Who Owns Chevrolet Corvette?

The Corvette was introduced on January 17, 1953, at the GM Motorama in New York City. The first production Corvette (C1) was a convertible with a fiberglass body, a 150-horsepower inline-six engine, and a two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission. Only 300 units were produced in the first year, all in Polo White with red interiors.

The C1 generation ran from 1953 to 1962. Zora Arkus-Duntov joined GM in 1953 and pushed for performance upgrades, including the introduction of a V8 engine in 1955. The 265-cubic-inch V8 transformed the Corvette from a stylish but underpowered roadster into a legitimate performance car. By 1957, fuel injection was available, and the Corvette was producing 283 horsepower.

The C2 generation, known as the Sting Ray, was introduced in 1963. It featured a completely new design with hidden headlights, a split rear window (in 1963 only), and independent rear suspension. The C2 introduced the Corvette's association with racing-inspired design and performance. The 1963 split-window coupe is one of the most collectible Corvettes ever produced.

The C3 generation ran from 1968 to 1982. It featured dramatic styling inspired by the Mako Shark concept car. The C3 era included some of the highest-performance Corvettes of the era, including the 1970 LT-1 and the limited-production 1969 ZL-1 with an all-aluminum 427 engine. However, the C3 also suffered from the power reductions of the 1970s as emissions regulations reduced engine output.

The C4 generation (1984-1996) brought modern engineering to the Corvette. It featured a new chassis, digital instrumentation, and improved aerodynamics. The ZR-1, introduced in 1990, featured a Lotus-designed 32-valve V8 producing 375 horsepower, making it the fastest production Corvette up to that point.

The C5 generation (1997-2004) was a clean-sheet design that significantly improved build quality and performance. The C5 introduced the LS1 small-block V8, producing 345 horsepower. The C5 Z06, introduced in 2001, raised output to 385 and later 405 horsepower and became a track-focused variant.

The C6 generation (2005-2013) brought a return to exposed headlights for the first time since 1962. The C6 ZR1, introduced in 2009, featured a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 producing 638 horsepower and was the first Corvette to cost over $100,000. The C6 Z06 and ZR1 established the Corvette as a competitor to European supercars at a fraction of the price.

The C7 generation (2014-2019) was the final front-engine Corvette. The C7 Stingray featured a 6.2-liter LT1 V8 producing 455 horsepower. The C7 Z06, introduced in 2015, produced 650 horsepower with a supercharged LT4 engine. The C7 ZR1, introduced in 2019, produced 755 horsepower and was the most powerful front-engine Corvette ever built.

The C8 generation, introduced in 2020, marked the most significant change in Corvette history. For the first time, the Corvette moved to a mid-engine layout, placing the engine behind the driver for improved weight distribution and performance. The base C8 Stingray produces 495 horsepower from a 6.2-liter LT2 V8. The C8 Z06, introduced in 2023, features a 5.5-liter flat-plane-crank V8 producing 670 horsepower and revving to 8,600 RPM.

The C8 ZR1, introduced for the 2025 model year, is the most powerful Corvette ever produced. Its twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter LT7 V8 produces 1,064 horsepower and 828 lb-ft of torque. The ZR1 achieves a top speed of 233 mph, making it the fastest production car GM has ever built. GM President Mark Reuss personally drove a ZR1 to 233 mph in a verified top-speed run.

The C8 ZR1X, introduced in 2026, adds an electric motor to the ZR1's twin-turbo V8 for a combined 1,250 horsepower. The ZR1X features all-wheel drive and accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 2.3 seconds. In July 2026, IndyCar veteran JR Hildebrand drove a ZR1X to a production car record at the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb, completing the 14,115-foot course in 9:30.104, smashing the previous record by 23 seconds.