Remember when . Welcome to the first of many new regular features here in the Military Press - ‘Remember when . . .’ Each issue we shall be exploring a different year in our history . . . we look forward to you joining us.
West Side Story causes a stir.
The redesigned Corvette!
Chevrolet Corvette The Chevrolet Corvette is an American sports car by the Chevrolet division of General Motors. The first model was designed by Harley Earl and introduced in 1953. Myron Scott is credited for naming the car after the corvette, a small, maneuverable warship.It has been produced in six generations in coupe, convertible, t-top coupe, and targa coupe body styles. Originally built in Flint, Michigan and St. Louis, Missouri, it is currently built at a GM assembly plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The National Corvette Museum, also located in Bowling Green, documents the car’s worldwide history and hosts an annual National Corvette Homecoming. In 2003, the Corvette became the first and only American sports car to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The Chevrolet Corvette is often marketed as, and quoted as being “America’s Sports Car”. The Corvette is the official Sports Car of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The first generation Corvette was introduced late in the 1953 model year and ended in 1962. These cars are often referred to as the “solid-axle” models since the independent rear suspension did not debut until the 1963 Sting Ray. 300 hand-built polo white Corvettes were produced for the 1953 model year, making it the rarest and one of the most sought after of all Corvettes. The 1955 model saw the introduction of the 265 cu in (4.34 L) V8 engine offered as an option, however the first seven off the production line featured the standard “Blue Flame” Inline-6.
It doesn’t get much sexier than this! A new body was introduced for the 1956 model featuring a new “face” and side coves; the taillight fins were gone. An optional fuel injection system was made available in the middle of the 1957 model year. It was one of the first mass-produced engines in history to reach 1 bhp (0.75 kW) per cubic inch and Chevrolet’s advertising agency used a “one hp per cubic inch” slogan for advertising the 283 bhp (211 kW) 283 cu in (4.64 L) Small-Block engine. Other options included power windows (1956), hydraulically operated power convertible top (1956), four speed
manual transmission (late 1957), and heavy duty brakes and suspension (1957). The 1958 Corvette received a body and interior freshening including quad headlights, bumper exiting exhaust tips, and a new steering wheel and dashboard, with all gauges mounted directly in front of the driver. Exclusive to the 1958 model were hood louvers and twin trunk spars. The 1959-60 model years had few changes except a decreased amount of body chrome and more powerful engine offerings. For 1961, a complete redesign
was made to the rear of the car; a “duck tail” with four round lights. The light treatment would continue for all following model year Corvettes. In 1962, the Chevrolet 283 cu in (4.64 L) SmallBlock was enlarged to 327 cu in (5.36 L) and produced a maximum of 340 bhp (250 kW) making it the fastest of the C1 generation. 1962 was the last year for the wrap around windshield, solid rear axle, and convertible-only body style. The trunk lid and exposed headlights did not reappear for many decades.
Dr. No: That’s a Dom Perignon ‘55, it would be a pity to bre Page 22 August 15, 2010 THE MILITARY PRESS