On March 26, 1953, the Chevrolet Corvette was introduced to the world. Back then, it was just called the Corvette with no other modifier before it, but over time it has become better known as the Chevrolet Corvette or just simply Corvette to automotive enthusiasts of all stripes and ages. This list will take a look at the 10 greatest Corvettes ever built by Chevrolet and why they were such game changers for the manufacturer and why we consider them classics today.
1)1955 Corvette V8
Featuring an overhead valve V8 engine and a three-speed manual transmission, the Corvette was on the cutting edge of automotive technology in 1955. For its time, it was also one of the most powerful sports cars on the market. It is also one of the few Chevrolets that has been in production for over 60 years!
2) 1962 Corvette Grand Sport
The 1962 Corvette Grand Sportestor was the first Corvette ever to be painted in a color other than white. It’s not just the paint that makes this one of the top ten greatest corvettes ever built, it also has a 4-speed manual transmission and 250 horsepower engine. The Grand Sportestor is rare as only 6 were ever manufactured and sold and is worth approximately $500,000.
3) 1961 Corvette Mako Shark
The Mako Shark is one of the rarest Corvette ever made. A total of only five were ever made, two of which are owned by private collectors and three that were used in movies. The Mako Shark was first introduced at the New York International Auto Show in 1960 as a concept. It had a mid-mounted engine, side exhaust pipes, and strikingly unique body styling. This vehicle was actually built for speed with an emphasis on aerodynamics rather than comfort or road handling.
4) 1967 Corvette Sting Ray L88
In 1967, the L88 was introduced and became the first Corvette to be offered with a four-speed transmission. The L88 was powered by the 427 cubic inch V8 engine that delivered 425 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 450 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. It had a top speed of 180 mph and accelerated from 0-60 in 4.4 seconds.
5) 1969 Corvette ZL1
In 1969, the ZL1 was the fastest production car in America, with a top speed of 170 mph. It also came with a 427 cubic inch V8 engine that could produce 425 horsepower and 490 pounds per foot of torque. The ZL1 is one of the most sought after Corvette models because it only lasted for one year.
6) 1988 Corvette Callaway Sledgehammer
Corvette enthusiasts were in for a treat when the 1988 Callaway Sledgehammer was introduced. Sporting a modified 5.7-liter V8 engine, which had an output of 380 horsepower, the Callaway Sledgehammer was one of the fastest and most expensive Corvettes ever produced.
7) 1990 Corvette ZR-1
1990 Corvette ZR-1 is the most powerful and expensive Corvette ever built. Its engine, a 505 horsepower LT5 V8, was capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and reaching a top speed of 191 mph. The 1990 Corvette ZR-1 was designed by Larry Shinoda and uses a 3rd generation composite body design that is lighter and more aerodynamic than previous models of the Corvette.
8) 2001 Corvette Z06
The 2001 Corvette Z06 is a high-performance sports car with a 6.0 liter V8 engine, six-speed manual transmission, and dry sump oiling system. The 2001 Z06 is the fastest production Corvette ever built. With a top speed of 205 miles per hour and 0 to 60 mph acceleration in 4.2 seconds, this powerhouse is no toy.
9) 2009 Corvette ZR1
Chevrolet’s Corvette ZR1 is one of the fastest and most powerful sports cars in the world. The 2009 model was unveiled at the 2008 New York International Auto Show and has a top speed of 205 mph. The 638-horsepower supercharged LS9 V8 engine features dry sump lubrication and can be mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.
10) 2018 Corvette ZR1
The 2018 Corvette ZR1 is an absolute beast. This car is powered by a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine that produces 759 horsepower and 715 lb-ft of torque. The car can go 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds on its way to a top speed of 205 mph.
