London Concours 2024: Admiring the Enduring Allure of the Corvette

The London Concours is an automotive garden party in the heart of the city, gathering together nearly 100 motoring icons, old and new, in one of London’s most beautiful historic hidden venues, the HAC (Honourable Artillery Company) estate. The cars sit at the apex of an event brimming with fine champagne and world-class gastronomy, enjoyed with a live music soundtrack and surrounded by pop-up boutiques from sought-after luxury brands. Held across three days, the London Concours opens up the world of top-end craftsmanship in automotive and beyond, with live panel discussions, awards ceremonies and roving comperes, shining a spotlight on the passion and the heritage of the brands and vehicles on display.  It is truly a wonderful event for anyone with a passion for cars.

In 2024 the London Concours had nine concours classes, namely Great British Racing, The Legendary V12, The Hypercars, Carnaby Street, Coachbuilt Greats – Zagato, Purple Reign, Corvette – A Design Icon, Areo – Front Enlightened and Wild Cards

Here we look at the Concours Class: Corvette – A design icon

Often overlooked for the beauty of its design, homage was paid to the Chevrolet Corvette. In its earliest iterations – particularly the C1, introduced in 1953 – it’s a veritable icon of timeless automotive design. The C2, including the ‘Stingray’ Coupé version was supposedly inspired by the Bugatti ‘Atlantic’. In this class you’ll fully appreciate the genius of its design.

The cars on show:

1957 Chevrolet Corvette C1 Fuelie Convertible

In 1957 the beautiful ’Vette got the performance it deserved, with an optional 283bhp 4.6-litre V8 with Rochester fuel injection and a high-lift ‘Duntov’ cam. Now Chevrolet could take the fight to the V8 Ford Thunderbird, Studebaker Speedster and Chrysler C-300; you could also get it in ready-to-race form. The ‘Fuelie’ came at a large price premium, and only around 240 were sold. Although they were always rare, general Corvette sales increased by 83 percent for 1957.This particular Cascade Green ’57 car also has the optional four-speed manual gearbox. Following restoration in the 2000s, it was exhibited in a North Carolina car museum before being imported into the UK by the current owner.

This was my favourite of all the Corvette’s. Loved the styling, love the colour, pure cool and classy.

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1959 Chevrolet Corvette C1

The Corvette was hurriedly introduced as a concept on January 16, 1953. For expediency, the body was made from glass fibre and many parts were utilised from other GM models. It was so well received, 300 production models were sold that year, and the ‘all-American sports car’ was born. The first- generation Corvette went through significant changes, to both its body and its engines. This car is no. 7779 of 9670 built in 1959. All the major parts are original, apart from the engine, which has been replaced with a 327ci V8. It originally put out 275bhp, but upgraded headers puts this closer to 300bhp. Classic Corvette Club UK (CCCUK ) membership secretary Rob Tring brought it in from the US five years ago. It’s since had a respray, a leather retrim, a stainless exhaust and radial tyres, among other improvements.

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1963 Chevrolet Corvette C2 Split Screen Coupe

This C2 was purchased in 1963 by a Californian TWA pilot for his stewardess daughter’s 21st. Her car park pass can still be seen on the rear-view mirror. The second owner was a British ex-pat working in California, who brought it to the UK when he returned in 1986. He had it modified to go HSCC racing. The car entered the stewardship of the current owner as a surprise 40th birthday present from his wife, in 1996. He had all the racing mods removed, and the original 327ci/340bhp engine rebuilt to replace the 350ci V8 the Corvette had when purchased. The car was repainted in 2005 in preparation for the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where it won the Cartier Style et Luxe Spirit of America class.

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1966 Chevrolet Corvette C2 Stingray

By 1963 the Corvette was shedding its image as a boulevard cruiser. The design team and styling heads Bill Mitchell and Larry Shinoda somewhat clandestinely created the Sting Ray, developing ideas from the stillborn Stingray race car concept. Its distinctive boat-tail and unique split rear window proved to be controversial. Mitchell claimed to have been inspired by Bugatti’s Type 57SC Atlantic for the latter design motif, while the pop-up headlamps would remain a Corvette styling feature until the end of C5 production. This 1966 example was a US show-winner in 2015. A very original car, it’s a rare ‘side pipe’ example, and its white exterior and Petroleum Blue trim are a rare combination for ’66.

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1971 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray LT-1

The classic ‘Coke bottle’ C3 ran from 1968-82. It was available as both a Coupe and a Convertible up to 1975, after which it was a T-top Coupe only. The LT-1 engine option arrived in 1970, and ended in 1972 with under 5000 cars produced. It used the small-block powertrain but with a factory-fitted forged crank, transistor ignition, forged pistons and solid lifters. It came close to the big-block’s (454ci) power figure, with 330bhp, but retained the better balance and handling of a small-block arrangement. As with many examples, this LT-1 was used on drag strips or racetracks. It is displayed by Stuart Curtis, who organises the CCCUK Nationals event at Sywell Aerodrome in Northamptonshire.

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1991 Chevrolet Corvette C4 ZR1

The C4 was planned for 1983, but regulatory glitches delayed the launch until ’84. Its chassis and body were all new, with a more rigid platform than any previous model. The C4 ran until 1996, by which time 358,180 had been built. Only 6939 were the ZR1 model seen here. Then GM-owned Lotus was commissioned to develop an all-new V8. Crafted in alloy, it had 32 valves and two sets of injectors and throttles for each cylinder. The second set was activated by a removable ‘valet key’. This unleashed 362bhp, taking the ZR1 to 60mph in around five seconds and on to 175mph. The $65,000 price was nearly double that of an ‘ordinary’ Corvette, which ensured this fabulous mod remained a rarity. In 1993,
engine revisions achieved 405bhp; 60mph could now be reached in 4.4 seconds.

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2004 Chevrolet Corvette C5 Z06 Le Mans Edition

The C5 was built from 1996 until 2004. Convertibles and Targas were offered first, then a Coupe arrived. Power ranged from 354-405bhp.This is a limited-edition Le Mans Commemorative car with the Z06 package; it has uprated suspension, a carbon fibre bonnet, titanium exhaust, lighter wheels (not fitted here) and striping. Just 2025 were built to mark Chevrolet’s Le Mans 1-2 class win; 325 were sold outside the US. Le Mans cars were 63kg lighter than standard, and had a 405bhp LS6 V8. They hit 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds, and 175mph. Owner Paul Watkins has had the car for nine years. It took part in the 2015 Le Mans Drivers’ Parade.

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2006 Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z06

Introduced in 2005, the C6 was the first Corvette since 1962 without pop- up lights. It was a leap forward, with a fresh design, new engine, upgraded suspension, aluminium frame and carbon fibre front wings. It was also roomier, due to a lengthened wheelbase that also aided handling and ride quality. However, it was five inches shorter overall than the C5.Various engines were offered, with the ultimate being the supercharged 638bhp 6.2-litre ZR1. Gary Garwood’s Z06 arrived in 2006 with a 505bhp naturally aspirated LS7 V8; at 7.0 litres, it was the largest-displacement small-block ever built.

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2019 Chevrolet Corvette C7 ZR1

Arriving in 2014, the C7 marked the end of the front-engined Corvette. The ZR1 was available to order only in 2019, the final year of the run. Available in either Coupe or Convertible form, it had a supercharged 755bhp 6.2-litre LT5 V8. It could do 60mph in 2.8 seconds and 212mph. Despite extensive use of carbonfibre, the ZR1 was heavier than the Z06 due to extra cooling fluids. It was never officially sold to Europe, making it a rare sight. CCCUK PR rep Nigel Dobbie ordered this ZR1 with the ZTK package, including a carbonfibre front splitter and rear wing; it also has optional competition seats.

2022 Chevrolet Corvette C8 Z51 Stingray

Upon its arrival in July 2019, the C8 boldly redefined the American sports car’s identity. The first mid-engined Corvette, it was also the first available in right-hand drive; 300 so-equipped cars sold around the world within 60 hours of launch. The Z51’s heart was its LT2 6.2-litre V8, which made 495bhp and hit 60mph in 2.9 seconds. The Z51 Performance Pack elevated this with a performance exhaust, eight-speed ’box, magnetic ride control and electronic limited-slip diff. It also added larger brakes, enhanced cooling and adjustable suspension. The car shown here belongs to Gabriela Crowther.

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I hope that you liked are article. Which racing car here is your favourite?