The Original Corvette

• The first-generation Corvette, sold between 1953 and 1962, was available exclusively as a convertible. Conceived by famed Chevy designed Harley Earle, it was intended to evoke small European sports cars, which had become popular in American following World War II. The Corvette convertible was also a two-door, two-seater to complete the requirements to be branded a roadster. The Corvette originally featured a folding soft top that could be stored beneath a hard cover between the passenger cabin and enclosed trunk. The Corvette was initially powered by a 235-cubic inch inline-six cylinder engine, but by the late-1950s a V8 was available as well.
  
  

Evolution

• In 1963 the Corvette was redesigned. The new version was available as either a coupe or convertible, with the convertible model selling for a somewhat higher price. The new convertible model did not include a trunk, with the convertible top being stored in a space behind the seats and the gas tank using much of the rest of the space on the back of the vehicle. The 1963 model saw power increase to a maximum of 360 horsepower (depending on how the engine was equipped) and output would continue to grow for the next several years. A 7.0 liter V8 was introduced for 1966 that was available in both the Corvette coupe and convertible, bringing power to 430 horsepower and cementing the Corvette's status as one of the more capable American sports cars. For 1968 the Corvette was again redesigned but the convertible and coupe body styles were both still offered.
  
  

Later History

• The convertible option remained as the Corvette was once again refreshed for the 1984 model year. The fourth generation Corvette used a 5.7 liter V-8 engine. This Corvette is notable for being the first produced from molded plastic, which represented a major departure from earlier Corvettes with bodies constructed of fiberglass. In addition to the convertible, a hatchback model was offered with a rear liftgate and cargo area open to the passenger cabin. The convertible featured a folding soft top similar to that on earlier Corvette convertibles, and once again no trunk was offered on the convertible. The fifth generation Corvette arrived in 1997 and was available as a hatchback or convertible. The trunk returned as a separate space behind the convertible top.
  
  

Semi-Convertibles

• The Corvette has been available in several body styles that might be called semi-convertibles. These include a targa top which was introduced in 1984. This one-piece top could be removed with the fixed rear window remaining in place. The targa top was a popular option on the fourth- and fifth-generation Corvettes, and was priced below a comparable model with a full convertible top. T-tops were also part of the Corvette styling beginning with the third-generation model in 1968. These roofs featured a fixed center bar with two removable panels that connected to the window openings. T-tops were available during the third and fourth generations of Corvette production as well.
  
  

The Current Corvette Convertible

• The current Chevy Corvette represents the car's sixth model generation. Introduced in 2005, the Corvette Convertible is priced at several thousand dollars above a comparably equipped Corvette coupe. Both styles are powered by Chevy's 6.2 liter LS3 V-8 engine. The Corvette convertible still includes a small trunk behind the top storage. Two current high performance Corvettes, the Z06 and the ZR1, are offered only as variants of the coupe body style. This was also the case with several earlier performance Corvette editions and stems from the greater structural rigidity of the coupe model making it more suitable for racing applications.