Harley Earl, a designer at General Motors, believed that Chevrolet should have a sports car. So he and Chevrolet's Engineering groups worked 30 months to develop a prototype. A small assembly line was installed in the Flint, Michigan plant and production of the Corvette began June 30, 1953.
The production of the Vette was moved to St. Louis in 1954.
The production of the Corvette nearly ended at age 3 due to lack of sales. Earl and Cheif Engineer Ed Cole kept the production going however. Cole added a 265-cid overhead valve V-8 engine which established the Vette as a premier sportscar. Then the body was modified in 1956. A rounded tail and concave bodyside coves were added.
The Corvette had a profit for the first time in 1958. Harley Earl retired and William L. Mitchell took over.
Total production Base price first year/final year Base engine first year Base engine final year Top available engine

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