Chronologie der Corvette (> Bj.58!)

[mrchevy]

1951
(month unknown)
Glasspar, a boat builder, constructs a single prototype Jeep-based fiberglass-bodied sports car.
The Naugatuck Chemical Division of U.S. Rubber acquires Glasspar's fiberglass sports car prototype, and names it the Alembic I.
September
General Motors' chief stylist Harley Earl takes a Le Sabre to the Watkins Glen sports car race. Earl is impressed with the Jaguars, Ferraris, and Alfas, and decides to begin designing a new American sports car. (late fall)
(month unknown)
Harley Earl assigns Bob McLean to draw a layout for a sports car for General Motors.

1952
(month unknown)
A prototype fiberglass-bodied Chevrolet full-sized convertible is accidentally rolled during a test run. Because the body survives with little significant damage, the decision is made to adopt fiberglass for the production body material for the upcoming sports car.
March
Naugatuck Chemical presents the Alembic I to General Motors, which encourages Harley Earl to speed-up his own sports car work.
April
Harley Earl's crew completes a full-size plaster model of his sports car project.
Harley Earl's plaster model two-seater convertible goes on display in General Motors' private viewing auditorium.
May
Edward N. Cole becomes chief engineer of Chevrolet.
June 1
Ed Cole and Thomas Keating show the plaster model sports car to Chevrolet research and development chief Maurice Olley, assigning him the task of designing a chassis for the car.
June 2
General Motors executives are formally presented with Harley Earl's proposal for a 2-seater sports car. The project is code-named "Opel Sports Car". General Motors president Harlow Curtice and Chevrolet general manager Thomas Keating approve production of a sports car prototype for the 1953 Motorama. (approved in April)
June 12
Chevrolet's director of research and development, Maurice Olley, creates a sketch for the new sports car frame, showing locations of radiator, wheels, and body mount points.
July
Chevrolet chief engineer Ed Cole, and Harry Barr set to work on an all-new Chevrolet V-8 engine.
(month unknown)
The EX-122 is named the Corvette, after a fast type of Royal Navy warship, by Myron Scott, of Chevrolet Public Relations. Strong consideration had been given to naming the car "Corvair". (name picked from a dictionary) (Myron Scott was an employee of Campbell-Ewald, Chevrolet's advertising agency) (Harley Earl chose the name)
September 27
General Motors first begins officially using the name Corvette for its new sports car.

1953
January 9
General Motors first begins using the name "CORVETTE" in stylized script with all letters joined.
January 17
The prototype Chevrolet Corvette "Dream Car" is displayed at the GM Motorama show at New York's Waldorf Astoria Hotel. The car is seen by about four million show visitors.
March 23
The Chevrolet plant in St. Louis is notified that they would be expected to deal with long-term volume production of the Corvette from the 1954 model onward.
March 27
General Motors Corporation applies with the US Patent and Trademark office for a trademark on "CORVETTE" in stylized script with all letters joined.
April
In Ashtabula, Ohio, Robert Morrison forms The Molded Fiber Glass Body Company to meet the US$4 million order for 12,300 Corvette bodies.
May 1
Zora Arkus-Duntov starts work at Chevrolet as assistant staff engineer to Maurice Olley in Research and Development.
May
The first Corvette advertisement appears.
June
Chevrolet begins production of the Corvette on a tiny assembly line in Flint, Michigan.
June 20
Chevrolet introduces the Corvette.
June 30
The first production Corvette rolls off the assembly line at Chevrolet Plant Number 35, near Flint, Michigan. Sticker price: just over US$3000. Assembly line worker Tony Kleiber has the honor of driving the first Corvette off the assembly line.
(month unknown)
Zora Arkus-Duntov is appointed director of High Performance Vehicle Design and Development.
July
Zora Arkus-Duntov begins working on the Corvette.
September 1
General Motors Corporation trademark application for "CORVETTE" in stylized script with all letters joined is registered.
September 29
The automotive press get their hands on a Corvette for test and review, as the Corvette is officially released. Eight Corvettes are made available to the press at the Milford Proving Grounds. (September 27) (September 28)
October 5
Maurice Olley outlines his goals for the Corvette in a paper presented to the Society of Automotive Engineers.
(month unknown)
The windshield washer assembly is changed from foot-operated to vaccuum operated.
December 16
Zora Arkus-Duntov writes a memo to Chevrolet Chief Engineer Maurice Olley, on the subject of "Thoughts Pertaining to Youth, Hot Rodders and Chevrolet". He writes of the importance of the V8 engine, and getting high performance parts out to the public. (month unknown)
Ed Cole tests his 265 cubic inch V-8 engine in the ex-Motorama prototype Corvette.
December 24
Production of 1953 Corvettes ends, with 300 built in total.
December
Corvette production moves from Flint, Michigan, to a General Motors Assembly Division plant on Union Boulevard, in St. Louis, Missouri.
December 29
Production of 1954 model Corvettes begins, in St. Louis.
December 31
By the end of the year, 15 1954 model Corvettes have been built.

1954
(month unknown)
Engine starters are changed from two-field to four field coils.
Routing of brake and fuel lines is changed from outside of to inside the chassis frame.
Radios installed in Corvettes now have 640-kilocycle and 1240-kilocycle Conelrad national defence emergency markings.
The dual interior hood release levers are changed to a single release lever which activated both hood latches.
February 20
The Ford Motor Company shows the Thunderbird two-seat convertible in Detroit. The Thunderbird is a major part of General Motors' decision to continue production of the Corvette. (September)
March
A new styling model is completed, proposing minor cosmetic changes to the existing body. But due to poor sales, the styling changes are abandoned.
(month unknown)
The camshaft on the 1954 Corvette is changed, increasing horsepower from 150 to 155.
Exhaust extensions are changed to be longer, with built-in baffles.
Air cleaner inlets are changed from "bullet" style to a dual "pot" apparatus.
McCulloch completes building their first supercharged 1953 Corvette. The system reportedly boosts horsepower from 87 to 117.
June
Corvette production at the St. Louis facility reaches 50 cars per day.
(month unknown)
Joe Pike founds the first Corvette club.
Chevrolet decides to change its VIP-only marketing policy for the Corvette, making it available for sale to the general public.
October 15
Zora Arkus-Duntov writes a memo to Ed Cole and Maurice Olley, noting that the Corvette appeared to be a failure. He suggests that to drop the Corvette would be an admission of failure. He urges General Motors not to cancel the car, but to create a separate department within Chevrolet to oversee Corvette development. (October 14)
(month unknown)
Tubeless tires begin to be used on 1954 model Corvettes.
December
Production of the 1954 model Corvette ends, with 3265 made, and 1076 unsold. (3640 made, over 1100 unsold)
Chevrolet begins offering a small block 265-ci V8 engine as a Corvette option, for US$135. (September)

1955
(month unknown)
The Biscayne prototype is displayed at the General Motors Motorama show. The Biscayne employed many Corvette design ideas, and is presented to management as a new direction for the Corvette.
January
Production of 1955 model Corvettes begins.
January 29
General Motors first begins officially using a circular emblem with "CHEVROLET" at top, "Corvette" at bottom, and flags in center.
(month unknown)
Brake lining material is changed to reduce fade and wear.
The interior rearview mirror of the 1955 model Corvette is changed, slightly larger, and allowing vertical adjustment via a thumbscrew mechanism.
Vinyl-coated fabric material is introduced for soft tops, in addition to canvas tops used previously.
February
The basic design of the 1956 model Corvette is completed.
April
The color Pennant Blue is discontinued in use on 1955 Corvettes.
April 16
A fiberglass model of the restyled Corvette is shown to Chevrolet management.
(month unknown)
The exterior paint color red is first made available to 1955 model Corvettes.
Three-speed manual transmissions are first offered in 1955 model Corvettes, only on the V8 engine model.
Zora Arkus-Dontov is made chief engineer of Corvette.
Zora Arkus-Duntov begins experimenting with suspension modifications, on a 195bhp engine.
September 9
Zora Arkus-Duntov races a disguised 1956 model Corvette with a V-8 engine at the Pike's Peak Hill climb, setting the stock car record of with a time of 17:24.05.
(month unknown)
Zora Arkus-Duntov gains Ed Cole's approval to prepare a Corvette for speed tests at Daytona in January. Zora's target speed is 150-MPH.
Chevrolet begins preparing a Corvette for running at the Daytona Speed Weeks in February.
A 3-speed manual transmission option is added to the 1955 model Corvette.
November 2
Speed tests of the current Corvette indicate that a top speed of 150-MPH is not possible with the existing engine. Zora Arkus-Duntov designs a new camshaft, to gain 35-40 horsepower.
December
A team from Chevrolet, including Zora Arkus-Duntov, takes a prototype mule Corvette to Daytona Beach, to attempt a 150-mph run.
John Fitch writes to Chevrolet chief engineer Ed Cole, suggesting he become a sports car consultant, to help develop the Corvette as a world-class sports car.
Production of 1955 model Corvettes ends.

[mrchevy]

....Fortsetzung....

1956
January 1
The 1956 Corvette makes its debut at the Waldorf Astoria in New York for the Motorama show.
January 11
The 1956 model Corvette is officially announced.
January
On the beach at Daytona, Zora Arkus-Duntov sets a new Flying Mile record, with a two-way average of 150.583 MPH in a modified 240-hp V8-powered Corvette. A new Standing Mile record is set, at 89.363 MPH. (February) (255hp)
John Fitch drives a Corvette SR (Sports Racing) at Daytona Speed Week, setting a production-car record of 145 MPH. (Sebring Racer)
(month unknown)
The Corvette heater is changed, taking air from the outside instead of recirculating cabin air.
The shift knob is changed from white plastic to chrome-plated steel.
February 18
A Corvette racing team from Chevrolet arrives at Sebring, Florida, and begins preparations for a 12-hour race on March 24.
In Daytona, Florida, the Daytons Speed Weeks races are held. Chevrolet enters three Corvettes driven by Betty Skelton, John Fitch, and Zora Arkus-Duntov. The set numerous speed ans acceleration records. John Fitch sets a new Flying Mile record of 145.543-MPH in a stock 1956 Corvette.
(month unknown)
Several options are made mandatory purchases: Parking Brake Alarm, Courtesy Lights, Windshield Washers, and Power Top.
March 24
In Sebring, Florida, the Florida International 12-Hour Grand Prix of Endurance race is held. Raceway Enterprises of Dundee, Illinois, enters four 1956 Corvettes prepared for racing by Chevrolet. Car No. 1, with 307-ci engine, driven by John ch and Walt Hansgen, runs in SCCA class C/Modified, and finishes the race, winning first in its class, and ninth overall. Car No. 5, with 265-ci engine, high performance Duntov cam and 4.11-to-1 final drive, and driven by Dale Duncan and John Eager, runs in class B/Production, but breaks an axle shaft 20 minutes into the race. Car No. 6, with 265-ci engine, 3.70-to-1 final drive, driven by Ray Crawford and Max Goldman, runs in class B/Production, and finishes 6th in class and 15th overall. Car No. 7, with 265-ci engine, 4.11-to-1 final drive, driven by Ernie Erickson and Chuck Hassan, runs in class B/Production, but blows a piston about 1:20 hours into the race.
April
The following mandatory options are made optional: parking brake alarm, courtesy lights, windshield washer, hydraulic folding top mechanism.
Dr. Dick Thompson begins racing a factory-supplied Corvette in SCCA C-Production class.
At an SCCA race at Pebble Beach, Dr. Richard Thompson races a modified Corvette to second place, behind a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL.
While driving a hardtop Corvette at General Motors' Milford Proving Grounds, Zora Arkus-Duntov loses control, smashes the car, and breaks a vertebra in his back. (April 1957)
May
Jerry Earl's stock 1956 Corvette is delivered to Chevrolet's Research and Development Center, to be modified into a racer, with components and modifications developed by John Fitch and others racing at Sebring.
Zora Arkus-Duntov builds the Corvette SR-2 Sebring racer.
A manual top with hydraulic assist is made available as an option on the 1956 Corvette.
(month unknown)
Bill Mitchell orders a second Corvette SR-2 built for his own use.
General Motors President Harlow Curtice orders a third Corvette SR-2 for himself. This SR-2 is a stock 1956 Corvette, with the SR-2 nose and a center-mounted fin on the trunk.
June
Zora Arkus-Duntov returns to work.
The Chevrolet R&D Center completes the transformation of Jerry Earl's 1956 Corvette into a racer. It is designated "SR-2", for "Sebring Racer".
Jerry Earl and Dick Thompson debut Earl's Corvette SR-2 in racing, at the Road America raceway in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.
(month unknown)
Jerry Earl takes his Corvette SR-2 back to the Chevrolet R&D Center, asking for modifications recommended by Dick Thompson, and the specifications of the second SR-2 under construction.
Zora Arkus-Duntov is named special design and development engineer at Chevrolet.
July
Ed Cole replaces Thomas Keating as general manager of Chevrolet. Cole is also named vice president of General Motors.
Richard Thompson races a production Corvette to first place in C class - Production, in the Seattle Seafair race, the first SCCA National title for the Corvette.
Work begins on Project XP-64, a sports/racer built for the upcoming race in Sebring. The car is named the Corvette SS (Super Spyder), or Sebring SS. A clay model of Zora's design is made, and shown to management.
October
The first 1957 production Corvette rolls off the assembly line.
Zora Arkus-Duntov is given authorization and staff to construct four sports/racer test cars, the XP-64.
November
Chevrolet builds two 1957 hardtop Corvettes for racing, with special and prototype parts. They feature fuel injected 283-ci 283-hp engines, and 4-speed manual transmissions.
December 7
The two race-prepared 1957 Corvettes are entered in the Nassau Trophy Races.
(month unknown)
At the Nassau races in the Bahamas, Jerry Earl enters his Corvette SR-2, raced by Curtis Turner. The car wins a preliminary race, but then goes off track, ending its racing.
Zora Arkus-Duntov begins testing the XP-64, the Corvette SS.

1957
January
Vented gas tanks are used in new production Corvettes.
February
At New Smyma Beach, Florida, a car race is held. Chevrolet enters a 1957 race-prepared Corvette, driven by Paul Goldsmith, who finishes fourth.
(month unknown)
The 310-hp Corvette SR-2 is entered at Speed Weeks at Daytona Beach. The car wins the standing mile run in modified class, with an average speed of 93.047 mph.
March 21
The XP-64, now called the Corvette SS, is officially released.
March 23
Chevrolet enters four Corvettes in the 12 Hours of Sebring race in Florida. Dick Thompson and Gaston Andrey in the No. 4 1957 Corvette finish first in GT Production class, 12th overall. Dale Duncan, John Kilborn, and Jim Jeffords in the No. 3 1957 Corvette finish second in GT Production class, 15th overall. Their class finish is 20 laps ahead of the third place Mercedes. The Corvette SR-2 wins Modified Production class, 16th overall. The Corvette SS (Super Sport), driven by John Fitch and Juan Fangio, runs only 120 miles before being retired on lap 23 due to erratic brakes and faulty rear suspension. Twelfth place is the best showing to date for a car in GT class at Sebring.
April
The Corvette Owners Club of San Diego is founded.
RPO 479E "Air Box" ram-air induction is introduced for 1957 Corvettes.
Production of 4-speed 1957 model Corvettes begins.
May 1
A fully-synchronized four-speed transmission is first made available on the 1957 model Corvette, as a US$188.30 option. (April 9)
May
RPO 684 is added to the 1957 model options, offering stiffer springs, bigger shocks, fatter front anti-roll bar, faster-ratio steering, bigger brakes, and a limited-slip differential.
RPO 685 Borg Warner 4-speed manual tranmission is introduced for 1957 Corvettes.
The Northern California Corvette Association is incorporated, with 47 members. It is the first Corvette club in The United States.
June 4
The Automobile Manufacturer's Association passes a resolution recommending that member companies (including General Motors) not participate in auto racing. (April)
June 7
The decision of the Automobile Manufacturer's Association to ban race involvement is announced.
(month unknown)
Late in the 1957 production year, Chevrolet adds RPO 685, a Borg-Warner T-10 four-speed manual transmission.
The Corvette Club of Colorado is formed.
Richard Thompson wins SCCA Class B Production title.
J.E. Rose, racing a Corvette, takes SCCA Class B Sports racing title.
General Motors donates the Corvette SS to the Indianapolis Speedway Museum.
Zora Arkus-Duntov is named director of high-performance vehicles. Zora Arkus-Duntov officially becomes chief of the Corvette production.
Chevrolet begins producing the Corvette News magazine, published quarterly.
July 9
General Motors' circular emblem with "CHEVROLET" at top, "Corvette" at bottom, and flags in center is registered as a trademark.
September
Production of 1957 model Corvettes ends.
October
The first 1958 production Corvette rolls off the assembly line.
(month unknown)
Jerry Earl sells his Corvette SR-2 to Jim Jeffords, part of the Nicky Chevrolet racing team in Chicago.

1958
(month unknown)
Larry Shinoda joins Bill Mitchell's Studio X, to finish design work on the Sting Ray racer.
March
Two Corvettes are entered in the Sebring Grand Prix of Endurance, with one finishing first in GT class.
(month unknown)
A Corvette finishes first in class at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb
July
Bill Mitchell assembles the XP-700, a highly modified Corvette with a long oval nose, and twin-bubble plastic roof. The rear design is later adopted for the 1961 model.
August
Production of 1958 model Corvettes ends.
Sales of the 1958 model reach 9168, enough to turn a profit for the Corvette for the first time.
September
Production of 1959 model Corvettes begins.
(month unknown)
Jim Jeffords in his Corvette SR-2 Purple People Eater wins SCCA B/Production championship.
(1958 Corvette) (Purple People Eater Mk II)
December 1
Harley Earl retires from General Motors.
Bill Mitchell becomes General Motors' chief stylist.
(month unknown)
Bill Mitchell buys the Corvette SS "Mule" from Ed Cole for US$1, to use it as a test car for a styling study. It becomes the Sting Ray racer.
December
Bill Mitchell begins work on the Q-Car, or Q-Corvette, with a rear-mounted transaxle and fully independent suspension. Zora Arkus-Duntov, in a Corvette SS, hits 183 MPH on the General Motors Proving Grounds in Phoenix, Arizona.

& that was it...

[Jürgen]

Was´en dat für langes Ding ???

Respekt, mit Sicherheit der längste Thread der Forumgeschichte !

Langer Gruß , Jürgen

[mrchevy]

Hey Jürgen,
habs fast so im Netz gefunden& für den ein oder anderen Spezi im Forum ists doch eventuell wissenswert???!!!

P.S:
Wert mal schauen ob ich noch ne längere Info zur Hand habe... #;-)

[Vette58]

Und ich dachte schon, wir sollten jetzt alle unsere Bücher abtippen

[bismarck61alt]

Eine der längsten dieser Welt