The Corvette and Zora

1
Mark Lakey
Topic: The History of the Corvette

Statement of Purpose: A quick education about the Chevrolet Corvette. About its roots in Flint,
Michigan, too its production in Bowling Green, Kentucky where it is currently assembled. And
why it is an American classic.
Introduction: In 1953 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City; General Motors made
their best decision ever. They introduced a concept car at Motorama called the EX 122 (the
Corvette). Named after a small, highly maneuverable naval escort ship The Corvette has become
an American icon. It is now in the 63rd year of production. Zora Arkus Duntov played a huge role
in the production of the Corvette. Duntov first saw the Corvette while attending Motorama and
said, It is the most beautiful automobile I have ever seen. I would like to tell you about the
evolution of the Corvette over the last seven generations.
Transition: Its nice to know America still builds rockets. That was the ad campaign General
Motors used in a 2011 commercial for the ZR1 Corvette. As each body style changes, it is
considered a new generation. I will first talk about the first generation.
I. The beginning of the Corvette: C1 53-62
A. The first model year was built in Flint, Michigan
1) Zora Arkus Duntov was hired May 1, 1953
2) All built by hand
3) The body was all fiberglass
4) Only 300 were made
a. They were all Polo White, with red interior
b. Had a Blue flame inline 6 engine
c. The cost was $ 3,498
d. A 1953 today $ 125,000-275,000
B. 1954 production was moved St. Louis, Missouri
1) 3 colors added Pennant Blue, Sportsman Red, and Black
2) 3,640 were built and slowly sold
C. 1955 added a V8 engine
1) Duntov constantly urged Chevrolet to race
2) The Turbo Fire V8, version used today
2
3) Duntov set a world record at Pikes Peak Hill for a stock car
D. 1956 style changes

1) New face and side covers were added
2) The taillight fins were removed
E. Duntov set flying mile record 150 mph at Daytona 1957
1) 1958 introduced the quad headlight
2) 1961 the famous round tail lights first appeared.
Transition: In 1963 began a new body style, and a new era for the Corvette
II. The second Generation (The String Ray) C2 63-67
A. Zora Arkus-Duntov was promoted to director of high performance vehicles
1. 1963 is only year with the split rear window
2. Introduced the ZO6 package (199 made)
3) 5 Corvette Grand Sports were produced
4) Featured pop-up headlights
5) Duntov ever liked the split window design
B. 1965 offered 396 big block or a 425
1) 771 were built with fuel injection
2) Four wheel disc brakes were introduced
Transition: 1968 began the third generation C3.
III. The C3 is the longest generation to be built to date 68-82
A. 1968 was designed after the Mako Shark II concept car.
1) First use of T-Tops
2) 350 cu in replaced the 327 cu in motor
B. There was an extended production run for the 1969.
1)1969 was the only year to offer factory installed side pipes
2) An all-aluminum ZL1 engine was also new for 1969
C. 1970
1) 427 enlarged to 454 cu in
3
2) ZR-1 special pk. Opt. 70-72, 53 ZR1 were made
D. Only subtle styling changes from 68 until 78 model

1) 73 lost front chrome bumper (urethane cover)
2) 74 urethane cover rear bumper cover
3) 1975 was the last year for the convertible
4) Zora Arkus Duntov retired in 75
E. 1978 Black is back
1) Leather seats came standard
2) Black was available again after 6yr absence
3) Rear window was bubble like
4) Limited 25th two tone Silver Anniversary Edition
5) Indianapolis 500 pace car for first time
F. 1980
1) Received an integrated aerodynamic redesign

2) Mid 1981 moved production to Blowing Green, Kentucky
3) 1982 was last yr. for C3 Corvette
Transition: In 1983 only 43 prototypes Corvettes were produced. Problems with quality issues
and parts delays was the blame. Only one Corvette was not destroyed a white with medium blue
interior was placed on display at an external wall over the Bowling Green Assembly Plants
employee entrance. It was then placed in the National Corvette Museum, where on February 12,
2014 was nearly lost in a sinkhole which swallowed 8 Corvettes. Production began on January 3,
1983 for the 1984 model year Corvette.
A. 1984
1) The new Corvette had a one piece targa top
2) 1986 brought the convertible back
3) 1992 reintroduced the ZR1 again
4) Very few changes were made until 1997
Transition: The 1997 Corvette was completely resigned. GM spent 7yrs developing the C5
A. The 1997-2004 C5 Corvette was touted as the best Corvette ever made
1) An aluminum space frame design
2) LS1
3) Black light for the dash
4
4) The car to have run flat tires
5) Design didnt need rear spoiler

6) Transmission in back more 50/50
7) 2001 reintroduced ZO6 LS6
Transitions: 2005 Generation 6 the C6 kept the front engine and rear transmission design,
everything else was new
A. New body
1) Exposed head lights
2) 6.0 liter engine
3) 0-60 4.2 sec
4) New suspension geometry
B. ZO6 in 06
1) 7.0 liter LS7
2) 427.6 cu in
3) 0-60 3.7 sec
C. ZR1
1) GM announced for 2011 ZR1 is back
2) A new LS9 engine with Eaton supercharged 6.2
3) Most powerful motor in GM production sport car
4) Top speed 205 mph
Transitions: Generation 7 C7 Corvette StingRay was released in 2014
A. Car and Driver reported all sort of different problems with test car
1) At 850 miles center touch screen malfunction
2) The new LT1 engine blew up at 6000 miles
3) A set of new Michelins for the Corvette $1,568
4) Starter gave out at 21,000 miles
5) The brain of the heater gave out
6) Axle seals leaked lubricant
7) GM removed the famous round tail lights
5
Work Cited
Benford, Tom. Corvette Illustrated Encyclopedia. Bentley Publisher, 2004. Print.
Burton, Jerry. Zora Arkus-Duntov the Legend Behind Corvette. Bentley Publishers, 2002.
Print.
C5 Corvette Building the Fifth Generation Corvette. Producer, Jack Morton. 1996. General
Motors. VHS.
Muller, Mike. The Complete Book of Corvette. Motorbook International, 23 Jan. 2012
Print.
Sutton, Mike. 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Z51 Manual Car and Driver. Car and Driver,
Nov. 2015. Web. 1 April 2016.

The Corvette and Zora

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Corvette and Zora

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Corvette and Zora

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

1

Topic: The History of the Corvette

D. 1956 style changes

D. Only subtle styling changes from 68 until 78 model

1) Received an integrated aerodynamic redesign

5) Design didnt need rear spoiler

You might also like