1953
Only 300 cars built
All cars Polo White/Red interior
Black canvas top

1954
3640 cars built
Most cars Polo White
Pennant Blue exterior added
Gypsy Red exterior added
Black exterior added (rare)
All Beige canvas top
All interiors red except beige w/blue ext.
All wheels red
1955
Only 700 cars built
(Over 1000 '54 leftovers delayed production of '55s).
Copper exterior added
Gold exterior added
Blue dropped spring '55
Tops & int white, beige, dark green
Wheels red, bronze or yellow to match
1956
3467 built
New body style adds door handles,
roll down windows repl side curtains

Two tone paint on new styling with recessed cove on sides
1957
6339 built
Body same as 1956
Fuelies have Corvette crossed flags and "Fuel Injection" emblems in cove
235 c.i. 150 h.p. Blue flame 6 cyl
3 single side draft carbs

2 speed Powerglide Auto
Brake and fuel lines outside frame
6 volt electrical system
235 c.i. 155 h.p. Blue flame 6 cyl
3 single side draft carbs
2 speed Powerglide Auto
Cam change added 5 h.p.

Brake and fuel lines inside frame


6 Volt electrical system

Std 235 c.i. Blue flame 6 cyl
(only several built)
Optional 265 c.i. 195 h.p V8
(in virtually all cars)
2 speed Powerglide Auto
Optional 3sp manual
(added end of year, about 80 cars)

12 Volt electrical system

Std 265 c.i. 210 h.p V8
Optional 265 c.i. 225 h.p V8
(2 4 bbl carbs) 90% built
Optional 265 c.i. 240 h.p. V8
(2 4 bbl carbs, hi lift cam)

3 speed manual std
Optional 2 sp Powerglide
Std 283 c.i. 220 h.p. V8
Opt 283 c.i. 245 h.p. V8
Opt 283 c.i. 250 h.p. V8 Fuel Inj.
Opt 283 c.i. 270 h.p. V8
283 c.i. 283(+) h.p. V8 fuel injection

close ratio 4sp added spring '57
(only 665 cars)

Positraction and 3 axle ratios available
Early models - Bel Air dome hubcaps
Late models - Corvette hubcaps
Plexiglass side curtains

Built in temporary plant Flint, Michigan

Serial numbers
E53F001001 thru
E53F001300

Built in new plant St. Louis, Missouri
V8 models had enlarged "V" in CheVrolet on fender

Last year of "morotrama" style
(protruding tail light
headlights in rounded fenders)
Tail lights recessed in rounded fender
Fixed headlights raised out of fender

First factory optional removable hardtop
Only year of hardtop anodized front trim
Optional Power soft top
Optional power windows
Provision for dealer installed seat belts
Optional RPO684 avail only with
270 or 283 h.p. option.
upgraded front/rear springs & shocks
heavy duty front anti-roll bar
quick ratio steering, metallic brakes, finned drums, air ducts to rear brakes, "elephant ear" scoopes on front fenders, positraction, 4 sp manual.
Optional wider wheels
Provision for dealer installed seat belts






















1958 Corvette, four headlights, chrome everywhere!
1959 Corvette tone down style
Interior redesign
Gauge changes and transmission lockout
1960 Corvette options
1961 Corvette new style1961 Corvette body change features
1962 features and options

Photo1959 Corvette front
Photo 1960 Corvette
Photo 1961 Corvette
Photo 1962 Corvette
1958 Corvette engine options
1959 Corvette base engines1959 Corvette high performance engines
1960 Corvette engines1960 Corvette high performance engines
1961Corvette  Engine options1961 Corvette high performance engines
1962 Corvette engines1962 Corvette Fuelie
1959 Corvette wonderbar radio
1960 Corvette radiator, anti-roll bar1960 Corvette coded serial numbers
1962 Corvette aluminum radiator standard