The new 1953 Corvette had a fiberglass body, chromed-framed grill with 13 heavy vertical chrome bars, rounded front fenders with recessed headlights, no side windows or outside door handles, a wraparound windshield and protruding fender integrated tailights. The interior featured a floor mounted shifter, Powerglide 2 speed automatic transmission and a full array of gauges including a tachometer. Each 1953 Corvette was virtually handbuilt and a lot of minor changes were made during production run. The first Corvette was built on June 30th, 1953 at the Flint, Michigan plant. All '53 Vettes were painted white and had red interior.

For the most part the 1953 and 1954 were the same. Minor changes were made to the window storage bar, air cleaners, starter and location of the fuel and brake lines. Unlike the previous year's model, the '54's were available in Pennant Blue, Sportsman Red and Black in addition to Polo White. The soft top was only available in beige. 80% of '54's were painted white. 16% were painted blue.

Styling remained the same as last years model. The big news was the availabilty of a V-8 engine. An enlarged gold V in the word Chevrolet on the front fenders was a quick way to tell V-8 powered cars from the 6 bangers. The V-8 cars were 12 volt and the 6 cylinder cars still had a 6 volt electrical system. With the newly introduced V-8 the 0-100 times dropped from 41 seconds to 24 seconds. Harvest Gold exterior finish was introduced along with Gypsy Red and Corvette Copper. Tops now came in white, dark green, or beige. Red, yellow, light beige and dark beige interiors were now available.

There were a few styling changes for the 1956 Corvette. Although the same basic grille was kept, there were new front fenders with chrome rimmed headlights, external door handles, chrome outlined concave side body sculpturing (coves) and sloping taillight integrated rear fenders. The dash layout remained the same as in the past. Upholstery colors were limited to beige or red, but six exterior colors were available. Onyx Black, Polo White, Venetian Red, Cascade Green, Azte Copper and Arctic Blue. Corvette gained even more power resulting in a 0-60 time of 7.0 seconds and a 0-100 time of 19.9 seconds.

The Corvette looked the same as last years model. The big news was the availability of a 283 horsepower 283 cubic inch V-8. Among the standard features were: dual exhaust, all vinyl bucket seats 3 spoke steering wheel, carpeting, outside rear-view mirror, electric clock and tachometer. It was available in 7 colors this year. Onyx Black, Polo White, Aztec Copper, Artic Blue, Cascade Green, Venetian Red or Silver. White, silver, and beige were optional colors for the cove. Only 43 Corvettes were equipped with the RPO 579E 283 horsepower engine. That option cost $675 in 1957. With that option the Corvette could now reach 60mph in an amazing 6.4 seconds and 100mph in 15.2 seconds.

There were a few styling changes for 1958. There were now 4 chrome rimmed headlights with a fender length chrome strip running between each pair of lights. Fake louvers were placed on the hood. The grill had four fewer vertical bars. Three horizontal chrome strips were added to each cove. Two vertical chrome bars decorated the trunk. The wraparound front and rear bumpers were larger. The interior changed dramatically. The guages were clustered together. A center console and passenger sissy bar were added. Upholstery was available in red, charcoal, or blue-green. The coves could be had in silver or white. 11% of Corvettes for 1958 were sold with the 290 horsepower Fuel Injected engine. The FI actually increased gas milaege. The standard 230 horsepower Covette would do 0-60 in 9.2 seconds. One with the 290 horsepower motor would do it in 6.5 seconds.

The 1959 was basically a cleaned up '58. The hood louvers and vertical chrome strips on the trunk were removed. Interior changes included redesigned bucket seats, door panels and a fiberglass package tray under the sissy bar and concave gauge lenses. 7 exterior color choices were available. Black, white, cream silver, red, blue and Crown Sapphire. Thoe cove could be had in either silver or white. Interior color choices included blue, red, turquoise and black. A 290 horsepower fuel injected '59 could go from 0-60 in 6.4 seconds and from 0-100 in 15.7. Slightly slower this year due to an almost 150lb weight increase.

The 1960 model was pretty much the same as last years. A new rear suspension swaybar improved the cars handling. Aluminum heads and radiator were introduced but later withdrawn. Standard equipment included" tachometer, sun visors, dual exhaust, carpeting, outside rearview mirror and electric clock. There was now 8 exterior color choices" Black, white, turquoise, blue, silver, green, red and maroon. The cove was still available only in silver or white. The convertible top was available in three colors: Black, white, and blue. 50.1% of '60 Vettes were sold with the optional hardtop. 51.9% were sold with a four speed stick. With the 315 horsepower motor, the 1960 Corvette would go from 0-60mph in under 6 seconds.

A refined, thin vertical and horizontal bar grille and "duck tail" rear treatment with four cylindrical taillights quickly set the new '61 Corvetter apart from its predecessor. The exhaust now exited under the car, rather than through bumper ports. Seven exterior colors were available: Black, white, red, maroon, beige, blue, and silver. 51% sold came with detachable hardtops and 64% had the optional 4 speed. This was the last year wide whitewall tires were available. 0-60 with the 315 horsepower motor came in just under 6 seconds.