The quality and performance of the Chevrolet Corvette means that the car has become synonymous with the American Dream. For more than sixty five years now, Chevrolet has manufactured both performance and appearance for the masses.
With time, the improved performance earned Chevrolet the title of the highest performance sports car. However, throughout the history there have been many instances when a Corvette has either exceeded expectations or disappointed fans. While we can give them the benefit of the doubt with their hits and misses, it is imperative for us to identify and differentiate their best from the worst.
Some Corvettes stand out from the rest of the crowd because of their superior performance and the better features offered while some have become a bit of a laughing stock. To put things into perspective, here is a list of 10 best and 5 worst Corvettes based on their looks.
14. 1955 Corvette V8
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This first generation Corvette is considered a classic and one of the most iconic cars ever produced. This is why the fact that there were plans to discontinue its productions comes as a massive surprise. The car came with a 4.3-liter V8 engine, which enabled the C1 to give the new Ford Thunderbird a run for its money.
13. 1963 Sting Ray "Split-Window"
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This is another iconic Corvette and it came with a razor-sharp design and was sleek at the rear and at the front. The broad fender arches made the car a massive hit amongst fans. Since its production, fans and critics alike have experimented with the car and modified it according to likes and preferences.
12. 1990 Corvette ZR-1
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This car is renowned for its standard of endurance. The ZR-1 was developed with help from Lotus and was renowned for its famous LT5 engine. Chevrolet also asked for help from Lotus in designing the steering and braking system of the ZR-1. The car set a record of an endurance of 12 hours at the speed of 175.8 mph.
11. 2001 Corvette Z06
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The C5 Z06 was released as an immediate successor to the C4 ZR-1. This is why the car’s exterior resembled its predecessor making it look somewhat superior. The drivetrain of the car however, was completely different. The presence of a new LS6 engine gave the car an increased output as it had the power of 385 horses under the hood.
10. 2019 Corvette ZR1
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One of the best-looking ‘vettes also happens to be one of the latest. The Corvette ZR1 is also the most extreme edition ever built. Released in 2017, the car came with a 6.2-liter V8 engine that used a gigantic supercharger, which helped the car in generating a whopping 755 hp. The car took less than 3 seconds to reach speeds of 60 mph.
9. 1967-1969 Corvette L88
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The L88 was termed as a racecar for streets. The massive roar of the engine could pull the air out of the lungs of onlookers standing by. The car’s design and performance is the stuff of dreams, which when combined with the beastly sound makes the car an iconic one.
8. 1969 Corvette ZL1
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In the late '60s, muscle cars were becoming the talk of the town, which is why Corvette released the first-ever ZL1. The car sported an exotic design and was equipped with a 7.0-liter V8 designed specifically for racing. The 460 hp under the hood allowed the car to cover a quarter-mile in just 12.1 seconds.
7. 1988 Corvette Callaway Sledgehammer
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The Corvette Sledgehammer came with the top speed of 254.7 mph. The car is not specifically made by Chevrolet as Callaway Cars took it upon themselves to modify the car’s engine and its body. Callaway began modifying Corvettes in the '80s and was successful in creating the Sledgehammer.
6. 2009 Corvette ZR1
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The 2009 Corvette ZR1 was labelled the blue devil. It was also the most powerful Corvette until the release of the C7 Z06. The car could surpass the 200-mph mark with consummate ease due to the 6.2-liter supercharged LS motor. The engine generated 638 hp, which allowed the vehicle to access high speeds.
5. 1962 Corvette Grand Sport
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After the Corvette V8, Zora Duntov produced the Corvette Grand Sport. This project however was completely different as the production of the grand sport was like a full-fledged car. This meant that Chevrolet was not limiting itself to the production of sports car only. The Grand Sport came with a V8 engine and had 550 hp.
4. Worst Looking: 1995 Corvette Pace Car
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Corvette manufactured 527 units of the 1995 Pace Car that paced the 1995 Indianapolis 500. While the pace of the car may be something to write home about, its design was awful. One look at the car gave you the impression that the car was designed in a hurry by people disappointed with their paychecks.
3. Worst Looking: 1988 Corvette Commemorative Edition
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While it was named a Commemorative Edition, there was nothing special about this 1988 Corvette. Unless of course, you have a soft spot for white doors, leather panels, and white wheels, or white steering there is nothing commemorative about it. The color combination of the car made it look like a ghost surfing the town.
2. Worst Looking: 1982 Corvette Collector Edition
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This is the year when the outdated Corvette C3 was made specifically for one year to give the manufacturers some time to finalize the C4. The car was only available in automatic and it reeked of a hurried production design and manufacturing process. The car was a big letdown for fans and critics.
1. Worst Looking: 1980 Corvette California 305
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Not only did the year 1980 damage the economy and increase the inflation numbers, it was also the year of the lousiest Corvette. Although the Corvette possessed a 350-inch cubic V8 engine, its performance and drivetrain was a major disappointment leaving fans depressed. As far as Corvettes go, this just isn’t a good car.
