Production

• In June of 1953, the first Corvette was manufactured in Michigan. This first year saw only 300 Corvettes produced at a base price of $3,498. In 1958, over 9,000 were made, at a base price of $3,591.
  
  

Options

• The power window option was added to the Corvette in 1956. In 1957, the 4-speed manual transmission became available as well as the option of fuel injection; 1958 was the first year for factory-installed seat belts.
  
  

Headlights

• Today, many people think of Corvettes as always having pop up style headlights--1963 was actually the first year the headlights were designed this way.
  
  

Brakes and Motors

• Four wheel disc brakes came standard in 1965. That year also saw the introduction of the optional 396 cubic inch diameter engine. In 1966, the 427 cubic inch engine was introduced.
  
  

Production Years

• Unlike other Chevrolet vehicles, including the Camaro, Corvette production has never stopped since its first model in 1953. With six generations, enthusiasts do not believe the Corvette will ever disappear.
  
  

Generation Years

• The first generation Corvette consists of model years from 1953 through 1962. Second generation was 1963 through 1967, third 1968 through 1982 and fourth from 1983 to 1996. Fifth generation Corvettes fall from 1997 through 2004 and the sixth generation began in 2005 and holds through the 2011 model.