10 Little-Known Facts About the Iconic Corvette

By Mike Thies, Certified Vehicle Appraiser

For over 70 years, the Chevrolet Corvette has stood as an enduring symbol of American automotive excellence. From its humble beginnings in 1953 to the high-performance beasts of today, the Corvette has cemented its place in history. While many enthusiasts know about its speed, power, and design evolution, here are ten little-known facts that make this legendary sports car even more fascinating.  While there are Corvette trivia fans that know some of these, I bet even those folks find something new here - in no particular order.

1. The First Corvette Had a Straight-Six Engine

When the first Corvette rolled off the assembly line in 1953, it wasn’t equipped with the powerful V8s we associate with it today. Instead, it had a 3.9L inline-six engine, nicknamed the “Blue Flame,” producing just 150 horsepower. It wasn’t until 1955 that the Corvette received its first V8, transforming it into a true performance machine.

2. Corvette Almost Had a Mid-Engine Layout Decades Ago

While the 2020 C8 Corvette made history as the first production mid-engine Corvette, Chevrolet toyed with the idea for years. As far back as the late 1960s, experimental prototypes like the XP-882 and the 1973 Aerovette featured a mid-engine layout, but the idea was shelved due to production costs and market concerns.

3. A Corvette Once Served as an Experimental Space Capsule

In the early 1960s, GM and NASA collaborated on a unique project called the “Lunar Corvette.” Engineers modified a Corvette body and outfitted it with aerospace technology to simulate conditions astronauts would experience in space. While it never actually went to the Moon, it played a role in training NASA’s early astronauts.

4. The Corvette Name Almost Didn’t Happen

Chevrolet originally considered several names for their new sports car, including “Corvair” and “Cougar.” However, a GM executive named Myron Scott suggested the name “Corvette,” inspired by a class of small, fast naval warships. The name stuck and became legendary.

5. The 1963 Corvette Sting Ray Had a Split Window—For Just One Year

One of the most distinctive design features in Corvette history was the split rear window on the 1963 Sting Ray. While it looked stunning, the design created visibility issues, leading to its discontinuation after just one model year. Today, the 1963 split-window Corvette is one of the most sought-after collector’s items.

6. The Corvette Was Almost Killed Off in 1955

Sales of the Corvette were sluggish in its early years, and GM executives considered discontinuing the model. However, the introduction of the 265-cubic-inch V8 in 1955 breathed new life into the Corvette, sparking renewed interest and ultimately saving it from extinction.

7. Corvettes Have Been Used as Pace Cars at the Indianapolis 500 a Record Number of Times

Since its debut as the official pace car in 1978, the Corvette has been chosen for the prestigious role at the Indianapolis 500 more than 18 times—more than any other model. This tradition cements its reputation as an American performance icon.

8. The Corvette Once Featured a Right-Hand-Drive Prototype

Though Corvettes have traditionally been built for left-hand-drive markets, Chevrolet developed a right-hand-drive prototype as far back as the 1950s. However, it wasn’t until the launch of the C8 generation in 2020 that an official right-hand-drive production model was finally introduced for global markets.

9. The Corvette ZR1 Was Originally a Secret High-Performance Package

In the late 1970s, Chevrolet developed the ZR1 package as a track-focused, high-performance upgrade for the Corvette. Offered from 1970 to 1972, the original ZR1 package included an upgraded LT1 engine, M22 “Rock Crusher” transmission, and heavy-duty suspension. The ZR1 name later returned in the C4, C6, and C7 generations as the ultimate Corvette performance trim.

10. The Corvette is America’s Longest-Running Sports Car

Introduced in 1953, the Corvette holds the title as the longest continuously produced sports car in American history. Unlike many competitors that have come and gone, the Corvette has survived economic downturns, fuel crises, and evolving automotive trends, proving its timeless appeal.

The Chevrolet Corvette isn’t just a car—it’s a legend. With a history spanning over seven decades, it continues to captivate enthusiasts with its performance, innovation, and unmistakable design. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just learning about its rich heritage, these little-known facts highlight why the Corvette remains an American automotive icon.

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Top Five Most Valuable Corvettes of All Time

Over the years, several Corvettes have skyrocketed in value, fetching astronomical prices at auctions. Here are the top five most valuable Corvette models ever sold (Sourced largely from Wikipedia):

1. 1967 Corvette L88 ($3.85 Million) – The 1967 L88 is one of the rarest and most powerful Corvettes ever made. With only 20 units produced, its 427-cubic-inch V8 engine delivered well over 500 horsepower (though Chevrolet understated its output to 430 HP for insurance reasons). One pristine example sold for a record-breaking $3.85 million at auction in 2014.
2. 1969 Corvette ZL1 ($3.14 Million) – The 1969 ZL1 Corvette is one of the rarest production Corvettes, with only two built. It featured an all-aluminum 427-cubic-inch V8 engine that pushed the car to the limits of performance. Due to its extreme rarity and historical significance, a ZL1 fetched $3.14 million at auction.
3. 1967 Corvette L88 Convertible ($2.7 Million) – Like its coupe counterpart, the convertible version of the 1967 L88 is a highly sought-after collector’s piece. With only 20 built, its racing pedigree and extreme rarity led to a $2.7 million auction price in 2013.
4. 1963 Corvette Grand Sport ($5+ Million Estimated Value) – Though not typically sold at auction, the ultra-rare 1963 Grand Sport is considered one of the most valuable Corvettes in existence. Chevrolet originally planned to build 125 of these lightweight, race-ready cars, but only five were completed before GM shut down the project. If one ever hits the auction block, it could easily surpass $5 million.
5. 2023 Corvette Z06 70th Anniversary Edition ($3.6 Million) – A modern Corvette made history when the first production 2023 Z06 70th Anniversary Edition was auctioned for $3.6 million. This sale, benefiting charity, highlighted the enduring appeal of high-performance Corvettes, even in today’s collector market.

The inaugural 1953 Corvette models are highly prized by collectors. A well-preserved example sold for $825,000 in 2021, highlighting its significance in automotive history. With their blend of performance, rarity, and historical significance, these Corvettes continue to dominate auctions and set records, proving that America’s sports car is as valuable as it is legendary.