chevrolet corvette
A Soviet emigrant named Zora Arkus-Duntov (also known as the 'Father of the Corvette') is credited as being the engineer responsible for making the manual transmission work with the new V8engine. This transformed the Corvette into a true sports car bringing the 0-100 time from 41 seconds to 24 seconds. Just in time to do battle with Ford's Thunderbird. It is easy to distinquish the V-6 versions from the V-8 version. GM had an enlarged gold 'V' in the word 'Chevrolet' located on the front fender. This meant the vehicle was powered by the V8 engine. The 8 cylinder used a 12-volt while the six cylinder remained with the 6-volt electrical system.
One of only 700 Corvettes built in 1955, this car was found in parts in the late 1980's. Physical evidence indicated that much of the car's past life was spent racing and thus the car was restored to continue that tradition. Originally fitted with a 265 cubic-inch V8, it now has a 283 cubic-inch engine. It was also upgraded with safety modifications for modern day racing, however, the owner made every effort to retain the 'period' look of the vehicle as it might have been in the 50's.
Sold for $83,600 at 2008 RM Auctions.
Chevrolet spent over $1.5-million on the Corvette project. It was unveiled in 1953 in the ballroom of New York's Waldorf=Astoria. It had style but lacked performance. Other shortcomings were its leaky side curtains and lack of wind-up windows.
Chevrolet spent over $1.5-million on the Corvette project. It was unveiled in 1953 in the ballroom of New York's Waldorf=Astoria. It had style but lacked performance. Other shortcomings were its leaky side curtains and lack of wind-up windows.