The Chevrolet Corvette was launched in 1953 courtesy of Harley Earl, the then-head of GM’s design. To compete with the prominent British automakers and their sports cars, the Corvette was planned and developed. To keep the costs strictly in check, the C1 Corvette was developed and built using parts from regular passenger cars sold by GM during that time. The first batch of the C1 Corvettes was practically built in the backyard of a big dealership of GM.
After almost a decade-long production run of the C1, the C2 was launched and it arrived with a completely new design as powertrain options. Subsequently, the Corvette became sportier and more premium with each passing generation. Currently, the car has enough capabilities to challenge some top-tier sports cars from Italian and German brands in the market.
10. Look for rusting issues on a C3
The C3’s body shell was attached to the chassis using a birdcage structure which was used on the first C1 models too. While the chassis and the body don’t rust easily, the birdcage structures are notorious for rusting.
9. Check the pop-up headlamps of the C3
The pop-up headlamps of the C3 Corvette were controlled by a vacuum mechanism, and they are still prone to failure if not maintained properly. While getting a used C3, do check if both the headlamp units are opening and closing simultaneously. Also, do check for vacuum leaks on the pipes behind the headlamp housings.
8. Decide upon the powertrain of the C3 and check its service history
The Chevrolet C3 Corvette was offered with a long list of powertrains. The car was offered with a total of 5 V8 engines. The basic one was the 5.0-liter unit while the popular ones were the 5.4-liter and the 5.7-liter units. However, it was also offered with a mammoth 7.0-liter and a 7.4-liter big-block V8 as well. Also, do check for the complete servicing histories for the powertrains since those V8s do require periodic upkeep.
7. Get a C5 if you fancy the first LS engine on a Corvette
The C5 Corvette was the first to get GM’s legendary LS V8 motor. It has a 5.7-liter LS V8 that makes 350 hp and 360 lb-ft of torque. It has a 0-60 mph sprint time of 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 175 mph. If you fancy having the first Corvette with the LS motor, the C5 would be your answer.
6. The C5’s design still turns heads
The entire lineup of the Corvette across all generations is spectacular to look at, even at present. However, the C5 Corvette marked the car’s entry into proper modern sports car design and still looks like a proper low-slung performance vehicle. The latest models of the Vette are aggressive and supercar-like but the C5 is still worthy due to its perfect mix of styling and performance.
5. Get help from experts for the C1
Since the C1 is the oldest one among the Corvette, getting an example now includes quite the risks. Firstly, you need to be sure if you’re going to drive it frequently or if it is going to sit in your garage and will see the roads occasionally.
We’d recommend getting expert advice while buying the C1 and you can get in touch with the Corvette Club of America or the National Corvette Restorer’s Society.
4. Look for Magnetic Ride while going for a C6
While going for the C6 Corvette, look for models equipped with GM’s Magna Ride suspension. The reason is that the C6 generation has a bad reputation for having an overly stiff suspension setup as standard. Moreover, if you go for the more powerful Z06 or the ZR1 models, the suspension will only get stiffer.
3. C2 and C3 Corvettes will cost you a fortune
While the C1 is still the grand old model of the Vette, the C2 and the C3 models of the car hold the highest value at present. Being the most desired models of the entire Corvette generation to date, both the C2 and C3 came with an exterior design that was never seen before on an American sports car.
Also, the pop-up headlamps on these models add to their never-ending desirability for them as well.
2. Both the C4 and C5 are equally fantastic
While buying a classic model of the Corvette from the late 80s or early 90s, you might be confused between the C4 and C5. However, let us assure you, both the cars are fantastic. While going for the C4 might be a bit more tedious due to its long list of powertrain options, the C5 offers only a couple of engines.
Also, the C4 has a mix of classic yet modern styling while the C5 marked the Vette’s entry into the modern design era.
1. Go for a C7 if you wish for features with performance
The C7 Corvette would be the best bet if you wish to have both performance and features at your fingertips. Right from the base 1LT trim onwards, the C7 offered heating for the mirrors, Xenon headlamp units, leather upholstery, and a feature-ruch 8-inch infotainment system. As for the performance part, the C7 is powered by a big 6.2-liter V8, delivering 455 horsepower.
