Chronology of Chevrolet Corvettes

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References are numbered in [brackets], which are listed here. A number after the dot gives the page in the source.

Last updated: 2023 December 20.

1981

• Monogram issues its 1/20 scale 1980/81 Corvette T-Top model in yellow plastic with tan interior, as kit number 2404. [353]
• MPC issues its 1/20 scale The Stinger Corvette model (1980/81 style) in plastic, as kit number 1-3750. [353]
• Monogram releases the 1/24-scale model kit No. 2269 of the Corvette America in orange plastic, based on the four-door four-seater produced by California Custom Coach. [235.14] [353]

March 21

• At the Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Florida, the 29th Annual Coca-Cola 12 Hours of Sebring Camel GT race is held.
  • Finishing 7th in GTX class 23rd overall is the USA Racing #68 Corvette driven by Richard Valentine and Maurice Carter.
  • Placing 19th in GTO class 55th overall is the Sanyo/Russ Boy #93 Corvette driven by John Carusso, Russ Boy, and Rex Ramsey. The car is not running at the finish due to mechanical problems.
  • Placing 26th in GTO class 70th overall is the Vette Brakes #89 Corvette driven by Al Levenson. The car is not running at the finish.
  • Placing 27th in GTO class 71st overall is the Cotrone Racing Enterprises #42 Corvette driven by Joe Cotrone and Kal Showket. The car is not running at the finish.
  • Placing 29th in GTO class 73rd overall is the Sharkskin Racing #61 Corvette driven by C. C. Canada. The car is not running at the finish.
  • Placing 30th in GTO class 77th overall is the Garcia Racing #13 Corvette driven by John Lino. The car is not running at the finish due to electrical problems.
  [263] [423]

(month unknown)

• In Washington, D.C., the SPI Reinforced Plastics / Composites Institute holds its 36th Annual Conference and Exhibit.
  • The transverse single leaf fiberglass spring of the 1981 Corvette wins the Grand Design Award. The piece also wins the Blue Ribbon in the Transportation category, and the Blue Ribbon in the Market Development category.
  • General Motors wins the Steuben glass sculpture "counterpoise" for development of the spring.
  [575.48]
• At auction, a 1967 convertible, red exterior, white interior, both tops, side exhaust, sells for US$15,600. [314.55]

May 17

• At the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Harrisburg, North Carolina, the Goody's 500 / CRC Chemicals Trans-Am Championship - Round 1 race is held.
  • Finishing 1st is the Swiss Chalet #94 Corvette, driven by Eppie Wietzes.
  • Finishing 10th is the Full-Time #99 Corvette, driven by Phil Currin.
  • Finishing 11th is the All Canadian #70 Corvette, driven by Murray Edwards.
  • Finishing 15th is the Pickett Racing #6 Corvette, driven by Greg Pickett.
  • Finishing 16th is the Pickett Racing #3 Corvette, driven by Tony Brassfield.
  • Finishing 21st is the Corvette America #46 Corvette, driven by Jack Broomall.
  • Finishing 22nd is the Jepsen #60 Corvette, driven by John Brandt.
  • In 29th place, but not finishing the race, is the Pickett Racing #9 Corvette, driven by Jerry Brassfield.
  • In 30th place, but not finishing the race, is the Cardinal/Mann #5 Corvette, driven by Andy Porterfield.
  • In 32nd place, but not finishing the race, is the FEMSA/Clausie #91 Corvette, driven by Steve Clausman.
  [248]

June 1

• Production of Corvettes begins at a new plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The first Corvette is a two-tone Beige over Dark Brown 1981 model. The car is driven by Kentucky Governor John Brown, accompanied by Lieutenant Governor Martha Layne Collins. The second car off the line is given to the National Corvette Museum to raffle off. [2] [3.16,91] [5.189] [7] [104.91] [139.46] [148.17,76] [150.42] [219.53] [225.28] [226.46a] [282.17] [314.43] [333.41] [454.152] [771.50] [774.113] [807.59,63] [872.40] [901.5]

June 14

• At the Portland International Raceway in Portland, Oregon, the G.I. Joe's Rose Cup / CRC Chemicals Trans-Am Championship - Round 2 race is held.
  • Finishing 2nd is the Swiss Chalet #94 Corvette, driven by Eppie Wietzes.
  • Finishing 5th is the B.C. Auto Body #41 Corvette, driven by Bill Craine.
  • Finishing 13th is The Last Hurrah #71 Corvette, driven by Jeff Weymouth.
  • Finishing 14th is the Peter Shutts #72 Corvette, driven by Peter Shutts.
  • Finishing 18th is the #83 Corvette, driven by Earl Pearson.
  • In 24th place, but not finishing the race, is the #9 Corvette, driven by Jerry Brassfield.
  • In 25th place, but not finishing the race, is the Diablo #92 Corvette, driven by Ron Maccario.
  • Finishing 28th is the FEMSA/Clausie #91 Corvette, driven by Gene Bothello.
  • In 29th place, but not finishing the race, is the #3 Corvette, driven by Tony Brassfield.
  • In 31st place, but not finishing the race, is the Full-Time #99 Corvette, driven by Phil Currin.
  • In 33rd place, but not finishing the race, is the #73 Corvette, driven by Dan Pearson.
  • In 34th place, but not finishing the race, is the #93 Corvette, driven by Mike Oleyar.
  • In 36th place, but not finishing the race, is the Jepsen #60 Corvette, driven by John Brandt.
  • In 39th place, but not finishing the race, is the #70 Corvette, driven by Murray Edwards.
  • In 40th place, but not finishing the race, is the #6 Corvette, driven by Greg Pickett.
  • In 41st place, but not finishing the race, is the Cardinal #5 Corvette, driven by Andy Porterfield.
  • In 45th place, but not finishing the race, is the #35 Corvette, driven by Bard Boand.
  • In 46th place, but not finishing the race, is the American Performance #12 Corvette, driven by Bob Matkovich.
  [248]

(month unknown)

• Rich Mason buys the 1962 Corvette raced by Delmo Johnson from Michael DuPre. (He restores it to 1962 condition, and enters it in vintage racing.) [231.41]

July 2

• At the G. P. Race Track Salzburgring in Austria, the Swiss Corvette Club International holds the fifth Vette-Euro-Meet '81 over five days. [332.16] [353.51]

July 4

• At the Lime Rock park raceway in Lime Rock, Connecticut, the Kendall Cup Weekend / CRC Chemicals Trans-Am Championship - Round 3 race is held.
  • Finishing 1st is the Pickett Racing #6 Corvette, driven by Greg Pickett.
  • Finishing 4th is the Full-Time #99 Corvette, driven by Phil Currin.
  • Finishing 6th is the Pickett Racing #9 Corvette, driven by Jerry Brassfield.
  • Finishing 7th is the Swiss Chalet #94 Corvette, driven by Eppie Wietzes.
  • Finishing 10th is the Flying Tiger #35 Corvette, driven by Bard Boand.
  • Finishing 14th is the Corvette America #46 Corvette, driven by Jack Broomall.
  • Finishing 16th is the Herb Forrest #82 Corvette, driven by Herb Forrest.
  • In 19th place, but not finishing the race, is the #70 Corvette, driven by Murray Edwards.
  • In 22nd place, but not finishing the race, is the Jepsen #60 Corvette, driven by John Brandt, Jr.
  • In 27th place, but not finishing the race, is the Executive/Huffaker #98 Corvette, driven by Tom Frank.
  • In 28th place, but not finishing the race, is the Pickett Racing #3 Corvette, driven by Tony Brassfield.
  • In 31st place, but not finishing the race, is the #74 Corvette, driven by Peter Dus.
  [248]

July 25

• At the Road America raceway in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, the CRC Chemicals Trans-Am Championship - Round 4 race is held.
  • Finishing 2nd is the Swiss Chalet #94 Corvette, driven by Eppie Wietzes.
  • Finishing 5th is the Full-Time Racing #99 Corvette, driven by Phil Currin.
  • Finishing 7th is the Pickett Performance #3 Corvette, driven by Tony Brassfield.
  • Finishing 10th is the A.O. Fick Racing Enterprises #83 Corvette, driven by Warren Fairbank.
  • Finishing 11th is the FEMSA/Clausie #91 Corvette, driven by Gene Bothello.
  • Finishing 12th is the Automotive Interest #77 Corvette, driven by Charles West.
  • Finishing 13th is the Flying Tiger #35 Corvette, driven by Bard Boand.
  • Finishing 14th is the Herb Forrest Racing #82 Corvette, driven by Herb Forrest.
  • Finishing 16th is the Corvette America #46 Corvette, driven by Jack Broomall.
  • Finishing 18th is the Lamberts #70 Corvette, driven by Murray Edwards.
  • Finishing 24th is the P.M. Racing #74 Corvette, driven by Paul R. Musschoot.
  • Finishing 25th is the Bear Finder #93 Corvette, driven by Michael Oleyar.
  • In 26th place, but not finishing the race, is the H. Brech Kauffman #73 Corvette, driven by H. Brech Kauffman.
  • Finishing 30th is the Pickett Performance #9 Corvette, driven by Jerry Brassfield.
  • In 31st place, but not finishing the race, is the B.C. Auto Body #41 Corvette, driven by Bill Craine.
  • In 32nd place, but not finishing the race, is the Jepson #60 Corvette, driven by John Brandt.
  • In 43rd place, but not finishing the race, is the Huffaker-Executive #98 Corvette, driven by Tom Frank.
  • In 44th place, but not finishing the race, is the Pickett Racing #6 Corvette, driven by Greg Pickett.
  • In 45th place, but not finishing the race, is the Larry Gross #65 Corvette, driven by Larry Gross.
  • In 48th place, but not finishing the race, is the USA Racing #85 Corvette, driven by Richard Valentine.
  [248]

July 31

• The last Corvette built in the St. Louis plant rolls off the assembly line. 698,614 Corvettes were built at the plant. The last Corvette, a 1981 model, is a white coupe. [2] [5.184] [7] [104.91] [238.42] [774.111] [872.40] (August 1 [3.91] [148.18,76] [454.152] [774.127]) (August [150.42] [219.53]) (695,214 made [901.5]) [807.62]

(month unknown)

• First prototypes of the next generate Corvette are driven. [241.6]

August

• Fred Schaafsma is assigned to the next-generation Corvette project, to work on handling. [624.79]
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August 9

• At the Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minnesota, the CRC Chemicals Trans-Am Championship - Round 5 race is held.
  • Finishing 2nd is the Swiss Chalet Racing #94 Corvette, driven by Eppie Wietzes.
  • Finishing 6th is the Full-Time Racing #99 Corvette, driven by Phil Currin.
  • Finishing 8th is the Cardinal Harry Mann #5 Corvette, driven by Andy Porterfield.
  • Finishing 10th is the Corvette America #46 Corvette, driven by Jack Broomall.
  • Finishing 11th is the Lamberts #70 Corvette, driven by Murray Edwards.
  • Finishing 15th is the A.G. Fick Racing Enterprises #83 Corvette, driven by Warren Fairbanks.
  • Finishing 16th is the Darwin E. Bosell #52 Corvette, driven by Darwin E. Bosell.
  • Finishing 17th is the Pickett Racing #6 Corvette, driven by Greg Pickett.
  • Finishing 20th is the R.J. Valentine #85 Corvette, driven by Richard Valentine.
  • Finishing 21st is the #93 Corvette, driven by Michael Oleyar.
  • Finishing 23rd is the Steve Beard Racing #53 Corvette, driven by Steve Beard.
  • Finishing 25th is the Larry Gross #65 Corvette, driven by Larry Gross.
  • In 29th place, but not finishing the race, is the Pickett Performance #3 Corvette, driven by Tony Brassfield.
  • In 30th place, but not finishing the race, is the Executive Huffaker #98 Corvette, driven by Tom Frank.
  • In 32nd place, but not finishing the race, is the Pickett Performance #9 Corvette, driven by Jerry Brassfield.
  • In 35th place, but not finishing the race, is the Charles West #77 Corvette, driven by Charles West.
  • In 36th place, but not finishing the race, is the Jim Sanborn #35 Corvette, driven by Jim Sanborn.
  • In 39th place, but not finishing the race, is the Bard Boand #75 Corvette, driven by Bard Boand.
  [248]

August 10

• The new Corvette plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky, is formally dedicated, and opened to the general public. [807.62]

(month unknown)

• At the Bonneville Speed Week on the Utah Salt Flats, the Kehoe - McKinney - Banks #42 Sundowner 1968 stock-bodied Corvette with turbocharged 430-ci Chevrolet engine sets the one-way speed record of 240.738 mph in Unlimited-GT class. [577.75]

September 6

• At the Grand Prix Molson Trois-Rivieres in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada, the CRC Chemicals Trans-Am Championship - Round 6 race is held.
  • Finishing 1st is the Swiss Chalet #94 Corvette, driven by Eppie Wietzes. Wietzes also set new course records for fastest race lap, and fastest average speed.
  • Finishing 6th is the Full-Time Racing #99 Corvette, driven by Phil Currin.
  • Finishing 9th is the Corvette America #46 Corvette, driven by Jack Broomall.
  • Finishing 11th is the Herb Forrest Racing #82 Corvette, driven by Herb Forrest.
  • Finishing 14th is the USA Racing #85 Corvette, driven by Richard Valentine.
  • Finishing 15th is the #93 Corvette, driven by Mike Oleyar.
  • Finishing 16th is the #75 Corvette, driven by Bard Boand.
  • Finishing 17th is the Wava Racing #49 Corvette, driven by Brian Utt.
  • Finishing 18th is the #41 Corvette, driven by Bill Craine.
  • In 24th place, but not finishing the race, is the Huffaker/Executive #98 Corvette, driven by Tom Frank.
  • In 25th place, but not finishing the race, is the Lamberts #70 Corvette, driven by Murray Edwards.
  [248]

September 12

• At the Mosport Park raceway in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada, the CRC Chemicals Trans-Am Championship - Round 7 race is held.
  • Finishing 4th is the Full-Time Racing #99 Corvette, driven by Phil Currin.
  • Finishing 9th is the Jepsen #60 Corvette, driven by John Brandt.
  • Finishing 11th is the Cooke-Woods #2 Corvette, driven by Roy Woods.
  • Finishing 14th is the USA #85 Corvette, driven by Richard Valentine.
  • Finishing 16th is the #35 Corvette, driven by Jim Sanborn.
  • Finishing 20th is the #93 Corvette, driven by Mike Oleyar.
  • Finishing 23rd is the Wava Racing #49 Corvette, driven by Brian Utt.
  • In 26th place, but not finishing the race, is the Lamberts #70 Corvette, driven by Murray Edwards.
  • In 28th place, but not finishing the race, is the Herb Forrest Racing #82 Corvette, driven by Herb Forrest.
  • In 29th place, but not finishing the race, is the #75 Corvette, driven by Bard Boand.
  • In 31st place, but not finishing the race, is the #41 Corvette, driven by Bill Craine.
  • In 33rd place, but not finishing the race, is the Executive/Huffaker #98 Corvette, driven by Tom Frank.
  • In 34th place, but not finishing the race, is the Swiss Chalet #94 Corvette, driven by Eppie Wietzes.
  • In 35th place, but not finishing the race, is the Corvette America #46 Corvette, driven by Jack Broomall.
  [248]

September

• The first prototype next-generation Corvette is completed. [624.79]

(month unknown)

• Classic Plates of Philadelphia releases the 1953 Corvette Plate wall hanging. The porcelain plate has a diameter of 8.5 inches. Limit on manufacture is 2500 pieces. Price is US$27.50. [577.7]

October 11

• At the Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California, the CRC Chemicals Trans-Am Championship - Round 8 race is held.
  • Finishing 3rd is the Swiss Chalet #94 Corvette, driven by Eppie Wietzes.
  • Finishing 4th is the Cooke-Woods #2 Corvette, driven by Roy Woods.
  • Finishing 7th is the Jepsen #60 Corvette, driven by John Brandt.
  • Finishing 8th is the Full-Time Racing #99 Corvette, driven by Phil Currin.
  • Finishing 9th is the Lamberts #70 Corvette, driven by Murray Edwards.
  • Finishing 11th is the NGK/Harry Mann #5 Corvette, driven by Andy Porterfield.
  • Finishing 12th is the Sprite/Phantom #43 Corvette, driven by Frank Joyce.
  • Finishing 14th is the Huffaker/Executive #98 Corvette, driven by Tom Frank.
  • Finishing 15th is the #72 Corvette, driven by Peter Schutts.
  • Finishing 16th is the U.S.A. Racing #85 Corvette, driven by Richard Valentine.
  • Finishing 18th is the #53 Corvette, driven by Steve Beard.
  • In 27th place, but not finishing the race, is the Park performance #11 Corvette, driven by Larry Park.
  • In 29th place, but not finishing the race, is the Cooper's Diablo Chrysler #92 Corvette, driven by Ron Maccario.
  • In 30th place, but not finishing the race, is the B.C. Autobody #41 Corvette, driven by Bill Craine.
  • In 37th place, but not finishing the race, is the Valvoline #20 Corvette, driven by Tom Riley.
  • In 38th place, but not finishing the race, is the J.D. Stacy #3 Corvette, driven by Tony Brassfield.
  • In 42nd place, but not finishing the race, is the NF Factors #6 Corvette, driven by Bob Carradine.
  • In 44th place, but not finishing the race, is the Flying Tiger #75 Corvette, driven by Bard Boand.
  • In 45th place, but not finishing the race, is the J.D. Stacy #9 Corvette, driven by Darin Brassfield.
  [248]

October

• Production of 1982 Corvettes begins. A special Corvette Collector Edition Hatchback is offered for US$22,538, the most expensive Chevrolet car to date. [3.92] [148.78]

October 25

• At the Sears Point Raceway in Sonoma, California, the CRC Chemicals Trans-Am Championship - Round 9 race is held.
  • Finishing 2nd is the NF Factors #6 Corvette, driven by Greg Pickett.
  • Finishing 3rd is the Swiss Chalet #94 Corvette, driven by Eppie Wietzes.
  • Finishing 4th is the Full-Time Racing #99 Corvette, driven by Phil Currin.
  • Finishing 7th is the J.D. Stacy #3 Corvette, driven by Tony Brassfield.
  • Finishing 11th is the Executive/Huffaker #98 Corvette, driven by Tom Frank.
  • Finishing 17th is the J.D. Stacy #9 Corvette, driven by Jerry Brassfield.
  • Finishing 19th is the Lamberts #70 Corvette, driven by Murray Edwards.
  • Finishing 24th is the Oly/Maple Leaf/Last Hurrah #71 Corvette, driven by Jeff Weymouth.
  • Finishing 25th is the Cooke-Woods #2 Corvette, driven by Roy Woods.
  • In 30th place, but not finishing the race, is the USA #85 Corvette, driven by Richard Valentine.
  • In 32nd place, but not finishing the race, is the NGK/Harry Mann #5 Corvette, driven by Andy Porterfield.
  • In 34th place, but not finishing the race, is the Jepsen #60 Corvette, driven by John Brandt.
  • In 35th place, but not finishing the race, is the Flying Tigers #75 Corvette, driven by Bard Boand.
  • In 37th place, but not finishing the race, is the #72 Corvette, driven by Peter Shutts.
  • In 39th place, but not finishing the race, is the Park performance #12 Corvette, driven by Larry Park.
  • In 41st place, but not finishing the race, is the Cooper's Diablo Chrysler #92 Corvette, driven by Ron Maccario.
  [248]
• Points rankings of Corvette drivers at the end of the 1981 SCCA Trans-Am Championship series: 1st Eppie Wietzes, 3rd Phil Currin, 5th Roy Woods, 8th Greg Pickett. Chevrolet has the most manufacturer points (64 of 148), and Corvette has the most points (51 of 148) of any make of car. [42.100] [248]

October

• At the Road Atlanta Raceway in Braselton, Georgia, the Champion Spark Plug Road Racing Classic final races of the SCCA Club Racing series are held. Finishing 1st in GT-1 class is Doug Bethke, driving a Corvette. [394.4] [632.98]

November 25

• At the GM Proving Grounds in Milford, a prototype next-generation Corvette is run at 1.01g lateral acceleration on the skidpad. [344.55] [624.81]

(month unknown)

• Chevrolet produces the Corvette Twin Turbo V-6 90 show car. It features 262 ci fuel-injected 300 hp V-6 engine, dual Warner-Ishi turbo units, 700 R4 Turbohydramatic 4-speed automatic transmission. Paint scheme is white, silver, and charcoal. [633.42]

December 12

• Chevrolet introduces the 1982 model Corvette. [453.119] [871.100]

December 24

• Connie Ferrell of Tennessee wins the first Corvette built in Bowling Green, Kentucky, in a raffle draw. [872.43]

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