Corvette enthusiasts around the globe have been on the edge of their seats the last few months, wondering if the...
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Production Numbers
In 1953, a total of 300 Corvettes were produced. The first Corvette came off the assembly line on June 30, 1953. The first two were destroyed as they were engineering test cars.
In 1953, a total of 3,640 Corvettes were produced. 1954 Corvette production started in December of 1953 at the St Louis plant in Missouri. A number of new options were added for the 1954 year.
In 1955 hopes were high for big growth in Corvette production (north of 10,000 units were predicted). It turned out to be a horrible year and almost caused the death of the model. Only 700 units were produced in 1955.
1956 saw the introduction of a redesign to the C1 Corvette and the changes made a difference with 3,467 units produced in 1956. All were convertibles since that was the only body style in 1956.
The momentum continued from 1956 into 1957 with production volumes ramping up. 6,339 units were produced in 1957, up from 3,467 units in 1956.
Another year of Corvette sales and another year of strong growth for the still nascent American sports car. 1958 saw 9,168 Corvettes produced. The design was tweaked again this year with more aggressive highlights
No changes were made to the mechanical packages and chassis of the 1959 Corvette versus the 1958 model year. Sales remained strong and a total of 9,670 cars were produced for the 1959 model year.
1960 saw the Corvette break the 10,000 unit production mark with a total of 10,261 units produced for the 1960 model year.
In 1961 hopes were high for big growth in Corvette production and while the numbers didn't move much, Chevy was still able to produce 10,939 units for the 1961 model year.
The final year of production of the C1 model did not dampen demand for the Corvette, with a C1 record 14,531 units of the 1962 model year produced.
The chassis featured an independent rear suspension with a single transverse leaf spring. 1963 was a big production year with the first year of the C2 Corvette seeing production of 21,513 units (and still demand exceeded supply).
The C2 continued its strong sales run and 1964 saw 22,229 units produced. Several other small design tweaks were made in 1964 thanks to customer feedback after the 1963 model year.
Strong sales continued in 1965 and Chevy pushed hard on production, growing sales volume for the third year in a row. In total, 23,562 units of the 1965 model year produced.
If the first few years of the C2 Corvette were strong sales years, 1966 blew it out of the ware. A total of 27,720 1966 model year cars were built.
The final year of C2 Corvette production was another strong one for Chevy. A total of 22,940 cars were made for model year 1967.
The first year of C3 Corvette production got off to a strong start for Chevy. A total of 28,566 cars were made for model year 1968.
In 1969, sales took a vertical leap, increasing by more than 10,000 units to a total of 38,762 Corvettes sold that year. It was a Corvette sales record that would not be topped again until 1976
Late production as the result of the UAW strike most impacted the total sales numbers on the 1970 Corvette. Only 17,316 cars were made for model year 1970.
With production now recovered from the UAW strike, sales of the 1971 Corvette improved, resulting in a total of 21,801 Corvettes made for that model year.
Despite the limited changes Chevy was still able to have a strong sales and production year with a total of 27,004 Corvettes made for that model year.
The sales numbers for the 1973 model year actually improved over previous years. In all, Chevrolet sold 30,464 Corvettes in 1973, another strong growth year.
The 1974 Corvette defined industry standards by having a near-record sales year. In total, 37,502 Corvettes were sold.
Despite these minimal changes to the car, the 1975 Corvette’s sales numbers continued to rise over the previous model year. In total, 38,465 Corvettes were sold that year.
Although the price of the Corvette was at an all-time high, the new Corvette was still in high demand, as reflected in the fact that Chevrolet sold 46,558 units that year, breaking the previous sales record set in 1969.
The 1977 Corvette set another new sales and production record at 49,213 units. The popularity of the Chevy Corvette throughout the 1970’s was proven time and again by the year over year increase in sales numbers despite the dramatic increases in cost.
The 1978 Corvette sold quite well, moving 46,776 units in all. Of these, 6,502 sold were the limited edition Corvette Pace Car model, which retailed for more than $4,000 over the standard model.
After the popularity of the 1978 Pace Car and Silver Anniversary Editions in 1978, Corvette was about to set another production record – manufacturing more than 50,000 Corvettes in one year.
Chevrolet sold 40,614 Corvettes in 1980, which was roughly a 20 percent decline in sales from the 1979 model year. At the same time, the numbers were still respectable.
Despite a generally dismal sales year for the entire automotive industry, Corvette continued to do well with 40,606 units sold that year.
