NY Corvette Dealership

Corvette History

The Corvette started life under the top-secret code name “Project Opel,” and its purpose was clear from the very beginning: to combine the aesthetics of British sports cars with the performance of an American sports car. The very first full-scale concept Corvette - nicknamed “the Dream Car” - debuted at the January 1953 GM Motorama in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel of New York City. It featured two seats, fiberglass body panels, and drew its power from Chevy’s Blue Flame inline-6 engine. With a two-speed automatic and 150 horsepower, this may seem a far cry from the earth-shattering power of today’s ‘Vette. 300 Polo White Corvettes with red interiors were produced, and only 183 were sold.

It wasn’t until 1955 that Chevy bestowed extra power on the Corvette, starting with a 4.3L V8, but real changes were coming with the second generation, which began production in 1963. With a style refresh inspired by Bill Mitchell’s 1959 Stingray racer, the new generation started out with a rear split window. While this feature has become one of the most famous hallmarks of a vintage ‘Vette, it was discontinued after just one year because it impeded rear vision.

However, Chevy really started tuning up what was happening under the hood. The Z06 package was offered on a limited 199 Corvette Stingrays equipped with a 360 horsepower V8 engine. By 1967, many of the upgraded features were standard, including a dual master cylinder brake system and performance-designed vents in the hood and fender.

Ever wonder when the T-top and Corvette met? It was 1968, and the introduction of the third generation of the “dream car.” Removable roof panels meant a coupe could easily transition into a quasi-convertible. Shortly after, on November 19, 1969, the 250,000th Corvette, clad in celebratory gold, rolled off the St. Louis production line to great fanfare. That same year, the ZR-1 race-ready package became available.

Then came the 1970s and '80s. World events made it a hard time to be a sports car, with the looming oil crisis, the switch to unleaded gasoline, and federal requirements for safety equipment causing Chevy engineers to reduce the power produced by the Corvette’s engines while adding extra weight to the body of the vehicle. Nevertheless, the 500,000th Corvette, dressed in white with a red interior like its ancestors, came into this world on March 15, 1977.

However, these discouraging days were a mere blip in the success of the Corvette. Harnessing the power of physics, engineers were able to lower the center of gravity, add a four-speed automatic transmission with available overdrive, and keep things legal with a 205 horsepower V8 that was equal parts mild and wild depending on how you drove it.

July 2, 1992, saw the birth of the One-Millionth Corvette in Bowling Green, KY. With a new generation comes new technology, including the LT1– a 5.7L V8 capable of a blazing hot 300 horsepower. The lighter and much more aerodynamic fixed-roof coupe came onto the market in 1999, bringing new light onto the capability of the Corvette.

The seventh generation of Corvette was revealed on January 13, 2013, at an invitational event in Detroit. Though this generation would be in production for just six years, the 2019 ZR1 took C7 out in style, with its 755 horsepower engine giving it the ability to make the journey from 0-60 miles per hour in less than three seconds.

Just when it seemed like the dream car couldn’t possibly get better, a legend was born. 2020 was the debut of what had long existed as a legend in the Corvette community: a mid-engine build. Jaws dropped. The pavement shook. And drivers rejoiced. This excitement has continued on ever since.

The 2022 Corvette

A mere two years into the eighth generation, the mid-engine Corvette is blessed with a 6.2L V8 powerhouse, a status symbol among Chevy-built beasts. With 490 horsepower, 465 lb-ft of torque, optional Magnetic Ride Control, and a top speed of 194 miles per hour, reviewers can’t stop glowing about the sensitivity and performance of this agile American sports car. Interestingly enough, the mid-engine design has made the Corvette more practical than ever before. While cargo space has never been a priority, the 2022 model has a surprising amount of space in the frunk, or front trunk, as well as behind the two supportive seats.

Even more exciting is the ability to fully customize your Corvette. Chevy has been known to allow drivers an exceptional amount of leeway in making their vehicles their own, and the same applies to this generation of ‘Vette. Long gone is the white-and-red-only theme. Today’s drivers can choose between a coupe with a removable roof panel or a hardtop convertible.

Anyone looking for a little more can get it factory-direct. The Z51 package adds a highly tuned performance suspension and electronic limited-slip differential. The IMSA GTLM Championship C8.R Edition, available only on the 3LT trim, commemorates the 2020 race season with Accelerate Yellow or Hypersonic Gray exterior, yellow brake calipers, badging, and a high-wing spoiler.

In a perfect world, you wouldn’t have to make the difficult decision regarding which 2022 Corvette to bring home–there would be room in the garage for all of them. But, if you’re going to pick just one, why not pick the most wonderful, exactly right version for yourself?

Why Choose DePaula Chevrolet?

At DePaula Chevrolet, we consider our dealership a “One Stop Shop with a Family Touch.” Not only do we offer a premier selection of highly coveted Corvette models, but we truly care about each and every customer who walks through our doors or contacts us to discuss their next vehicle. Our service department can keep your ‘Vette purring like the day you drove it home, while our detail department can keep you looking as cheery as it looked on the salesroom floor.

Your Corvette is–or will be–your baby. We understand completely how much a car of this caliber means. It’s the one-of-a-kind opportunity to sit behind the wheel and make dreams come true. This isn’t about numbers to us. It’s about watching wishes and hopes become a reality. That’s how we do business, and as 11 time consecutive winners of the GM Dealer of the Year Award, it works for us.

We have been recognized by General Motors and Chevrolet multiple times for the service we provide to our customers. We make sales because we care and, more importantly, because we understand how much you care. As members of the community and drivers in the Albany area, we appreciate your thoughts and concerns, and we’ll do our best to answer each and every question you may have. Are you ready to buy a Corvette? Why not stop at DePaula Chevrolet first?

Nothing Beats a Corvette