C1 to C2 model designations

[Donald M.]

Why aren't the 53 - 55 model years designated C1, and the 56 - 62 model years designated C2 giving us eight different Corvette iterations instead of seven? The 53 - 55 Corvettes vs. 56 - 62 Corvettes have clearly different body styles what with the 56 - 62s being the years of the cove.

Don Moses
Bayview, TX
'54 Corvette (C1)
'15 Corvette (C8)

[Harry S.]

Re: C1 to C2 model designations

Don, the C designation is aligned to the chassis not the body.

[Mark E.]

Re: C1 to C2 model designations

Just go with it. The more you think about how the generations are defined, the more confusing it becomes.

C1 has one chassis with three or more body styles, while C2 and C3 share one chassis with arguably fewer body styles between them.

[Michael W.]

Re: C1 to C2 model designations

Don, the C designation is aligned to the chassis not the body.

The C2 and C3 share the same chassis.

On the other hand, if every change to the body style resulted in a new C-designation we'd be at about C40 by now.

[Donald H.]

Re: C1 to C2 model designations

Or you could go with:

C1-1 : 53 through 55
C1-2 : 56 and 57
C1-3 : 58 through 60
C1-4 : 61 and 62

[Mark E.]

Re: C1 to C2 model designations

Good idea. Instead of generations, maybe versions and releases- like software.

[Donald M.]

Re: C1 to C2 model designations

The design changes within the '56 to '62 are minor. To me, what distinguishes this group is the cove styling. It is markedly different from the '53 to '55 group.

I wasn't suggesting that every little change be designated a new group. The current C2 group shows minor styling changes for each year, but the overall design is the same. Such is the case for each of the following groups, C2 through C7.

I was unaware that the "C" referred to chassis. I thought it referred to Corvette. As Michael points out, the C2, C3 groups have the same chassis, but radically different styling. I remain unconvinced that "C" refers to chassis, but I am open to be schooled otherwise.

Don Moses
Bayview, TX

The C2 and C3 share the same chassis.

On the other hand, if every change to the body style resulted in a new C-designation we'd be at about C40 by now.

[Mark E.]

Re: C1 to C2 model designations

I was unaware that the "C" referred to chassis. I thought it referred to Corvette...

I wasn't suggesting that every little change be designated a new group. The current C2 group shows minor styling changes for each year, but the overall design is the same. Such is the case for each of the following groups, C2 through C7.

Don Moses
Bayview, TX

I always heard "Corvette", not "Chassis".

I think the C3 design changed just as much as the C1 over their lifespans. Love both of them.

[David R.]

Re: C1 to C2 model designations

There have been numerous attempts to rationalize, explain, and/or change the Corvette "C" generational designations. None have succeeded, and in my opinion it is extremely doubtful that any will. The existing designations are well-established and well-recognized. The solid-axle C1's, the "Mid-Year" C2's, the "Shark" C3's, etc., etc. We have learned to deal with an imperfect system, but any changes now would be arbitrary in the eye of the proposer based on his or her own perceptions of the differences between the generations. I was even able to explain the current system to my wife at a Corvette show where all generations were present, and she pretty much "got it". She still has some occasional problems distinguishing a C5 from a C6, and a C6 from a C7, but to her, the C1, C2, C3 and C4 are pretty distinctively different. Let's not re-invent the wheel.

[Harry S.]

Re: C1 to C2 model designations

From this website.....

C

C1
1953 -1962 Corvettes. The solid axle or straight axle cars.
C2
1963 - 1967 Corvettes. Mid-years and Sting Ray years.
C3
1968 - 1982 Corvettes. Includes 1968 Shark, and 1969 - 1976 Stingray years.
C4
1983 - 1996 *note: There were no 1983 production cars due to plant change over from St. Louis to Bowling Green.
C5
1997 - 2004 Corvettes.
C6
2005 - and later Corvettes.

You could debate the C2/C3 split but there are some chassis differences. Otherwise all others have completely different chassis.

[David R.]

Re: C1 to C2 model designations

The changeover to the Bowling Green assembly plant from St. Louis occurred in 1981, and had little or nothing to do with the missing 1983 model year. And while the C2/C3 split could be debated (among others), the C2 kept the same basic body throughout its 1963-67 run, and while the 1968-1982 Corvettes changed considerably over the life cycle of that generation, the basic body, again, was the same - and very different from the C2. As I said before, many times the generational breakdown has been criticized & debated, but I don't think we're going to see it change.

Just my opinion, of course.

[Donald M.]

Re: C1 to C2 model designations

C3s look basically the same to me. They all have a wedge front end and coke bottle profile. Any styling changes within the old C3 group are minor compared to the change from 55 to 56 where I think a new C2 group should be created. Just saying.

D.

I always heard "Corvette", not "Chassis".

I think the C3 design changed just as much as the C1 over their lifespans. Love both of them.

[Donald M.]

Re: C1 to C2 model designations

Well okay then. Status Quo it is.

D.

The changeover to the Bowling Green assembly plant from St. Louis occurred in 1981, and had little or nothing to do with the missing 1983 model year. And while the C2/C3 split could be debated (among others), the C2 kept the same basic body throughout its 1963-67 run, and while the 1968-1982 Corvettes changed considerably over the life cycle of that generation, the basic body, again, was the same - and very different from the C2. As I said before, many times the generational breakdown has been criticized & debated, but I don't think we're going to see it change.

Just my opinion, of course.

[Michael W.]

Re: C1 to C2 model designations

C3s look basically the same to me. They all have a wedge front end and coke bottle profile. Any styling changes within the old C3 group are minor compared to the change from 55 to 56 where I think a new C2 group should be created. Just saying.

D.

I solved the problem by not using the terminology for anything older than a C4.

[Rick A.]

Re: C1 to C2 model designations

everything you wanted to know - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Corvette