Corvette buyer's guide: every generation, C1 to C8

By CarWhere Research · Updated

The Chevrolet Corvette has run eight generations: the C1 (1953–1962), C2 Sting Ray (1963–1967), C3 (1968–1982), C4 (1984–1996), C5 (1997–2004), C6 (2005–2013), C7 (2014–2019), the last front-engine Corvette, and the mid-engine C8 (2020–present). The 1954 base price was $2,774; the 2020 C8 Stingray started at $59,995 including destination.[1][2]

Each generation below links to a full buyer’s guide with original MSRP by year, trims and horsepower, production, problems and NHTSA recalls, the years to target or avoid, and a used-buying checklist.

Every figure is footnoted to the GM document or government dataset it came from. Where GM never published a number, the guides leave it blank rather than estimate.

Every Corvette generation at a glance

Manufacturer horsepower and original base MSRP when new — not today's value. Each row links to the full buyer's guide.

GenerationModel yearsEnginesHorsepowerOriginal MSRP
C1 Corvette1953–1962235 six; 265, 283 and 327 V8s (fuel injection from 1957)150–360 hp$2,774–$4,038 base (1954–1962, GM option lists)[1][3][4]
C2 Corvette1963–1967327 V8 (incl. fuel injection to 1965); 396 V8 (1965); 427 V8 (1966–1967)250–435 hp$4,037–$4,388.75 base (GM option lists)[5][6][7][15][16]
C3 Corvette1968–1982327 and 350 V8s; 427 (1968–1969) and 454 (1970–1974) big-blocks; 305 (1980 California)165–435 hp (gross through 1971, net after)$4,320–$18,290.07 base (GM option lists; 1973 not published)[17][18][19][20]
C4 Corvette1984–19965.7L L83, L98, LT1, LT4 V8; LT5 DOHC V8 (ZR-1)205–405 hp$21,800 (1984 coupe) to $45,625 (1996 convertible, incl. destination)[21][22][23]
C5 Corvette1997–20045.7L LS1 V8; 5.7L LS6 V8 (Z06)345–405 hp$38,060 (1998 coupe, incl. destination); other years not published in GM kits[8][9][24]
C6 Corvette2005–20136.0L LS2, 6.2L LS3, 7.0L LS7 (Z06), supercharged 6.2L LS9 (ZR1)400–638 hp$43,710 (2005 coupe) – $111,525 (2012 ZR1), plus destination[25][26][27][28]
C7 Corvette2014–20196.2L LT1 V8; supercharged 6.2L LT4 (Z06) and LT5 (ZR1)455–755 hp$51,995 (2014 Stingray) – $123,995 (2019 ZR1 convertible), incl. destination[10][11][29][30]
C8 Corvette2020–present6.2L LT2 / 6.7L LS6 V8, 5.5L LT6 V8, twin-turbo 5.5L LT7 V8; hybrid eAWD options490–1,250 hp$59,995 (2020 Stingray) – $238,800 (2027 ZR1X 3LZ)[2][13][14][31]

Which Corvette generation should you buy?

If you wantLook atWhy
The original Corvette roadsterC1 Corvette (1953–1962)Two-seat roadster from the 150-hp six of 1953 to the 360-hp fuel-injected 327 of 1962.[3][4]
Big-block power in the Sting Ray bodyC2 Corvette (1963–1967)A 425-hp 396 arrived for 1965 and 427s rated 390–435 hp followed for 1966–1967, all with independent rear suspension.[5][6][7]
An aluminum LS V8 with a rear transaxleC5 Corvette (1997–2004)The LS1 made 345–350 hp; the 2002–2004 Z06 LS6 made 405 hp with a 6-speed manual only.[8][9]
A manual transmissionC7 Corvette (2014–2019)Every C7 model offered a 7-speed manual; every C8 uses an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic.[2][10][11]
The mid-engine layoutC8 Corvette (2020–present)The C8 is the first mid-engine Corvette; the 2020 Stingray made 490 hp, or 495 with the performance exhaust.[2]
Hybrid all-wheel driveCorvette E-RayThe E-Ray pairs the V8 with a 160-hp front electric motor for 655 hp combined.[12]
The most powerful CorvetteCorvette ZR1XThe ZR1X combines a 1,064-hp twin-turbo V8 with a 186-hp front motor for 1,250 hp.[13][14]

Buy this generation if…

C1 Corvette (1953–1962)You want the original roadster, from the six-cylinder 1953 to the fuel-injected 327 of 1962.C2 Corvette (1963–1967)You want the Sting Ray body, independent rear suspension and, from 1965, four-wheel disc brakes.C3 Corvette (1968–1982)You want the longest-running Corvette body, from 427 big-blocks to the fuel-injected 1982.C4 Corvette (1984–1996)You want an affordable modern-era Corvette: the 300-hp LT1 cars, the 1996 LT4, or the 405-hp ZR-1.C5 Corvette (1997–2004)You want an aluminum-LS, rear-transaxle Corvette, or the 405-hp 2002–2004 Z06.C6 Corvette (2005–2013)You want a classic front-engine Corvette with an LS3, or the 505-hp Z06 and 638-hp ZR1.C7 Corvette (2014–2019)You want the last front-engine Corvette, with a 7-speed manual available, from the 455-hp Stingray to the 755-hp ZR1.C8 Corvette (2020–present)You want a mid-engine Corvette, from a 490-hp Stingray to the 1,250-hp hybrid ZR1X.

Z06, ZR1, ZR1X, E-Ray and Grand Sport guides

Corvette Z06Corvette Z06 buyer's guide for C5, C6, C7 and C8: engines and horsepower by year, original MSRP, 0–60 claims, EPA mpg, NHTSA recalls and best years.Corvette ZR1Corvette ZR1 buyer's guide for every generation: C4 LT5, C6 LS9, C7 LT5 and C8 LT7 specs, original MSRP, EPA mpg, recalls and what to check before buying.Corvette ZR1XCorvette ZR1X buyer's guide: 1,250-hp hybrid AWD specs, 2026 and 2027 MSRP by trim, 0–60 and quarter-mile claims, EPA mpg, recalls and ZR1 differences.Corvette E-RayCorvette E-Ray buyer's guide: 655-hp hybrid AWD specs, original MSRP by year, Stealth mode, EPA mpg, recalls, and the 2027 Grand Sport X that follows it.Corvette Grand SportCorvette Grand Sport buyer's guide: 1996 LT4, C6 LS3, C7 LT1 and 2027 LS6 specs, original MSRP, Grand Sport X differences, recalls and best years to buy.C8 vs C7 CorvetteC8 vs C7 Corvette compared: mid-engine vs front-engine, horsepower, 0–60, EPA mpg, original MSRP by year, recalls and which generation fits which buyer.

Corvette prices today

Corvette prices & listingsCurrent market prices and listings by model year.Search Corvettes for saleLive inventory search across dealers.Corvette dealer invoice & what buyers paidInvoice estimate plus verified buyer-paid prices for new Corvettes.Free Corvette window sticker checkEnter a VIN to check for the original factory window sticker.

More Corvette research

Frequently asked questions

How many Corvette generations are there?

The Chevrolet Corvette has run eight generations: the C1 (1953–1962), C2 Sting Ray (1963–1967), C3 (1968–1982), C4 (1984–1996), C5 (1997–2004), C6 (2005–2013), C7 (2014–2019), the last front-engine Corvette, and the mid-engine C8 (2020–present).

Which was the last front-engine Corvette?

The C7 (2014–2019). The C8 moved the engine behind the cabin starting with the 2020 model year.

Which Corvettes have a manual transmission?

Manuals were offered through the C7, which had a 7-speed manual on every model. Every C8 uses an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic.

How much did a Corvette cost new?

Base prices ran from $2,774 in 1954 to $59,995 including destination for the 2020 C8 Stingray. The table above gives the range for each generation, and each guide lists original MSRP by year.

What is the most powerful Corvette?

The C8 ZR1X, at 1,250 hp combined from its twin-turbo 5.5L V8 and front electric motor.

Sources

Every figure on this page is footnoted to one of these sources. Secondary references are used only to corroborate manufacturer and government figures.

  1. 1954 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit (specifications, Corvette fact pages, option list with prices and quantities) — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
  2. 2020 Mid-Engine Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Starts at $59,995 — Chevrolet Media (PDF)
  3. 1953 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit (product information file, specifications) — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
  4. 1962 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit (specifications, Corvette fact pages, option list with prices and quantities) — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
  5. 1965 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit (specifications, Corvette fact pages, option list with prices and quantities) — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
  6. 1966 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit (specifications, Corvette fact pages, option list with prices and quantities) — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
  7. 1967 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit (specifications, Corvette fact pages, option list with prices and quantities) — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
  8. 1997 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit (press kit, order guide, specifications) — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
  9. 2002 Chevrolet Corvette restoration kit — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
  10. Chevrolet release: 2014 Corvette Stingray cranks out 460 horsepower — Corvette Action Center (reprint of GM / Chevrolet data)
  11. 2019 Corvette ZR1 specifications (GM) — Corvette Action Center (reprint of GM / Chevrolet data)
  12. Corvette goes electrified for its 70th birthday — GM News
  13. Introducing the 2026 Corvette ZR1X: A true American hypercar — GM News
  14. Inside the 2027 Chevrolet Corvette's LS6, LT6 and LT7 V8 engines — Chevrolet Pressroom
  15. 1963 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit (specifications, Corvette fact pages, option list with prices and quantities) — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
  16. 1964 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit (specifications, Corvette fact pages, option list with prices and quantities) — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
  17. 1968 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit (specifications, Corvette fact pages, option list with prices and quantities) — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
  18. 1969 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit (specifications, Corvette fact pages, option list with prices and quantities) — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
  19. 1975 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit (specifications, Corvette fact pages, option list with prices and quantities) — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
  20. 1982 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit (specifications, Corvette fact pages, option list with prices and quantities) — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
  21. 1984 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit (production and options summary, MVMA specifications) — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
  22. 1994 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit (order guide, product information, specifications) — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
  23. 1996 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit (order guide, product information, specifications) — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
  24. 1998 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit (order guide) — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
  25. 2005 Corvette specifications (Chevrolet release, Jan. 1, 2004) — Corvette Action Center (reprint of GM / Chevrolet data)
  26. 2005 Corvette options, prices and production (Bowling Green Assembly) — Corvette Action Center (reprint of GM / Chevrolet data)
  27. 2010 Corvette ZR1 specifications — Corvette Action Center (reprint of GM / Chevrolet data)
  28. 2012 Corvette pricing (as of July 7, 2011) — Corvette Action Center (reprint of GM / Chevrolet data)
  29. Chevrolet release: 2014 Corvette Stingray starts at $51,995 — Corvette Action Center (reprint of GM / Chevrolet data)
  30. Chevrolet release: 2019 Corvette ZR1 coupe and convertible at the LA Auto Show — Corvette Action Center (reprint of GM / Chevrolet data)
  31. 2027 Corvette ZR1X — Chevrolet (chevrolet.com)

Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by General Motors. Chevrolet, Corvette, Stingray, Z06, ZR1, ZR1X, E-Ray and Grand Sport are trademarks of General Motors.