1962 Chevrolet Corvettes The last of the first generation Corvette series went out with a bang, specifically a bigger bang under the hood and a big bump in production to 14,531 examples. The 283 cube V8 was bored and stroked to 327 cubic inches. Consequently, the ’62 Corvette 1x4 carb base motor produced 250 hp. Options were a 1x4 carb 300 hp; 1x4 carb 340 hp and FI 360 hp, which could propel the car to 140 mph. Valve covers were painted for the first time. Transmissions were as before: 3-speed on the floor standard; 4-speed manual; 2-speed Powerglide auto. The exterior of the ’62 Vette maintained most of the ‘61’s styling cues, although there was no option for contrasting coves due to altered construction of side and door panels. Grills were anodized in either black or gold. The color palette was as in ’61, although Almond Beige replaced the Fawn Beige option of ’61. Race-oriented buyers who ordered the HD brakes and suspension package numbered 246. Racing highlights included another 12 Hours of Sebring class win, in a ’62 Vette driven by Duncan Black and R.J. Wyllie.     1962 Chevrolet Corvettes for Sale at Corvette Mike's

1961 Chevrolet Corvettes By 1961, the Chevrolet Corvette brand was firmly ensconced in the minds of Americans as the only choice among domestic car offerings if one wanted to race on the weekends while scoffing at speed limits during the work week. With 10,939 examples produced, the Vette’s bold lines were reformed somewhat for the ’61 model year, with a screen-type grill (no more chrome ‘teeth’) and flatter, boat-tail rear end. The overall appeal is softer somehow, perhaps because of reduced chrome effects, and despite the rear end coming to a blunt point. The Interior was expanded to accommodate a population that was growing taller, on average. Under the hood, aluminum radiators were phased in over the production year. Some of the 283 cube V8 set-ups received horsepower boosts. The base 1x4 carb motor still produced 230 hp, while optionally, there were four choices: 245 hp 2x4; 270 hp 2x4; 275 hp FI; 315 hp FI. Transmissions were 3-speed manual standard, with 4 speed manual and 2-speed Powerglide auto as options. Becoming standard equipment were courtesy light, sun shields, windshield washers, temperature controlled radiator fan and parking brake warning light. Other options were as in ’60. Perhaps inspired by the ’60 m [...]

1960 Chevrolet Corvettes Toward the end of the 1960 calendar year, the Corvette brand got a huge boost when the TV show Route 66 premiered on CBS, on the evening of October 7th. The show featured two young guys, Tod and Buzz, searching for adventure and themselves. Their cross-country odyssey was mobilized by a 1960 fawn beige Corvette. The progressive show, which launched the careers of many actors, was a hit. Its themes of alienation and extra-judicial righteousness resonated with many viewers. Chevrolet reaped huge benefits in its showrooms, also supported by Chevy’s ad sponsorship of the show, starring All-American girl-next-door Doris Day. Physically, the ’60 model, of which 10,261 were made, was basically unchanged from the ’59 model. The exterior was the same except for wheel colors, while inside, seat upholstery pleating was stitched front to back, providing the easiest way to distinguish a ’60 model from a ’59. Base and optional engines and transmissions were also the same as for the ’59 model, although 270 hp and 290 hp motors were cooled by aluminum radiators. Color combinations were modernized and included: Body colors: Tuxedo Black, Tasco Turquoise, Horizon Blue, Honduras Maroon, Roman Red, Ermine White, Sateen [...]

1959 Chevrolet Corvettes Building on the popularity of previous models, for 1959 the Chevrolet Corvette evinced a somewhat less glitzy design producing 9,670 convertibles. With the trunk ‘spears’ gone, the ’59 Vette silhouette was basically the same as in ‘58, yet there were some other changes. Outside, hood louvers were deleted and all wheels painted black, while inside, black interiors were introduced, door releases were moved forward, armrests moved for more elbow room, instruments redesigned and seats were more smoothly upholstered with side-to-side pleating. The 283 cube V8 was again retained, with the same base 230 hp 1x4 carb motor, optional 245 hp 2x4 carbs, 270 hp 2x4 carbs and 250 hp and 290 hp fuel-injected versions available as in the previous ’58 Vette. Again, a 3-speed manual transmission was standard, with 4-speed manual and 2-speed Powerglide automatic as options. Body colors were: Tuxedo Black, Classis Cream White, Frost Blue, Crown Sapphire, Roman Red, Snowcrest White and Inca Silver. Interior colors were: Black, Blue, Red and Turquoise. Soft Top colors were: Black, White, Blue and Turquoise. Other options were the same as for the ’58 model, with the addition of: a 24-gallon gas tank; metallic brakes; sunsh [...]