Who came up with the C1, C2, C3,...C7 nomenclature and when did it start?

[Mark E.]

Re: Who came up with the C1, C2, C3,...C7 nomenclature and when did it start?

Thanks for the research, Jimmy.

These posts helped me remember that when C4s were new and before the Cx nomenclature, solid-axle, mid-year, shark, and late model were frequently used as generational labels. Since the mid-year and late model terms are no longer accurate, I guess it was inevitable other labels came into use.

It's interesting mid-year stuck for 63-67, but not late model for 84-96. On the other hand, a solid-axle is always a solid-axle just like a shark will always be a shark.

Tracy- I hear what you're saying about lumping 53-62 into one generation. Maybe it's because essentially the same chassis is used? But with that logic, 63-82 would be considered a single generation. And maybe 97-'13 too.

[Jack M.]

Re: Who came up with the C1, C2, C3,...C7 nomenclature and when did it start?

"C" designations were NOT started internally by GM.

I had a few few living brain cells that recalled a different GM internal designation for the Corvette platform. Using the Wayback Machine, I found this text from the late 90's (penned by a GM Engineer):

Y-Car is the General Motors internal designation for the automotive platform that the Corvette sports car is built on. This designation has existed for the Corvette Platform since 1953. Prior to 1953, the Y-car designation was used to denote experimental platforms and models. The most notable were the Buick Y-car, which were the Brain-children of Harley Earl. A side note, most of the Buick Y-car's were composed of metal.

[Bill M.]

Re: Who came up with the C1, C2, C3,...C7 nomenclature and when did it start?

In the book All Corvettes are Red , published in 1996, James Schefter writes "fourth and fifth generation Corvettes (C4 and C5 in GM lingo)"

He uses C4 and C5 throughout his book. He spent 8 years inside GM documenting the creation of the 1997 model.

I also don't like all '53 to '62 going by C1, so I think of the '53 to '55 as C0.

[Tom P.]

Re: Who came up with the C1, C2, C3,...C7 nomenclature and when did it start?

I am and always have been totally opposed to the C-designations. For years I have gripped and gripped and gripped about this with ZERO success! Most people have laughed at and made fun of me for my ranting. So, I just gave up. But as mentioned, a 53 CANNOT properly be compared with a 56-7, 58-60, nor a 61-2, And same with the 63-67, 68-82, etc, etc, etc. There are just too many variations in many areas of the different years. Also, when someone asks a question concerning a particular era, it can be very difficult to provide good information unless the specific year model is provided.
Who ever came up with the C-designations needs to be taken behind the barn and----------------------well, you know what!
When I'm discussing Corvettes I ONLY speak of them by year model.

[David R.]

Re: Who came up with the C1, C2, C3,...C7 nomenclature and when did it start?

I think it's safe to say that NCRS members are fully aware of the shortcomings of the "C" designations for the Corvette generations. The differences between my 1962 and a 1954 are obvious and substantial. However, reality has a way of focusing our attention wonderfully. Although we may not agree with the classification of our Corvettes as C1, C2, C3 etc., and for very good reasons - the reality is that they are going to continue to be classified and referred to that way whether we like it or not. We may individually decide not to call them these names, but the public, enthusiast publications and local shows are going to perpetuate the system with or without us. That's just the way it is.

It would be interesting to have a single, definitive answer as to how and when Corvettes began to be referred to this way, but I fear the best we will do is a number of differing accounts all falling within a similar time frame. They certainly weren't called out by "C" generation when I bought my 1972 LT-1 convertible new. Lots of good anecdotal information in this thread, from more than one reliable source. I guess you pays your money, you takes your choice. In a way that's a good thing, we don't have one poor soul to pin the blame on. I actually do occasionally refer to my '07 convertible as a C6, but I have never (to my recollection) called my '62 a C1. Just personal preference, I suppose.

[Tom P.]

Re: Who came up with the C1, C2, C3,...C7 nomenclature and when did it start?

Mmmmmmmmmmmm, well maybe, and maybe not. It is possible that it could be discontinued (the C-designation) eventually.
For example, it took over 50yrs, but the 579E DID finally get changed to what it SHOULD have been, 579D. For years and years, I questioned 579E, it NEVER made sense to me, but who was little ole me to challenge the world??? Well, thanks to Ken Kayser for setting the world straight on that issue.
I will take credit for one change which finally got done: gear ratio tags on the early cars. The one hole and two hole tags were reversed FOREVER, now NCRS has corrected that. We just need NCRS to OFFICIALLY notify the vendors of the needed change in their catalogs.

[Michael W.]

Re: Who came up with the C1, C2, C3,...C7 nomenclature and when did it start?

Would you C1 guys be happier if we went back to calling all 53-62 cars 'straight axles' or would that upset the people that prefer 'solid axle'??

[Bill M.]

Re: Who came up with the C1, C2, C3,...C7 nomenclature and when did it start?

I am ambidextrous so straight or solid is fine with me.

[Tom P.]

Re: Who came up with the C1, C2, C3,...C7 nomenclature and when did it start?

I am ambidextrous so straight or solid is fine with me.

And that's OK with me, but here is more.
I STILL feel very strongly that for MOST cars, it is best to state the year model, OR, to at least a group for cars which share common features. But then in cars which LOOK the same to the average Joe, such as 56-57, or 64-65, they LOOK the same, NOT! There are substantial differences (as many people here know) between 56-7 and 64-65 cars. A few simple examples. It just DOES NOT work to refer to radio antennas on C1s, or cove trim on C1s, or front/rear bumpers on C1s, etc, etc, etc. Nor does it work to refer to rear ends on C3s, or window trim on C2s, etc, etc.
I have noticed MANY, MANY times that people also state that they have a 60 C1, or a 67 C2, etc, etc. DUH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If a person has a 1960 Corvette, IT IS a C1! If a person has a 1975 Corvette, IT IS a C3 and so on and so on!!! I just don't get putting the C-designation and year model together------------------------what is with that?????????
I don't like the C-designations, but there is no need to use the C- AND year model together!!! It's pure unneeded repetition!
OK, I'm done.

[Michael W.]

Re: Who came up with the C1, C2, C3,...C7 nomenclature and when did it start?

I can think of two examples with redundancy:

-'63 split window coupe.

- grumpy old man.

[Mark E.]

Re: Who came up with the C1, C2, C3,...C7 nomenclature and when did it start?

Would you C1 guys be happier if we went back to calling all 53-62 cars 'straight axles' or would that upset the people that prefer 'solid axle'??

But C1s don't have a solid axle; they have a live axle.

[Tom P.]

Re: Who came up with the C1, C2, C3,...C7 nomenclature and when did it start?

I can think of two examples with redundancy:

-'63 split window coupe.

- grumpy old man.

That is exactly CORRECT!
I do not own a 63 C2 split window coupe! So I only fit one.

[John D.]

Re: Who came up with the C1, C2, C3,...C7 nomenclature and when did it start?

Thanks very much for the question and info gang. I thought I had missed something over the years.
I never cared for the grouping of our cars either and often wondered how they could put call '53 to 62 C1. Made no sense at all to my feeble mind.
JD

[Michael W.]

Re: Who came up with the C1, C2, C3,...C7 nomenclature and when did it start?

But C1s don't have a solid axle; they have a live axle.

Please forward your thoughts to

http://www.solidaxle.org/

I'm sure they'll take corrective action immediately

[Mike E.]

Re: Who came up with the C1, C2, C3,...C7 nomenclature and when did it start?

I believe that the designation of midyears for 1963-67 came about when they were the middle of three generations. That is no longer accurate. Can we believe that C4s are now the middle years of Corvette production? But somehow it doesn't sound right to call them that. I have learned to use the C designation as it is the easiest way to define body styles.

Interesting....I always though the "Midyears" designation was because 1963-1967 fell in the middle of the 1960's.

I have to agree with Tom the C1 are significantly different so perhaps we should start referring to them as:

C1.0 = 1953-1955
C1.1 = 1956-1957
C1.2 = 1958-1960
C1.3 = 1961-1962

C2.0 = 1963
C2.1 = 1964-1967

C3.0 = 1968-1972
C3.1 = 1973-1974
C3.2 = 1975-1977
C3.3 = 1978-1979
C3.4 = 1980-1982

C4.0 = 1984-1990
C4.1 = 1991-1996

C5 = 1997-2004

C6 = 2005-2013

C7 = 2014-????

Never mind just using the year makes more sense.

Mike