Corvette History
Corvette History
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The Corvette Emblem and its Change Right before Production
The Corvette emblem has seen its fair share of changes over the years and some changes have been subtle and others have been quite drastic. However, for all the changes that have occurred with the Corvette's emblem, there are certain design cues that stay constant in almost all designs. Most Corvette emblems have the famed crossed flag which consists of the checkered flag, the Chevy Bowtie and at times the fleur de lis (the maple leaf looking thing). What many don't know is that the Corvette emblem was changed for the maiden 1953 Corvette almost at the last second.
1The original Corvette emblem was created by Robert Bartholomew who was an interior designer and while it looked much the same as what would be adopted it was vastly different. The original design did have the crossed flags but one flag was the checkered flag and the other flag was the flag of the United State of America. The emblem went over very well with GM executives and the first Corvette prototype was fitted with the design and was destined for its first public appearance.
Just four days prior to the world getting its first glimpse of the Corvette the GM executives had a change of heart. They knew that it was not legal to use the American Flag in conjunction with a commercial product. Though the Corvette that they fitted the emblem with was only a prototype they decided better to be safe than sorry.
The design team got back to work on the emblem and the new emblem featured the same design only with the American flag gone and the flag with the Chevy Bowtie and the fleur de lis taking its place. The idea for the fleur de lis, which is French for "flower of the lily" was added as an homage to the man that Chevy was named after; Louis Chevrolet. While GM search for a family crest to use they came up short but stumbled across the fleur de lis which stands for peace and purity and so it was used to honor the Frenchman. The prototype Corvette was then fitted with the new emblem and sent off to the Waldorf in New York and what would follow would be history in the making.
Even though the emblem was indeed a smashing success with all that saw it at the show it was again redesigned before the actual production of the 1953 Corvette took place. Still the new design had all the same features of the first only it was styled in a more aesthetically pleasing way.
The first emblem made by Robert Bartholomew can still be seen to this day and not just in photographs. You can take a trip to the National Corvette Museum and see it in all its glory as it is displayed there for all lovers of the Corvette to see. While times and emblems change, one thing always remains; the Corvette is now and will forever be a classic in its own right, no matter what kind of badges it wears.
About the Author
Considered a leader in <a href="http://www.smokinvette.com">Corvette forums</a>, and highly recommended by A. Schult is the blog and forum found at SmokinVette.com, where you can find tips and resources for the Corvette enthusiast. For additional info on the <a href="http://www.smokinvette.com">Corvette Emblem</a>, check out SmokinVette.com
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Corvette $58.57 During its more than 50-year history, the Corvette has developed into much more than an automotive nameplate—it has become one of the world’s most recognized automobiles. How the Chevrolet Corvette came to be one of the most popular sports cars in the world—and the longest-running automotive nameplate in Chevrolet history—is a rich and compelling story that combines politics, passion, performance, design, and popular culture. This uniquely sleek and sexy American car has become a worldwide icon much like the Coca-Cola symbol, McDonald’s arches, or Marilyn Monroe. It is a symbol of freedom, speed, power, and fun. Corvette: America’s Sports Car—Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, documents the genesis and evolution of this treasured American icon through many never-before-published photographs from the archives of General Motors as well as a comprehensive story drawn from exclusive interviews with the risk-taking engineers and designers who defied conventional thinking to create this uniquely American automobile. Corvette: America’s Sports Car—Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow celebrates America’s beloved sports car in a stylishly handsome volume, with a custom cover design in Corvette red proudly bearing a sixth-generation Corvette crossed-flags hood emblem. |
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Corvette Illustrated Encyclopedia $24.66 In the 51 years that the Corvette has been part of the American automotive backdrop, hundreds of people, places and innovations have touched Americas favorite sports car. In the Corvette Illustrated Encyclopedia, Tom Benford has surveyed five decades of the Corvette and compiled an essential reference work for all who have ever had either a passing or a passionate interest in Chevrolets flagship. Tom Benfords Corvette Illustrated Encyclopedia gives detailed look at the terms and names that mean so much to Corvette history. Learn to interpret the numbers and slang that are the code of Corvette and have such significance to owners today. Author: Benford, Tom Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 314 Publication Date: 2004/08/27 Language: English Dimensions: 9.22 x 7.04 x 0.80 inches |
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Corvette Racing (Hardcover) $55.61 Chevy`s Corvette is without question one of the most recognized sports cars in the world. Since its introduction at GM`s Motorama, Corvettes have been favorites for fans and drivers in a wide variety of racing venues, including endurance events, hillclimbs, Trans-Am, drag racing, and GT Racing. For six decades, Corvettes have battled and defeated some of the the biggest names in the sports car world?Ferrari, Porsche, Cobra, Jaguar?at storied road courses like Le Mans, Daytona, the N rburgring, Sebring, and Laguna Seca. Beginning with the Real McCoy, a Zora Arkus-Duntov special raced at Sebring in 1956, this book draws on the history of factory-sponsored and private racing efforts, chronicling the history of the various Vettes that have been put to the test as racing machines. Noted automotive writer and renowned artist David Kimble delves deep into Vette`s on-track history to provide the most thorough Corvette racing history ever published. Corvette Racing is illustrated with rare images from GM`s media and design archives and complemented by Kimble`s own stunning cutaway artwork. For Corvette and racing fans, this book is the definitive word on Corvette`s nearly 60 years of competition. |
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The Corvette Factories (Hardcover) $61.7 In its nearly six decades, Chevrolet’s Corvette--America’s only sportscar--has been produced in just three factories, first in St. Louis and now in Bowling Green. This book is the first to offer an up-close view of the process of building an automotive legend. From the rudimentary hand-formed fiberglass bodies in the St. Louis factory, to the state of the art production on the modern line in Bowling Green, The Corvette Factories takes readers through the story of the Corvette’s evolution as the world’s performance benchmark. Detailed archival photographs and the latest images provide a unique behind-the-scenes look at the Corvette as an exemplar of General Motors’ most advanced technology. Indispensable to Corvette fans and sportscar aficionados, this volume is also a critical chapter of automotive history. |
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Corvette Sixty Years (Hardcover) $69.06 Through hundreds of rare and unpublished photos from GM`s media and design archives and in-depth text by renowned Corvette historian Randy Leffingwell, Corvette Sixty Years celebrates the first six decades of America’s sports car, covering the revolution and evolution of America’s longest continuously produced nameplate, from Harley Earl’s initial concept to the latest 60th anniversary edition built to celebrate the Vette’s 60th year. Created in cooperation with General Motors, the book focuses as much on the Corvette’s place in popular culture as it does on the engineering and design history. This book offers something for everyone who has ever lusted after a Vette. From the inaugural 1953 Corvette to today’s stunning sixth-generation car, Corvette Sixty Years touches on all aspects of Chevrolet’s iconic sports car: history, racing, period ads, posters, memorabilia, key designers like Bill Mitchell, engineers like the fabled Zora Arkus-Duntov, celebrity Vette fans, and more. For Corvette fans, it’s an ultimate celebration of America’s most famous car. |
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Great Cars Corvette $4.69 Rated: NASynopsis: Buckle your seatbelt for a wild ride as the GREAT CARS series takes you through the evolution of the world's most coveted sports cars and luxury vehicles. This volume explores the history of the Corvette, a name that has long been synonymous with speed and style. |
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Corvette Black Book 1953-2012 (Paperback) $27.19 With 50-plus years under its belt, Chevrolet`s Corvette is one of the world`s longest continually produced sports cars. Six generations of cars have produced a dizzying variety of combinations, from the original Stovebolt-6 powered version to big-block 60s bruisers to today`s sophisticated C6 road rocket. Corvette Black Book is the perfect companion volume for the dedicated Corvette fan. Every shred of Corvette data of note resides in these pages including options, colors, stats, facts, history, prices, codes, serial numbers and more. An indispensible reference! |
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Chevrolet Corvette $6 Chevrolet Corvette |
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Corvette C6 $6 Corvette C6 |
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Corvette Black Book 1953-2013 (Paperback) $29 The new 1953-2013 Corvette Black Book continues its never-ending evolution. The 2012 data pages have been reworked to include production numbers for options and exterior colors. A new Addenda section adds dealer-installed options for 2009 through 2013s. Data for 2013 is included and 2013 will prove to be a milestone as it is both the model`s 60th year and the last for the C6, Corvette`s sixth generation. To commemorate this final act, a 2013 427-convertible Collector`s Edition will be offered, along with a 60th Anniversary package across all C6 models. Borrowing the Z06`s LS7 engine for the Collector Edition will make it the most powerful production convertible in Corvette history. |
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Corvette Summer $7.99 Corvette Summer - Photo |
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Corvette Chart $17.99 Corvette Chart - Poster |
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Corvette Engine $24.99 Corvette Engine - Photographic Print |
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American Muscle Cars: The Chevrolet Camaro and Corvette $26.07 This book is about the history of the Corvette and Camaro. Readers will learn about each generation of Corvette, from the C1 to the C6. The book also covers each generation of Camaro, as well as the two sports cars racing versions. Project Webster represents a new publishing paradigm, allowing disparate content sources to be curated into cohesive, relevant, and informative books. To date, this content has been curated from Wikipedia articles and images under Creative Commons licensing, although as Project Webster continues to increase in scope and dimension, more licensed and public domain content is being added. We believe books such as this represent a new and exciting lexicon in the sharing of human knowledge. Author: Jeffrey, Sb Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 170 Publication Date: 2011/05/25 Language: English Dimensions: 9.69 x 7.44 x 0.36 inches |
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Corvette Monster $1.49 Corvette Monster Button Monster driving a hot rod Corvette |
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Corvette 1957 $59.99 Corvette 1957 - Stretched Canvas Print |
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Corvette 1958 $299.99 Corvette 1958 - Stretched Canvas Print |
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Chevrolet Corvette Side $10 Chevrolet Corvette Side |
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1957 Corvette $39.99 Graham Reynolds 1957 Corvette - Premium Giclee Print |


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