In 1953, in an event at New York’s Waldorf Astoria hotel, Chevrolet introduced America to what would become one of its most persistent loves. The first Chevy Corvette was a lean, low, curvy 2-seater with a big, toothy grin, available only in Polo White. Its inline 6-cylinder engine made 150 horsepower (a snarling beast at the start of the Eisenhower era). It sent power through a 2-speed transmission to the rear wheels. It lept from 0-60 mph in 11.2 seconds.
Seventy years later, our enduring crush is almost unrecognizable. But its spirit is the same.
Today’s Chevrolet Corvette is still rear-wheel drive, but it’s now a mid-engine exotic car as gorgeous as any Ferrari, and even the base model makes 490 horsepower. Zero to 60 comes in just 2.9 seconds with the optional Z51 package.
70th Anniversary Badges, Colors, Luggage Set
Next year, Chevy will celebrate the ‘Vette’s 70th birthday. They’ll do it with a special 70th-anniversary package.
The package is all cosmetic – no performance upgrades – but we don’t mind. It comes in two colors. One is White Pearl Metallic Tri-coat (they really missed an opportunity to call it Polo White, didn’t they?). The other is Carbon Flash Metallic.
Optional stripes are available in complementing colors – Satin Gray with the White Pearl Metallic Tri-coat, and Satin Black with the Carbon Flash Metallic.
They’ll wear 70th-anniversary badges, unique wheels, anniversary wheel caps, and Edge Red brake calipers. Inside, 70th-anniversary logos will adorn 2-tone seats with sueded microfiber inserts. Contrast-color red stitching and red seatbelts complete the look.
The package will be offered on both base Stingray and high-performance Z06 models. And, buyers will also receive a commemorative luggage set.
Every 2023 ‘Vette Will Get A Little Commemoration
Even buyers who don’t spring for the anniversary package will get to mark the occasion. Every 2023 ‘Vette, Chevy says, “will feature a commemorative 70th-anniversary interior plaque located on the center speaker grille and a graphic imprinted on the lower rear window.”
