1955 C1 Chevrolet Corvette Model Guide
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While there had been some question as to the long-term viability of the Corvette, the arrival of the Thunderbird ended any discussions of terminating Chevrolet’s sports car. Instead, fueled by the natural competitiveness between the two companies, General Motors executives and engineers were bound and determined to let the Corvette become the car it was meant to be.
Edward N. Cole, Chief Engineer for GM’s Chevrolet Division, was prepared to lead this process. He had developed a new power plant that was ready for production which would, ultimately, play a pivotal part in the re-birth of Corvette into American culture: the amazing new 265-cid small-block V-8.
This engine, which he had been developing for Chevy’s totally redesigned passenger cars, would become the “heart and soul” of the 1955 Corvette.
The original intent of the 265-cid V-8 was to have a capacity of 231 cubic inches, which made it physically smaller than the “Blue Flame” six cylinder of the 1953 and 1954 Corvette. It was Edward Cole that had the engine’s capacity increased to 265 cubic inches. Cole also reworked the cylinder heads, concentrating on efficient gas flow and better combustion.
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