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Chevrolet announces 1.5 millionth Corvette produced, confirms Grand Sport pricing
The 1.5 millionth Corvette - Click above for high-res image gallery
The very first Chevrolet Corvette built way back in 1953 was Polo White with a red interior and a black top. It was practically made by hand, cost $3,498 plus tax and shipping, and the only options were an AM radio and a heater. Fifty six years later, the 1.5 millionth Corvette is white with a red interior and black top. But this one was made in a dedicated assembly plant, would cost you more than $60,000 -- if you could buy it -- and is equipped with the option laden 3LT package.
It's good news for tumultuous times at the Bowtie. A note of trivia: it took 17 years to get from one million to 1.5 million cars, but only 15 years to get from 500,000 to one million (1977 - 1992). Viva la Eighties and the C4. And Viva Chevy... congratulations, guys.
In related news, Chevy also confirmed what we already knew, which is that the 2010 Corvette Grand Sport will start at $55,720 for the coupe and $59,530 for the convertible. Both prices include a $950 destination charge. The official press release is posted after the jump.
[Source: GM]
PRESS RELEASE
Chevrolet builds 1,500,000th Corvette
Pricing also announced for the 2010 Corvette Grand Sport
DETROIT - At the June meeting of the Greater Atlanta Automotive Media Association, Karen Rafferty, Chevrolet Product Marketing Director, today announced the recent production of the 1,500,000th Corvette at GM Bowling Green Assembly.
"The 1.5 millionth Corvette is a great example of how Chevy is America's Brand," Rafferty said. "For nearly 60 years we have built America's Sports Car and this milestone is a solid proof point."
The 1.5 millionth Corvette, built on May 28, is a white convertible 3LT with red interior and black top (similar to the first, 500,000th and 1 millionth Corvettes built in 1953, 1977 and 1992 respectively). The first Corvette rolled off the assembly line on June 30, 1953.
Rafferty also announced pricing of the all-new 2010 Corvette Grand Sport. Pricing for the Grand Sport coupe is $55,720 and GS convertible is $59,530. Both prices include a $950 destination freight charge.
"The Corvette Grand Sport achieves a 0 - 60 time in less than four seconds, pulls 1.0g on the skid pad and still boasts an impressive 26 highway mpg," Rafferty said. "These numbers are unmatched by any of Corvette's competitors."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
VW GTi 3:33PM (6/11/2009)
1.5 million Corvettes, just a little more than the 300 originally produced.
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tomford 3:42PM (6/11/2009)
It took 39 years for the 1 millionth Corvette. It took Ford a little over 1 year for the 1 millionth Mustang.
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Christian de Saint Preux 3:48PM (6/11/2009)
Corvette and mustangs are not comparable....
It took a tad longer for GM to produce the 1millionth Camaro or FBody.
Auari 3:51PM (6/11/2009)
People that own mustangs that's there daily driver, corvettes are not. and corvettes are more than twice as much
Mike 3:52PM (6/11/2009)
Wasn't the Thunderbird Fords answer to the corvette?
Auari 3:53PM (6/11/2009)
Maybe you should compare Cobra to corvette.
has cobra sold 1.5 million I don't think so.
Redeemed 4:14PM (6/11/2009)
"Thunderbird Fords answer to the corvette".
You are correct and I will add that the T bird has come and gone three times now while the Vette is still going strong.
Gary 3:59PM (6/11/2009)
Let's all get into little petty arguments about things that don't really matter...
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chopsui 3:59PM (6/11/2009)
Ugh, who buys a WHITE 'vette?
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Other Man 4:21PM (6/11/2009)
White is a classic Corvette color, especially one with red seats.
Jake B 7:45PM (6/11/2009)
Get some wheels with white red blades to set it off, son.
ack154 4:01PM (6/11/2009)
So who gets this one? I assume it is either going into GM's own collection or they had a buyer lined up well in advance?
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Bruce 4:06PM (6/11/2009)
FYI, $3,498, 1953 dollars equals $27,852.17, 2008 dollars. Shows what safety features, emissions equipment, and upgraded features and accessories cost.
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sm1thmc 4:57PM (6/11/2009)
Well, c'mon, an '09 Vette also *massively* outperforms a '53, by any imaginable standard of measurement. The '53 was a pretty little roadster, but not a really serious sports car. An '09 eats Porsches for breakfast, especially in a straight line, and especially at anything near the Vette's price point.
mikemaj82 4:14PM (6/11/2009)
how can you compare corvettes to mustangs? Are you kidding me? Not even in the same class. First of all, 90% of mustangs bought are V6s by teenagers as their first car.
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Mike!!ekiM 5:16PM (6/11/2009)
Looks almost as nice as the EV1.
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Other Man 4:20PM (6/11/2009)
I would either dial back to the standard C6 with the sport package and leather package or dial up to the Z06. This doesn't seem like a good value, somehow.
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NRM 10:50PM (6/11/2009)
Unfortunately, the "Sport package" (ie. Z51) has apparently been replaced by the Grand Sport package.
But yes, it seems they're padding the margins there compared to the old Z51 option. It's too bad - between MY09 and now this, the stream of price bumps lately is making it a substantially tougher purchase to get into for those of us who still have to ask how much it costs.
tscurt 6:38PM (6/11/2009)
That's right, Bucky, pay your 56 G's and you too can own a car with a Malibu steering wheel.
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jerry lipke 11:17PM (6/11/2009)
You sure have your priorities straight ???????? You can also pay your $55,000 and get a BMW Z4 or an Audi TT with a nice steering wheel and the power of a Malibu !!!!!!!
I guess we know what a fun guy you are !!!