January Corvette History

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Showcasing classic Corvette models to the 2003 Corvette, this Official Heritage Chevrolet Corvette Photograph is from the General Motors Media Collection




  • January 1, 1956:  The 1956 Corvette makes its debut at the Waldorf Astoria in New York for the Motorama show.


  • January 1, 1975:  Zora Arkus Duntov officially resigns from Chevrolet.  David McLellan takes over as Chief Engineer.


  • January 1, 1994:  Chevrolet begins handling all warranty engine repairs for the ZR-1s' LT5 engines.


  • January 6, 1997:  Chevrolet unveils the 1997 Covetted, dubbed "C5".  A new small block V-8 engine is introduced, the LS1, with 345hp and 10:1 compression ratio.


  • January 8, 1997:  The 1997 Corvette is introduced to Canada in Montreal.


  • January 17, 1953:  The prototype Chevrolet Corvette "Dream Car" is displayed at the Motorama show at New York's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.


  • January 21, 1962:  General Motors' Chairman, Frederic Donner issues a policy memo, re-iterating the company's compliance with 1957 AMA company-sponsored racing ban.  This officially cancels production plans for the Corvette Grand Sport, with only 5 of the intended 125 cars built.


  • January 1956:  Zora Arkus Duntov, sets a two-way record breaking average of 150.583 mph at the Daytona Beach Raceway in a modified 240hp V8 powered Corvette.
  • January 1956:  Zora Arkus Duntov, sets a two-way record breaking average of 150.583 mph at the Daytona Beach Raceway in a modified 240hp V8 powered Corvette.


  • January 1986:  Chevrolet introduces the Corvette Indy prototype car, the CERV III, at the Detroit Automobile Show. It has 4-wheel drive, 4-wheel steering, and CRT cockpit screens.


  • January 1986:  Chevrolet announces that the Corvette has been chosen to be the Official Pace Car for the Indianapolis 500 race.


  • January 1990:  The CERV III (No. 3) makes its debut at the International Auto Show in Detroit.  The car's mid-engine V8 is a 5.7 liter 32 -valve, dual-overhead cam LT5 with twin turbos and internal modifications, giving it 650 hp and a top speed of 225 mph.


  • January 1992:  At the 1992 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, General Motors debuts a show car called the Stingray III, a stying preview being considered for the next generation Corvette.


  • January 1993:  At the 22nd Annual Awards Banquet of the Society of Plastics Engineers, the Corvette platform team is given the Environmental award for their use of recycled sheet molded compound body panels.  Chevrolet is given the Hall of Fame award for the 1953 Corvette.


  • January 1999:  At the 24 Hours of Daytona race, Chevrolet debuts the GT2 class C5R Corvette race car.  Ron Fellows and Chris Kneifel drive one to third in GTS class.

Corvette history compiled by Ken Pollson.