Chronology of Chevrolet Corvettes

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This document is an attempt to bring various published sources together to present a timeline about Chevrolet Corvettes.
Note: This document is not sponsored or endorsed by General Motors in any way. No infringement of trademarks is intended, and it is acknowledged that the product names mentioned within this document are trademarks of General Motors.
References are numbered in [brackets], which are listed here. A number after the dot gives the page in the source.
Last updated: 2008 September 29.


2007
January 15
In Phoenix, Arizona, RM Auctions conducts the Vintage Motor Cars auction. Some highlights:
1954 Black (one of four made): US$78,000;
1957 Onyx Black, 283-ci 283-hp engine, 4-speed manual: US$92,500;
1959 Snowcrest White with Silver coves, 283-ci 245-hp engine, 4-speed manual: US$88,000;
1967 black convertible, first RPO-L88 engine known to exist, ordered by Tony DeLorenzo Jr, raced in SCCA A-Production, bid to US$1,550,000, no sale. [816.92] [821.12]

January 16
In Scottsdale, Arizona, the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction is held, over six days. Over 150 Corvettes are included. Some highlights:
1954 Pennant Blue: US$97,000;
1957 red with white coves, fuel-injected 283-ci 283-hp engine, 4-speed transmission,38,000 miles, both tops: US$135,000;
1957 red with white coves, beige interior and top, 283-ci 283-hp fuel-injected engine, 4-speed transmission: US$235,000;
1958 Panama Yellow convertible with white coves, black interior, 283-ci 245-hp engine, 4-speed transmission, electric top: US$150,000;
1958 white exterior, red interior, 283-ci fuel-injected engine, hard top, Thrill Show Chitwood: US$140,000;
1959 black with silver coves, black interior, fuel-injected 283-ci 290-hp engine, 4-speed transmission: US$140,000;
1961 Fawn Beige with white coves, 283-ci 245-hp, automatic transmission, both tops, dual quad carburetors: US$120,000;
1961 Ermine White with silver coves, red interior, fuel-injected 283-ci 315-hp engine, 4-speed transmission, both tops: US$105,000;
1962 Fawn Beige exterior, beige interior, 327-ci 360-hp fuel injected engine, 4-speed transmission, hard top: US$120,000;
1963 white convertible, red interior, 327-ci 360-hp fuel-injected engine, 4-speed transmission: US$110,000;
1963 dark blue coupe, black interior, 327-ci 250-hp engine, automatic transmission, 62,000 miles: US$95,000;
1963 Z06 red convertible, 327-ci 250-hp engine, automatic transmission, big tank, and 1963 red coupe: US$510,000;
1965 Nassau Blue coupe, blue interior, 327-ci 300-hp engine, 9226 miles, automatic transmission, air-conditioning, radio delete: US$97,500;
1965 blue roadster, blue interior, 454-ci 600-hp fuel-injected engine, 6-speed transmission, "space-tube design" chassis, side exhausts: US$90,000;
1966 red convertible with black stripe, black interior, 427-ci 450-hp engine, 4-speed transmission, side exhausts: US$110,000;
1967 Marina Blue convertible with white stinger, white and blue interior, 427-ci engine, side exhausts: US$105,000;
1967 Marlboro Maroon with black stinger, black interios, 427-ci 390-hp engine, 4-speed transmission, side exhausts: US$95,000;
1967 blue convertible with black stinger, black interior, 427-ci 435-hp engine, side exhausts: US$140,000;
1967 black convertible with white stinger, saddle interior, 427-ci 435-hp engine, 4-speed transmission: US$185,000;
1967 white convertible, bright blue interior, 327-ci 435-hp engine, 4-speed transmission, side exhausts: US$210,000;
1967 Lynndale Blue convertible with black stinger, blue interior, 427-ci 400-hp engine, side exhausts: US$200,000;
1967 silver coupe with black stinger, black interior, side exhausts, last Sting Ray built: US$600,000;
1967 blue convertible with black stinger, 427-ci 435-hp engine, side exhausts: US$145,000;
1967 black coupe with red stinger, 427-ci 435-hp engine, 4-speed transmission, 100 miles, side exhausts: US$170,000;
1967 blue convertible with black stinger, blue interior, 427-ci 400-hp engine, 4-speed transmission: US$160,000;
1967 silver convertible with black stinger, black interior, 427-ci 400-hp engine, 4-speed transmission, side exhausts, hard top: US$125,000;
1967 Rally Red coupe with black stinger, black interior, 427-ci 435-hp engine, 4-speed transmission, side exhausts: US$90,000;
1967 black convertible with red stinger, black interior, 427-ci 400-hp engine, 4-speed transmission, side exhausts: US$110,000;
1969 dark green coupe, 427-ci 400-hp engine, 4-speed transmission, 13760 miles: US$95,000;
1969 olive green coupe, black interior, 427-ci 430-hp L88 engine, 4-speed: US$240,000;
1972 yellow convertible, 350-ci 370-hp LT1 engine, 4-speed transmission, 21,813 miles: US$100,000. [215] [821.12] [836.122]

January 17
(to January 21) In Scottsdale, Arizona, the Russo and Steele auction is held. Some highlights:
1957L US$93,500;
1967 Rally Red, 427-ci 435-hp engine, 31,500 miles, formerly owned by US astronaut Lt. Col Gus Grissom: US$275,000;
1967 Red convertible, 427-ci 435-hp engine, side exhaust: US$181,500;
1969 Cortez Silver convertible, 427-ci 435-hp engine, both tops, 35,778 miles: US$141,900. [815.84] [836.122]
January 26
In Kissimmee, Florida, the Mecum Corvettes & Muscle auction is held, over two days. Some highlights:
1954 Sportsman Red roadster: US$85,000;
1966 427-ci engine, raced in A Production 1966-68: US$345,000;
1966 Tuxedo Black coupe, 427-ci 425-hp engine, side exhausts, knockoff wheels: US$125,000;
1967 Marina Blue convertible, 427-ci 435-hp engine, 44000 miles: US$195,000;
1967 Ermine White convertible, 427-ci 435-hp engine, both tops, 40,000 miles: US$175,000;
1967 Sunfire Yellow convertible, 427-ci 435-hp engine: US$175,000;
1969 t-top, 427-ci 435-hp engine: US$101,000. [726.7] [814.84] [818.70]
January 27
(to January 28) At the Daytona International Raceway in Daytona Beach, Florida, the 45th Rolex 24 at Daytona race is held, round one of the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series.
Finishing 21st in GT class and 42nd overall is the #43 Corvette driven by Joe Sahlen, Joe Nonnamaker, Wayne Nonnamaker, and Will Nonnamaker.
Finishing 25th in GT class and 49th overall is the Stevenson Automotive #57 Corvette driven by Dominic Cicero, Marc Bunting, James Gue, John Stevenson, and Lou Gigliotti.
Finishing 27th in GT class and 51st overall is the Stevenson Automotive #97 Corvette driven by Vic Rice, Tommy Riggins, John Stevenson, Spencer Trenery, Lou Gigliotti.
Finishing 36th in GT class and 64th overall is the Michael Baughman Racing #46 Corvette driven by Michael Baughman, Bryan Collyer, John Connolly, Mike Yeakle, and Frank Del Vecchio.
Finishing 39th in GT class and 67th overall is the WTF Engineering #48 Corvette driven by Hans Hauser, Robert Dubler, Ed Magner, and Michael DeFontes. [244]

February 2
Chevrolet announces the Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06. This is the first ever official signed special edition Corvette. The car is Arctic White exterior, accented with fender-stripe and Ron Fellows autograph. 399 are planned to be built, for likely retail price of US$77,500. [809.14] [816.16]

February 9
At the Chicago Auto Show, Chevrolet announces 500 replicas of the Atomic Orange and Gold Corvette Indy Pace Car will be built for sale. [821.12] [823.56] [836.122]
February 18
At the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, the Daytona 500 race is held. A 2007 Corvette Z06 is official pace car, driven by Cal Ripken, Junior. [809.14]
(month unknown)
Corvette and Cadillac Europe create a Victory Edition Corvette commemorative edition, available in the European Union only. The car is available in Black or Velocity Yellow, with various special features. [823.8]
General Motors product chief Bob Lutz confirms rumors of a 600-hp special-edition Corvette as a 2010 model in summer 2009. [823.8]
Automobile Magazine names the Corvette Z06 an Automobile Magazine All-Star. [823.8]
The March issue of Car and Driver magazine compares the Corvette Z06, Porsche 99 GT3, and Lotus Exige S. The Corvette is rated #1, at 203 points (out of 250), beating the Porsche by only one point. [846.40]
Some Corvette auction results:
1960 Tasco Turquoise, 283-ci 230-hp engine: US$64,000;
1962 Roman Red, 327-ci 360-hp fuel-injected engine: US$77,500;
1963 Daytona Blue, Z06 coupe, 36-gallon tank: US$260,000;
1963 Sebring Silver, Z06 coupe, 36-gallon tank: US$200,000;
1963 coupe, black exterior, black interior, 327-ci 340-hp engine, 4-speed transmission: US$60,000;
1964 Riverside Red convertible, fuel-injected engine: US$102,750 (record price for 1964);
1967 Rally Red convertible, 427-ci 435-hp engine: US$102,500. [816.93]