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.


1983

January 3
  • Production begins on the 1984 model Corvette. Vehicles with VIN 0002-0071 are built as test vehicles; the 71st car built is given VIN 0001, and donated to the National Council of Corvette Clubs for a charity raffle. Car #0071 is the first customer-built car, bought by Bob Nagy. [3.99] [57.37] [333.41] [454.164] [678.20] (December 1982 [299.29])
February 1
  • General Motors first begins officially using the name Corvette for toy cars, etc. [146]
February 5
  • Columbia Pictures releases the film Blue Thunder to theaters in Germany. A silver 1980-82 Corvette appears. [799]
February 9
  • Pop music artist Prince releases recording of song "Little Red Corvette". [42.7] [457]
February
  • The last 1982 model Corvette is sold. Chevrolet sold a total of 542,861 1968-82 model Corvettes. [104.96,148] [454.156]
  • Chevrolet begins shipping 1984 model Corvettes to dealers. [3.100]
March 19
  • At the Sebring International Race Course in Sebring, Florida, the 12 Hours of Sebring race is held.
    • Finishing 25th in GTO class and 53rd overall is the Karl Keck #33 Corvette driven by Karl Keck, Bill McDill, and Robert Whitaker.
    • Placing 31st in GTO class and 67th overall is the Marcus Opie #64 Corvette driven by Marcus Opie, Tim Morgan, and Grant Bradley. The car is not running at the finish, due to engine failure.
    • Placing 19th in GTP class and 82nd overall is the Dingman Brothers Racing #17 Corvette driven by Billy Dingman. The car is not running at the finish, due to engine failure.
    [423]
March 24
  • The 1984 Corvette goes on sale in California. [5.175] [67.D1] [76.51] [90] [104.96,148] [148.17,80] [171.71] [311.40] [312.24] [454.164] [774.95] (February [7]) (March 25 [453.123] [871.103])
April 9
  • In Titusville, Florida, Eckler's Corvette Reunion is held, over two days. [358.63]
April 21
  • The 1984 Corvette goes on sale in the US, outside of California. [5.175] [90] [226.46a] [344.52] [774.95]
(month unknown)
  • For the first time, Chevrolet officially offers new Corvettes for sale in Europe, the Mid-East, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and Latin America. [332.66]
May 1
  • At the Moroso Motorsports Park Raceway in West Palm beach, Florida, the SCCA Budweiser Trans-Am Championship - Round 1 race is held.
    • Finishing 3rd is the Pickett Racing #6 Corvette, driven by Greg Pickett.
    • Finishing 7th is the Currin Racing #99 Corvette, driven by Phil Currin.
    • Finishing 15th is the Specialities Racing #71 Corvette, driven by Ron Boelts.
    • Finishing 17th is the B.C. Autobody #41 Corvette, driven by Bill Craine.
    • In 29th place, but not finishing the race, is the On-Track Engineering #0 Corvette, driven by Frank Search.
    • In 32nd place, but not finishing the race, is the Pacific Summit Motorsports #11 Corvette, driven by Darin Brassfield.
    • In 34th place, but not finishing the race, is the Quaker Manufacturing #73 Corvette, driven by Dan Furey.
    [248] [402.26]
May 4
  • Grenada Grenadines issues a postage stamp depicting a 1963 Corvette Sting Ray. [552.454]
May 15
  • At the Summit Point International Raceway in Summit Point, West Virginia, the SCCA Budweiser Trans-Am Championship - Round 2 race is held.
    • Finishing 4th is the Currin Racing #99 Corvette, driven by Phil Currin.
    • Finishing 7th is the Pickett Racing #6 Corvette, driven by Greg Pickett.
    • Finishing 9th is the B.C. Auto Body #41 Corvette, driven by Bill Craine.
    • Finishing 10th is the On Track Engineering #0 Corvette, driven by Frank Search.
    • Finishing 11th is the Jet Syn Oil #93 Corvette, driven by Michael Oleyar.
    • Finishing 14th is the Quaker Manufacturing #73 Corvette, driven by Dan Furey.
    • Finishing 16th is the Specialtie Racing Equipment #71 Corvette, driven by Ron Boelts.
    • Finishing 19th is the Aquilante Racing #5 Corvette, driven by Thomas Aquilante.
    • In 23rd place, but not finishing the race, is the #74 Corvette, driven by Peter Dus.
    • In 26th place, but not finishing the race, is the Brandt Racing #60 Corvette, driven by John Brandt.
    • In 33rd place, but not finishing the race, is the Pacific Summit #11 Corvette, driven by Darin Brassfield.
    [248]
May
  • Chevrolet contracts to Specialized Vehicles Inc. to develop a turbo version of the Chevrolet 4.3 litre V-6 engine for the Corvette. [692.42]
(month unknown)
  • The 50,000th Corvette assembled at the Bowling Green facility is driven off the assembly line by long-time worker Wayne Vollmer. [333.41]

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June 3
  • MGM/UA Entertainment releases the film WarGames to theaters in the USA. A Corvette Mahogany 1978 L-48 Corvette appears briefly. [786]
June 5
  • At the Sears Point International Raceway in Sonoma, California, the SCCA Budweiser Trans-Am Championship - Round 3 race is held.
    • Finishing 8th is the Supercuts #65 Corvette, driven by Frank Emmett.
    • Finishing 13th is the Wirth #3 Corvette, driven by Tony Brassfield.
    • Finishing 14th is the T+S Racing #35 Corvette, driven by Ken Yeo.
    • In 18th place, but not finishing the race, is the Pickett Racing #6 Corvette, driven by Greg Pickett.
    • In 22nd place, but not finishing the race, is the Pacific Summit Motor Sports #11 Corvette, driven by Darin Brassfield.
    • Finishing 24th is the Merritt Tire #79 Corvette, driven by Larry Park.
    • In 30th place, but not finishing the race, is the On Track Engineering #0 Corvette, driven by Frank Search.
    [248] [506.28]
June 7
  • The Corvette plant builds a new 1984 model Corvette, with build order "DE 9163 ZORA 1". The car is identified on the build sheet as model ZORA 1, not as a Corvette. The car is a standard 1984 model Corvette, other than the non-standard exterior color, code 33 Spectra Red. The car is for use at the Black Hills Corvette Classic event in Spearfish, South Dakota, in July, with Zora Arkus-Duntov posing for publicity photos and videos. [678.18]
June 12
  • At the Portland International Raceway in Portland, Oregon, the SCCA Budweiser Trans-Am Championship - Round 4 race is held.
    • Finishing 2nd is the Pickett Racing #6 Corvette, driven by Greg Pickett.
    • Finishing 8th is the B.C. Auto Body #41 Corvette, driven by Bill Craine.
    • Finishing 9th is the On Track Engineering #0 Corvette, driven by Frank Search.
    • Finishing 12th is the Rick Stark Enterprises #17 Corvette, driven by Rick Stark.
    • Finishing 13th is the Park Performance #79 Corvette, driven by Larry Park.
    • Finishing 23rd is the Pepsi #88 Corvette, driven by Ron Blair.
    • In 29th place, but not finishing the race, is the #83 Corvette, driven by Earl Pearson.
    [248]
June
  • Chevrolet announces a recall of the first 6,000 1984 model Corvettes, to replace defective brake components. [80.15] (early July [67.D1]) (10,000 Corvettes [67.D1])
June 26
  • At the Seattle International Raceway in Seattle, Washington, the SCCA Budweiser Trans-Am Championship - Round 5 race is held.
    • Finishing 6th is the Merritt Tire & Brake #79 Corvette, driven by Larry Park.
    • Finishing 10th is the B.C. Auto Body #41 Corvette, driven by Bill Craine.
    • Finishing 12th is the Rick Stark Enterprises #17 Corvette, driven by Rick Stark.
    • Finishing 16th is the Tom Riley Racing team #22 Corvette, driven by Tom Riley.
    • Finishing 17th is the On Track Engineering #0 Corvette, driven by Frank Search.
    • Finishing 18th is the Pearson Air #83 Corvette, driven by Earl Pearson.
    • In 20th place, but not finishing the race, is the Pickett Racing #6 Corvette, driven by Greg Pickett.
    • Finishing 24th is the Last Hurrah #26 Corvette, driven by Jeff Weymouth.
    [248]
(month unknown)
  • John Heinricy joins Corvette Development Group as manager, at the GM Milford Proving Ground. [127.13]
  • Ed Mueller finds the missing 1967 Corvette raced by Dick Guldstrand at Le Mans, minus the L-88 engine. [132.13]
  • At the Detroit Grand Prix, Chevrolet shows the full-size prototype Corvette GTP race car. [525.75] [687.157]
  • Ertl releases its AMT 1/24 scale 1953 Corvette model, as kit number 6552. [176.67]
  • At the Monza Grand Prix race track in Monza, Italy, the Swiss Corvette Club International holds the 7th annual Corvette Euro-Meet. [332.15]
  • The National Council of Corvette Clubs draws the winning ballot for the 1984 Corvette, VIN #001. Cammy Daugherty wins the car. [333.12]
July 17
  • At the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, the SCCA Budweiser Trans-Am Championship - Round 6 race is held.
    • Finishing 4th is the Pickett Racing #6 Corvette, driven by Darin Brassfield.
    • Finishing 11th is the JS Racing #35 Corvette, driven by Jim Sanborn.
    • Finishing 13th is the Western Ave. Auto Parts #87 Corvette, driven by Bill Morrison.
    • Finishing 14th is the Cavendish Farms #70 Corvette, driven by Murray Edwards.
    • Finishing 15th is the Deman Racing Team #42 Corvette, driven by Peter Deman.
    • Finishing 16th is the Brandt Racing #60 Corvette, driven by John Brandt.
    • Finishing 18th is the Jet-Syn #93 Corvette, driven by Michael Oleyar.
    • Finishing 19th is the #74 Corvette, driven by Dennis Cuppy.
    • In 28th place, but not finishing the race, is the Quaker Manufacturing #73 Corvette, driven by Dan Furey.
    • In 31st place, but not finishing the race, is the Kidd Racing #4 Corvette, driven by James Kidd.
    • In 32nd place, but not finishing the race, is the APS/Gray Racing #25 Corvette, driven by Jon Gray.
    • In 33rd place, but not finishing the race, is the Currin Racing #99 Corvette, driven by Phil Currin.
    [248]
July 31
  • At the Road America raceway in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, the SCCA Budweiser Trans-Am Championship - Round 7 race is held.
    • Finishing 10th is the Desks Inc./North Shore Auto Parts #24 Corvette, driven by Rick Dittman.
    • Finishing 12th is the Cavendish Farms #70 Corvette, driven by Murray Edwards.
    • Finishing 13th is the Herb Forrest Racing #82 Corvette, driven by Herb Forrest.
    • Finishing 15th is the PM Racing #74 Corvette, driven by Paul Musschoot.
    • Finishing 19th is the JS Racing #35 Corvette, driven by Jim Sanborn.
    • Finishing 24th is the Accell-Design Group #96 Corvette, driven by James Kidd.
    • Finishing 25th is the Chrome Company #21 Corvette, driven by Terry Farber.
    • Finishing 26th is the #79 Corvette, driven by Dennis Cuppy.
    • Finishing 28th is the Blink #84 Corvette, driven by Roger Blink.
    • Finishing 29th is the Midwest Racing Distributors #67 Corvette, driven by Steve Gentile.
    • Finishing 30th is the #17 Corvette, driven by Dan Schott.
    • Finishing 31st is the Fick Rotary Grinding Special #38 Corvette, driven by Buzz Fyhrie.
    • In 35th place, but not finishing the race, is the Technequip #47 Corvette, driven by Wayne Harper.
    • In 36th place, but not finishing the race, is the Keeping Track Magazine / Quinlan & Tyson #42 Corvette, driven by Richard Anderson.
    • In 39th place, but not finishing the race, is the Pickett Racing #6 Corvette, driven by Darin Brassfield.
    • In 40th place, but not finishing the race, is the Western Ave. Auto #87 Corvette, driven by Bill Morrison.
    • In 41st place, but not finishing the race, is the Gradel Racing #64 Corvette, driven by James Gradel.
    • In 44th place, but not finishing the race, is the #76 Corvette, driven by Dale Durovy.
    • In 48th place, but not finishing the race, is the North Shore Auto Parts #90 Corvette, driven by Chip Boatright.
    • In 50th place, but not finishing the race, is the Sloma Enterprises #27 Corvette, driven by Rich Sloma.
    • In 51st place, but not finishing the race, is the Flying Tiger/Keepin' Track Magazine #75 Corvette, driven by Bard Boand.
    [248]
August 8
  • At the Brainerd International raceway in Brainerd, Minnesota, the SCCA Budweiser Trans-Am Championship - Round 8 race is held.
    • Finishing 12th is the LSI/Corvette Unlimited #84 Corvette, driven by Doug Rippie.
    • Finishing 13th is the J/S Racing #35 Corvette, driven by Jim Sanborn.
    • Finishing 15th is the P.M. Racing #74 Corvette, driven by Paul Musschoot.
    • In 20th place, but not finishing the race, is the Cavendish Farms #78 Corvette, driven by Murray Edwards.
    • In 21st place, but not finishing the race, is the Boelts Veal Farms #71 Corvette, driven by Ron Boelts.
    • In 23rd place, but not finishing the race, is the Automotive Enterprise #27 Corvette, driven by Rich Sloma.
    • In 28th place, but not finishing the race, is the Kramer Tire #52 Corvette, driven by Darwin Bosell.
    • In 29th place, but not finishing the race, is the Desks Inc. Northshore Auto Parts #24 Corvette, driven by Rick Dittman.
    • In 32nd place, but not finishing the race, is the Pickett Racing #6 Corvette, driven by Darin Brassfield.
    [248]
August
  • Chevrolet announces a recall of 14,000 1984 model Corvettes, to fix problems with power steering and the battery cable. [80.15]
(month unknown)
  • Chevrolet begins fitting Bilstein shock absorbers to 1984 model Corvettes, to improve suspension. [85.99]
September 4
  • At the Trois-Rivieres raceway in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, the SCCA Budweiser Trans-Am Championship - Round 9 race is held.
    • Finishing 11th is the Cavendish #70 Corvette, driven by Murray Edwards.
    • Finishing 13th is the Deman #42 Corvette, driven by Peter Deman.
    • Finishing 15th is the Quaker Manufacturing #73 Corvette, driven by Dan Furey.
    • Finishing 17th is the Auto Barn #64 Corvette, driven by Robert Baechle.
    • In 20th place, but not finishing the race, is the Pickett Racing #6 Corvette, driven by Darin Brassfield.
    • In 22nd place, but not finishing the race, is the Brandt Racing #60 Corvette, driven by John Brandt, Jr.
    • In 25th place, but not finishing the race, is the Technequip #47 Corvette, driven by Wayne Harper.
    • In 27th place, but not finishing the race, is the Gray Racing/APS #25 Corvette, driven by Jon Gray.
    [248]
September 18
  • At the Sears Point International Raceway in Sonoma, California, the SCCA Budweiser Trans-Am Championship - Round 10 race is held.
    • Finishing 15th is the Pickett Racing #6 Corvette, driven by Darin Brassfield.
    • Finishing 19th is the Rick Stark #17 Corvette, driven by Rick Stark.
    • Finishing 20th is the New Century Beverage/Windmill Farms #86 Corvette, driven by Ron Blair.
    • Finishing 23rd is the Cavallino Rampante #22 Corvette, driven by Mike Meek.
    • In 30th place, but not finishing the race, is the T+S Racing #35 Corvette, driven by Ken Yeo.
    • In 31st place, but not finishing the race, is the On Track Engineering #0 Corvette, driven by Frank Search.
    [248]
September 25
  • At the Riverside International Raceway in Riverside, California, the SCCA Budweiser Trans-Am Championship - Round 11 race is held.
    • Finishing 9th is the Pickett Racing #9 Corvette, driven by Mark Wolocatiuk.
    • Finishing 12th is the Pickett Racing #6 Corvette, driven by Darin Brassfield.
    • Finishing 15th is the Park Performance #79 Corvette, driven by Larry Park.
    • Finishing 23rd is the Commodity Refining Exchange #99 Corvette, driven by Doug Hooper.
    • In 28th place, but not finishing the race, is the Automotive Enterprises #27 Corvette, driven by Rich Sloma.
    • In 29th place, but not finishing the race, is the Rick Stark Enterprises #17 Corvette, driven by Rick Stark.
    [248]
(month unknown)
  • Corgi releases 28 different 1984 Corvette models, one for each of the American and National Football League teams. Price is US$2 each. [333.19]
  • Matchbox Models releases a 1/56-scale model of the 1983 Corvette, in their 1-75 series. [333.19]
October 8
  • At the Las Vegas raceway in Las Vegas, Nevada, the SCCA Budweiser Trans-Am Championship - Round 12 race is held.
    • Finishing 13th is the Park Performance #79 Corvette, driven by Larry Park.
    • Finishing 15th is the On Track Engineering Inc. #0 Corvette, driven by Frank Search.
    • Finishing 16th is the Pickett Racing Inc. #9 Corvette, driven by Roger Penske, Jr.
    • Finishing 17th is the Brandt Racing #60 Corvette, driven by John Brandt.
    • In 20th place, but not finishing the race, is the #35 Corvette, driven by Ken Yeo.
    • In 24th place, but not finishing the race, is the George Follmer Racing #16 Corvette, driven by George Follmer.
    • In 25th place, but not finishing the race, is the Pickett Racing Inc. #6 Corvette, driven by Darin Brassfield.
    [248]
  • At the end of the SCCA Trans-Am Championship series, the highest ranking Corvette driver is Greg Pickett, in 12th place. [248]
October
  • The Corvette plant is up to full-speed production. [5.179]
October 21
  • At the Road Atlanta raceway in Braselton, Georgia, the Champion Spark Plug Road Racing Classic - The Runoffs final races of the SCCA Club Racing series are held, over three days. Finishing 3rd in GT-1 class is Alan Sevadjian in a Corvette. [394.4] [402.49] [508.27]
  • Warner Bros. Pictures releases the film The Right Stuff to theaters in the USA. An astronaut says "Got me a Corvette" as one of the perks of being an astronaut. [745]
October 26
  • The 750,000th Corvette rolls off the production line. The car is a white 1984 coupe, driven off the line by General Motors' employee Wayne Vollmer. Vollmer is the only employee who has worked on Corvette since 1953. The new car is purchased by Hugh Patterson. [333.4] [547.50]
November 1
  • The National Broadcasting Company airs the TV show The A-Team in the USA. In this episode, a white 1984 model Corvette first appears, with a distinctive red stripe. [221.62] [760]
November 23
  • The film Terms of Endearment is released to theaters in the US. Actor Jack Nicholson's character drives a 1978 Silver Anniversary T-Top Corvette into the ocean with his feet. [528.21] [584]
December
  • Chevrolet adds cast-iron and rubber dampers to the differential's subframe to reduce noise in the 1984 model Corvette. [85.99]
  • Chevrolet begins production of the manual gearbox for 1984 model Corvettes. [85.99]

End of 1983. Next: 1984.

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Last updated: 2023 December 20.
Copyright © 1995-2024 Ken Polsson (email: ken@kpolsson.com).
URL: http://kpolsson.com/vettehis/
Link to Ken P's home page.

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