The first-generation Corvette (1953–1962) marked the birth of America’s sports car, blending European-inspired design with Chevrolet ingenuity. What began as a limited-production roadster with modest performance quickly evolved through continual refinements in styling, engineering, and power, culminating in the fuel-injected small-block era that cemented Corvette’s reputation. Today, the C1 remains a symbol of postwar optimism and the genesis of a legend that continues to thrive.