Chevrolet Corvette Facts Only True Fans Know
The C7 Generation Is Seriously Quick In Reverse Gear
While you might be more interested in the straight line speed of the Corvette, you may be surprised to learn the car is surprisingly fast in reverse.
In fact, it is quite possibly the fastest reversing car ever made. Drivers car reach a frankly astonishing 53 mph when going backward. While this trick has virtually no real-world application, it is certainly something to add to the car's bragging rights. We certainly wouldn't recommend you test this fact out, as traveling at that speed with limited visibility is risky, to put it mildly.
The Car Has Left A Windshield Design Legacy
The C1/ first-generation car had a futuristic-looking "wraparound" windshield, and Chevrolet was the first mainstream manufacturer to integrate such a feature. While this looked great and was very popular, it became apparent that the design was resulting in an unacceptable level of visual distortion. For this reason, the design was shelved. Safety was also a big concern, as the lack of A and B pillars would have exposed occupants to a much higher degree of risk in an accident.
The Original Logo Didn’t Comply With The Law
Designer Robert Bartholomew came up with the original logo for the 1953 Corvette. The design was simple and seemingly inoffensive, featuring the US flag and a checkered flag associated with racing.
However, what Bartholomew obviously didn't appreciate was that the stars and stripes could not legally feature on a commercial product. Fortunately, the transgression was noticed prior to the car's unveiling and a "fleur-de-lis" design was implemented instead, celebrating the brand's French heritage.
The Manual Gearbox Was Discontinued For One Year
Being a car designed essentially for the driving enthusiast, the option of a manual gearbox is pretty much a necessity. Chevrolet has always catered to this need, for all but one year of production.
For reasons unknown, Chevrolet dropped the manual gearbox in 1982 and instead opted to fit an automatic. There was a backlash from the customers, who felt let down by the decision, and the brand was forced to revive the manual for the 1984 model year.
Astronauts Were Given Discounted Access
Over the years, many well-known astronauts have owned a Chevrolet Corvette. The link started when the first American in space, Alan Shepard, was gifted a car following his trip.
NASA did not permit its employees to receive free items, so in order to get around this, a local dealer leased astronauts the cars for just $1. With a deal like that, it is of little surprise they were so popular with the astronauts.
