CORVETTE RESEARCH

Corvette Ads: Every Year’s Print Ads, Posters and Commercials

How Chevy sold the Corvette for decades: the magazine ads, posters, dealer pieces and TV commercials for every year from 1953 to 2022, organized by generation with a page per year, the campaigns explained decade by decade, from the sun-and-fun folders of the 1950s to the Sting Ray’s “only one” years, the 1970s shark ads, the C4’s technology sell and the mid-engine reveal.

The Best Corvette Ads

The features: the ads you’ve never seen, the posters, the commercials and the campaigns worth a longer look.

MORE: THE TV COMMERCIALS

Chevrolet spent real money selling its flagship on television, yet most enthusiasts missed these spots. Ten commercials spanning the 1953 promo film, a sci-fi flavored 1984 C4 launch ad and the C8 reveal, with video links.
A curated roundup of every 1999 Corvette ad, commercial and poster we could track down, gathered from original automotive advertising to show how Chevrolet pitched the C5 that year.
A curated roundup of every 1998 Corvette ad, commercial and poster we could track down, gathered from original automotive advertising to show how Chevrolet pitched the C5 that year.
A curated roundup of 1997 Corvette advertisements, TV commercials and posters found across the web, with embedded YouTube spots showing how Chevrolet pitched the C5 that year.
Every original 1996 Corvette print ad, poster and commercial we could track down, collected in one gallery for fans researching how Chevrolet marketed the fourth-generation car during that model year.
Chevrolet's 1995 Corvette marketing in one spot: the original print ads and posters we could track down, plus two period television commercials embedded from YouTube for fourth-generation Corvette researchers and collectors.
Every original 1994 Corvette print ad, poster and commercial we could track down, collected in one gallery for fans researching how Chevrolet marketed the fourth-generation car during that model year.
Every original 1993 Corvette print ad, poster and commercial we could track down, collected in one gallery for fans researching how Chevrolet marketed the fourth-generation car during that model year.
Chevrolet's 1992 Corvette marketing in one spot: the original print ads and posters we could track down, plus the period television commercial embedded from YouTube for fourth-generation Corvette researchers and collectors.
Every original 1991 Corvette print ad, poster and commercial we could track down, collected in one gallery for fans researching how Chevrolet marketed the fourth-generation car during that model year.
Every original 1990 Corvette print ad, poster and commercial we could track down, collected in one gallery for fans researching how Chevrolet marketed the fourth-generation car during that model year.
Every original 1989 Corvette print ad, poster and commercial we could track down, collected in one gallery for fans researching how Chevrolet marketed the fourth-generation car during that model year.

C1 Corvette Ads, 1953–1962: the pages

One page of ads per model year. Click through to see every ad and poster.

1955 Corvette Sales Brochure
Chevrolet's 1955 brochure leaned on the Corvette's growing reputation among sports car enthusiasts while introducing its major new V-8 engine. Download the original dealer piece and see how the car was sold in year three.
Chevrolet spent real money selling its flagship on television, yet most enthusiasts missed these spots. Ten commercials spanning the 1953 promo film, a sci-fi flavored 1984 C4 launch ad and the C8 reveal, with video links.
Chevrolet's period marketing for the 1962 Corvette, the final solid-axle C1 and the first year of the 327 V8, collected here: magazine advertisements, dealer posters and commercials for the record-selling convertible.
Chevrolet's period marketing for the 1961 Corvette, the first year with four round taillights and the ducktail rear, collected here: magazine advertisements, dealer posters and commercials for the last 283-powered convertible.
Chevrolet's period marketing for the 1960 Corvette, the year production first topped 10,000 cars, collected here: magazine advertisements, dealer posters and commercials for the 283-powered C1 convertible.
Chevrolet's original marketing for the 1959 Corvette convertible, gathered in one place: period magazine advertisements, dealer posters and commercials that sold the 283-powered C1 to America's first generation of sports car buyers.
Dual headlights, hood louvers and trunk-lid chrome gave the 1958 Corvette a bolder look, and the ads followed suit. Browse the original print advertisements, commercials and posters we have gathered for the restyled C1 Corvette.
Fuel injection and a four-speed gearbox gave Chevrolet's copywriters real performance to shout about in 1957. Browse the original print advertisements, commercials and posters we have gathered for the fuelie-era C1 Corvette.
The 1956 Corvette brought roll-up windows, exposed headlights and a fresh look that gave Chevrolet's ad agency something new to sell. Browse the original print advertisements, commercials and posters we have gathered for the restyled roadster.
The 1955 Corvette's advertising had to work hard in a year when sales nearly killed the model. Browse the original print advertisements, commercials and posters we have gathered for Chevrolet's third-year roadster.
Chevrolet's second-year push for the Corvette roadster continues here. Browse the 1954 print advertisements and posters we have tracked down across the web, plus the original 1954 Corvette television commercial.

C2 Corvette Ads, 1963–1967: the pages

One page of ads per model year. Click through to see every ad and poster.

Chevrolet spent real money selling its flagship on television, yet most enthusiasts missed these spots. Ten commercials spanning the 1953 promo film, a sci-fi flavored 1984 C4 launch ad and the C8 reveal, with video links.
Vintage advertisements, posters and commercials for the 1967 Corvette, the last and most sought-after C2 Sting Ray, gathered from across the web so enthusiasts can see how Chevrolet pitched the car during its final season.
Period magazine ads, posters and TV spots for the 1966 Corvette Sting Ray, the year the 427 big block arrived, collected in one place for collectors and restorers who want to see how GM sold the car.
Chevrolet's period marketing for the 1965 Corvette Sting Ray, the first year for four-wheel disc brakes and the 396 big-block, collected here: magazine advertisements, dealer posters and the original 1965 television commercial.
Chevrolet's period marketing for the 1964 Corvette Sting Ray, the year the split window gave way to a single rear glass, collected here: magazine advertisements, dealer posters and commercials for coupe and convertible.

C3 Corvette Ads, 1968–1982: the pages

One page of ads per model year. Click through to see every ad and poster.

Chevrolet spent real money selling its flagship on television, yet most enthusiasts missed these spots. Ten commercials spanning the 1953 promo film, a sci-fi flavored 1984 C4 launch ad and the C8 reveal, with video links.
Chevrolet sent the C3 out with the Collector Edition and new Cross-Fire Injection, and the 1982 marketing leaned on both. Browse the magazine ads, posters and commercials we found for the last of the third-generation cars.
How did Chevrolet pitch the 1981 Corvette as production shifted from St. Louis to Bowling Green? Browse the period magazine ads, posters and commercials we tracked down from the year the L81 was the only engine offered.
See how Chevrolet pitched the 1980 Corvette to buyers. A curated collection of original advertisements, television commercials and posters from the model year, tracked down across the web.
See how Chevrolet pitched the 1979 Corvette to buyers. A curated collection of original advertisements, television commercials and posters from the model year, tracked down across the web.
See how Chevrolet pitched the 1978 Corvette to buyers. A curated collection of original advertisements, television commercials and posters from the model year, tracked down across the web.
See how Chevrolet pitched the 1977 Corvette to buyers. A curated collection of original advertisements, television commercials and posters from the model year, tracked down across the web.
See how Chevrolet pitched the 1976 Corvette to buyers. A curated collection of original advertisements, television commercials and posters from the model year, tracked down across the web.
See how Chevrolet pitched the 1975 Corvette to buyers. A curated collection of original advertisements, television commercials and posters from the model year, tracked down across the web.
See how Chevrolet pitched the 1974 Corvette to buyers. A curated collection of original advertisements, television commercials and posters from the model year, tracked down across the web.
See how Chevrolet pitched the 1973 Corvette to buyers. A curated collection of original advertisements, television commercials and posters from the model year, tracked down across the web.
Vintage print ads, posters and commercials for the 1972 Corvette Stingray, the final chrome-bumper C3, collected from across the web so collectors and restorers can see how Chevrolet presented the car in its last pre-urethane season.
Period print ads, posters and an embedded 1971 Corvette TV commercial collected from around the web, showing how Chevrolet marketed the Stingray in the first year of lowered compression ratios and the LS6 454.
Period print ads, posters and commercials for the 1970 Corvette Stingray, gathered from across the web to show how Chevrolet sold the refreshed C3 with its new egg-crate grilles and flared fenders during a strike-shortened model year.
The year the Stingray name returned as one word: period print ads, posters and two embedded 1969 Corvette TV commercials gathered from around the web, showing how Chevrolet marketed the second-year C3 to buyers.

C4 Corvette Ads, 1984–1996: the pages

One page of ads per model year. Click through to see every ad and poster.

Chevrolet spent real money selling its flagship on television, yet most enthusiasts missed these spots. Ten commercials spanning the 1953 promo film, a sci-fi flavored 1984 C4 launch ad and the C8 reveal, with video links.
Every original 1996 Corvette print ad, poster and commercial we could track down, collected in one gallery for fans researching how Chevrolet marketed the fourth-generation car during that model year.
Chevrolet's 1995 Corvette marketing in one spot: the original print ads and posters we could track down, plus two period television commercials embedded from YouTube for fourth-generation Corvette researchers and collectors.
Every original 1994 Corvette print ad, poster and commercial we could track down, collected in one gallery for fans researching how Chevrolet marketed the fourth-generation car during that model year.
Every original 1993 Corvette print ad, poster and commercial we could track down, collected in one gallery for fans researching how Chevrolet marketed the fourth-generation car during that model year.
Chevrolet's 1992 Corvette marketing in one spot: the original print ads and posters we could track down, plus the period television commercial embedded from YouTube for fourth-generation Corvette researchers and collectors.
Every original 1991 Corvette print ad, poster and commercial we could track down, collected in one gallery for fans researching how Chevrolet marketed the fourth-generation car during that model year.
Every original 1990 Corvette print ad, poster and commercial we could track down, collected in one gallery for fans researching how Chevrolet marketed the fourth-generation car during that model year.
Every original 1989 Corvette print ad, poster and commercial we could track down, collected in one gallery for fans researching how Chevrolet marketed the fourth-generation car during that model year.
Chevrolet marked 35 years of Corvette in 1988 with a white-on-white anniversary edition and a round of chassis upgrades. Browse the period magazine ads, posters and commercials we tracked down from the anniversary year.
Roller lifters pushed the 1987 Corvette to 240 horsepower and Callaway's twin-turbo joined the option list through RPO B2K. Watch two original TV spots and browse the print ads and posters Chevrolet ran that year.
The convertible came back for 1986 and paced the Indy 500, giving Chevrolet plenty to advertise. Watch two original TV commercials and browse the print ads and posters we collected from the third year of the C4.
Tuned Port Injection gave the 1985 Corvette 230 horsepower and Chevrolet made sure buyers knew it. Watch three original TV spots and browse the print ads and posters from the second year of the C4.

C5 Corvette Ads, 1997–2004: the pages

One page of ads per model year. Click through to see every ad and poster.

Chevrolet spent real money selling its flagship on television, yet most enthusiasts missed these spots. Ten commercials spanning the 1953 promo film, a sci-fi flavored 1984 C4 launch ad and the C8 reveal, with video links.
Chevrolet's marketing for the last year of the C5 lives on here, starting with the original 2004 Corvette television commercial. Browse the ads and posters collected from around the web for the 2004 model year.
2003 Corvette Ads
A curated roundup of 2003 Corvette advertisements, TV commercials and posters found across the web, with embedded YouTube spots showing how Chevrolet pitched the C5 that year.
A curated roundup of every 2002 Corvette ad, commercial and poster we could track down, gathered from original automotive advertising to show how Chevrolet pitched the C5 that year.
A curated roundup of every 2001 Corvette ad, commercial and poster we could track down, gathered from original automotive advertising to show how Chevrolet pitched the C5 that year.
A curated roundup of every 2000 Corvette ad, commercial and poster we could track down, gathered from original automotive advertising to show how Chevrolet pitched the C5 that year.
A curated roundup of every 1999 Corvette ad, commercial and poster we could track down, gathered from original automotive advertising to show how Chevrolet pitched the C5 that year.
A curated roundup of every 1998 Corvette ad, commercial and poster we could track down, gathered from original automotive advertising to show how Chevrolet pitched the C5 that year.

C6 Corvette Ads, 2005–2013: the pages

One page of ads per model year. Click through to see every ad and poster.

Chevrolet spent real money selling its flagship on television, yet most enthusiasts missed these spots. Ten commercials spanning the 1953 promo film, a sci-fi flavored 1984 C4 launch ad and the C8 reveal, with video links.
Three 2013 Corvette television commercials headline this collection for the final C6 model year, the year Chevrolet offered a record seven models including the 427 Convertible. More print ads will be added as we find them.
Three 2012 Corvette television commercials headline this collection, alongside the print advertisements and posters Chevrolet used to sell the C6 that year. Browse everything we have found for the 2012 model year.
Two 2011 Corvette television commercials headline this collection, alongside the print advertisements and posters Chevrolet used to sell the C6 that year. Browse everything we have found for the 2011 model year.
Chevrolet marketed the 2010 Corvette, the year the Grand Sport returned, through print ads, posters and TV spots. Browse the original advertisements we have tracked down for this C6 model year.
Chevrolet marketed the 2009 Corvette, the year the 638 hp ZR1 arrived, through print ads, posters and TV spots. Browse the original advertisements we have tracked down for this C6 model year.
Chevrolet's marketing for the 2008 Corvette, the year the LS3 arrived in the base car, collected in one place. Browse the original advertisements, commercials and posters found across the web for the fourth C6 model year.
Chevrolet's marketing for the 2007 Corvette, the year the Ron Fellows Z06 and Indy Pace Car replica arrived, collected in one spot. Browse the original advertisements, commercials and posters found across the web.
Chevrolet's 2006 Corvette marketing push, starting with the original television commercials from the model year. Browse the ads and posters collected from around the web for the second year of the C6 generation.

C7 Corvette Ads, 2014–2019: the pages

One page of ads per model year. Click through to see every ad and poster.

Chevrolet spent real money selling its flagship on television, yet most enthusiasts missed these spots. Ten commercials spanning the 1953 promo film, a sci-fi flavored 1984 C4 launch ad and the C8 reveal, with video links.
The 2019 Corvette ad and poster archive for the last front-engine model year, covering Stingray, Grand Sport, Z06 and the 755 hp ZR1. Factory print advertisements will be added here as they are collected.
No print ads for the 2018 Corvette have surfaced yet, but Chevrolet's television spots did. Watch two factory TV commercials for the C7 lineup here, and check back as the ad and poster archive grows.
A home for 2017 Chevrolet Corvette ads and posters, the original marketing material for the year the Grand Sport and Z06 convertible arrived. The page is currently a placeholder heading with no content yet.
A home for 2016 Chevrolet Corvette ads and posters, the original marketing material for the model year the Z06 and Stingray were both in full swing. The page is currently a placeholder heading with no content yet.
A home for 2015 Chevrolet Corvette ads and posters, the second-year C7 Stingray's original marketing material. The page is currently a placeholder heading with no content yet, filed under the C7 technical research library.

C8 Corvette Ads, 2020–present: the pages

One page of ads per model year. Click through to see every ad and poster.

Two official 2022 Corvette commercials are embedded here for the C8 Stingray. The page is thin for now, with no print ads or posters, so treat it as a quick video reference.
The 2021 C8 Corvette advertisements and posters page is a placeholder for now. Factory ads, dealer posters and promotional material for the second mid-engine model year will be added as they are collected.
Chevrolet launched the mid-engine 2020 Corvette with television first. Watch three factory TV commercials for the C8 Stingray here, and check back as print advertisements and posters for the 2020 model year are added.

FAQs

Where can I see the ads for my Corvette’s year?

In the generation tables above: one page per model year from 1953 to 2022 with every ad, poster and dealer piece we have, free to view. The year pages carry the same ads beside the brochure, the order guide and the manual.

Who made the Corvette ads?

Campbell-Ewald of Detroit, Chevrolet’s advertising agency from 1922 to 2010, wrote and placed the classic-era Corvette advertising including the Sting Ray campaigns; later work came from Chevrolet’s subsequent agencies. The photographers and illustrators are credited on the year pages where known.

What is the most famous Corvette ad?

The Sting Ray ads of 1963–67 are the most reproduced, the 1956 “The Real McCoy” Sebring ad the most historic, and the 1978 pace-car pieces the most collected posters. The 10 Best Corvette Ads You’ve Never Seen feature, linked above, makes the case for the ones you don’t know.

Are the Corvette TV commercials here?

Yes. The TV commercials category gathers them, from the 1963 Sting Ray spot (on the 1963 page) through the C5 and C6 commercials to the C8 campaigns, and the Best Ads grid links the features on them.

Can I use a Corvette ad to check a car?

For the colors, the wheels and the options offered in that year, yes, with the caution that ads often show pre-production or specially prepared cars and sometimes colors that were never sold. The brochure and the order guide for the year are the companions; the year pages put all three together.

Are original Corvette ads worth anything?

The magazine ads are inexpensive and widely collected and framed; the dealer posters and showroom pieces of the 1960s and 1970s, the 1978 pace-car material and anything from the Sting Ray years bring real money. Condition and originality (a page from the magazine versus a reprint) decide it.

Which years are missing?

1983, which had no production, and 2023 on, which are posted as we gather the digital campaigns. Any year with a page is in the tables above.

What other factory documents are there?

The sales brochures, the owner’s manuals, the order guides and RPO codes and, for 2017–20, the dealer playbooks; each has an index page linked above and all of them sit on the year pages.