Since 1953 when the first Corvette was introduced, General Motors has produced seven generations of Corvettes. Each generation has represented a marked change in design, style or features and each has been a varying number of years. Some generational changes noted specific milestones in Corvette history, such as anniversary dates from original production. An example of that is the 1963 Corvette, which capped ten years of Corvette production.

 

So far, the shortest generation has been C2, the mid-year cars, as they’re known, between 1963 & 1967. These cars are favorites of many people, including me, as they signified a time when design, function and power all came together in a great looking automobile.  By 1968 when the third generation was unveiled, federal standards on emissions and safety controls had begun to alter the spirit of Corvette, and not long after the Arab Oil embargo of the early 1970s, Corvette  under hood power had shrunk to around 200hp.  Ah, but now, we have the blistering speed and tremendous power of the 638hp ZR1 and bumped-up performance of the 650hp ZO6. When will it all end?

 

Though 1983 was to celebrate thirty years of Corvette, no actual ‘83s were ever released to the public.  Production problems led to a delay and that evolved into the 1984 model. The only ’83 known to exist is in the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY.

 

The cars in this collection represent all generations, except C4 and at least one car from each decade of production, except the 1980s & 1990s.

 

Now, speculation has turned to the C8 generation.  If it happens when some project, it will give the C7s the distinction of ‘shortest generation.'

 

Here’s how the seven generations, so far, break down by years covered: