The roar of its engine, the massive tires, the muscled body—it doesn’t get more iconic than a Chevrolet Corvette, does it? As fans of high-end vehicles ourselves, we thought we’d take a moment to celebrate this classic American car brand. Let’s take a look at the top 10 Corvettes of all time. Here we go!
1) 1963 Corvette Grand Sport
The first top Corvette on our list is the Grand Sport, originally designed by the “Father” of the car, Zora-Arkus Duntov. Built specifically to race, this car has a massive 6.2-liter V8 engine that supplied over 500 hp, all while coming in significantly lighter than previous Corvette models like the C2. Thanks to the Grand Sport’s popularity, it even became an inspiration for the Shelby Cobra 427, and was in production as recently as 2017.
2) 1990 Corvette ZR1
1990 brought the barrier-breaking Corvette ZR1 – a domestic car that could finally compete with foreign titans, Ferrari and Porsche. The LT5 engine, the first and only twin-cam engine in Corvette’s history, it could reach speeds of 175 mph and carried a horsepower of 375 hp at 6,200 rpm. An upgraded model was released in 2019, and true to its reputation, became the fastest, most powerful, most advanced Corvette ever built, according to the company itself.
3) 1963 Corvette C2 Stingray
Even though it was manufactured over half a century ago, this 1963 Corvette Coupe remains one of the most striking car designs to ever make it into production. With its characteristic fender shapes, shark-like frontend, split back window and the first model to feature a fixed top, its appearance has stood the test of time making it highly sought after today.
4) 1967 Corvette L88
Many enthusiasts will argue over which Corvette model is the most powerful, and more often than not, the L88 is at or near the top of the list. Introduced in 1967, this car revved out horsepower in the mid-500s, making it capable of racing a quarter mile in under 12 seconds – still pretty impressive even compared to today’s standards. And, because of its rarity (only 20 were produced), four out of the five highest-selling Corvettes of all time are L88 models, with one fetching almost $4 million.
5) 1970 LT1
Even though the LT1 was a part of the C3 generation, considered today as one of the more lackluster Corvette lines in the brand’s history, this model stands out above the rest. Even though most Corvettes were built with large, big-blocks engines, this version was known for its well-balanced, small-block, V8 engine. While later iterations of this generation of ‘Vettes would meet the expectations that this car set, the 1970 model remains one of the most highly desired cars of that decade.
6) 1984 Corvette C4
After a long string of successes with the C3 generation, the 80s were ready to experience a new, top-of-the-line Corvette. And so, the C4 came into production, the fastest American automobile at the time, with a top speed of 140 mph and capability to go 0-60 in under seven seconds. Its style is quintessentially 80s thanks to a completely redesigned space-age-style body. And, it doesn’t just carry the title of the only Corvette to ever win Motor Trend’s Car of the Year, it’s the most-sold model ever at over 50,000 units.
7) 2019 Corvette Z06
Chevrolet outdid themselves with this model, popular thanks to its modern style and impressive performance. Designed alongside the C7.R grand tourer, the Corvette Z06 comes stocked with a massive V8, 6.2L supercharged aluminum engine, pumping out 650 hp.
8) 2006 Corvette C6
A nearly perfect car in terms of looks and performance, the C6 had a base horsepower of 400, and reached levels of 640 with the release of the ZR1 in 2009. In terms of design, it was the first Corvette to forgo the signature pop-up headlights, but retained the round quad tail lights. Thanks to its high power and sleek look, it was one of the most valuable cars of the aughts and even out-performed high-end Ferraris.
9) 1969 Corvette ZL1
Only two of these cars were built for production, making it one of the rarest Corvette models of all time, and today the 1969 ZL1 is valued at over $1.4 million. Not only is it a beautiful machine, with its sleek curves, extended front end and low profile, it’s one of the most powerful ‘Vettes ever made. The engine, made entirely of aluminum, cranks out more than 460 hp, thanks to its huge 7-liter big-block, a version of which first seen on the L88.
10) 1953 Corvette C1
We couldn’t make a top Corvettes of all time list without dedicating a portion to the car that started it all—the C1. Introduced in 1953 after a popular showing as a concept car at GM’s New York Motorama event, and produced through 1962. Even though the initial production models were considered rushed and sales weren’t as strong as expected, this first “solid-axle” generation formed the basis of the future reigning American luxury automobile brand.
Curious about other vehicle articles? Check out some of our other links:
https://inflightpilottraining.com/2020/07/28/15-action-packed-videos-of-planes-racing-cars/
https://inflightpilottraining.com/2020/08/14/top-10-porsches-of-all-time/
