Corvette 101
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 595
Likes: 1
From: Columbus Ohio
Originally Posted by Larry B.
It's been a couple of years since I posted this ...for the Corvette newcomers. In order of embarrassment if you don't know.
1. There are no 83 Corvettes except for one in the Corvette museum
2. All corvettes have fiberglass bodies.(Or composite, No metal bodies, ever!)
3. The first year was 1953..... All 53's, 54's and a few 55's were straight sixes coupled to a 2 speed automatic.
4. The first year for V8 was 1955
6. 63-67 are Sting Rays and are known as "mid years"
7. 68 has no Stingray badges.
8. 69-mid 77's are Stingrays
1. There are no 83 Corvettes except for one in the Corvette museum
2. All corvettes have fiberglass bodies.(Or composite, No metal bodies, ever!)
3. The first year was 1953..... All 53's, 54's and a few 55's were straight sixes coupled to a 2 speed automatic.
4. The first year for V8 was 1955
6. 63-67 are Sting Rays and are known as "mid years"
7. 68 has no Stingray badges.
8. 69-mid 77's are Stingrays
I wonder if as more years pass if, the term "mid-years" will lose its meaning and context? Mid-years of what?? Or will folks will only know it as C2 1963-67 Sting Rays?
Gburg
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
1981s: STL vs BG paint
One of the biggest reasons for Corvette production to leave my beloved St. Louis plant was two-fold: First, the price-tag to bring the St. Louis plant into compliance with environmental emissions from the paint spray areas was prohibitive. Any motorist who was driving down Natural Bridge Road, especially on a summer's day, could have his nose tell him that Corvettes were being painted in that old Mill building. I loved that smell because I knew what was being created inside. Then again, I didn't have to live next to it.
The second reason was the windfall acquisition of the old Chrysler AirTemp facility. Once Fedders bought all of the inside machinery, GM owned an empty building in a Right to Work state. Doing the right EPA stuff, from the get-go was cheaper than staying in STL. And will you look what they've done with the place....even though they never got around to replacing that Chrysler Blue cornice trim that is still on the plant buildings.
For about a month, both St. Louis and Bowling Green produced Corvettes in the early summer of 1981. STL cars still had the old technology paint and were solid colors. BG cars used the new system, and those 1981s were two toned with the tops in one color and the bottoms in another. Back to normal selections in 1982, and much of the St. Louis Corvette plant was unused for several more years. Sadly, there is nothing left of it, and the whole place....the second largest concentrated GM facility at that time...is under continued conversion to smaller industries. When I'm back in STL, I try to drive my current Corvette back to visit the scene, sniff for lingering paint fumes, and think about the good old days.
The second reason was the windfall acquisition of the old Chrysler AirTemp facility. Once Fedders bought all of the inside machinery, GM owned an empty building in a Right to Work state. Doing the right EPA stuff, from the get-go was cheaper than staying in STL. And will you look what they've done with the place....even though they never got around to replacing that Chrysler Blue cornice trim that is still on the plant buildings.
For about a month, both St. Louis and Bowling Green produced Corvettes in the early summer of 1981. STL cars still had the old technology paint and were solid colors. BG cars used the new system, and those 1981s were two toned with the tops in one color and the bottoms in another. Back to normal selections in 1982, and much of the St. Louis Corvette plant was unused for several more years. Sadly, there is nothing left of it, and the whole place....the second largest concentrated GM facility at that time...is under continued conversion to smaller industries. When I'm back in STL, I try to drive my current Corvette back to visit the scene, sniff for lingering paint fumes, and think about the good old days.
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 39,160
Likes: 18,002
From: DFW Area TX
Let's not forget the Malibu Corvette Ski Boat, a limited edition (125 in 1997) featuring a Callaway Supernatural 383:
This was a collaboration between Malibu Boats and the Chief Corvette Designer John Cafaro.
This was a collaboration between Malibu Boats and the Chief Corvette Designer John Cafaro.
