Corvette Trivia You Need to Know

Fast Corvette

You know the Corvette. It’s that stunning car that makes you slow down when you pass window fronts to admire its reflection. Or maybe it’s your “one day” dream car. Either way, you know the nameplate well. You probably even know a good bit about the history of America’s favorite sports car. You know about the Corvette’s role in fiberglass bodies and fuel injection. “Little Red Corvette” is probably already in rotation on your playlist. But that’s not where it ends and begins.

Here are a few things most people don’t know about the Corvette. If you do know them already, you’re a true Corvette aficionado.

Corvette Concept

The code name for the Corvette project (pre-production) was “Opal”. When it started to hit the show circuit as a concept, it was known as “EX-122”.


It was photographer Myron Scott who is credited with naming the Corvette. He drew the inspiration from a small and fast warship class of ships.

Jaguar xk

The first Corvette is believed to be modeled after the Jaguar XK120.

Vette emblems

Originally, the front emblem and horn button was an American flag and checkered flag. This was before GM found out using the American flag on a commercial product was illegal. The iconic Corvette crest was then developed using the bowtie and French fleur-de-lis symbol. The French symbol was used to reflect the French etymology of the Chevrolet nameplate.

The first two production Corvettes, VIN 1 and 2, are said to have been destroyed. However, there are no records or witnesses to prove this. Many still believe they’re out there somewhere.

Vette plant

Currently assembled in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the Corvette has been around. It’s also been assembled in Flint, Michigan and St. Louis, Missouri. Corvette is (naturally) the Official Sports Car of Kentucky.


The original Sting Ray design was inspired by a Mako shark. Particularly the one designer Bill Mitchell caught while deep sea fishing.

Sting ray decal

Speaking of Sting Ray, what’s the correct spelling? This causes some confusion because different nameplates have appeared on the Vettes. In 1969, “Sting Ray” is correct. The words were combined into “Stingray” starting in “1969”.

47% of Corvette owners have earned college degrees. That’s compared to the 27% national average.

Outside of the rumored to still exist first two Corvettes, the rarest Corvettes were made in 1969. Only two units in 1969 were made with the Zl-1 all aluminum 427. This makes them one of the most collectible trim packages ever.

Since 1981, all Corvettes have been computer controlled/equipped.

Corvette racing

The Corvette Racing team has won around 100 races worldwide since 1959.

Z06 models have consistently been amongst the fastest production vehicles in the world, at least in terms of lap times around a track.

If you have a use for it, you can bogie in reverse if you own a C7 Corvette. The 2014 Corvette can reach 53 miles per hour in reverse. If you can think of a practical use for this, please tell us on our Facebook page.

Sprung spring

The C7 Corvette is the first production vehicle to use a shape memory alloy wire.

Vette Z06

To date, the 2015 Z06 is the fastest production Corvette ever tested. The car reaches 60 miles per hour in 2.95 seconds.