1953 Corvette Roadster

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The Chevrolet Corvette is a legend that has endured for nearly sixty years, leaving an indelible mark on the very face of the American automotive landscape. Its timeless design and enduring mission as America’s premier two-seater sports car has captivated countless millions across the globe.

Every legend has to have a beginning. The Corvette’s legendary story starts with the 1953 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster, representing the first of a long line of Corvettes to be produced by General Motors’ principal automotive division. Starting out life as the EX-122 Concept of 1952, the 1953 Corvette stepped off the GM Motorama turntable and onto the tarmac. The 1953 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster’s exotic styling hewed closely to contemporary British roadsters, while the fiberglass construction was unlike anything used on American road vehicles at that time. Unlike the average British roadster, the Corvette was meant to cruise down the boulevards instead of carving along back roads.

1953-Corvette-Roadster-Blue-Flame-Engine-2While the outward appearance of the Corvette wowed critics, the underpinnings were surprisingly pedestrian for a car of its type. The Corvette used an independent front suspension with unequal-length A-arms and coil springs. At the rear, the roadster employed a live axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs. Stopping power came courtesy of four-wheel drum brakes. Under the hood, Chevy used a 3.9-liter “Blue Flame” straight six-cylinder engine producing 150 horsepower. Mated to a two-speed Powerglide transmission, it didn’t provide the most captivating performances, but that problem would be taken care of in subsequent years.

A total of 300 examples were produced for 1953 and all were built largely by hand. Every single Corvette produced that year bore Polo White exterior paint with red interiors and black canvas soft tops.

1953 Corvette Roadster Photos:

2004 Porsche Carrera GT

First appearing at the 2000 Paris Motor Show at the Lourve Museum, the 2004 Porsche Carrera GT is a two-seat roadster which features a V10 engine with a performance of 0 to 60 mph in less than 4 seconds. This supercar showcased innovative technology and materials like the monocoque and subframe being made from carbon fiber and a spoiler that deploys into the air at the 70 mph mark. Also, it is fitted with a Carbon fiber reinforced Silicon Carbide ceramic braking system, as well as a front and rear suspension that consists of push-rod activated shock absorbers.

As for the exterior design of the car, the most notable are the large inlets located on the sides and air dams that not only look futuristic but serve the functional purpose of cooling the large V10 engine. The 2004 Porsche Carrera GT came in five basic colors that included Guards Red, Basalt Black, Fayence Yellow, Seal Gray, and GT Silver. In regards to the interior of the 2-door roadster, soft, supple leather and a Bose audio and navigating system were options, where as the traditional left sided ignition came stock in every vehicle.

The 2004 Porsche Carrera GT was manufactured from 2004 to 2006 in Germany and became known as one of the top sports cars of the 2000’s. From its ancestral ties with Le Mans racing to its cutting edge design and technology, this famous roadster is a true testament to the fact that great things really do come in small packages.

2004 Porsche Carrera GT Gallery