Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech

Where did 'Corvette' come from?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 23, 2005 | 02:09 PM
  #1  
Jeremy2792's Avatar
Jeremy2792
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Tampa Florida
Default Where did 'Corvette' come from?

I think I only know a little bit of the story. What does 'Corvette' actually mean?

I've heard it used to be a ship, but I know nothing more. Does someone know the full history on it?

Thanks.
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2005 | 02:17 PM
  #2  
tonyh2000's Avatar
tonyh2000
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime Gold
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 5,745
Likes: 3
From: North Texas Area Tx
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
Default

Yes there was a ship called Corvette. Was on the History channel a few months ago.
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2005 | 02:20 PM
  #3  
Richieg1g's Avatar
Richieg1g
Racer
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
Default

A small. fast English warship.
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2005 | 02:23 PM
  #4  
talon90's Avatar
talon90
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 35,617
Likes: 167
Tech Contributor
Cruise-In 11 Veteran
NCM Ambassador
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
Default

Here you go. It was named after a fast WWII war ship named Corvette.

The Corvette name

The Corvette Emblem

Paul
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2005 | 02:24 PM
  #5  
ProtoVette's Avatar
ProtoVette
Pro
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 596
Likes: 0
From: PA
Default

Corvette actually does come from the name of a smaller sized, fast, agile ship (I believed used for battles) that actually is spelled Korvette, I think. Chevy changed the K to the C (Chevy). Wish I had more to offer, try looking up Korvette in a search engine.
Cheers,
Chris
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2005 | 02:54 PM
  #6  
mjmc1273's Avatar
mjmc1273
Pro
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 577
Likes: 6
From: The Woodlands Texas
Default

Try this link:
http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.u..._corvettes.htm
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2005 | 03:01 PM
  #7  
iceburgh's Avatar
iceburgh
Race Director
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 11,530
Likes: 0
From: New Bloomfield Pa
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'10
Default

Originally Posted by Richieg1g
A small. fast English warship.
Close.... I think it was a french group of ships not just one
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2005 | 03:02 PM
  #8  
mjallen40's Avatar
mjallen40
Racer
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 487
Likes: 0
From: Kenosha WI
Default

It is actually a French class of ship that goes all the way back to the days of sail.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 23, 2005 | 03:18 PM
  #9  
Larry_Yerton's Avatar
Larry_Yerton
Pro
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 725
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert AZ
Default

CORVETTE:
A fast, lightly armed warship, smaller than a destroyer, often armed for antisubmarine operations.

An obsolete sailing warship, smaller than a frigate, usually armed with one tier of guns.
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2005 | 03:30 PM
  #10  
3RD-INF's Avatar
3RD-INF
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,402
Likes: 3
From: Raymore Mo
Default

Well what country is it. England or France? I'll vote for England. Can't imagine it being French, if it was it would turn tail and run, or through up the white flag and surrender.
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2005 | 03:35 PM
  #11  
C5Jim's Avatar
C5Jim
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 457
Likes: 0
From: Mechanicsburg Pa
Default

Originally Posted by talon90
Here you go. It was named after a fast WWII war ship named Corvette.

The Corvette name

The Corvette Emblem

Paul


When Mr. Scott died, NPR radio did a story on this topic and played an ealier interview they had done with Mr. Myron Scott about how he was tasked with the naming of the car. After many rejections, Mr. Scott called Harley Earl at GM and said "How would you like to take a ride in my Vette". The story went on to mention how Harley Earl liked the name and asked what it meant. Just like some of us are asking today. The rest is history.
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2005 | 03:56 PM
  #12  
IrishFan's Avatar
IrishFan
Instructor
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Portland OR
Default

The word Corvette comes from the Dutch word "corver" which means "hunting boat". "Corver" is itself derived from "corf" = "basket" or "fishing net/fishing boat", which came from the Latin "corbis" = "corbeille" in French = "basket" in english.

I don't know if that really answers the original question.

And for those of you wondering...yes, I am a dork.
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2005 | 04:01 PM
  #13  
Stock Man's Avatar
Stock Man
Race Director
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 12
From: Vancouver
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Default

Originally Posted by IrishFan
The word Corvette comes from the Dutch word "corver" which means "hunting boat". "Corver" is itself derived from "corf" = "basket" or "fishing net/fishing boat", which came from the Latin "corbis" = "corbeille" in French = "basket" in english.

I don't know if that really answers the original question.

And for those of you wondering...yes, I am a dork.
Too Funny!! You said we didn't
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2005 | 06:17 PM
  #14  
diverdan's Avatar
diverdan
Burning Brakes
Supporting Gold
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 939
Likes: 38
From: Riva MD
Default

Corvettes were originally a class of small fast French warship, circa 1800. I think the British ended up using them too, though it may just the ones the British Navy captured from the French Navy (I knew reading all those Hornblower books would amount to something).
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2005 | 06:19 PM
  #15  
F.J.B.'s Avatar
F.J.B.
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,216
Likes: 1
From: Vette Doctors Performance RX450 - 466RWHP !!!
Default

It was named after all those dreams I had as a kid. My mother says I used to wake up screaming......CORVETTE...CORVETTE.....
Hence the 12 yr olds smile I have when driving my CORVETTE!!!!!
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2005 | 06:37 PM
  #16  
Target Chaser's Avatar
Target Chaser
Melting Slicks
Supporting Lifetime
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 0
From: Machine Silver Z06 The Golden State......... Bay Area
St. Jude Donor '05
Default

Originally Posted by IrishFan
The word Corvette comes from the Dutch word "corver" which means "hunting boat". "Corver" is itself derived from "corf" = "basket" or "fishing net/fishing boat", which came from the Latin "corbis" = "corbeille" in French = "basket" in english.

I don't know if that really answers the original question.

And for those of you wondering...yes, I am a dork.

That was hilarious bro, but don't sweat it, if it weren't for the dorks and nerds most of us wouldn't know chit.
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2005 | 06:44 PM
  #17  
ZOOOM's Avatar
ZOOOM
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
From: Plainfield Illinois
Default

Our Corvette's were named after the small fast, quick handeling British coastal anti submarine warship of WWII fame. The Brits needed a small ship that could turn quickly, was lightly armored, and fast, that could protect convoys from German U Boats. The Corvette class fit the bill supurbly. They were built to escort convoys in home waters so they didn't need very good seakeaping qualitys. Because the war was waged on the open seas too, the Corvettes were abliged to venture out of home waters. They were hell on earth to live on in rough seas but fought very well where ever they were used. Just like our Corvettes!
Zooom
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Where did 'Corvette' come from?

Old Jan 23, 2005 | 07:11 PM
  #18  
Evil-Twin's Avatar
Evil-Twin
Team Owner
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Default

Main Entry: cor·vette
Pronunciation: kor-'vet
Function: noun
Etymology: French, from Middle French, probably from Middle Dutch corf, a kind of ship, literally, basket -- more at CORF
1 : a warship ranking in the old sailing navies next below a frigate
2 : a highly maneuverable armed escort ship that is smaller than a destroyer


Encyclopædia Britannica

small, fast naval vessel ranking in size below a frigate. In the 18th and 19th centuries, corvettes were three-masted ships with square rigging similar to that of frigates and ships of the line, but they carried only about 20 guns on the top deck. Frequently serving as dispatchers among ships of a battle fleet, corvettes also escorted merchantmen and showed a nation's flag in…



Last edited by Evil-Twin; Jan 23, 2005 at 07:17 PM.
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2005 | 07:41 PM
  #19  
VetteSiNz's Avatar
VetteSiNz
Drifting
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 3
From: Jacksonville Florida
Default

Corvette came from Bowling Green, Kentuky ...
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2005 | 08:34 PM
  #20  
LoneStarFRC's Avatar
LoneStarFRC
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Default

Originally Posted by VetteSiNz
Corvette came from Bowling Green, Kentuky ...
St. Louis
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:10 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 11:09:53


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE