The History of the Chevrolet Corvette

As the 1950s got under way, no corporation came close to General Motors in size or profits. At the time, GM was twice as big as the second biggest company in the world, Standard Oil of New Jersey, which would one day become ExxonMobil. GM was so dominant in the auto industry that it was responsible for producing more than half the cars sold in the United States, and it was so large that the Department of Justice's antitrust division threatening to break it up. Although GM had tons of sedans and wagons available, the one thing they didn't have was a sports car.

And, with GM's dull reputation, the idea that they could compete with something like the Jaguar was laughable. But, this negativity didn't dissuade GM's chief designer, Harley J. Earl. Together with Robert F. McLean, they used off-the-shelf Chevy components to build a concept car. The chassis and suspension were almost indistinguishable from that of the 1952 Chevy Sedan, with the drive-train and passenger compartment shoved rearward to achieve a 53/47 front-to-rear weight distribution over its 102" wheelbase. The engine was basically the same old inline V6 that powered all Chevys at the time, but it featured a higher-compression ratio and a more aggressive cam that pushed its output up to 150 hp. Cost was a dominant factor, and one final effort to keep costs low was the switch from steel to fiberglass for body construction. The car was designed with strict adherence to the bottom line and production feasibility, and it was really only intended to appear as a fixture in the 1953 New York Auto Show. That changed when Chevy's chief engineer saw it, placing it almost immediately into production after some minor tinkering. Thus, the quintessential sports car was born.

Since then, it's been produced in six generations and recently celebrated its fiftieth anniversary as America's first true sports car. The latest model, known as the 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport, features a launch control system that assesses the available traction 100 times per second and manages wheel-spin to allow any driver to obtain the quickest launch possible under any driving conditions, similar to the performance found with the addition of Corvette chips on older models.

Over the years, the business for aftermarket upgrades has enjoyed a similar level of success, much of which is attributed to the dominance of Corvette add-ons that range from Corvette exhaust systems and Corvette air intakes to Corvette suspension and performance-grade Corvette brakes. With aftermarket upgrades, even if you buy used, you can still have a hot ride.

Protecting your 'Vette is just as easy with accessories that include Corvette floor mats, Corvette car covers and Corvette car bras. Corvette floor mats and Corvette seat covers provide a reliable layer of protection against spills and everyday wear and tear that can quickly diminish your level of cool. Both come in a wide variety of styles and colors to match any interior, and some Corvette floor mats are even available with your favorite sports or auto emblems.

Chevy Corvette accessories, like Corvette air filters and other related Corvette parts, can quickly tune up your living legend. Whether you're keeping yours safely tucked away in the garage or using it to tear up the highway, installing the latest and greatest aftermarket upgrades will keep you on the edge of performance.