Cars & Autos | Tuesday 28 June, 2016 6:44 am |

On June 30, 1953, the first Chevrolet Corvette rolled off the assembly line in Flint, Michigan. Since then, Corvette has become an icon that continues to offer the best in today’s technology and performance for Middle East sports car drivers.

 

To celebrate the anniversary, Chevrolet Middle East is encouraging all Middle East Corvette owners to “Drive Your Corvette to Work Day,” on the 30th of June, 2016.

 

Corvette owners who participate in “Drive Your Corvette to Work Day” can share images on social media using the #CorvetteDay hashtag. 

 

Here are some key facts highlighting more than 60 years of Corvette history:

 

• Corvette is the world’s longest-running, continuously produced passenger car. The longest-running vehicle of any type is the Chevrolet Suburban.
• Corvette made its debut as a concept vehicle at the General Motors Autorama in New York City on Jan. 17, 1953. It was such a success that a limited run of 300 production Corvettes began on June 30 of that year.
• 1953 models were Polo White with a red interior and they were priced at $3,498. In 2006, the third 1953 Corvette produced sold for a record $1.06 million at auction.
• Corvette was exclusively available with an inline six-cylinder engine until 1955. That year, the optional V-8 engine was ordered by 90 percent of buyers. The six-cylinder was dropped in 1956. Corvette has been available exclusively with V-8 power since.  
• Corvette was produced only as a convertible for its first 10 years. The fixed-roof 1963 “split-window” Corvette Sting Ray coupe launched the second-generation Corvette.  Sales doubled and it became a year-round car for drivers in colder climates.
• Approximately 1.56 million Corvettes have been produced since June 30, 1953. The 500,000th Corvette was built in 1977; the 1 millionth was built in 1992, and the 1.5 millionth Corvette rolled off the line in 2009.
• Corvettes have been produced at three facilities: Flint, Mich. (1953); St. Louis, Mo., (1954-1981); and Bowling Green, Ky. (1981-2014). The change from St. Louis to Bowling Green happened during the production year. The first 1981 Corvette was built in St. Louis, and the last 1981 Corvette was built in Bowling Green.
• No 1983 Corvettes were sold to the public. The model year was skipped in preparation for the all-new 1984 Corvette, which launched the C4 generation. Forty-four Corvette prototypes were built as 1983 models. Only one remains, and it is on display at the National Corvette Museum, in Bowling Green, Ky.

 

The 2016 Corvette Stingray has an unmatched combination of performance and efficiency. Power comes from the 6.2L LT1 V-8 rated at an SAE-certified 455 horsepower (339 kW) and 460 lb-ft of torque (624 Nm) – and 460 horsepower (343 kW) and 465 lb-ft (630 Nm) with the available performance exhaust system. Corvette Stingray’s powertrain enables manual-transmission Z51-equipped models able to accelerate from 0-60 in 3.8 seconds – 3.7 seconds with the eight-speed automatic – and run the quarter-mile in 12 seconds at 119 mph, while the Corvette’s chassis and suspension features contribute to 1.03g in cornering grip and stop from 60 mph in 107 feet.

 

All 2016 Corvette owners will experience a new level of customer service courtesy of Chevrolet Complete Care. The comprehensive aftersales package promises additional value with competitive and transparent maintenance pricing; one-hour servicing; two days advanced booking; a regional three-year/100,000-km warranty; and four years of regional 24x7 roadside assistance.