Chevrolet Corvette Turns 70 – See its History in Michigan

Who could believe it's already the Chevrolet Corvette's 70th anniversary? Let's take a look back at how it all started.

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Chevy's Roots - The First Chevrolet Factory

According to MyCityMag, the first Chevrolet factory was located in Flint, Michigan at the corner of Wilcox (now Chevrolet Avenue) and Kearsley Street, now known as 'Chevy Commons', along the Flint River, across the street from Kettering University. It was commonly known as Chevy in the Hole.

The current plant, at G 3100 Van Slyke Road, was built in 1947. And, in 1953, the first 300 Chevrolet Corvettes were hand-built here. Take a look at the first Corvette television commercial boasting its 160-horsepower engine, complete with speedometer and tachometer.

Fast forward 70 years and the Corvette has truly evolved.

The 2023 C8 Corvette Z06 3LZ Has Arrived

Before we get into the pictures of this motorized piece of art, let's look at some of the specs of this beast of an automobile.

This particular model houses a center mounted 5.5-liter engine, complete with matching color accents, with an almost unheard of 670hp.

And, as far as some of the 'just because' add-ons, if you are going to spend this kind of money on a car, why not upgrade it? This particular model upgraded to black spider aluminum wheels ($495), and the Stealth Interior trim package that looks incredibly awesome.

When purchasing a sportscar of this caliber, it is important to know the not-so-exciting factors as well. This model uses approximately 6.7 gallons per 100 miles. This is equivalent to 12mpg in the city, 21mpg on the highway, for a combined average of 15mpg. Because of this, there is an average "Gas Guzzler Tax" of $2,600. Not to mention the $10,250 estimated fuel cost every 5 years.

One other very cool (and quite impressive design-wise) feature is the adjustable front lift. ($2,595) Not only can it raise the front end up to 2-inches but, it can store up to 1,000 'locations' in the system for your normal travel locations. This will help with clearing obstacles like large inclines, speed bumps, driveways, and any other obstacles that could pose a problem with the vehicle's low riding stature.

Let's Take a Look at This Modern Marvel

Although pictures can't do it the justice it deserves as a $129,305 vehicle, here are some angles that try:

The Dashboard

The Interior

The Engine Complete with Matching Color Accents

The Body From a Few Different Angles

Here's to another 70 years of Michigan/American made Corvettes. We can't wait to see how they evolve from here.