Chronology of Chevrolet Corvettes

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References are numbered in [brackets], which are listed here. A number after the dot gives the page in the source.

Last updated: 2023 December 20.


1975

January 1
  • David McLellan takes over as chief engineer of the Corvette. [3.80] [6] [104.81,84] [152.27] [173.73] [191.77] [208.14] [236.24] [299.62] (December [48.39])
January 13
  • A retirement dinner is held for Zora Arkus-Duntov. He receives a scale model of the 4-Rotor Corvette. [580.263]
January
  • Zora Arkus-Duntov buys his 1974 company Corvette from Chevrolet. [22.44]
February 1
  • At the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona, Florida, the Daytona 24 Hours race is held.
    • Placing 13th in GTO class, 5th in GT class, and 19th overall is the Jerry Thompson #18 Corvette driven by Jerry Thompson, Andrew Bach, and Don Yenko. The car is not running at the finish.
    • Finishing 15th in GTO class, 6th in GT class, and 21st overall is the Bill Arnold #73 Corvette driven by Bill Arnold, and Bob Biernerth.
    • Finishing 20th in GTO class and 29th overall is the James W. Persinger #98 Corvette driven by James Alspaugh and Gene Persinger.
    • Placing 28th in GTO class, and 42nd overall is the John Greenwood #75 Corvette driven by John Greenwood, Vince Muzzin, and Carl Shafer. The car is not running at the finish due to an accident.
    • Placing 30th in GTO class, and 45th overall is the Garcia Racing #15 Corvette driven by Javier Garcia and George Garcia. The car is not running at the finish.
    • Placing 31st in GTO class, and 46th overall is the John Carusso #42 Corvette driven by John Carusso and Dick Vreeland. The car is not running at the finish due to engine failure.
    [263] [423]
March 21
  • At the Sebring International Raceway, in Sebring, Florida, the 12 Hours of Sebring race is held.
    • Finishing 14th in GTO class and 20th overall is the Bill Arnold #72 Corvette driven by Bill Arnold and Wiley Doran.
    • Finishing 16th in GTO class and 23rd overall is the Dennis Stefl #86 Corvette driven by Dennis Stefl and Robert Fordyce.
    • Finishing 20th in GTO class and 27th overall is the E. F. Miller & Co. #32 Corvette driven by John Orr and Bill Jobe.
    • Finishing 22nd in GTO class and 33rd overall is the John Carusso #48 Corvette driven by John Carusso, Dick Vreeland, and Luis Sereix.
    • Finishing 23rd in GTO class and 34th overall is the Robert E. Davis #27 Corvette driven by Robert E. Davis, Tico Almeida, and Joseph DeGirolamo.
    • Placing 27th in GTO class and 40th overall is the Ford Smith #12 Corvette driven by Ford Smith, Clay Young, and Bennett Aiken. The car is not running at the finish.
    • Placing 31st in GTO class and 45th overall is the Kidd-America Racing #76 Corvette driven by Burt Greenwood, Scott Voeltz, and Dana English. The car is not running at the finish due to an accident.
    • Placing 33rd in GTO class and 48th overall is the Scott Chapman #62 Corvette driven by Scott Chapman, Bill Hood, and Bobby Dumont. The car is not running at the finish due to engine failure.
    • Placing 38th in GTO class and 56th overall is the John Greenwood #75 Corvette driven by John Greenwood and Jerry Thompson. The car is not running at the finish due to running out of fuel.
    • Placing 44th in GTO class and 65th overall is the Dale Kreider #22 Corvette driven by Dale Kreider and Bob DeMarco. The car is not running at the finish.
    • Placing 45th in GTO class and 66th overall is the Tony Ansley #9 Corvette driven by Tony Ansley. The car is not running at the finish.
    [423]
April
  • The film Death Race 2000 is released in theaters in the US. The lead car appears to be a modified current model Corvette. [41.108] [584] (June [279.70])
  • The May issue of Car and Driver magazine includes a Reader's Choice Poll naming the Corvette as "Best All-around Car". [16]
June 1
  • At the Pocono International Raceway in Pocono, Pennsylvania, Round 1 of the Purolator SCCA Trans-American Championship series is held. The race was scheduled for May, but was postponed due to weather.
    • Finishing 1st is the CAR Corvette 427, driven by John Greenwood. Greenwood started the race in last place, due to switching drivers since qualifying. Greenwood set a record fastest race lap at 105 mph.
    • Finishing 3rd is the Babe's Garage Corvette 427, driven by Milton Headley.
    • Finishing 4th is the Texas Instruments Corvette 460, driven by Alex Davidson.
    • Finishing 5th is the Panzarella Corvette 427, driven by Frank Panzarella.
    • Finishing 6th is the Schott Corvette 454, driven by Dan Schott.
    • Finishing 7th is the E.P. Miller & Co. Corvette 350, driven by John Orr.
    • Finishing 8th is the Trapletti Corvette 350, driven by Carl Trapletti.
    • Finishing 9th is the Randy Stafford Racing Corvette 350, driven by Randy Stafford.
    • Finishing 11th is the Milliken Corvette 454, driven by Robert Milliken.
    • Finishing 15th is the Lechner's Corvette Service Corvette 350, driven by John Lechner.
    • Finishing 18th is the Dart Racing Corvette 427, driven by Greg Cameron and John Higgins.
    • In 19th place, but not finishing the race, is the Jobe Corvette 350, driven by Bill Jobe.
    • Finishing 21st is the America 76 Racing Corvette 350, driven by Sylvan Cornblatt.
    • Finishing 22nd is the Bandag Corvette 461, driven by Denny Long.
    • In 24th place, but not finishing the race, is the Brandt Corvette 350, driven by John Brandt.
    • In 26th place, but not finishing the race, is the Little Foreign Car Shop Corvette, driven by Michael Oleyar.
    • In 29th place, but not finishing the race, is the Warren & Ginny Wagner Corvette 327, driven by Bill Seip.
    [248] [423]
  • At the Seattle International Raceway, in Kent, Washington, Round 2 of the SCCA Trans-American Championship series is held.
    • Finishing 2nd is the Sloma Corvette 427, driven by Rich Sloma.
    • Finishing 3rd is the Rick Stark Enterprises Corvette 427, driven by Rick Stark.
    • Finishing 5th is the Samuelsen Corvette 427, driven by Dale Samuelsen.
    • Finishing 12th is the Schwafel Racing Corvette 454, driven by Dave Schwafel.
    • Finishing 14th is the Sports & Imports Corvette 350, driven by Jann Helzer.
    • In 15th place, but not finishing the race, is the Rockwood Auto Body Corvette 427, driven by Ted Mathey.
    • Finishing 16th is the Hawk-Owens Chevrolet Corvette 327, driven by Barry Brooke.
    • In 17th place, but not finishing the race, is the Round Table Racing Corvette 427, driven by Peter Brallier.
    • Finishing 18th is the Shutts Corvette 350, driven by Peter Shutts.
    [248] [423]
June 14
  • In Le Mans, France, the 24 Hours of Le Mans race is held, over two days. Alain Cudini and Henri Greder race the Henri Greder #42 Corvette until an oil pump failure puts them out of the race. [423]
June 15
  • At the Portland International Raceway, in Portland, Oregon, Round 3 of the G.I. Joe's SCCA Trans-American Championship series is held.
    • Finishing 1st is the Braun Corvette 427, driven by John Greenwood. Greenwood sets a new race lap record at 92.079 mph.
    • Finishing 2nd is the Stark Enterprises Corvette 427, driven by Rick Stark.
    • Finishing 3rd is the Vic Hubbard - Mocko Corvette 427, driven by David Mock.
    • Finishing 4th is the Samuelsen Corvette 427, driven by Dale Samuelsen.
    • Finishing 5th is the Rockwood Auto Body Corvette 427, driven by Ted Mathey.
    • Finishing 6th is the Hoffman & Neighbor Corvette 350, driven by Ron McDuffie.
    • Finishing 9th is the Schwafel Racing Corvette 454, driven by Dave Schwafel.
    • Finishing 10th is the Search Enterprises Corvette 454, driven by Frank Search.
    • Finishing 13th is the Schuler Corvette 427, driven by John Schuler.
    • Finishing 14th is the Hawk-Owens Chevrolet Corvette 327, driven by Barry Brooke.
    • Finishing 17th is the Warren & Ginny Wagner Corvette 350, driven by Bill Seip.
    • In 18th place, but not finishing the race, is the Sloma Corvette 427, driven by Rich Sloma.
    • Finishing 20th is the Bandag Corvette 427, driven by Denny Long.
    • Finishing 21st is the Wilson / Race Ipsa Corvette 460, driven by ?.
    • In 22nd place, but not finishing the race, is the Carlen Corvette 350, driven by Gary Carlen.
    • In 26th place, but not finishing the race, is the KRUZ Recording Corvette 350, driven by Mike Meek.
    • In 27th place, but not finishing the race, is the PSR Corvette 350, driven by Peter Shutts.
    [248] [423]
June 21
  • At the Bloomington - Normal airport in Illinois, the Bloomington Corvette Corral show is held, over two days. 1200 Corvettes attend the show. 100 Corvette are presented at auction, the first major all-Corvette auction in the US. A 1954 roadster sells for US$2525; a 1971 sells for US$7550. [212.B7]
June 29
  • At the Nelson Ledges Road Course in Garrettsville, Ohio, Round 4 of the SCCA Trans-American Championship is held.
    • Finishing 1st is the Braun Corvette 427, driven by John Greenwood. Greenwood led the entire race, and set a race lap record at 100.152 MPH.
    • Finishing 4th is the Draime Enterprises Corvette 350, driven by Jim Sherman.
    • Finishing 5th is the Eclipse Corvette 350, driven by Bill Jobe.
    • Finishing 7th is the Milliken Corvette 454, driven by Robert Milliken.
    • Finishing 8th is the Automotive Interests Corvette 460, driven by Charles West.
    • Finishing 9th is the Hambden Metal Products Corvette 350, driven by Bob Bienerth.
    • Finishing 10th is the Brandt Corvette 350, driven by John Brandt Jr.
    • Finishing 11th is the Lechner's Corvette Service Corvette 350, driven by John Lechner.
    • Finishing 12th is The Big Apple Corvette 427, driven by John Huber.
    • Finishing 14th is The Bandag Corvette 427, driven by Denny Long.
    • Finishing 15th is the Bresee Corvette 460, driven by Alex Davidson.
    • Finishing 16th is the Babe's Garage Corvette 427, driven by Babe Headley.
    • Finishing 17th is the Trapletti Corvette 350, driven by Carl Trapletti Jr.
    • In 19th place, but not finishing the race, is the Hansen Corvette 327, driven by Jerry Hansen.
    • Finishing 20th is the Randy Stafford Racing Corvette 350, driven by Randy Stafford.
    • Finishing 22nd is the Warren & Ginny Wagner Corvette 350, driven by Bill Seip.
    • Finishing 25th is the L&L Racing Enterprises Corvette 350, driven by Jerry Lancaster.
    [248] [423]
(month unknown)
  • AMT releases model kit #T-460 1975 Corvette convertible, in white plastic. [336.21]
  • AMT releases model kit #T-456 1975 Corvette T-Top, in white plastic. [336.21]
  • MPC releases model kit #1-7506 1975 Corvette convertible, in white plastic. [336.21]

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  • MPC releases model kit #1-7505 1975 Corvette T-Top, in white plastic. [336.21]
  • MPC releases the 1/20-scale model kit #1-7530 1975 Corvette T-Top, in white plastic. [335.40]
July 12
  • At the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Circuit in Watkins Glen, New York, Round 5 of the SCCA Trans-American Championship is held, with the 6 Hours of Watkins Glen World Championship of Makes.
    • Finishing 1st in Trans-Am class and 9th overall is the Babe's Garage Corvette 427, driven by Babe Headley and Paul Misuriello.
    • Finishing 2nd in Trans-Am class and 11th overall is the E.F. Miller & Co. Corvette 454, driven by John Orr and Bill Jobe.
    • Finishing 4th in Trans-Am class and 13th overall is the Little Foreign Car Shop Corvette, driven by Michael Oleyar and Sam Feinstein.
    • Finishing 5th in Trans-Am class and 15th overall is a Corvette 350, driven by Allan Anderson and Ray Anton.
    • Finishing 6th in Trans-Am class and 16th overall is the Pierce Racing Corvette, driven by Roger Pierce and Alex Davidson.
    • Finishing 7th in Trans-Am class and 18th overall is the Braun Corvette 427, driven by John Greenwood and Bill Adam.
    • Finishing 8th in Trans-Am class and 19th overall is the Bandag Corvette 460, driven by Denny Long and Tim Startup.
    • Finishing 9th in Trans-Am class and 22nd overall is the Rynone Industries Corvette 427, driven by Tom Rynone, Neil Wiernicki, and Michael Wiernicki.
    • Finishing 11th in Trans-Am class and 28th overall is the Warren & Ginny Wagner Corvette, driven by Bill Seip and David Lloyd.
    [104.152] [248] (August 13 [423])
July 26
  • At the Road America raceway in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, Round 6 of the SCCA Trans-American Championship series is held.
    • Finishing 1st is the Advance United Corvette 454, driven by Jerry Hansen.
    • Finishing 2nd is the Corvette Tech Corvette 461, driven by Tim Startup.
    • Finishing 6th is the Rick Stark Enterprises Corvette 427, driven by Rick Stark.
    • Finishing 8th is the Bresee Corvette 460, driven by Alex Davidson.
    • Finishing 10th is The Bandag Corvette 460, driven by Denny Long.
    • In 11th place, but not finishing the race, is the Eclipse Corvette 350, driven by Bill Jobe.
    • Finishing 12th is the Randy Stafford Enterprises Corvette 350, driven by Randy Stafford.
    • Finishing 14th is the T.B.C. Racing Corvette 427, driven by Roger Pierce.
    • Finishing 15th is the Tri-State Automotive Corvette 427, driven by Steve Strandemo.
    • Finishing 16th is the Schott Racing Corvette 427, driven by Dan Schott.
    • In 17th place, but not finishing the race, is the Fyhrie / DePirro Corvette 350, driven by Paul DePirro.
    • In 18th place, but not finishing the race, is the Danielson Corvette 350, driven by Dick Danielson.
    • In 19th place, but not finishing the race, is the Little Foreign Car Shop Corvette 454, driven by Michael Oleyar.
    • In 21st place, but not finishing the race, is the Automotive Interests Corvette, driven by Bill Morrison.
    • In 22nd place, but not finishing the race, is the Craig Car Stereo Corvette 454, driven by Don Hager.
    • In 23rd place, but not finishing the race, is the Babe's Garage Corvette 427, driven by Babe Headley.
    • In 24th place, but not finishing the race, is the Midwest Speed & Performance Corvette 350, driven by Emery Emond.
    • In 26th place, but not finishing the race, is the Round Table Racing Corvette 427, driven by Peter Brallier.
    [248] [423]
July 31
  • The last 1975 model-year Corvette, a convertible, is driven off off the assembly line in St. Louis by inspection general foreman Bob Shell. [141.42] [148.64] [211.72] [774.96] (June [42.72])
(month unknown)
  • Jerry Palmer's Chevy Three design studio proposes a mid-engine Corvette design, using a V6 engine. [86.45]
August
  • Production of 1976 model Corvettes begins. This Corvette is designated model 1Y, series Z. [148.66] [453.96]
September 7
  • At the Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minnesota, Round 7 of the Pepsi SCCA Trans-American Championship series is held.
    • Finishing 1st is the Advance United #144 Corvette 454, driven by Jerry Hansen. Hansen sets a race lap record at 102.652 MPH.
    • Finishing 4th is the Schott Racing #20 Corvette 460, driven by Dan Schott.
    • Finishing 5th is the Stark Enterprises #17 Corvette 427, driven by Rick Stark.
    • In 6th place, but not finishing the race, is the Automotive Interests #77 Corvette, driven by Charles West.
    • Finishing 7th is The Bandag #22 Corvette 460, driven by Denny Long.
    • In 8th place, but not finishing the race, is the John's Corvette Shop #12 Corvette, driven by John Biza.
    • Finishing 9th is the Tri-State Automotive #23 Corvette 427, driven by Steve Strandemo.
    • Finishing 10th is the Midwest Speed & Performance #82 Corvette 350, driven by Emery Emond.
    • Finishing 11th is the Jay Kline Chevrolet #93 Corvette 350, driven by Steve Kline.
    • Finishing 12th is the Turbovette #73 Corvette 427, driven by Chuck Phillippi.
    • In 18th place, but not finishing the race, is the Pickett Racing #7 Corvette 427, driven by Bill Geen. Disqualified from winning 2nd place due to an underweight car is the Automotive Interests #27 Corvette 427, driven by Rich Sloma.
    [248] [423]
(month unknown)
  • The SCCA Trans-Am Series championship is won by John Greenwood. [3.125] [42.100] [263.466]
  • Bob McDorman Chevrolet car dealer holds his second annual Corvette concours and swap meet. About 8-10,000 people attend. Winner of the concours receives a 1958 Corvette. [202.33] [316]
October 2
  • Chevrolet introduces the 1976 model Corvette. [453.99] [871.81]
October 31
  • The National Broadcasting Company airs The Rockford Files TV show in the USA. A light blue 1975/76 Corvette appears briefly. [828]
(month unknown)
  • At the Road Atlanta raceway in Braselton, Georgia, the Champion Spark Plug Road Racing Classic final races of the SCCA Club Racing series are held. Finishing 1st in A Production class is Frank Fahey, driving a Corvette. [3.125] [42.100] [299.62] [394.4,12]
  • At the Daytona International Raceway in Daytona, Florida, the Daytona 250 race is held, the final race of the IMSA Camel GT Challenge Series.
    • Finishing 1st in GTO class and 1st overall is the Greenwood #76 Corvette driven by John Greenwood. Greenwood set the lap record for the track.
    • Finishing 12th in GTO class and 12th overall is the Corvette driven by Babe Headley.
    • Finishing 15th in GTO class and 15th overall is the Corvette driven by Phil Currin.
    • Finishing 16th in GTO class and 16th overall is the Corvette driven by Roger Pierce.
    • Finishing 18th in GTO class and 20th overall is the Corvette driven by Bill Arnold.
    • Finishing 20th in GTO class and 24th overall is the Corvette driven by Dennis Stefl.
    • Placing 23rd in GTO class and 30th overall is the Corvette driven by Bobby Diehl and Ted Kempgens.
    • Placing 29th in GTO class and 37th overall is the Corvette driven by Rick Hay and Vince Muzzin.
    • Finishing 31st in GTO class and 39th overall is the Corvette driven by Dan Schott.
    • Placing 32nd in GTO class and 40th overall is the Corvette driven by Al Levenson and Tom Brown.
    • Placing 36th in GTO class and 44th overall is the Corvette driven by Javier Garcia and George Garcia.
    • Placing 39th in GTO class and 48th overall is the Corvette driven by Richard Bostyan.
    • Placing 41st in GTO class and 50th overall is the Corvette driven by Irwin Jann.
    • Placing 43rd in GTO class and 52nd overall is the Corvette driven by Ron Connelly.
    • Placing 46th in GTO class and 55th overall is the Corvette driven by Bill Bean.
    • Placing 47th in GTO class and 56th overall is the Corvette driven by Garrett Waddell.
    • Placing 50th in GTO class and 61st overall is the Corvette driven by Dick Vreeland.
    • Placing 58th in GTO class and 70th overall is the Corvette driven by Manuel Quintana.
    [104.152] [201.10] [371.96]
  • The style of bumpers on the 1976 model is changed, from 6-inch long recessed "Corvette" lettering to 8-inch non-recessed lettering. [242.23]

End of 1975. Next: 1976.

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A list of references to all source material is available.


Last updated: 2023 December 20.
Copyright © 1995-2024 Ken Polsson (email: ken@kpolsson.com).
URL: http://kpolsson.com/vettehis/
Link to Ken P's home page.

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