Corvette: The American dream car

Some viewed the new-fangled device as a necessity and a means of getting from Point A to Point B in the most efficient manner. For others it was the love of new technology and invention that drove them from the horse-drawn carriage to its internal combustion counterpart. 

 

And for the true car lover, it was a combination of a classy chassis and unbridled speed. That passion for the car has grown since then, and it has affected every generation.

 

Of the many car models that have been produced in America, one stands out as an iconic example of the American Dream. This vehicle was introduced in 1953. Only 300 were produced, and every one of them has a Polo White paint job and red vinyl interior. They were all convertibles. 

 

They were Corvettes. 

 

The following year, 1954, after the American sports car enthusiasts purchased every available unit, General Motors increased their production to twelve times the number of those produced in the debut year. And a legend was in the making — a legend that lives on today. 

 

As years passed, the Corvette evolved, and it became one of the most desirable sports cars on the roads. In 1963, GM brought out the new design of the C2 generation and dubbed it the Sting Ray. The body evolved into an easily recognizable design, and the horsepower of the motor and price tag both continued to increase.

 

During the early 1960s, there was little competition for the Corvette. Ford had redesigned their T-Bird from a two-seater and changed it into a more sedate sedan. Britain had introduced their Jaguar XK-E type, but if you were larger than a garden gnome, it was nearly impossible to get in and out of it. So, the American sports car market belonged to General Motors. And America was buying. 

 

Many Americans were able to afford their own Corvette during those classic years of the fifties and sixties. But many weren’t able to ante up the asking price. So the American Dream of owning a Corvette was achieved by some. Fortunately, it’s still being realized today by some of those who weren’t able to achieve it the first time around. 

 

Of the 300 original 1953 Corvettes produced, 225 of them are still accounted for. And a great number of the classic C1 and C2 generation Corvettes (1953-1967) are still around. One reason they’re still around is because of the material used in their bodies. Instead of sheet metal, GM created these beauties by using a non-rusting material known as Fiberglas. These used models, many restored to original condition, are being purchased every day through eBay and other channels.

 

So the American Dream is still alive and well. And if owning a Classic Corvette is part of that dream, they’re being purchased every day and the original dream is being achieved at last.