In 1951, Harley J. Earl, the chief designer for General Motors, began to develop an open sports car that would sell for about the price of a family sedan. Earl then turned his basic concept over to Robert McLean to bring the car into reality. To keep costs down, McLean used off-the-shelf mechanical components from the 1952 Chevrolet and a fiberglass body. The new car, called the Corvette, was introduced at the 1953 New York Auto Show. The public loved the new car and thousands of potential buyers wanted to buy one. Production of the Corvette began on June 30, 1953. The Ron Wade Collection includes several Corvettes.
The Ron Wade Collection is displayed in WAAAM West in Vancouver, Washington. The Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum (WAAAM) is in Hood River, Oregon.
1994 Corvette ZR1
A total of 448 of these cars were produced. The original price was $69,500. The 350 CID engine develops 405 horsepower. This car has a top speed of 180 mph.
2012 Corvette ZR1
A total of 404 of these cars were produced. The original price was $127,000. The 378 CID supercharged engine develops 638 horsepower. This car has a top speed of 205 mph.
2019 Corvette ZR1 Convertible
A total of 512 of these cars were produced. The original price was $135,000. A 6.2 liter supercharged V8 produces 755 horsepower. This car has a top speed of 212 mph.
More Automobiles
WAAAM: Packard Automobiles (Photo Diary)
WAAAM: Dodge Automobiles (Photo Diary)
WAAAM: Overland Automobiles (Photo Diary)
WAAAM: Studebaker Automobiles (Photo Diary)
WAAAM: Plymouth Automobiles (Photo Diary)
WAAAM: Chrysler Automobiles (Photo Diary)
Packard Museum: The Caribbean (photo diary)
British Transportation Museum: A collection of Jaguars (photo diary)