA imsa.com
  30. Corvette Summer - Vette Magazine motortrend.com
  31. 2014 Corvette Stingray Hits the Track in Gran Turismo®5 - gran-turismo.com gran-turismo.com
  32. Buying Late-Model Corvettes - C5 C6 Buyers' Guide motortrend.com
  33. 1954 Chevrolet Corvette for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $73,504 on April 15, 2026 (Lot #238,076) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  34. 2001 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe 6-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $15,555 on June 30, 2025 (Lot #198,349) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  35. 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split-Window Coupe 4-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $172,000 on February 1, 2025 (Lot #179,000) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  36. 27k-Mile 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible 2LT 7-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $35,000 on February 9, 2026 (Lot #229,442) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  37. 9k-Mile 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible 3LT Z51 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $74,500 on September 16, 2025 (Lot #210,201) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  38. Single-Family-Owned 2008 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 2LZ for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $55,000 on August 19, 2025 (Lot #205,888) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  39. No Reserve: 13k-Mile 1991 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $35,000 on June 3, 2025 (Lot #194,418) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  40. No Reserve: 1957 Chevrolet Corvette 4-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $53,500 on January 10, 2025 (Lot #176,766) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • hotrod.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • imsa.com
  • motortrend.com
  • zipcorvette.com
  • evo.co.uk
  • vettefacts.com
  • bringatrailer.com
  • grandsportregistry.com
  • corvsport.com
  • corvette-mag.com
  • gran-turismo.com

Photo credits

Other car files