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: 2008 January 26.


2006

January 3
  • David Hill retires as chief engineer of Corvette, replaced by Tom Wallace. [772.32] [807.70]
January 14
  • In Detroit, Michigan, the North American International Auto Show is held, over nine days. Two 2006 Corvettes are on display. [620.175] [772.58]
January 17
  • In Scottsdale, Arizona, the 30th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction is held, over six days. Included are 100 Corvettes. Some highlights (not including buyer's fee):
    • 1953 #003: US$1 million;
    • 1957 convertible, silver exterior, ZL-1 454 ci 510 hp engine, 5-speed transmission: US$275,000;
    • 1957 convertible, white exterior, red interior, fuel-injection, 579E air-box: US$225,000;
    • 1961 pilot car #008, red exterior, white cove, 283 ci 315 hp engine, 4-speed transmission, fuel-injection: US$160,000;
    • 1962 Fawn Beige Metallic exterior and interior, 327 ci engine: US$100,000;
    • 1962 Fawn Beige exterior and interior, 327 ci 360 hp engine, fuel-injection, both tops: US$125,000;
    • 1963 327 ci engine: US$100,000;
    • 1963 coupe, Z06, gold exterior, brown interior, 327 ci 360 hp engine, 4-speed transmission: US$183,000;
    • 1966 convertible, black exterior, interior, and hardtop, 427 ci 425 hp engine, M22 4-speed transmissionm side-exhaust: US$200,000;
    • 1967 convertible, 427 ci 435 hp, 23,022 miles: US$195,000;
    • 1967 convertible, light blue exterior and interior, 427 ci 435 hp engine, M21 4-speed transmission, side-exhaust: US$205,000;
    • 1967 convertible, silver exterior, black interior, 427 ci 435 hp engine, 4-speed transmission: US$230,000;
    • 1967 convertible, white exterior, red stinger, red interior, 427 ci 435 hp engine, M21 4-speed transmission, 34,000 miles: US$212,000;
    • 1967 convertible, red exterior, black stinger, black interior, hard top, 427 ci 400 hp engine, Muncie 4-speed transmission: US$205,000;
    • 1967 convertible, red exterior, black stinger, white top, 427 ci 435 hp engine, 4-speed transmission, side-exhaust: US$350,000.
    • 1967 convertible, Lyndale Blue exterior, white stinger, black interior, white top, 427 ci 435 hp engine, 4-speed transmission, side-exhaust, 50,000 miles: US$200,000;
    • 1967 427 ci 435 hp engine: US$112,500;
    • 1969 coupe, L88, gold exterior, brown interior, M22 4-speed transmission: US$310,000 (world record);
    • 1969 coupe, L88, dark green exterior, tan interior, 4-speed transmission #216 (last built), 31,550 miles: US$220,000;
    • 1969 convertible, silver exterior, black interior, 427 ci 435 hp engine, 4-speed transmission: US$119,000.
    [620.175] [215] [724.11] [771.8] [772.40]
January 28
  • At the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, the Rolex 24 at Daytona 24 Hours race is held, round one of the Grand American Rolex Series.
    • Finishing 15th in GT class and 28th overall is the Michael Baughman Racing #46 Corvette, driven by Ray Mason, Michael Baughman, John Connolly, Frank Del Vecchio, and Bryan Collyer.
    • Finishing 18th in GT class and 33rd overall is the Banner Racing #6 1999 Corvette, driven by Tommy Archer, Leighton Reese, Russ Oasis, and Dino Crescentini.
    • Finishing 26th in GT class and 49th overall is the Stevenson Motorsports #57 Corvette, driven by Vic Rice, Tommy Riggins, John Stevenson, Spencer Trenery, and Dominic Cicero II.
    • Finishing 27th in GT class and 53rd overall is the WTF Engineering #48 Corvette, driven by Toni Seiler, Robert Dubler, Hans Hauser, Michael DeFontes, and Kurt Thiel.
    • Finishing 31st in GT class and 60th overall is the WTF Engineering #55 Corvette, driven by Zach Arnold, Johnny Miller, Eric Koselke, Jay Poscente, and Mark Montgomery.
    [244] [771.92]
February 8
  • MotorWeek magazine awards the Corvette Z06 its Drivers' Choice Award at the Chicago Auto Show. [724.12]
March 17
  • At the Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Florida, the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring race is held, round one of the SPEED GT Championship series.
    • Finishing 6th is the LG Pro Long Tube Headers #87 Corvette C6, driven by Doug Peterson.
    • Finishing 7th is the Whelen Engineering #31 Corvette Z06, driven by Sonny Whelen.
    • Finishing 11th is the LG Pro Long Tube Headers #26 Corvette C6, driven by Claudio Burtin.
    • Finishing 19th is the EG Braswell Construction #32 Corvette Z06, driven by Ed Braswell.
    • In 23rd place, but not finishing the race, is the LG Pro Long Tube Headers #28 Corvette C6, driven by Lou Gigliotti.
    • In 27th place, but not finishing the race, is the Southwest Racing #40 Corvette C6, driven by Greg Weirick.
    • In 29th place, but not finishing the race, is the Blackdog Racing #34 Corvette C6, driven by Tony Gaples.
    [247]
March 18
  • At the Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Florida, the 54th annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring race is held, round one of the American Le Mans Series.
    • Finishing 1st in GT1 class and 3rd overall is the Corvette Racing #4 Corvette C6-R driven by Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta, and Jan Magnussen.
    • Finishing 4th in GT1 class and 7th overall is the Corvette Racing #3 Corvette C6-R driven by Ron Fellows, Johnny O'Connell, and Max Papis.
    [245]
March 25
  • At the Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Florida, the Linder Industrial Komatsu Grand Prix of Miami race is held, round three of the Grand American Rolex Series.
    • Finishing 12th in GT class and 37th overall is the Banner Racing #6 Corvette, driven by Tim Gaffney and Leighton Reese.
    • Finishing 15th in GT class and 42nd overall is the Stevenson Motorsports #57 Corvette, driven by Vic Rice, Tommy Riggins, and John Stevenson.
    • Finishing 19th in GT class and 47th overall is the ASC Motorsports #57 Corvette, driven by Zach Arnold and Johnny Miller.
    [244]
March 30
  • In Palm Beach, Florida, the Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Classic Car auction is held, over three days. Some highlights:
    • 1954 Sportsman Red exterior, red interior, non-original V-8 engine, automatic, US$86,000;
    • 1954 white exterior, automatic, 6 cylinder engine, US$77,000;
    • 1954 turquoise exterior, tan interior, 6 cylinder engine, automatic, 9556 miles, US$220,000 (new world record for 1954);
    • 1957 red exterior, white cove, 275 hp 283 ci engine, 4 speed, dual carburetor, US$89,000;
    • 1957 black exterior, red interior, silver cove, fuel-injected 283 hp 283 ci engine, 3 speed, $150,000;
    • 1958 red exterior, white interior, 350 hp 350 ci 1980s engine, automatic, US$142,000;
    • 1963 convertible, black exterior and interior, fuel injected 360 hp 327 ci engine, 40,000 miles, 4 speed, knock-off wheels, US$85,000;
    • 1966 convertible, light blue enterior, blue interior, white top, 390 hp 427 ci engine, 4 speed, side exhaust, knock-off wheels, US$78,000;
    • 1966 convertible, maroon red exterior, black interior, white top, 390 hp 427 ci engine, 4 speed, US$96,000;
    • 1966 convertible, Rally Red exterior, red interior, white top, 300 hp 327 ci engine, 4 speed, side exhaust, knock-off wheels, US$74,000;
    • 1966 coupe, gold yelloe exterior, black interior, L72 450 hp 427 ci engine, 4 speed, side exhaust, US$145,000;
    • 1967 coupe, Marine Blue exterior, black interior and stinger, 435 hp 427 ci engine, 4 speed, 33,000 miles, US$240,000;
    • 1967 coupe, black exterior, white interior, red stinger, 400 hp 427 ci engine, 4 speed, side exhaust, air-conditioning, knock-off wheels, US$140,000;
    • 1967 convertible, teal blue exterior, black interior, 400 hp 427 ci engine, automatic, side exhaust, hard top, US$175,000;
    [215] [620.175]
April 1
  • At the St. Petersburg Temporary Circuit in St. Petersburg, Florida, the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg race is held, round two of the SPEED GT Championship series.
    • Finishing 4th is the LG Pro Long Tube Headers #28 Corvette C6, driven by Lou Gigliotti.
    • Finishing 9th is the Blackdog Racing #34 Corvette C6, driven by Tony Gaples.
    • Finishing 11th is the Southwest Racing #40 Corvette C6, driven by Greg Weirick.
    • Finishing 12th is the Whelen Engineering #31 Corvette Z06, driven by Sonny Whelen.
    • Finishing 14th is the LG Pro Long Tube Headers #26 Corvette C6, driven by Claudio Burtin.
    • Finishing 16th is the Bandit Racing #32 Corvette C5, driven by Ed Braswell.
    • In 18th place, but not finishing the race, is the LGM #87 Corvette C6, driven by Doug Peterson.
    • In 21st place, but not finishing the race, is the Banner Engineering #6 Corvette C6, driven by Leighton Reese.
    [247]
April 9
  • At the Long Beach Street Circuit in Long Beach, California, the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach race is held, round three of the SPEED GT Championship series.
    • Finishing 4th is the LG Pro Long Tube Headers #28 Corvette C6, driven by Lou Gigliotti.
    • Finishing 9th is the #87 Corvette C6, driven by Tomy Drissi.
    • Finishing 13th is the #26 Corvette C6, driven by Claudio Burtin.
    • Finishing 15th is the Whelen Engineering #31 Corvette Z06, driven by Sonny Whelen.
    • Finishing 16th is the Southwest Racing #40 Corvette C6, driven by Greg Weirick.
    • In 20th place, but not finishing the race, is the Whelen Motorsports #30 Corvette C5, driven by Todd Bodine.
    • In 21st place, but not finishing the race, is the Blackdog Racing #34 Corvette C6, driven by Tony Gaples.
    [247]
April 10
  • CBS Television airs the CSI: Miami TV show in the USA. A current-model red convertible Corvette appears. [735]
April 23
  • At the Virginia International Raceway in Virginia, round five of the Grand American Rolex Series is held.
    • Finishing 6th in GT class and 25th overall is the Stevenson Motorsports #57 Corvette, driven by Vic Rice, Tommy Riggins, and John Stevenson.
    • Finishing 14th in GT class and 33rd overall is the ASC Motorsports #57 Corvette, driven by Zach Arnold and Johnny Miller.
    • Finishing 16th in GT class and 35th overall is the Michael Baughman Racing #46 Corvette, driven by Michael Baughman, John Connolly.
    • Finishing 19th in GT class and 42nd overall is the Banner Racing #6 Corvette, driven by Tim Gaffney and Leighton Reese.
    [244]
(month unknown)
  • The Cannonball One Lap of America race is held. Finishing 2nd overall is a 2001 Corvette Z06 with Lingenfelter 650 Twin Turbo, driven by Danny Corcoran and Kyle Corcoran. [736.148]
May 7
  • At the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California, the U.S. Sports Car Invitational race is held, round six of the Grand American Rolex Series.
    • Finishing 10th in GT class and 33rd overall is the Stevenson Motorsports #57 Corvette, driven by Vic Rice, Tommy Riggins, and John Stevenson.
    • Finishing 15th in GT class and 39th overall is the Beachman Racing #56 Corvette, driven by Rick Delamare and Bruce Beachman.
    [244]
  • At the Silverstone circuit in England, the first race of the FIA GT3 European Championship is held. Six Corvette Z06.R cars are entered, three by Team Riverside, three by Team Carsport/Callaway. None finishes in the top three. [776.32]
May 12
  • At the Reliant Park raceway in Houston, Texas, the Lone Star Grand Prix race is held, round two of the American Le Mans Series.
    • Finishing 1st in GT1 class and 2nd overall is the Corvette Racing #4 Corvette C6-R driven by Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta.
    • Finishing 2nd in GT1 class and 3rd overall is the Corvette Racing #3 Corvette C6-R driven by Ron Fellows and Johnny O'Connell.
    [245]
May 14
  • At the Phoenix International Raceway in Phoenix, Arizona, the GAINSCO Grand Prix race is held, round seven of the Grand American Rolex Series.
    • Finishing 11th in GT class and 31st overall is the Banner Racing #6 Corvette, driven by Tim Gaffney and Leighton Reese.
    • Finishing 13th in GT class and 34th overall is the Stevenson Motorsports #57 Corvette, driven by Vic Rice, Tommy Riggins, and John Stevenson.
    [244]
May
  • At the Indianapolis 500 race, a Corvette is the official pace car, driven by Lance Armstrong. [823.57]
May 21
  • At the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, the Speed World Challenge race is held, round four of the SPEED GT Championship series.
    • Finishing 1st is the LG Pro Long Tube Headers #28 Corvette C6, driven by Lou Gigliotti.
    • Finishing 12th is the LG Pro Long Tube Headers #26 Corvette C6, driven by Claudio Burtin.
    • Finishing 16th is the Whelen Engineering #31 Corvette C6, driven by Sonny Whelen.
    • Finishing 17th is the Southwest Racing #40 Corvette C6, driven by Greg Weirick.
    • Finishing 18th is the David Farmer Racing #35 Corvette C6, driven by David Farmer.
    • In 22nd place, but not finishing the race, is the Banner Engineering #6 Corvette C6, driven by Leighton Reese.
    • In 28th place, but not finishing the race, is the Blackdog Racing #34 Corvette C6, driven by Tony Gaples.
    [247]
  • At the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, the American Le Mans at Mid-Ohio race is held, round three of the American Le Mans Series.
    • Finishing 1st in GT1 class and 6th overall is the Corvette Racing #4 Corvette C6-R driven by Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta.
    • Finishing 2nd in GT1 class and 7th overall is the Corvette Racing #3 Corvette C6-R driven by Ron Fellows and Johnny O'Connell.
    [245]
May 29
  • At the Lime Rock Park raceway in Lakeville, Connecticut, the Rolex GT Series Challenge race is held, round eight of the Grand American Rolex Series.
    • Finishing 4th is the Stevenson Motorsports #57 Corvette, driven by Vic Rice, Tommy Riggins, and John Stevenson.
    • Finishing 15th is the Michael Baughman Racing #46 Corvette, driven by Michael Baughman and John Connolly.
    [244]
(month unknown)
  • In Oschersleben, Germany, the round two race of the FIA GT3 European Championship is held.
    • Finishing 3rd is the Team Riverside #19 Corvette Z06.R, driven by Thierry Rabineau and James Ruffier.
    • Finishing 4th is the Team Carsport/Callaway #16 Corvette Z06.R, driven by ? Berberich and John Heinricy.
    [776.32]
  • In Oschersleben, Germany, the round three race of the FIA GT3 European Championship is held. Finishing 3rd is the Team Riverside #19 Corvette Z06.R, driven by Thierry Rabineau and James Ruffier. Other Corvettes finish 9th, 13th, 27th, and 32nd. [776.32]
  • At the end of the 2006 model year, 1330 new Corvettes were sold in Europe. [777.6]
June 3
  • At the Watkins Glen International raceway in Watkins Glen, New York, the Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen race is held, round nine of the Grand American Rolex Series.
    • Finishing 15th in GT class and 37th overall is the Banner Racing #6 Corvette, driven by Tim Gaffney, Leighton Reese, and Randy Tolsma.
    • Finishing 16th in GT class and 38th overall is the Michael Baughman Racing #46 Corvette, driven by Michael Baughman.
    • Finishing 20th in GT class and 45th overall is the Stevenson Motorsports #57 Corvette, driven by Vic Rice, Tommy Riggins, and Dominic Cicero II.
    [244]

June 8
  • Walt Disney Pictures releases the film Cars to theaters in Australia. One car asks another car if it was a Corvette that she fell in love with. [741]
June
  • The July issue of Car & Driver magazine compares the Corvette Z51 versus the Ford Shelby GT500. The Corvette is rated higher, 220 points to 200. [727.50]
June 16
  • In St. Charles, Illinois, the Bloomington Gold Corvette show is held, over three days. In the car auction, a 1963 coupe that was raced at the 12 Hours of Sebring is bid to US$1.15 million, not high enough for the reserve price. [725.41] [772.62,65]
June 17
  • At the Circuit de la Sarthe in France, the 74th Michelin 24 Hours of Le Mans race is held, over two days.
    • Finishing 1st in GT1 class and 4th overall is the #64 Corvette C6-R driven by Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta, and Jan Magnussen.
    • Finishing 3rd in GT1 class and 7th overall is the #72 Corvette C5-R driven by Jéròme Policand, Patrice Goueslard, and Luc Alphond.
    • Finishing 7th in GT1 class and 12th overall is the #63 Corvette C6-R driven by Ron Fellows, Johnny O'Connell, and Max Papis.
    [215] [245] [621.100] [764.8] [818.99]
June 22
  • Columbia Pictures releases the film Click to theaters in Australia and Puerto Rico. A red 2005 Corvette Convertible appears briefly. [805]
June 24
  • At the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, the EMCO Gears Classic race is held, round ten of the Grand American Rolex Series.
    • Finishing 5th in GT class and 23rd overall is the Banner Racing #6 Corvette, driven by Tim Gaffney and Leighton Reese.
    • Finishing 10th in GT class and 28th overall is the Beachman Racing #56 Corvette, driven by Bruce Beachman and Mike Fitzgerald.
    • Finishing 11th in GT class and 29th overall is the ASC Motorsports #55 Corvette, driven by Zach Arnold and Jason Workman.
    [244]
  • At the Huntingdon Racecourse, north of London, England, the Classic Corvette Club of the U.K. holds its 27th annual Nationals, over two days. 250 Corvettes attend. [766.9]
June 25
  • At the Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California, the Dodge Save Mart 350 race is held, round five of the SPEED GT Championship series.
    • Finishing 10th is the LG Pro Long Tube Headers #28 Corvette C6, driven by Lou Gigliotti.
    • Finishing 11th is the LG Pro Long Tube Headers #26 Corvette C6, driven by Claudio Burtin.
    • Finishing 12th is the Whelen Engineering #31 Corvette C6, driven by Sonny Whelen.
    • Finishing 13th is the WIT Motorsports #67 Corvette C5, driven by Kevin Chambers.
    • Finishing 16th is the WIT Motorsports #68 Corvette C5, driven by Keith Videtto.
    • Finishing 18th is the Whelen Motorsports #30 Corvette C5, driven by Peyton Sellers.
    • In 23rd place, but not finishing the race, is the Southwest Racing #40 Corvette C6, driven by Greg Weirick.
    [247]
June 29
  • At the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, the Brumos Porsche 250 race is held, round eleven of the Grand American Rolex Series.
    • Finishing 6th in GT class and 28th overall is the Stevenson Motorsports #57 Corvette, driven by Vic Rice and Tommy Riggins.
    • Finishing 17th in GT class and 42nd overall is the Michael Baughman Racing #46 Corvette, driven by Michael Baughman and Bryan Collyer.
    [244]
(month unknown)
  • At the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, the Proximus 24 Hours of Spa is held.
    • Finishing 3rd is the GLPK Racing #4 Corvette C6.R driven by Longin, Kumpen, Hezemans, and Mollekens.
    • Finishing 5th is the PSI Experience #34 Corvette C6.R driven by Menten, Jean-Philippe, Bornhauser, and Bouvy.
    • Finishing 11th is the PSI Experience #36 Corvette C5-R driven by Kuismanen, Palttala, Dehez, and Radermecker.
    [776.36]

End of 2006 January-June. Next: 2006 July.
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1951-1953 1954-1955 1956 1957-1958 1959-1960 1961-1962 1963 1964-1965 1966-1968 1969-1970
1971-1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981
1982 1983 1984 1985-1986 1987-1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993
1994-1996 1997-1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007-end


A list of references to all source material is available.

Other web pages of interest:

  • Corvette References in Pop Culture
  • Corvette Racing Successes
  • Ken P's Today in History
  • Last updated: 2008 January 26.
    Copyright © 1995-2008 Ken Polsson (email: kpolsson@islandnet.com).
    URL: http://www.islandnet.com/~kpolsson/vettehis/
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