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Introduction xviii
1 Americans Discover Sports Cars 2The nature of the sports
carearly and late American examplesKurtis, Cunningham, Nash-Healey
and CrosleyEdwards and Darrin using the new body material
fiberglass.
2 Plastic Fantastic 12Henry Fords plastic-bodied carscreation of
glass-fiber and its usespostwar pioneers Stout and Darrinenter Eric
Irwin, Bill Tritt and Earle EbersGlasspar and Life magazine of
February 1952Woodill Wildfire.
3 Styled by Harley Earl 24Harley Earl and GM Styling1951s
LeSabre and Buick XP-300Watkins Glen 1951 and General LeMays
influenceAlembic I in Detroitstudio in Fisher Body Plant 8arrival
of Ed Cole at Chevrolet and his enthusiastic support for a
sports-car design.
4 GM and GRP 38GM engineers learn about glass-reinforced plastic
(GRP)Parts Fab and its early experimentsGMs GRP bodies for some
1953 Motorama dream carsplans to produce Chevrolets CorvetteBob
Morrison rescues the role of GRPCorvette is tooled for
manufacture.
5 Chassis by Maurice Olley 54Maurice Olleys R&D Department
designs a chassis for Project OpelMauri Rose ramrods prototypes and
hot-rods the Chevy sixdecision to use PowerglideMyron Scott names
SO 1737final details decided.Perspective: Corvettes Courageous
70Production Corvettes Profiled: 19531955 73
6 Dream Car or Nightmare 74Final design changes before
manufacturingfirst production cars from FlintMill Building is plant
in St. Louistests of early carsmarketing and the press launch with
Mauri Rosefirst sales to VIPsproblems with the bodiesslow sales
force production cutsChevrolets doubts about its new baby.
7 Sports Car in the Doldrums 90Enter Zora Arkus-Duntovmeeting
Cole and Olley and joining GMspecial Corvettes for 1954
Motoramaideas for face-liftsenthusiast engine swapsfirst tests with
new V-8introduced with 1955 modelsales still sluggishCorvette faces
extinction.Perspective: Zora Arkus-DuntovThe Early Years 106
8 Creating the Real McCoy 112The 1956 modelFords Thunderbird
shows two-seaters potentialhandsome restyling with wind-up windows
and hardtopexperiments with transmissionsDuntovs chassis
improvements and new camshaft150 mph at DaytonaSR-2 racing
versions. Perspective: GMs La Salle II Dream Cars 132
9 Corvette Learns to Race 136Corvettes star at Daytona in
1956first amateur racing efforts in 195455Ed Cole urges racing but
Duntov demursSmokey Yunick and John Fitch prepare cars for Sebring
1956Corvette competes bravely in 12-hour race.
10 Le Mans in the Windscreen 150Ambitious plans for
international racing in 1956Corvette and Dick Thompson surprise
rivals in SCCA eventsSR models defined for series production and
homologationLe Mans effort postponed.
11 Fuel Injection 158John Dolza and Zora Duntov develop fuel
injectionconstant-flow design cho-sen for productionSmokey Yunick
helps racing developmentin spite of late problems manufacture
begins.Production Corvettes Profiled: 19561957 169
12 Fabulous Fifty-Seven 170The 1957 modelone horsepower per
cubic inchfull-synchro four-speed trans-mission introducedsparkling
injected performanceSuper Sport show car.
13 Return to Sebring 180Production Corvettes for Sebring
1957shakedown at NassauSR-2 for Bill MitchellRPO 684 racing
packageDaytona speed trials and racingGT success at SebringChevys
cars sold to private teamsAmerican automakers agree to stop
promoting performance.
14 Corvette SS The Creation 192Duntovs conviction that racing
should be by special carsCole is Chevy general managerHarley Earl
threatens a V-8-engined Jaguarlow-drag XP-64 racer styledDuntov
creates skunk works for chassis designmultitube frame and special
suspensiontuned injected V-8.
15 Corvette SS The Racing 212Mule version of Corvette SS used
for testingrecruiting drivers for Sebring 1957John Fitch and Piero
Taruffi the choicesFangio and Moss sensationally lap in the
Muleracing versions extreme heat from exhaust headersproblems in
race and retirementshutting down the program.
16 Going for Baroque 228The 1958 and 1959 modelsOlds Golden
Rocket inspires possible new bodyfour headlamps front dramatic
styling changesnew interior pioneers a consolepotent Corvettes
excel in SCCA racing and record-breakingproduction rises.
17 Ed Coles Q-Ship 244New Code Q passenger cars for 1960 to have
transaxles and independent rear suspensionXP-64 Corvette designed
in 1957 to use componentsplatform frame designedBill Mitchell
inspires new body conceptradical swing-up doors proposedmid-engined
proposals alsoCode Qs cancellation ends projects.Perspective:
Mitchell on Mitchell 256
18 Stingray Racer 260Bill Mitchell succeeds Harley Earlhis
passion for CorvettesMitchell ac-quires Corvette SS Mule
chassisspecial body derived from Q-Corvette road-stercurved
underbody concept for downforceBill finances racing by Dick
Thompsonhe gains GMs approvalStingray SCCA success in 1959 and
1960.
19 Mitchells Motors 274Mitchell XP-700 of 195859establishing
Studio X with Ed Wayne, Larry Shinoda and Tony Lapineforeshadowing
look of future Corvettecreation of XP-755 Shark for 1961.Production
Corvettes Profiled: 19601961 287
Chapter 1: The Auburn Speedster was Americas idea of a sports
car.
Chapter 2: Henry Ford demonstrats the strength of a plastic
trunk lid.
Chapter 4: A Corvette underbody lifted sky-high to dramatize
lightness.
Chapter 11: Rochester-Chevrolet fuel injection manifold
evolution shown.
Chapter 12: For 1957, the Corvette was capable of a 132 mph top
speed.
Chapter 14: Magnesium-bodied Corvette SS with chassis
exposed.
Chapter 16: Designers gave Corvette one of the first central
consoles.
Chapter 18: Dick Thompson showed the Stingrays heels to
competitors.
Chapter 8: For 1956, new locations for exhaust pipes to avoid
problems of their original positioning.
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20 Sixty Specials 288The 1960 modelincreased use of
aluminummajor suspension rethink racing entries abroad in GT
category by Camoradi and Cunningham teams four start the Le Mans 24
HoursFitch and Grossman finish eighth and win their class thanks to
Bill Fricks inspiration.
21 CERV at Your Service 300In 1960 Duntovs team designs
mid-engined R Car single-seaterattack on Pikes Peak record a
prioritystriking Studio X bodyworksensational appear-ance as CERV I
at U.S. Grand Prixlater engines with Roots blower and twin
turbostests at Daytona in 1962in 1964 206 mph at Milford.
22 Ducktail for 1961 312The 1961 modelnew rear end based on
XP-700 designsuccesses in SCCA racing and at SebringAllen Markelson
takes a C1 to EuropeBunkie Knudsen becomes Chevy chiefJoe Pike
named Corvette marketing manager.Perspective: C1 Inspires
Coachbuilders 321
23 Calling Car 327 326The 1962 modelconsideration of the W V-8
for the Corvetteoriginal en-gine enlarged to 327 cubic inchestwo
ratio spreads for four-speed boxmeet-ing the XK-E Jaguar on the
tracklone Corvette races at Le Mans.
24 International Initiative 338Four-liter prototype rules for
1962 offer Duntov an opportunityBunkie Knudsen keen to
compete36-valve V-8 of 4.0 liters plannedspace frame for CERV
IIingenious transaxlesShinoda smuggles body ideascorporate
crackdown halts manufacture.Production Corvettes Profiled: 19621963
347
25 A Legends New Legs 348Q-Corvette and Stingray provide ideas
for aborted 1962 face-liftXP-720 is project for all-new 1963
Corvetteclever front suspension allows independent rear with
transverse leaf springrugged new perimeter frameengine and gear-box
refinedmule tested at Sebring in January 1962.
26 Concept-Car Styling 360XP-720 to look like the racing
Stingraycontroversy over coupes split rear windowchallenge of
hidden headlampswind-tunnel testing of scale model in
Californiacompromises for four-passenger version craved by Ed
Coleproduc-tion of pilot cars at St. LouisSting Ray name
established.
27 Year of the Sting Ray 374Two shifts at St. Louis support
record salessensational interest in new Sting RayU.S. press
reportscoupe sent to Europe is evaluateddivided rear win-dow is
criticizedSting Ray called tomorrows car, on the street
today.Perspective: Corvette C2 Customs 386
28 Fish Meets Serpent 392High hopes for Sting Rays racing
successRPO ZO6 created for competitionKnudsen involves Mickey
ThompsonCobra upsets applecartCorvette wins first Riverside
encounterCobras acceptance by SCCA as production car ends Corvettes
championship runs.
29 Grand Sport Genesis 404Chevrolets better idea for racing is
ultralight Corvetteproduction of 100 planned for GT car
categoryspecial ladder frame and suspensionultralight fiberglass
bodyhemi-head dual-ignition V-8 of 377 or 402 cubic
inchesventi-lated disc brakes.
30 Lightweights Go Racing 416Grand Sport production plans
finalizedGM bigwigs reconfirm nonracing policyonly five cars
completedtwo raced in 1963 by Dick Doane and Grady Davistesting at
Waterford Hills improves cornering377-cubic-inch engine
specification confirmed.Perspective: Thomas and the Cheetah 426
31 Meet Mr. Mecom 430Texan John Mecom provides fig leaf for
Grand Sport entries at Nassau in December 1963green final drives
throw up problemsCobras soundly thrashedBernard Cahier gives his
impressionstwo rebuilt as roadsterscars sold to private ownersRoger
Penske establishes team to race one.Production Corvettes Profiled:
19641965 443
32 Sting Rays that Stop 444The 1964 and 1965 modelscleaner style
with one-piece rear windowhigh-performance hydraulic-lifter V-8in
1965 disc brakes after exhaustive develop-mentGMs disc-brake
evolution.
33 Power to Spare 456The 1965 and 1966 modelsMark IV engine in
65 with 396 cubic inchesop-tional outside exhaustsfuel injection
dropped for 1966Mark IV now 427 cubic inches and nominal 425 bhpRPO
M22 rock crusher gearbox.
34 L88 the Great 468The 1967 modelrivalry from others including
Pontiacs lighter, smaller XP-833AMCs AMXventilated steel Rally
wheels appeartriple Holley carbu-retors for Mark IValuminum-head
L88 engine in spring 1967L88 entry at Le Mans in 1967.Production
Corvettes Profiled: 19661967 479
35 Winchells Raiders 480Frank Winchells Chevrolet R&D takes
an interest in Corvettesproject XP-777 Corvair could be lighter
versionGS-II was V-8-powered mid-engined car pro-posed to Knudsen
for productionthanks to Mitchell R&D begins cooperation with
Jim Halls ChaparralXP-819 a rear-engined V-8 coupeto compete with
Fords Mach 2 the XP-880 is builtbecomes 1968 Astro II show car.
36 Racing Four by Four 494Direct opposition to Ford GT40 planned
for 1964 GS-3later known as CERV IIadvanced Firestones powered by
four-wheel drivepatented torque-con-verter
drivelinesingle-overhead-cam hemi-head V-8 plannedengine used as
frame behind steel tubeffort to build GS-3 comes to screeching
halt.Perspective: Driving CERV II 506
Chapter 21: Zora Arkus-Duntov posed next to the CERV I.
Chapter 22: New duck tail design for 1961.
Chapter 26: Possible rear bumper and lamp arrangments drawn by
Shinoda.
Chapter 27: For 1963, headlamp concealment was artfully
achieved.
Chapter 32: GM Holdens 1969 Hurricane concept sports car.
Chapter 34: The car that was not meant to be, the 1967
Corvette.
Chapter 35: XP-880 experimental design that became the Astro
II.
Chapter 36: CERV II used the engine as part of the structure for
stiffness.
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37 Mako Shark the Second 508Astonishing X-15 single-seater based
on Scarabideas used in new XP-830 con-cept car planned in
1964Mitchells ideas implemented by Shinodas studioshown at New York
and Paris in 1965rich in fascinating featuresnamed Mako Shark
IIbecomes Manta Ray in 1969.
38 Choosing the Future 520The 1968 modelthreats from Corvair,
Camaro and designs of R&Dfresh mid-engined proposalsnew
front-engined studies from Hank Haga and Larry ShinodaShinodas
concept closely related to Mako Shark II prevailspoor visibility
and aerodynamics of first body force delay from planned 1967
launchZora not fully in chargelast-minute cooling
problems.Production Corvettes Profiled: 19681969 533
39 Preening the Shark 534The 1968 modelC2 underpinnings get
overhaulTurbo Hydra-Matic intro-ducednew suspension geometry and
wider wheel rimsas special consultant Duntov takes a C3 to
Europeproduction quality suffers and Car and Driver can-cels a
testAstro-Vette a show-car version.
40 Return of the Stingray 550The 1969 modelarrival at Chevy of
John DeLorean350-cubic-inch V-8alarm system optionaluminum Mark IV
blocksquarter-millionth CorvetteRathmann and the astronauts.
41 Sharks With Teeth 564L88 racing in 1968DeLorenzo and Thompson
race for Owens-CorningJohn Greenwood brings fresh impetusGM
designers are involvedLutz, Filipinetti and Greder join forces to
create legends at Le Mansthe Sharks racing career.
42 Mid-Engine Mania 584The 1968 design of XP-882adaptation of
Oldsmobile Toronado transaxletwo prototypes ready in 1969Joe Pikes
pessimismattempt to merge Camaro and Corvettesurprise appearance at
1970 New York Show.
43 Vette for the Seventies 594The 1970, 1971 and 1972
modelsstyling fresheningpricing risessolid-lifter LT1Mark IV
increased to 454 cubic inches and aluminum headsadapting to
unleaded fuelSt. Louis plant activity. Production Corvettes
Profiled: 19701973 607
44 Foam and Aluminum the Answer? 608Foam-plastic structure of
Vega-based XP-898 of 1973John DeLorean and Alex Mair support
revived mid-engined XP-882 effortHaga and Young style XP-895
versionaluminum structure built by Reynolds and assessed in
1972.
45 Topping and Tailing the C3 618The 1973 and 1974 modelsradial
tiresbetter body mountsL82 engine op-tionurethane plastic nose and
tailGymkhana suspensionlast years for the Mark IV V-8.
46 Welcome to Wankel World 630GMs commitment to the rotary
Wankel enginethe XP-987GT Chevrolet GT of 1972 becomes the 2-Rotor
Corvette of 1973design by Wasenko and MacKichaninspiration source
for John DeLorean.
47 Aerovette the Magnificent 644The 4-Rotor mid-engined Corvette
concept of 1973Wankel power package by Gib Hufstaderstyling by
Mitchell, Palmer and HagaParis Salon starGM decides against Wankel
powerchange in 1976 to V-8-powered Aerovetteits significance and
influence.Production Corvettes Profiled: 19741975 659
48 Period of Adjustment 660The 1975 and 1976 modelssolely 350
V-8sbladder fuel tanks and catalystspaint issueselimination of the
convertibleretirement of Zora Arkus-Duntovarrival of Dave
McLellanGM management not keen on all-new Corvette.Perspective:
Tribute to Zora Arkus-Duntov 674
49 From Duntov to McLellan 676The 1977 modelnew Corvette chief
Dave McLellanbody-quality issuesV-6 experimentsprices march upward
to improve profitsretirement of Bill Mitchell and Joe PikeIrv
Rybicki at Design Staff.Production Corvettes Profiled: 1976197
687
50 Happy Anniversary! 688The 1978 modelfastback
glazingaerodynamic refinementsnew instru-ment panelSilver
Anniversary editionCorvette demand intensifiesfrenzy over Pace Cars
for the Indianapolis 500.Production Corvettes Profiled: 19781982
700
51 Weight Watching the C3 702The 1979 and 1980 modelsdurability
issuesproduction sets recordsplastic seats lighter but
controversialturbocharged V-8 experimentsDuntov Turboa
turbine-powered C3a four-door Corvetteweight-reduction campaign.
Perspective: Inside Corvette St. Louis 716
52 Between Dream and Reality 720The 1981 and 1982 modelsa
fiberglass leaf springpower seats and two-tone paintCross-Fire Fuel
Injectiona new factory at Bowling Green, Kentuckythrough the
$20,000 barrierfinal Collector Edition lovingly created.
Appendix I. Engines 734
Appendix II. Production and Sales 735
Appendix III. Serial Numbers 735
Appendix IV. Colors by Model Year 736
Appendix V. Base Specifications 739
Appendix VI. Equipment Buying Trends 739
Appendix VII. Corvette Racing Record 740
Bibliography 749
Art Credits 753
Index 754
About the Author 769
Chapter 41: John Greenwood with his spectacular American-flag
livery.
Chapter 43: 1970 Corvette cockpit with Turbo Hydra-matic
transmission.
Chapter 46: The no-nonsense front end of the XP-987GT.
Chapter 48: For 1976, the Corvette was only built as a
coupe.
Chapter 52: The first Corvette rolls off the Bowling Green
line.
Chapter 39: 1968s grill design gave marginal air delivery.
Chapter 37: Design patent for the Mako Shark II.
Chapter 50: Chevy hit the jackpot in 1978 with the Corvette Indy
Pace Car.
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established 1950Automotive Reference
Bentley Publishers, 1734 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA
02138-1804 USATel: 617-547-4170 Toll Free: 800-423-4595 Fax:
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in. x 10 1/2in.Case quantity: 1784 pages 989 photos, illustrations
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The Complete History 1953-1982
CorvetteAmericas Star-Spangled Sports Car: The Complete History,
1953-1982 takes the reader behind the scenes during the early
decades of Corvette design, engineering, brand development and
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year with the compelling stories of the GM staffers and privateer
racers whothrough equal parts talent, passion and sheer force of
willkept the Corvette program thriving against heavy odds.
Ludvigsens up close and personal telling of the Corvette story
captures the human drama and fierce rivalries that fueled the
American car industrys golden ageand resulted in some impressive
Detroit muscle.
When it was published in 1973, Star-Spangled Sports Car broke
new ground as the first book devoted entirely to a single car
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Corvette history remains the bible. Now the award-winning author
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BentleyPublishers.com
bentley_gcss_new.product.announcement.pdf
The author and Zora consult during test drive of CERV II in
1970.Chapter 36: Racing Four by Four
Tony Lapine airbrushes a rendering of the XP-755 in 1961.Chapter
19: Mitchells Motors
Available July 4, 2014
My early education and inspiration related to Corvette history
came from my original 1973 copy of Star Spangled Sports Car.
After 40 years of use, wrinkles, torn dust cover, and dirt
stained pages, it has served as the number one source to help tell
the stories of the cars and people inducted into the Great
Hall.
David Burroughs Founder, Bloomington Gold
Karl Ludvigsen with Corvette creators Zora Arkus-Duntov and Bill
Mitchell.
