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Production Numbers
The Corvette line has made great strides since its inception in 1953. In fact, looking back, it is hard to...
For the 2020 model year, Chevrolet manufactured a total of 20,368 Corvettes. A decently strong year given everything going on the in the world. The Coupe was the most popular of the two models available with 82.4% of the 20,368 total.
The first mid-engined Corvette came along during a pandemic. That didn't stop Chevy from selling 20,368 units in its first year (at premium prices I might add), even with a global chip shortage stopping production in both 2020 and 2021.
It seems as if much has been publicized in recent years regarding the rarest of Corvettes, which are steeped in nostalgia due to their scarcity. However, seldom is the story told of particular model years where production has peaked, and sales have flourished. Although these less than rare Corvettes are abundant in number, they carry their own legacy, just the same.
We put together this slick infographic to showcase the popularity of each generation (as well as the most notable performance milestones that generation achieved). Download the full-size version below. As well, if you want to delve more in depth into each generation of Corvette, we have a quick summary of each generation available under the infographic.
A total of 21,536 Corvettes were manufactured and sold in 1996. As the model year drew to a close, it was good to see a small, but significant, sales increase had occurred.
The last C4 ZR-1 was built in 1995, resulting in a total number of 6,939 units being built during its six year production run. Total sales numbers decreased to 20,742 units
Despite the limited number of cosmetic and mechanical changes, the sale of 1994 Corvettes actually rose to 23,330 units despite a modest price increase to $36,185.
Despite the absence of notable, physical changes to the design of the car, the overall sales numbers actually increased over previous years. A total of 22,058 Corvettes were manufactured.
Falling sales numbers weren’t isolated to the ZR-1 Corvette alone. In all, General Motors sold a mere 20,479 Corvettes during the course of its 1992 model year.
Overall, sales of the 1991 Chevy Corvette followed the downward trend started earlier in the model year by the ZR-1. In all, 20,639 units were sold, with coupes outselling convertibles at a ratio of about three-to-one
Overall, sales of the Chevy Corvette dropped slightly in 1990, with a total sales of 23,646 units. Despite this decrease in sales, it was a huge year thanks to the ZR-1.
For the first time in several years, the 1989 model year would actually see an increase in the total sales numbers of the Chevrolet Corvette. Chevrolet sold a total of 26,412 Corvettes in 1989.
In total production volumes for the 1988 Corvette was 22,789 units. For its 35th anniversary year, the Corvette was treated to a number of important engine and chassis upgrades.
For the 1987 model year, Corvette sales did continue to decline, although overall sales were still respectable with a total sales yield of 30,632 cars total
In all, 35,109 Corvettes were sold in 1986. While this number was still considered to be very respectable, it was the second year in a row that overall Corvette sales numbers had slipped.
Corvette’s production volumes reached a total of 39,729 units in 1985. The coupe accounted for 100% of sales in 1985 because the convertible was not offered in 1985.
When combined with the extra-long model year, Corvette’s sales reached a total of 51,547 units – which was the second highest total in Corvette history.
The final year of the C3 Corvette was a solid one in terms of production. As expected production wound down and you can see that in the 25,407 units made.
Despite a generally dismal sales year for the entire automotive industry, Corvette continued to do well with 40,606 units sold that year.
Chevrolet sold 40,614 Corvettes in 1980, which was roughly a 20 percent decline in sales from the 1979 model year. At the same time, the numbers were still respectable.
After the popularity of the 1978 Pace Car and Silver Anniversary Editions in 1978, Corvette was about to set another production record – manufacturing more than 50,000 Corvettes in one year.
The 1978 Corvette sold quite well, moving 46,776 units in all. Of these, 6,502 sold were the limited edition Corvette Pace Car model, which retailed for more than $4,000 over the standard model.
The 1977 Corvette set another new sales and production record at 49,213 units. The popularity of the Chevy Corvette throughout the 1970’s was proven time and again by the year over year increase in sales numbers despite the dramatic increases in cost.
Although the price of the Corvette was at an all-time high, the new Corvette was still in high demand, as reflected in the fact that Chevrolet sold 46,558 units that year, breaking the previous sales record set in 1969.
Despite these minimal changes to the car, the 1975 Corvette’s sales numbers continued to rise over the previous model year. In total, 38,465 Corvettes were sold that year.
The 1974 Corvette defined industry standards by having a near-record sales year. In total, 37,502 Corvettes were sold.
The sales numbers for the 1973 model year actually improved over previous years. In all, Chevrolet sold 30,464 Corvettes in 1973, another strong growth year.
Despite the limited changes Chevy was still able to have a strong sales and production year with a total of 27,004 Corvettes made for that model year.
