Corvette: Year By Year

    

About The Corvette

    

Corvette Specs

    

1962 Corvette

1962 Chevrolet Corvette

1962 Chevrolet Corvette

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Although it might not be obvious, there were a lot of changes in the cove area for the 1962 Corvette. The lip that bordered the coves was part of the fiberglass, not a separate trim piece as in previous years. Without the trim brightwork, it was not possible to offer the coves in a contrasting color.

1962 Chevrolet Corvette Cove

1962 Chevrolet Corvette Cove

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1962 Chevrolet Corvette Cove Trim

1962 Chevrolet Corvette Cove Trim

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Right: The simulated vent with three small spears featured in 1961 was replaced by a separate trim item.

1962 Chevrolet Corvette Rocker Panel

1962 Chevrolet Corvette Rocker Panel

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1962 was the first year for rocker panel moldings.


1961 Corvette with Astronaut Alan B Shepard, Bill Mitchell and Ed Cole

1961 Corvette with Astronaut Alan B Shepard, Bill Mitchell and Ed Cole

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Astronaut Alan B. Shepard (center) with GM Styling President William L. Mitchell (left) and Chevrolet General Manager Edward N. Cole (right) with Shepard's 1962 Ermine White Corvette.


1962 Chevrolet Corvette

1962 Chevrolet Corvette

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1962 Chevrolet Corvette Grill

1962 Chevrolet Corvette Grill

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The trend towards a more subdued Corvette styling continued with the 1962 model. The grill was black anodized (above), with gold anodized and painted black also available.

Another change for 1962: The 283 cubic inch engine was no more. The bore was enlarged to 4.00" and the stroke went to 3.25" resulting in a displacement of 327 cubic inches. The 327 cubic inch small block displacement would continue through 1969. The dual four bbl. carburetors were no longer available.

1962 Chevrolet Corvette

1962 Chevrolet Corvette

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The white portion of the whitewall tires were narrower.


1962 Corvette Window Sticker 24 Gallon Fuel Tank

An interesting and rare option for the 1962 Corvette: A 24 gallon fuel tank. Code: 488; $118.40. 65 Corvettes (0.45%) were so equipped.


1962 Corvette Hood Wind Splits

1962 Corvette Hood Wind Splits

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The two hood bumps, called "Wind Splits" by the designers and first seen on the 1957 Corvette, continued to the 1962 model year.


1962 Chevrolet Corvette Passenger Grab Bar

1962 Chevrolet Corvette Passenger Grab Bar

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1962 Corvette instrument panel

1962 Corvette instrument panel

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1962 Chevrolet Corvette C1 in Roman Red

1962 Chevrolet Corvette C1 in Roman Red

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1962 Chevrolet Corvette C1 Brochure Illustration

1962 Chevrolet Corvette C1 Brochure Illustration

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1962 Corvette Brochure Scan

1962 Corvette Brochure Scan

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1962 Chevrolet Corvette

1962 Chevrolet Corvette

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The End of an Era

The 1962 Corvette was the last of the "C1" generation which are popularly and fondly known as the "Straight Axle" Corvettes since they used a live rear axle. Another change: a generator as a electrical charging system would be replaced by alternators, which everyone agrees is an improvement. A conventional trunk would not be part of the Corvette story until the 1998 convertible. Also disappearing: exposed headlights, which would reappear 43 years later when the 2005 'vette was introduced.

The first Corvettes progressed significantly during their ten model years. Although they floundered some in the beginning, they did find a path and stuck to it thanks to the guidance of stylists Harley Earl and Bill Mitchell, engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov and executive Ed Cole. They won popularity on both road and drag racing circuits, with Chevrolet replacing Ford as the car to have in the hearts and minds of enthusiasts.

The best however, was yet to come.

1963 Corvette

1960 Photos


1962 Corvette Options