Corvette (Car)

The Corvette is a high-end Sports car that has been produced by GM since 1953. The car was designed by Harley Earl and named after the fast attack ship. However the first Corvettes produced gave somewhat lackluster performance due to their 'stovebolt' 6-cylinder engines. V-8 powerplants were soon introduced and the car rapidly gained in popularity. An unusual design feature for it's time was an all-fiberglass body. The Corvette is available in 2-door sports coupe and convertible models, and a 4-door sedan model has been considered by the GM development team. The Corvette has such name recognition that it is actually sold under its own marquee in Europe and Japan.

Although many credit Zora Arkus-Duntov for the design of the Corvette, it was initially the brainchild of Harvey J. Earl.^[1] Its production began in Flint, Michigan, and then beginning on December 28, 1953, in St. Louis, which became its primarily manufacturing location for years despite its hot summers without air conditioning.^[1]

The 1 millionth Corvette was produced in Bowling Green, Kentucky in 1992, and remains on display at the National Corvette Museum there.^[2] A bizarre mishap with a sinkhole caused damage to the factory, which was subsequently repaired.

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