Corvette: A Brief Overview In the automotive world, the Chevrolet Corvette is an authentic American icon. The visually-striking roaster has had the longest production run of any American sports car and, to many people, is the first car that comes to mind when the term "sports car" is mentioned. While other American sports models have evolved over time into "touring versions" of sports cars, sporty sedans or even luxury automobiles, Corvette has stayed true to its legacy and staunchly maintained its agressive styling and sports-car integrity over a 50-year life span. One of the most rewarding aspects of restoring and owning any classic car is knowing the legacy and evolution of your chosen vehicle. Like the Baby Boomers who prize this distinctive automobile, the Corvette was born in a time of change, prosperity and excitement -- the 1950's. Inspired by the European roadsters like the Jaguar XK series (figure A), the Corvette debuted at the 1953 Motorama in New York City. The Corvette listed for about $3500 and came in but one color combination: polo white with a red interior (figure B). There were only 300 cars made that year and like all Corvettes, then and now, the Corvette body was constructed out of fiberglass, which allowed designers to create the rounded styling. Because there were so few of these cars made, 1953 Corvettes are highly valued collector cars. The popularity of the Corvette took some time to establish, as production rose to nearly 3,000 in 1954 and then dropped to only 700 in 1955. In 1956 the Corvette body was re-styled for the first time (figure C), adding striking "scooped out" side coves which could be painted in either silver or beige for an added $19.40. During this time, the Corvette was finally accepted as a true sports car. Under the direction of race-car driver and Corvette engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov (figure D), engine performance was enhanced and modified with fuel injection. Sales jumped to over 6,000 cars for the1957 and continued to rise for 1958 (figure E) and the following years. Sales topped 10,000 cars in 1960, and firmly establishing the Corvette as an American success story. And that bit of background brings us to our 1962 Corvette project car -- the last of the "first generation" solid-axle series. By 1962 engine-displacement was increased to 327 cubic-inches and top horsepower was up to 360. Over 14,500 Corvettes were sold that year -- including our project car -- with a base price of a little over $4,000. On the 1961 and the 1962 Corvette, it's the back of the car that saw some dramatic changes (figure F), foreshadowing the Stingray era that was to come in 1963. Gone were the rounded contours - replaced with a sleek "ducktail" end that sported small round taillights (figure G) -- a feature that's been a Corvette tradition ever since. It's important to remember that in 1962, the Corvette was still only 9 years old - with an impressive 41 more years to go - to get to today's model. Here are some additional highlights of the Corvette dynasty: - The 1963 Sting Ray Coupe (figure H) is a cherished prize among car collectors with it's split rear-window design, pointed front end and hidden headlights.
- The Sting Rays continued to be a success through the mid-1960's with the 396 cubic-inch "Big Block" V8 added to the 1965 model (figure I), rating an impressive 425 horsepower.
- In 1968 the Corvette entered the "Shark" series (figure J) -- with a bold new look and removable T-tops on the coupe models. This basic design, featuring bulged fenders and tunneled roofline, would continue to evolve for 15 years.
- Corvette celebrated its 25th Anniversary in 1978 and was selected to be the official Pace Car of the Indianapolis 500 (figure K). Two special models were produced: a Pace Car edition and a Silver anniversary edition.
- Sales of Corvettes remained strong in the 1980's. In 1986, the convertible was back - having been dropped at the end of 1975. Corvette again paced at the Indianapolis 500 and all convertible models were designated Pace Car replicas. Corvettes are still popular today -- and still very much a thoroughbred of an American sports car (figure L).
Restoration Resources It's a great idea to join a Corvette Club and go to car shows and swap meets. Not only will you meet people who share your passions, but you'll get some great tips and resources which can help you with your restoration process. Books on Corvette restoration and buyer's guides (figure M) will provide you with a terrific resource for your project. In these books you'll find history and background, details of the model changes, what you might expect to pay for various model-year cars, and even what you can expect to pay for individual parts. The internet is a great resource for parts, as are the several monthly publications devoted to the Corvette, and numerous ones devoted to classic American sports cars. These are full of listings for all kinds of parts and all kinds of cars. One important fact to remember is that the Corvette is remains one of the most popular cars to restore. Parts for this particular restoration are typically available at very reasonable prices. In the segment that follows, some general advice and tips are presented for assessing a project car and beginning an auto-restoration.
RESOURCES :
Corvette Black Book : 1953-2001
Model: 0933534477
Author: Michael Antonick
Corvette: The American Legend
Model: 0785343741
Author: Consumer Guide Editors
Classic Car Restorer's Handbook: Restoration Tips and Techniques for Owners ...
Model: 1557881944
Author: Jim Richardson
Order this book from Amazon.com
H.P. Books
Classic Car Restoration Guide: The Complete Illustrated Step-By-Step Manual
Model: 1850108900
Author: Lindsay Porter
Order this book from Amazon.com
Haynes Publishing
Special Thanks, Classic Car Restoration: 1962 Corvette (Companies and Products)
Companies and Products
Corvette Central
Full line of Corvette parts and accessories.
Website: www.corvettecentral.com
Dunshee's Corvette Parts
Corvette restoration specialists.
7304 W. Villa Rita Drive
Glendale, AZ 85308
Phone: 602-938-8895
Fax: 602-938-9081
E-mail: 4vetteparts@cox.net
Quanta Restoration and Performance Products
Website: www.quantaproducts.com
Restoration specialists. Quanta Restoration carries (among other specialty items) "correct" fuel tanks for vintage cars.
Lectric Limited
Website: www.lectriclimited.com
Eastwood Company
Unique automotive tools and supplies.
Website: www.eastwoodco.com
Eastwood carries assorted tools, supplies and parts (many hard-to-find) of interest to the auto-restoration hobbyist.
House of Kolor
Automotive paints, primers and painting systems.
Website: www.houseofkolor.com
Strip Technologies of America
A media-blasting facility specializing in coating-removal & coating applications.
4001 Bruhin Road
Knoxville, TN, 37918
Bend-Pak Inc./Ranger Products
Bend-Pak provided the large equipment used throughout the Corvette episodes of DIY's Classic Car Restoration.
NAPA Auto Parts
National Automotive Parts Association.
Customer Support: 877-805-6272
NAPA provided many items that used throughout the Corvette series.
3M Corporation
Products available at retail stores worldwide.
3M provided many general supplies, including all safety equipment, used throughout the Corvette series.
Special Thanks, Classic Car Restoration: 1962 Corvette (Organizations)
Vintage Corvette video and photos provided by General Motors Corporation.
Used with permission, GM Media Archive.
Chevrolet's website: www.chevrolet.com
Corvette Organizations
The National Corvette Museum
Website: www.corvettemuseum.com
The National Corvette Museum is open to the public and offers plant tours and other services and products, including Corvette accessories and memorabilia. The museum also offers library and archive information, build-sheets and a database of information. NCM also sponsors events and gatherings.
For DIY's Classic Car Restoration, the NCM supplied research material and photographs used in episode #201.
National Corvette Restoration Society (NCRS)
Website: www.ncrs.org
The NCRS (National Corvette Restoration Society) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the restoration, preservation, history and enjoyment of Corvettes made from 1953 through 1986. The group offers publications, database information, resources and discussion boards. They also sponsor Corvette events and NCRS Judging programs.
East Tennessee Corvette Club
The East Tennessee Corvette Club is a non-profit organization of Corvette enthusiasts in the East Tennessee area.
Corvette Expo
Website: www.corvetteexpo.com
Corvette Expo is a promoter of Corvette shows, swap meets, and auctions.
Special Thanks, Classic Car Restoration: 1962 Corvette (Books and Publications)
Books and Publications
Classic Auto Manuals
1910 E.S.E. Loop 323 #317, Tyler, TX 75701, 903-566-1939
Classic Auto Manuals offers factory-original shop manuals, service manuals, body manuals, repair manuals and auto-parts manuals on CD format. They provided the 1962 Corvette manual used as reference in the Corvette series for DIY's Classic Car Restoration.
Standard Catalog of Corvette: 1953-2001
ISBN #0-87349-235-8
Krause Publications
Website: www.krause.com
Book and photos featured in #201 (Corvette History).
Classic Corvette: The First 30 years
by Mike Mueller
ISBN #0-7603-1358-X
Motorbooks International (MBI) Publishing Company
Book and photos featured in episode #201 (Corvette History).
Corvette Buyers Guide 1953 - 1967
by Richard Price
ISBN #0-7603-1009-2
MBI Publishing Company
Featured in Classic Car Restoration episode #209.
Corvette: Fifty Years
by Randy Leffingwell
ISBN #0-7603-1180-3
MBI Publishing Company
101 Projects for Your Corvette: 1984 - 1986
ISBN #0-7603-1461-6
MBI Publishing Company
Author Richard Newton featured as guest on episode #209.
Motorbooks (MBI) catalog & information
Website: www.motorbooks.com
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