corvettes
... and a 0-60 mph time of under 5 seconds. All of these innovations helped boost Corvette production 50% , and for the first time, Corvette sales reached above the 10,000 mark, with 10,594 built. Of the 10,594 Corvettes produced, over 9,000 were convertible. This was a trend that would continue throughout the second generation. Third Generation 1968 brought a daring style to the Corvette. Modeled after the Corvette Mako Shark II show car, some automotive experts criticized the car and called it excessive. Road and Track, a well known automobile magazine, called the Corvette "psychedelic". But Chevrolet put down the insults and answered by selling a record 28,566 corvettes. The styling wasn't the only innovation to the Corvette though. The Corvette now had coupes equipped with T-tops, which were removable roof panels that gave a convertible feel, without the risk of easy rob- bery. It's large fenders also improved cooling to the engine, giving more horsepower. The new Corvette's wider-rimmed wheels also helped to improve handling. These new innova- tions, with the exception of a few minor changes, would be on the Corvette for the next fifteen years. In 1969, the legendary Stingray name returned, and a badge declaring it was placed on the front quarter panels. Also that year, the "Big Block" 427 grew to an outstanding 454 cubic inches, and produced a shocking 560 horsepower, though manuals underrated horse- power to 430, to keep insurance costs down. In that same year, the Corvette coupe outsold the convertible for the first time in it's history. Also, the Corvette's base price shot past $5,000 for the first time. In 1970, the Corvette's base small block LT1, which was 350cu-in hit an all time high of 390 horsepower. Though the base LT1 was no slouch, power-hungry Corvette fans could order the legendary 454 cu-in "Big Block". The Corvette's life of excessive horsepower would not last forever though. The oil embargo of the 70's and increa- sing government regulations would lower the Corvettes horsepower significantly. Just 2 years after the powerful LT1 and 454 engines were offered, base horsepower sunk to 200 and the 454's horsepower sunk to 275, a far cry from the large horsepower ratings of the recent past. Three years later, base horsepower sunk to its lowest in 20 years-165. Many said the Corvette had lost it's sports car feel with the horsepower drop, and Chevrolet took that to heart a year later when horsepower started to increase again, but they also deleted a famous powerplant, the 454, due to increasing gas prices. Also in 1975...