Tireside Chats: Chevrolet's Indomitable Corvette...

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Tireside Chats: Chevrolet's Indomitable Corvette...

Saturday, March 21, 2026
5:30 PM - Reception
7:00 PM - Program

From its inception in 1953, Chevrolet’s Motorama-inspired Corvette sports car was billed as “America’s Sweetheart.” The jaunty roadster pioneered fiberglass bodywork, but its vaunted “Blue Flame 6” was insufficient to inspire sporty performance. When Chevrolet’s powerful small-block V-8 engine bowed in 1955, transplanted European engineer/racer Zora Arkus-Duntov insisted the new engine be installed right away. But only 700 examples were sold that year, and the Corvette was nearly dropped from the GM lineup. Subsequently equipped with many engine, suspension, and brake upgrades, the ‘Vette began a successful career in SCCA racing. At the same time, styling boss Bill Mitchell began secret development of the Corvette Stingray. With its razor-edge styling and a vast array of power plants, culminating in the Cobra-fighting Gran Sport, the next generation ‘Vette became a world-beater sports car, and its proud lineage continues to this day.

On March 21, 2026, at 7:00 pm, join Corvette authority Lowell Paddock, a contributing editor for “Corvette, a Piece of the Action,” along with award-winning writer and museum consultant, Ken Gross, for a scintillating discussion of the Chevrolet Corvette and its fascinating history. On display, in the Savoy’s new Corvette-themed exhibition, are twin Harvest Gold 1955 Corvettes, # 699 and #700, the 1959 Stingray Racer silver prototype, the 1969 Corvette Manta Ray, and other exciting examples.

A reception will occur at 5:30 for those wishing to purchase tickets. The Savoy Cafe will serve hors d’oeuvres along with beer and wine for purchase.

Purchase Tickets
 
This event is sponsored in part by Styles Auto Care.