Motivated by the article written on the website Jalopnik entitled “Every Corvette Generation, Ranked“. I am going to rank my favorites as well. If you have never been to the Jalopnik site or read any of their stuff you are truly missing out. They have a lot of great articles on cars that any car lover would love to read. Whether you enjoy articles on buying cars or wrenching or anything in between you should check them out. Sadly, one of my favorite writers is leaving but there is still plenty of good stuff. Whether its nice price or not dice or the morning shift there is something for every person who loves cars.
Thanks for reading my Corvettes Generations year rankings.
My Corvette Generations rankings
- C4 – OK, yes I am a little bit bias here since I own a C4 but as I’ve said before, what is the best Corvette? The one you own. That’s not the only reason I rank it number one. At the time the C4 came out if was one of the most advanced revolutionary cars available. It was a huge leap forward from the C3 and the performance at the time under all the government restriction BS was amazing. The 1985 was even better than the 1984 with the change to Tuned Port Injection (TPI).
I remember when the C4 came out, I was in high school and I had a poster on my wall of the C4. I remember dreaming I would have one some day. And here we are.
The C4 was so good at the time that the other manufacturers in the SCCA races refused to race because the C4 was so dominant. They had to create a separate category just for the C4. I also think the C4 made lots of noticeable improvements each and every year it was made. Plus the C4 was a boost to the improvements of the C5 all the way up to the C8.
- C2 – What can I say about the C2 Corvette that hasn’t already been said. One of the most beautiful cars ever produced in my opinion. Every time I see one I can’t help but just stare at it. Its like a beautiful curvy woman you can’t take your eyes off. Although I think I would want a convertible, I really think the coupes are the best looking. Then there is the 1963 split window. Very controversial at the time its one of the most sought after Corvettes today.
- C3 – So this has more to do with my first encounter with a Corvette. I was around 8 or 9 and a neighbor up the street had bought a 1972 green C3. That was my first ride ever and my mom said I had a smile on my face for the rest of the week.
I have also owned 2 C3’s a 1978 and a 1979. There was hardly any headroom for me, I am 6’5″, with the top in but fine without it. I owned the 1979 first, it was a red automatic. It wasn’t the best C3, sort of a POS, bought it on a whim, but I loved it just the same. The 1978 was cream colored 4 speed. I had it when my middle child (son) was young and I am pretty sure that started his love of Corvettes. I always really liked the look of the C3’s after they went to the large glass back starting in 1978. I was also a huge fan of the aluminum wheels that were promentant on the later C3’s. Performance wise the early (steel bumper) Corvettes were much more impressive. The C3 could almost be broker out into 2 categories since the later C3’s were in the performance reduceing late 70’s.
- C7 – Kind of a love hate with this one. Just an amazing performer, lots of power and lots of options for powertrains. I’ve always been a fan of the double round tail lights so I didn’t really like the view of the rear on the C7. This was the first Corvette that I really liked in the color white. I am not a huge fan of a white car. I think it started when I was a kid and for some reason I thought all cars were white until they got painted. Why did I think this? I don’t know. Maybe because as a kid paper was white and plain and then you put stuff on it? Silver would have made more sense. I’m also not a big fan of silver cars. Anyways, I think the C7 looks really good in white with tinted windows and the black accents. I’d probably look for a white one if I were to purchase a C7 or blue, I really like blue, someday maybe.
- C8 – The C8, l have lots of thoughts here. Here is a few, I think it is amazing what GM did with this car. World class performance at a great price. It is really something to be proud of. I guess I wasn’t big on the mid engine set up but it is growing on me. I understand why the did it. I guess I shouldn’t bash it until I actually drive or ride in one. Not a huge fan of the looks. Kind of seems angry to me. Why does everything seem to be so angry these days? I don’t know. I’m sure the C8 will grow on me. So this list is subject to change.
- C5 – I like most everything about the C5 but the rear. It just looks a little too big for me. A lot depends on color and view at the time but more ofter than not it just looks, big. I really think the Z06 is a great performance bargain but I’m also not a big fan of the Fixed Roof Coupes (FRC). I really like taking out my targa top, its off pretty much the whole summer, and you cant to that with a FRC. Kind of a bummer.
- C6 – This one is hard to place for me. The first few on my list were easy to do but I had a hard time at the end. On one hand the C6 is better than the cars before it and it still had the double round tail lights that I’ve always loved. On the other, the looks seem a little bland to me. I’m not really sure why. People bag on the C4’s styling but a C6 is almost the same but worse. Sometimes it looks weird from the side view. Just that back pillar, can’t quite put my finger on it.
- C1 – Yes the first Corvettes, how can they be last? Well, the first versions weren’t great, plus they are white which I don’t like. Starting in 1956 they starred to improve and become a real Corvette in my opinion. I really like the looks and the cove on the side is classic but they are super small and not very comfortable to drive. People were a little shorter back then so I can barely fit in one and the steering wheel is way to close. It’s very hard to drive. I think I would like one of these as a restomod, but it would need a little more room.
Conclusion
Well, there you have it, my take on Corvettes generations year ranking . Thanks for taking time to read my personal take on the different Corvette generations. Definitely no right or wrong answer when discussing your favorite car whether it be a Corvette or any other vehicle for that matter. Ask me what I think it a year or two and my opinion will probably change.
Let me know what you think. Have a strong opinion one way or another? Leave a comment below.
