- (month unknown)
- At the 1997 One Lap of America race, Chuck Mallett enters a five-week old 1997 Corvette, driven by Jim Minneker. They complete the 6000 mile six day event in Second Place overall. [172.51] [190.37] [612.44]
- June 5
- The film Con Air is released to theatres in various countries. A 1967 Elkhart Blue convertible Corvette is dragged into the sky behind a C-123 cargo plane. [528.19] [584]
- June 26
- (to June 27) In Bloomington, Illinois, the 25th annual Bloomington Gold Corvettes USA show is held. 2500 Corvettes are present. A 1998 Corvette is won from a donation. The Hall of Fame display includes CERV I, Grand Sports #001 and #003, 1963 Daytona race Corvette, Sting Ray racer, Corvette SR-2, Corvette SS, and 1967 coupe that raced at Le Mans. At the auction, 98 Corvettes are presented, with 30 being sold. Some highlights:
- 1957 Cascade Green, fuel-injected 283ci/225hp, automatic, US$66,500;
- 1966 convertible, 427ci/390hp, two tops, air conditioning, US$35,000;
- 1967 coupe, 427ci/435hp, side exhausts, US$51,000;
- 1969 Monaco Orange coupe, 427ci/430hp L88, US$75,000.
- A 1989 ZR-1 prototype, one of two existing, is bid to US$74,000 but not sold.
[612.10,67] [908.15]
- (month unknown)
- At the Tokyo Auto Show in Japan, General Motors shows the new Corvette convertible. [823.120]
- Maisto releases its 1/24-scale C5 Coupe. [161.78]
- Mid America Designs purchases the 1959 CERV I, for display in its "My Garage" collection of rare Corvettes and memorabilia in Illinois. [103.12]
- Franklin Mint Precision Models releases the 1/24-scale 40th Anniversary Limited Edition Corvette, a 1993 dark red 1993 ZR-1 coupe with dark red interior. Price is US$90. [612.19]
- July 21
- The last 1997 model Corvette is built, bringing the new model year's total to 9752. [612.10]
- August 22
- The Corvettes at Carlisle 1997 Corvette show is held in Pennsylnavia, over three days. Attendance figures: 48,500 people, 3000 Corvettes, 1000 vendors, 600+ Corvettes for sale. The main theme is Callaway Corvettes, with a Speedster, SuperSpeedster, SuperNatural, Sledgehammer, several Twin-Turbos, LM, and Callaway Le Mans race car. [116.46] [161.79] [616.54] [908.8]
- (month unknown)
- At the Bonneville salt flats, Ed Van Scoy drives his 1985 Corvette (with 370ci 625 hp V8) to a C/GT class record 203.226 MPH. Bobby Moore races a 1984 Corvette with greater than 501-ci engine, setting a new record in AA/MS class with a two-way average speed of 234.162-mph. [116.11] [231.48] [834.40]
vvv advertisement vvv
^^^ advertisement ^^^
- September
- 9,000 Corvette owners attend a special weekend gathering at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Chevrolet introduces the 1998 convertible Corvette. [116.38] [115.26]
- September 13
- Mid America Designs hosts Funfest '97, with 3,400 Corvettes and 20,000 people attending. [127.50] [628.17]
- (month unknown)
- The Corvette Racing team begins developing the C5-R race car based on the production C5. [172.52]
- October 10
- New Line Cinema releases the film Boogie Nights to theaters in the USA. A Corvette Orange 1977 Corvette appears. [803]
- (month unknown)
- Ertl relases a 1/18-scale die-cast 1963 Corvette coupe, decorated as #614 that raced in the mid-1960s. Number of copies is limited to 2500. [616.82]
- November 1
- Corvette assistant chief engineer John Heinricy is re-assigned to chief engineer of GM's F-platform engineering group. [127.13,70]
- November
- Accolade releases the Test Drive 4 game for personal computers and the PlayStation video game system. Included are the 1997 Corvette and 1967 Corvette 427. [519.5] [537.4]
- Ralph Eckler retires from the Corvette aftermarket business. [144.11]
- Testing of a C5-R test chassis begins at the Sebring International Raceway. [264.39]
- December 13
- Home Box Office releases the film Breast Men to the home video market in the USA.
- A Bright Red 1986-87 Corvette is t-boned by a concrete truck.
- The front end of a silver 1973-79 Corvette appears.
[584] [793]
- December 16
- On production Corvettes, the ABS/Traction Control System brake pressure modulator is moved from the rear of the Corvette to behind the radiator. [127.67]
- December
- The January 1998 issue of Motor Trend magazine selects the 1998 Corvette as its 1998 Motor Trend Car of the Year. [134]
1998
-
- The first Corvette C5-R race car is completed, and testing begins. [172.52]
- March 6
- Gramercy Pictures releases the film The Big Lebowski to theaters in Canada and the USA.
- Person A with $1 million buys a new Corvette. Person B says he spent all the money. Person C says "New Corvette? Hardly, Dude. I'd say he's still got about $960 - $970,000 left, depending on the options."
- A Bright Red 1985 Corvette is smashed with a crowbar.
[740] [797]
- April
- The May issue of Car and Driver magazine compares a Corvette to a Porsche 911. The Corvette is rated higher. [560.52]
- May 4
- Netherlands Antilles issues a 225-cent postage stamp depicting a 1963 Corvette. [831.1218]
- May 13
- Sony releases the Gran Turismo video game for the PlayStation in the US. Players can race a Corvette car. [606.60]
- May 24
- In Indianapolis, Indiana, the Indianapolis 500 race is held. A 1998 Corvette is official pace car, driven by Parnelli Jones. [197.65]
- May
- In Indianapolis, Corvette chief engineer Dave Hill introduces the 1999 hardtop Corvette. It features 345 hp LS1 engine, 6-speed manual transmission, and Z51 Performance Handling Package. [679.56]
- (month unknown)
- AMT Ertl releases the '55 Corvette model, white plastic 1/25 scale. [679.17]
- June
- Jim Campbell is named brand manager for Corvette at Chevrolet Motor Division. [156.43]
- (month unknown)
- Corvette brand manager Jim Campbell convinces General Motors management to give official support to Corvette racing. [834.14]
- Central African Republic issues a postage stamp depicting a Corvette. [815.158]
- The wife of French racer Jean Claude Aubriet sells his 1968 Corvette L-88 to Henry Greder, who begins restoring the car to its Filipinetti configuration. The car had been run at the 24 Hours of Le Mans numerous times in the early 1970s. [309.26]
- In Cooperstown, New York, the Corvette Americana Hall of Fame closes. [148.96]
- At auction, a 1967 Corvette convertible with 427-ci 435-hp engine sells for US$62,000. [354.6]
- The Marshall Islands issues a non-circulating legal tender $5 coin depicting a 1957 Corvette. [853.45]
- August
- Dave Hill officially introduces the 1999 Hardtop Corvette. Price is US$38,777. [151.29]
- August 28
- The Corvettes at Carlisle show is held in Pennsylvania over three days. 53,700 participants attend, with 6,000 Corvettes. 35 famous Corvette race car drivers are brought together, including Dick Thompson, Bob Spooner, Dave Morgan, Delmo Johnson, Paul Reinhart, Ed Lowther, and Bob Johnson. The 1959 Corvette "Purple People Eater" Mk III is shown. [151.48] [153.52] [616.55] [628.32] [679.83] [827.32]
- (month unknown)
- Bobby Moore reaces a 1984 Corvette with greater than 440-ci less than 501-ci engine at the Bonneville Salt Flats, setting a new record in A/MS class with a two-way average speed of 236.142-mph. [231.48]
- September 1
- Marshall Islands issues a 60-cent postage stamp that depicts a 1957 Corvette. [553.666]
- September 4
- The Corvette Hall of Fame inducts
- Edward Cole, General Motors President and Chief Engineer of Chevrolet;
- Bill Mitchell, head of General Motors Design staff;
- Joe Pike, Corvette promoter and editor of Corvette News and founder of the National Council of Corvette Clubs (NCCC);
- Larry Shinoda, designer and member of the 1963 Sting Ray design team; and
- Zora Arkus-Duntov, first Chief Engineer of Corvette.
[151.33]
- September 8
- Baseball team St. Louis Cardinals president Mark Lamping presents team member Mark McGwire with a red 1962 Corvette, after McGwire hits his 62nd home-run of the season. [151.76]
- September
- Mid America Designs hosts the Funfest '98 is held, with about 4,200 Corvettes and 25,000 people attending. All five CERV test cars are on display, the first time they have been displayed together publicly. [175.7] [178.28] [628.17]
- September 18
- In Ely, Nevada, the 10th Annual Silver-State Classic Challenge is held, over three days. 90 miles of public Highway 318 is closed part of one day to allow unlimited-speed racing. 37 of 158 entrants are Corvettes. Corvette drivers finish first in the 125 MPH class and 140 MPH class. In the Unlimited class, Kelly Sievers in a special 1985 Corvette crashs at about 220 MPH. [628.42]
- September 23
- Comedy Central airs the South Park TV show in the USA. A red 1984-96 model Corvette convertible appears. [833]
- October 2
- Paramount Pictures releases the film A Night at the Roxbury to theaters in the USA and Canada. A 1956/57 Arctic Blue/silver Corvette model appears on a shelf. [584] [796]
- (month unknown)
- The National Automobile Museum in Reno, Nevada, hosts a Corvette exhibit, including 1953 Corvette #51, the last two 1962 Corvettes, and a 1990 ZR-1 coupe Corvette. [628]
- December 24
- Liberia issues a 50-cent postage stamp depicting a 1963-67 Corvette. [831.466]
1999
- January
- The Corvette development group announces the formation of a professional race team called Corvette Racing. [172.47] [175.6]
- January 10
- At the Daytona International Speedway, in Daytona, Florida, the Corvette Racing group tests its two Corvette C5-R race cars. They place 1st and 3rd in GT2 class. [423]
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A 1956-57 Corvette appears for a raffle in a Las Vegas casino. [728]
- January 23
- The Corvette assembly plant builds 20 sets of racing components for C5 Corvettes, and sells them to GM Performance Parts. From there, they will be sold to a group of private individuals around the country. [231.34] [546.8]
- January 30
- At the Daytona International Speedway, in Daytona, Florida, the Rolex 24 of Daytona race is held, over two days. Chevrolet debuts two Corvette C5-R race cars.
- Finishing 3rd in GT2 class and 18th overall is the Corvette Racing #2 Corvette C5-R driven by Ron Fellows, Chris Kneifel, and John Paul, Jr. The car had led its class for most of the race, until an oil leak required a repair.
- Finishing 9th in GT3 class and 26th overall is the Specter Werks Sports #44 Corvette driven by Jeff Nowicki, R. K. Smith, Rick Mancuso, Tom Murphy, and Mike Farmer.
- Finishing 12th in GT2 class and 46th overall is the Corvette Racing #4 Corvette C5-R driven by Scott Sharp, Andy Pilgrim, and John Heinricy.
[155.31] [172.52] [173.36] [176.7] [179.7] [195.12] [197.8] [233.6] [498.128] [546.15] [868.57]
- February 7
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A car used by undercover police appears to be a red 1991-96 Corvette coupe. [729]
- February 14
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A picture of a car on a calendar appears to be a red 1991-96 Corvette convertible. [730]
- February
- D.J. Race Enterprises picks up two Corvette C5 race kits, chassis numbers 002 and 006. [231.35]
- February 19
- TriStar Pictures releases the film Jawbreaker to theaters in the USA. A woman gets out of a red Corvette. [743]
- March
- Twenty C5-Racer Parts Kit cars are delivered to race teams. [172.52]
- At the New York Auto Show, Callaway Cars shows the C12 Cabriolet. Based on a Corvette, the C12 has a body of carbon-Kevlar, and LS1 engine with 440 bhp at 6500 rpm. Price is US$178,700. (27 are built in total.) [604.16]
- March 20
- At the Sebring International raceway, in Sebring, Florida, the 47th Annual Superflo 12 Hours at Sebring race is held, round 1 of the American Le Mans Series.
- Finishing 4th in GTS class and 23rd overall is the Corvette Racing #3 Corvette C5-R, driven by Joel Reiser, Ron Fellows, John Paul Jr., and Chris Kneifel.
- In 7th place in GTS class and 38th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Riley & Scott #4 Corvette C5-R, driven by Andy Pilgrim, Scott Sharp, and John Heinricy.
[156.8] [172.52] [173.36] [245] [423] [498.128]
- June 4
- Regent Entertainment releases the Free Enterprise film to theaters in the USA. A 1973-75 dark red Corvette appears in the opening frame of the film. [790]
- June 11
- The film Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me is released to theaters in the US and Canada. The main character drives a 1965 convertible Corvette painted red/white/blue like an American flag. [528.19] [584]
- June 12
- At the Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans, France, the 24 Hours of Le Mans race is held, over two days. A Corvette C5-R race car is the official pace car. [452.131] [453.13,172] [499.192]
- June
- The July issue of Motor Trend magazine presents its "Top-Speed Shootout" article, comparing seven high-speed cars available in the US. Corvette does not top any test, but is considered the best all around sports car. [674.40]
- June 29
- The last 1999 model Corvette is built, a silver coupe. [183.50]
- July 4
- A race is held at Pike's Peak International Raceway. John Heinricy finishes second, driving a Corvette C5. [172.52] [231.36] [500.137]
- July 17
- At Knebworth House in Essex, England, the 20th Annual Corvette Nationals of the Classic Corvette Club United Kingdom is held, over two days. 120 Corvettes take part in the longest convoy of Corvettes ever in England. 344 cars in total take part in the main event. [176.7]
- July 22
- The Merrill Lynch / Brian Redman International Challenge (BRIC) races take place at Elkhart Lakes Road America. Dozens of Corvettes take part in the various events. [177.64]
- July 25
- At the Sears Point Raceway in Sonoma, California, the Grand Prix of Sonoma race is held, round 4 in the American Le Mans Series. Finishing 2nd in GTS class and 18th overall is the Corvette Racing #3 Corvette C5-R driven by Ron Fellows and Chris Kneifel. [172.55] [173.33] [179.7] [245] [423] [499.192]
- August 6
- United International Pictures releases the film Mystery Men to theaters in the USA. A stretched 1978 Limited Edition Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Chevrolet Corvette appears. [753]
- August 27
- The Corvettes at Carlisle meet is held, at the Carlisle Fairgrounds in Pennsylvania. About 6000 Corvettes and 50,000 enthusiasts attend. Highlights of the auctions include:
- 1958 convertible with 3000 miles, US$41,000; 1958 convertible with documented racing history, US$94,000; 1963 coupe, US$40,500;
- 1967 red convertible with 400/427 engine and side pipes, US$56,500.
[155.14] [176.10] [177.52] [181.24]
- (month unknown)
- At the West Michigan Grand Prix in Grand Rapids, Michigan, an SCCA World Challenge series race is held.
- In second place is Reese Cox in his C5-Racer Parts Kit Corvette.
- In third place is John Heinricy in the #39 DJ Racing C5-Racer Parts Kit Corvette.
[172.52] [173.36] [231.36]
- September
- At the Molson Indy Vancouver Grand Prix, in British Columbia, Canada, Scotty White wins first place driving a 1998 C5 Corvette. [172.52] [173.36]
- The National Corvette Museum receives a 2000 Millennium Yellow 6-speed Corvette Convertible, number 19, to be given away in a raffle next September. [180.10]
- September 2
- The National Corvette Museum celebrates its fifth birthday. 6,000 Corvettes and 60,000 enthusiasts attend the five-day event. Dick Guldstrand, Dave McLellan, and Jim Perkins are inducted into the Corvette Hall of Fame. Chevrolet officially introduces the 2000 model Corvette. [174.54] [175.11] [176.6,7] [191.77]
- September 18
- At the Road Atlanta raceway in Braselton, Georgia, the Second Annual Petit Le Mans race is held, round 6 of the American Le Mans Series.
- Finishing 4th in GTS class and 13th overall is the #4 Corvette C5-R, driven by Andy Pilgrim, Scott Sharp, and Kelly Collins.
- Finishing 5th in GTS class and 14th overall is the #3 Corvette C5-R, driven by Ron Fellows, Chris Kneifel, and John Paul, Jr.
[172.52] [173.33] [174.32] [176.7] [179.7] [245] [499.193]
- In Effingham, Illinois, Mid America Designs hosts Funfest '99 to celebrate their 25th year in business. 5,100 Corvettes and 30,000 enthusiasts attend. A 1978 Silver Anniversary Indy 500 Pace Car Replica with 1700 miles is given away. [174.48] [175.7] [176.25] [178.28] [249.10] [628.17] [629.12] [774.7]
- October 6
- United Paramount Network airs the Seven Days TV show in the USA. At an exotic car rental shop, a poster of 15 Corvette models appears. [737]
- October
- At the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, the Valvoline Runoffs final races of the SCCA Club Racing series are held. Finishing 1st in Touring 1 class is the 1999 Corvette hardtop driven by Scott Altenberg. The car uses a Corvette-developed racing suspension package. [172.52] [231.7] [394.4,12]
- October 10
- At the Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California, the last SCCA World Challenge race of the year is held. Nine Corvettes are entered, four are C5, five are C4 models. John Heinricy races his C5 Corvette to first overall. [172.55] [173.37] [178.20] [231.36]
- At the Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California, the VISA Sports Car Championship Petit Le Mans race is held, round 7 of the American Le Mans Series. Finishing 2nd in GTS class and 12th overall is the Corvette Racing #3 Corvette C5-R driven by Ron Fellows and Chris Kneifel. [172.52] [173.35] [179.7] [245] [423] [499.193]
- November 2
- Chevrolet announces it will enter a C5-R Corvette race car at the 68th 24 Hours of Le Mans in France in 2000. [172.6] [179.7]
- At the Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas, several C5 variants are displayed. [173.20]
- November 5
- At the Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights, Illinois, Dana Mecum holds the annual "Mecum in Chicago - Fall Premier Auction". 45 Corvettes are among the cars auctioned. Highlights include
- 1973 convertible owned by Dwight Yoakam: US$32,550;
- 1953: US$91,875;
- 1955 "Corvette Copper": US$34,125;
- 1957 "Aztec Copper" fuel-injected 3-speed: US$50,400;
- 1966 with 36 gallon tank, 427-ci 390-hp engine, 4-speed: US$48,300;
- 1965 L78 3730 miles: US$141,750;
- 1965 L75 2831 miles: US$120,750;
- 1965 L84 1577 miles: no sale at US$122,500.
[179.62]
- November 7
- At the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nevada, the American Le Mans Series Grand Prix of Las Vegas race is held, round 8 (final) of the American Le Mans Series. A Corvette C5 is the official race pace car.
- Finishing 3rd in GTS class and 12th overall is the Corvette Racing #3 Corvette C5-R driven by Ron Fellows and Chris Kneifel.
[173.35] [423] [501.144] [906.46]
- Results at the end of the 1999 American Le Mans Series: GTS drivers championship: 9th is Ron Fellows, 12th is Chris Kneifel, 14th is Andy Pilgrim. GTS team championship: 6th is Corvette Racing. [245]
- (month unknown)
- Activision releases the Interstate '82 video game in the US. Among the modelled cars is a 1982 Corvette. [699.77]
- Bob McDorman buys a 2000 model Corvette with VIN #1 for US$85,000, at an auction by the National Corvette Museum. The Bowling Green Metallic Corvette will be the first Corvette delivered in 2000. [223.26] [834.7]
- December 8
- Sony CEA releases the Gran Turismo 2 video game for the PlayStation in the US. Included are the following driveable Corvette models: 1967, 1969 427 ci, 1982, 1995 ZR-1, 1996 coupe, 1996 Grand Sport. [699.88] [759.50]
- December 13
- The Corvette Plant makes the 1000th delivery of a new Corvette via the National Corvette Museum, by regular production option R8C. The Corvette is a Millennium Yellow convertible. [834.7]
|
