After 37 years, General Motors is bringing it back. Yup, the Stingray is back in town. Cheverolete is making the seventh generation Corvette, and apparently it is going back to its roots. Started in 1953, the first Corvettes were fiberglass (pretty slick stuff at the time), and only 500 were built. It was an absolutely stunning car though. By 1955 it was a true muscle car: solid rear axle, V8 engine, all that stuff that makes a car a real beast. It was pretty far ahead of its time, it has fuel injectors giving it one break horse power per cubic inch, power windows, and a power removable top. By 1958 the Corvette has a few changes in styling, which I personally think was one of the best looks it ever had. The brand shuffled through another five styles before arriving at the sixth generation, the era we are currently in.
1958 ‘Vette
The most famous C6 model is the ZR1 which had a massive engine in it, producing 638 bhp, and a top speed of 205mph. This car has the largest engine of any production GM model. Unlike the days of yore, the Corvette has independent rear suspension, so it handles much better than say a Mustang, which still uses a solid rear axle. Don’t get me wrong, it is still a muscle car through and through, and will always be better in a straight line than in a corner. The thing that always bugged me about the ZR1, there was a clear piece in the hood so you could see the “engine”…except it was just a plastic piece painted to look an engine, and the real deal was hidden below. I couldn’t find this fact anywhere online, but I know from personal experience that is how it is.
Anyway, the new 2014 Stingray model. It will feature the same front engine, rear wheel drive it always has in order to keep the price down. It will be available in either a 7 speed manual transmission or a 6 speed flappy paddle gear box. The new model will be switching from fiberglass to carbon fiber, making the car stronger and lighter. Who knows how it will drive, all I can say is it looks absolutely fantastic.
2014 Corvette Stingray