The history of the Corvette is a lot like the history of America over the past 60 years.
Born in the aftermath of World War II, Corvette started out as more of a promise and an ideal than an actual full-fledged sports car. The 1953 model (not pictured), with its modest 150 horsepower 6-cylinder engine and two-speed Powerglide transmission left a lot to be desired as a driver’s car. With the introduction of the C2 body style and fuel injection, however, Corvette quickly grew in confidence and power through the ‘50s and ‘60s until reaching its first performance peak with the beastly 427 c.i. C3 Sting Ray.
Then a malaise took over and the Corvette began a steady decline through the ‘70s and ‘80s, becoming a shadow of its former self, leaving some wondering whether the car had a future at all. But in the ‘90s Corvette regained its footing, becoming better year by year until today where it has the power, handling, style and comfort to compete with the finest sports cars in the world.
Art Of The Corvette tells this story through the well-crafted prose of Randy Leffingwell and over 200 beautiful images of several significant Corvette models by both Leffingwell and Tom Loeser.
While not a comprehensive history of the car, Art Of The Corvette lovingly presents the seminal moments in the Corvette’s past. The photographs in this 224 page book capture all the evolutionary lines and details in gorgeous liquid light. Leffingwell and Loeser have even accomplished what in my mind is a minor miracle, making the much maligned C4 model look good.
Yes, the holidays may be over, but if there’s a Corvette aficionado in your life, I could not imagine a better gift than this book… except of course putting the keys to a 2014 Z51 Stingray in his or her hand.
Art of the Corvette retails for $40 and available for order at motorbooks.com.