6 Design Quirks You'll Only See in a Corvette
Here's a few things that make Chevrolet's signature sports car so above and beyond the competition.
1. Memorable nameplates.
There's no doubting the fact that the guys behind Corvette have had a gift with coming up with evocative names. More relevant to the design itself is how rife with personality the nameplates themselves tend to be. The Corvette was given its name after the so-titled class of naval ship. The sea going corvette is a small, fast ship that excels in agility; it's clear that Chevrolet meant to imbue their flagship sports car with that same impressive attribute. Beyond the racing flags of the current logo, the classic Sting Ray and Mako Shark nameplates had a personal flair than you would expect from a major corporation. The more modern, performance-focused nameplates like the Z06 and Grand Sport may not spark the the same thoughts of mythical sea creatures, but the cars are so good they are creating their own mythologies.
2. The modern Stingray's flag-shaped tail lights.
Part of the reason why Corvettes look so distinctive, even to those outside of car culture, is the designers' intent to get creative with the look. One smaller aspect of the recent Stingray you might have missed is the fact that the tail lights are shaped to bear a striking resemblance with the racing flags of the Corvette logo.
3. Memorable, striking Corvette colors.
Chevrolet has kept Corvette at the forefront when it comes to the specs and performance, but so much of the car's popularity owes itself to the look. Corvettes have always been offered in a variety of distinctive colors. The image above is a new Corvette with the "Black Rose Metallic" paint, just one of four new hues introduced by Corvette for 2017.
4. Chevrolet MyLink feature.
MyLink isn't exclusive to the Corvette, but the depth and utility it provides to owners of the latter-era 'Vettes can't be ignored. This user-friendly computer interface is totally customizable and can sync up with your cellular device. It's a more enticing way of bringing the digital tech aspects of a car together with a more intuitive grasp. It also includes a so-called "Teen Mode" where parents can input a list of restrictions on the car, from volume limits to automatic crash reports. Rest assured, if someone is loaning out their fancy Corvette, it's completely understandable that they would want to take precautions to help ensure they don't regret it.
5. Jake the Mascot's hiding on the Z06 engine.
The designers on the Corvette team undoubtedly have a sense of humor. This is a little detail that could be easily missed, but it's so quintessentially 'Vette that it needed to be mentioned. Corvette's racing mascot, Jake, is an edgy skull and bones. This design is etched onto the engine casing of the Z06. Even if someone never takes their Z06 above the speed limit, it's reassuring to know they're taking a bit of racing pizzazz along with them for the ride.
6. Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet.
This little secret says everything about Corvette. Hidden beneath the carpets on the C4 1996 models, there is a metal etching of a baseball, hot dog and some apple pie. This seems like a completely random quirk on a sports car, at least until you remember the Corvette's famous marketing slogan: "Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet."
Chevy and Corvette have always doubled-down on the all-American nature of their brand. This has ultimately served them well in the long run; where other manufacturers are known to outsource their labour, you can bet your 'Vette hailed from the Bowling Green plant in Kentucky. There's a lot to love about the Corvette, and if little quirks in the design like this are any proof, the car's designers are in love with it as much as we are.
For help with service and maintenance of your car, check out the how to section of CorvetteForum.com