The Corvette has been an American Icon for more then fifty years and appears that it will continue well into the next century. The Corvette's design can be traced back to three gentleman: Harley Earl, Zachary Arkus-Duntov and Larry Shinoda. However it is Zora Arkus-Duntov who is acknowledged as the person most responsible for making the Corvette what it is today, one of the most respected sports cars in world. Before the Chevrolet named it the Corvette, it was designated the EX-122. The name Corvette came from a very fast naval warship. The prototype Chevrolet Corvette "Dream Car" was first displayed to the public at the Motorama Car Show held at New York's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, on January 17, 1953. The Corvette was an instant success and America feel in love with Chevrolets sleek new sports car. In the 51 years that the car has been being produced, more then 1,335,000 Corvettes have rolled off the Chevrolet production lines. The different models or generations of the Corvette are:

The first Corvettes, the C1 or First Generation started production in 1953. The car was only offered as a convertible with a six cylinder engine and 2 speed automatic transmission. The V-8 would first appear on the 1955 and in 1957 a Fuel Injected 283 cu in. V-8 A Power Glide Automatic or 3 and 4 speed transmissions were offered. They About 63,490 - Corvettes where built between 1953 and 1962. The average cost for a car during that period was $3768.00, that’s base price without any options. Over the years the amount of options would change as would the exterior and interior colors you could order on the car.

C2 or Second Generation Corvettes labeled the "Stingray" had drastic body stying changes and were now offered in a coupe version as well as the convertible. A 300 horsepower 327 cu inch V-8 was now offered as standard equipment with a 360 h.p. V-8 as an option. Then in 1965 a 425 h.p. big block 396 cu in V-8 and in 1966 the 427 cu in V-8. Improvements in the transmission where also seen with the addition of a Powerglide Automatic as well as a variety of 4 speeds. About 117,965 where built between 1963 and 1967. The average cost for a car during that period was $4212.00, this was base price without any options.

C3 or Third Generation Corvettes saw another complete body style change. The early years of the C4 saw a coupe and a convertible, and towards the end of their run in 1976 thru 1982 only the coupe was offered. More options and more power where also offered. A new Turbo Hydra-matic transmission and a heavy duty close ratio 4 speed manual transmission where developed. About 595,055 where built between 1968 and 1982. The average cost for a car during that period was $11,476.00, this was base price without any options.

C4 or fourth Generation Corvettes saw another drastic change in body style. A new hatchback model, but the convertible wouldn’t appear until 1986. As with the C3 more options and new colors were offered to the consumer. In 1989 the introduction of a 6 speed manual transmission appeared as an option as well as some other creature comfort items. About 408,450 where built between 1984 and 1996. The average cost for a car during that period was $31,471.00. This is base price without any options.

C5 or Fifth Generation Corvette received the most drastic changes the Corvette has seen. Both in looks and especially in performance and handling. The coupe and convertible where the main stay of the production, but a new high performance Z06 model was added. Aerospace technology bought a heads-up display to provide the driver with data while keeping his/her eyes out of the cockpit. Power to weight ratio was improved by putting the transmission just in front of the rear end. A new fuel injected high performance 5.7 liter V-8 that not only produced great performance, but unheard of gas mileage for this type of car, over 25 miles a gallon on the highway. About 215,185 where built between 1997 and 2004. The average cost for a car during that period was $42,535.00, this was base price without any options.

The most current Corvette on the market is the C6 or Sixth Generation Corvette. The changes made to this generation Corvette where nothing like the others, in that it seems to be a modified C5 on the outside, it's shorter and wider. Like anything new it kinda grows on you. Some new creature comforts have been added that set it ahead of the C5, a satellite radio, On-Star communications, and the on board navigation system. Their average starting price has been about $48,000.00 during 2005. The new Corvette Z06 is the hottest car to come off any US automobile production line and its performance surpasses cars 3 times it's value.