How the Chevrolet Corvette Became One of the World’s Most Sought-after Muscle Cars

Any time muscle cars are mentioned, the Chevrolet Corvette takes pride of place amongst the best of them. Since the launch of the first Corvette with the C1 in 1953, this machine has become a firm favorite with car enthusiasts the world over. Milani Exotic Rentals has a number of these coveted machines to rent out as a cost effective way to experience one of these machines, both old and new. 

Since 1953, Chevrolet has been churning out these magnificent machines and has built approximately 1.5 million of them. This makes the Corvette one of the most popular American vehicles and one of the longest running.

Singular Features

There are two distinctive features that set the Corvette apart from its competitors:

•       Its slim-lined body shape.
•       The singular round rear lights popularized by the second generation from 1963.

When the Stingray rolled off the production line in the 70s, the dice was cast. It came complete with a vast range of V8 engines that made an impression with as much as 321kW. Then the C5 came around in 1997 fitted with quad exhaust outlet pipes that have become a prominent feature in later generations.

The convertible models are fitted with a soft top. The coupes have a removable roof panel that you can easily stow in the cargo compartment.

Popularity

The Corvette has been made popular by its appearance on the big screen in block-busters such as the Transformer series. The latest generation, the C7, which has earned the moniker ‘Bumblebee’ has been prominently featured in the series and car lovers have paid attention.

Reasonable Pricing and Performance

Compared to most of the other sports cars, the Corvette is reasonably priced. The Corvette C7 Grand Sport compares favorably to the Ferrari California T. They both use V8 engines and their performance is largely the same. However, the Corvette is priced at less than a 1/3 of the Ferrari.

A base Corvette C6 goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and posts a speed of 190 mph. In comparison, a Porsche 911 Carrera S does 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, at 188 mph top speed. The Corvette goes for $49,600 while the Carrera is priced at $96,400.

The ZR1 is also a bargain at approximately $112,600 ZR1 which does 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds at a top speed of 205 mph. The C7 goes for approximately $55,000.

The Corvette is prized as a great performer that comes at a bargain. It is not an easy one to resist.

The Interior

•       The steering wheel in the 2014 Corvette, for instance, is small at 14.1”. As a result, it contributes to a more direct and immediate feel to directional inputs.
•       The wheel has a lot of buttons which include controls for cruise control, Bluetooth/voice and an 8” color display in the gauge cluster.
•       The leather found in the Corvette interior is as comfortable as that found in the Ferrari and the interior is just as impressive. The C7 has grade-A Napa leather seats which feature precise and elegant stitching matching the steering wheel.
•       The passenger also has a few buttons to play with. The buttons allow the passenger to adjust the climate control on their side as well as seat ventilation.

The technology is quite advanced. The 2019 Corvette has the following interior features:

•       Dual-zone automatic climate control
•       Push-button start
•       A nine-speaker Bose audio system
•       A proximity key
•       HD Radio
•       A satellite radio
•       Rearview camera
•       MYlink infotainment system with an 8-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi spot.

Since the Corvette is manufactured on an assembly line, tens of thousands of the cars are produced annually. They are therefore readily available on the market.

 

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