Savoy Automobile Museum, Cartersville (Georgia), USA
Until May 31, 2026
The exhibition “Corvette – The Early Years” at the Savoy Automobile Museum (Georgia, USA) traces the beginnings of the Corvette saga through its first three generations: C1 (1953–1962), C2 (1963–1967), and C3 (1968–1982), illustrated by a dozen iconic models. This exhibition is organized in cooperation with the National Corvette Museum and General Motors, which have loaned several exceptional cars. In the early 1950s, Chevrolet sought to introduce a model that would compete with the small British roadsters that American soldiers had discovered in Europe during the war, and which had become very popular in the U.S.
The Corvette was introduced in 1953 as an attractive roadster with a fiberglass body. While its styling was sporty, its 160-horsepower inline-six engine failed to live up to expectations, and the Corvette struggled to win over enthusiasts. One of these 1953 Corvettes from the Savoy Museum’s collection will be on display, having just returned from a major restoration. It will take center stage in the Savoy Museum’s Grand Hall. Starting in 1955, Chevrolet offered a 195-horsepower V8, and the 6-cylinder engine was discontinued in 1956.
The exhibition features a pair of original 1955 Corvettes, as these two models are identical in their original colors (yellow body, green canvas, and yellow and green interior) and options. These two Corvettes, whose serial numbers are consecutive, were ordered at the same time and remained in the same family for over 60 years!
1955 Chevrolet Corvette, No. 699 and No. 700 Survivor, On loan from Greg Wyatt Auto Sales
The 1957 Corvette convertible, also a first-generation model, reflects the major redesign of 1956. While the grille changed little, the profile is completely different, notably featuring recessed fenders and a two-tone paint scheme, and the rear has also been reworked.
1957 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible, Savoy Collection
In 1957, Chevrolet began designing a Corvette race car as part of an official racing department. But the Automobile Manufacturers Association (AMA) banned manufacturer-sponsored racings, which put an end to the project. However, Bill Mitchell, then head of a small design team (he would later become GM’s VP of Design), decided to continue development, which he financed personally. This project gave rise to the Stingray Racer, which at that time bore neither the Corvette name nor the Chevrolet logo. The car raced in 1959 and 1960 (winning the SCCA championship in 1960), but Bill Mitchell had to withdraw it from competition in late 1960 under pressure from GM. He had a few modifications made to it, such as a windshield, so could drive it on weekends, before it was retained by GM’s Design Studio, which considers it a historic milestone.
1959 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Racer, On loan from General Motors
In 1963, Chevrolet introduced the second-generation Corvette (C2), known as the “Sting Ray.” The coupe was distinguished by a unique two-piece rear window, a design that was discontinued in 1964 for safety reasons. As a result, “split-window” Corvettes are rare and highly sought after. Next to it, the 1963 Z06 is a “customer competition” version prepared by Chevrolet and ready to race. The model on display was purchased in 1963 by the Gulf Oil racing team. After being modified for road use, this Corvette Z06 was restored to its racing configuration by its second owner to compete in historic races.
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, On loan from Greg Wyatt Auto Sales and 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, Gulf Oil #38, On loan from the National Corvette Museum, Bowling Green, KY
The 1965 Corvette 502 “Wide Body” is also a Corvette developed by GM for racing. The widened body allowed for wider tires, providing better grip and thus improved performance. The brakes were upgraded accordingly, the car was lightened, and with its 8.2L V8 producing over 500 horsepower, the 502 “Wide Body” is a true racing beast!
1965 Chevrolet Corvette 502 Wide Body, On loan from the National Corvette Museum, Bowling Green, KY
Also from the second generation, the 1967 Corvette Convertible impresses with its aggressive styling, featuring an exhaust pipe protected by a grille that runs along the driver’s door. The grille, with its retractable headlights, incorporates certain design elements from Bill Mitchell’s 1959 Sting Ray Racer concept. The C3, introduced in 1968 and inspired by the “Mako Shark” concept, represents the pinnacle of the Corvette’s muscular and aggressive styling, whose lines would soften slightly thereafter.
1967 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray Convertible, Savoy Collection
In 1969, GM unveiled the Manta Ray concept (staying within the marine theme), developed from one of the Mako Shark concepts. The wide, prominent fenders, the aggressive grille with its glass-covered headlights, the massive hood bulge, and the side exhaust give it a futuristic look, although it retains the traditional small round Corvette headlights.
1969 Chevrolet Corvette Manta Ray, On loan from General Motors
The final model on display, the Chevrolet Corvette “Greenwood Daytona Turbo,” is a Corvette developed by driver and engineer John Greenwood based on a heavily modified production Corvette. It features a custom multi-link suspension, and the 5.7L L48 V8 is turbocharged to deliver 425 horsepower. The significantly widened body and numerous aerodynamic appendages enhance high-speed stability. The model on display is the first of a series of five built by John Greenwood in 1981.
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Greenwood Daytona Turbo, On loan from the National Corvette Museum, Bowling Green, KY
Five generations have followed, including the current C8 since 2019, continuing the legacy of the Corvette—an iconic sports car and one of the few American models capable of competing with the elite of the global sports car market.
The round taillights and the distinctive Corvette logo, which combines the Chevrolet emblem with a checkered flag…
The photos on this page belong to the Savoy Automobile Museum, no right of reproduction without the express permission of the museum.