Corvette - What does it mean?

[Tom R.]

Re: Corvette - What does it mean?

A Google search led to this:

"The concept of what was to later become the Corvette was begun in 1951 in Harley Earl's Special Projects workshop. Bob McLean designed the original general layout for a GM sports car. The project car originally was called 'The Opel'. While Myron Scott, a photographer with General Motors, is officially credited with naming the Corvette the truth is that the name did not actually originate with him. An advertising agency for General Motors approached the professor of marketing at the University of Alabama in 1952 and challenged his classes to come up with an innovative name for a sleek new sports car to premiere the following year. A whopping $25 savings bond would be the prize for the one who came up with the best name. A young man from Ensley, Alabama by the name of Al Propst just back from the Korean War had become familiar with a highly maneuverable warship known as a corvette and thought the name would be perfect for the new sports car. He submitted the name along with an essay and won the coveted prize but he was also required to sign a form relinquishing all rights to the name. The Corvette name is taken from a group of small and fast warships know as the 'Corvette Class' of ships. The Jaguar XK120 is said to be the original inspiration for the first Corvette design."

All this from a newbie. You old farts should be ashamed.

[Roberto L.]

Re: Corvette - What does it mean?

Interesting, It seems I have to study Corvette history again...

Best regards

[Grant M.]

Re: Corvette - What does it mean?

The Royal Canadian Navy operated a large number of Flower Class corvettes during WWII, only one of which, HMCS Sackville (named after a town in New Brusnwick) still exists as a floating museum in Halifax, Nova Scotia. One of my uncles served on corvettes and destroyers during the war and, just like their modern day namesakes, corvettes were noted for handling well but not delivering the smoothest of rides--particularly in the North Atlantic.

Corvette-sized naval vessels are typically commanded by Lieutenant-Commander ranked officers (two-and-a half bars), which rank in the French and some other navies of the world (including the French translation for the Canadian navy) is a variation of "capitaine de corvette".

grant

[Tom R.]

Re: Corvette - What does it mean?

The Royal Canadian Navy operated a large number of Flower Class corvettes during WWII, only one of which, HMCS Sackville (named after a town in New Brusnwick) still exists as a floating museum in Halifax, Nova Scotia. One of my uncles served on corvettes and destroyers during the war and, just like their modern day namesakes, corvettes were noted for handling well but not delivering the smoothest of rides--particularly in the North Atlantic.

Corvette-sized naval vessels are typically commanded by Lieutenant-Commander ranked officers (two-and-a half bars), which rank in the French and some other navies of the world (including the French translation for the Canadian navy) is a variation of "capitaine de corvette".

Great stuff...thanks for sharing Grant