Celebrating Our Love of Speed on National Corvette Day
We've driven a few Corvettes over the years and no, we don't have a favorite. It's one of the reasons National Corvette Day is so sweet - we can celebrate them all!
Erica Mueller
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This classic beauty deserves its own holiday.
Every year on June 30th, car enthusiasts around the country celebrate National Corvette Day. This day is dedicated to the iconic sports car that has captured the hearts of many since its inception in 1953. I’ve always loved Corvettes. Growing up not far from the Corvette Museum in Kentucky and visiting the museum on multiple occasions, I’d learned to appreciate their rich history. Then my husband and I got to drive one for our tenth anniversary trip, and we were both hooked. The experience was just glorious and is something we still talk about eight years later.
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The 1966 Corvette Coupe would be a great ride on National Corvette Day. Photo: Kymri Wilt
Honoring Corvette History on National Corvette Day
The Corvette, also known as the Vette, is a symbol of American engineering and design. It has gone through many iterations over the years, but the spirit of the car has remained the same. From its sleek lines and powerful engines to its signature pop-up headlights, the Corvette is a true classic.
The newest Corvette Stingray LT2 with a V8 engine offers drivers the chance to dash a quarter-mile in just 11.2 seconds with using its 495 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. And, with its mid-engine design, it looks like a proper supercar. But the Corvette hasn’t always been big and heavy. If you’ve ever seen a classic Vette, you know they started out pretty small.
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Snapping a selfie with the 2015 Z06 Corvette. Photo: Scotty Reiss
Corvettes We’ve Driven
“There’s nothing like the thrill of this classic American sports car – and a V8 engine that delivers 495 horsepower – maybe other than the empowerment it delivers, leaving you feeling like anything is possible,” wrote our contend editor Sara Lacey.
“I drove the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT last fall, and it blew me away. I loved how the cockpit was extremely driver-centric and catered to me almost exclusively (passengers feel differently). It was impressive in terms of its power and handling, but it was simultaneously very forgiving. I had fun getting more and more confident in it every time I drove it. It was a serious beast that was patient while I figured it out.”
The Corvette badge on the hood. Photo: Erica Mueller
Kristen Shaw found beauty in how the car’s legacy has evolved. “Yes, the car is gorgeous and powerful, and what Chevy has achieved with it has been impressive,” She wrote in her story Dad’s 1966 Corvette Is the One That Got Away—so I Brought Him a C8 for Father’s Day. “But for me, it’s not just that. It’s the bond I have with my dad and the opportunity to share this moment in time, our appreciation for the legacy and the future of the car, and the lives we’ve built as a family. Finding a way for my dad a chance to pilot the new Corvette was a gift meant to show him just how much he means to me. It was worth every second of the wait.”
“It sounds silly, but one of my biggest takeaways is that the Corvette C8 is a truly gorgeous machine that anyone could love,” said Elizabeth Blackstock in her story about attending ending Corvette Driving School. “You don’t have to be an automotive enthusiast to drive one; the Corvette will do plenty to help you feel that you’re one of the best drivers in the world.”
“Here’s the thing about this car. No matter the year, it is undeniably a Corvette. The body style has evolved over time, but the DNA is strong, and the car has remained a sought-after sports car for over half a century. The 2020 Corvette is still an all-American piece of muscle; an icon in the car world.” That was me in my own review of the all-new Stingray C8
“The Corvette is to a minivan what Earnest Sewn is to mom jeans: Taking the necessary to a very sexy, fun new level. It is not just sleek and beautiful, but it is also fast – it goes from 0 to 60 mph in under 4 seconds. Like Earnest Sewn Jeans, the ‘Vette’s best feature might be its rear view,” said Judy Antel about the 2014 Corvette Stingray
“As you settle into the 2013 Corvette’s driver’s seat, its comfortable leather cradling you, you start to get that feeling of anticipation of being in control of this incredible machine and having it sweep you off your feet, all at once,” said Scotty Reiss after test driving the 2013 Corvette.
“And then you start to get it. It’s not just about speed. It’s about the power in your hands, being in control, just you, the car, and the road.”
See? We have a thing for this car.
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Dreaming about National Corvette Day and a 2016 Corvette Stingray on the Gulf Shores of Alabama. Photo: Erica Mueller
National Corvette Day Includes Famous Corvettes
Because of their iconic shape and desirability, Corvettes are often featured in movies. And, in the early 1960’s Jim Rathmann, the owner of a Chevrolet-Cadillac dealership close to the NASA Space Center in Florida, pitched GM with the idea and negotiated a $1 per year leasing deal for all of the Mercury astronauts, which would allow any of the seven astronauts to lease the latest Corvette and trade it in for a new one each year. They didn’t all choose to do so, but because of this deal and the famous astronauts who drove them, the Corvette became known as a spaceman’s car. Neil Armstrong’s has been fully restored and has been featured at both NASA and the Corvette Museum.
Bowling Green, Kentucky, offers special “Corvette Parking Only” – a must on National Corvette Day. Photo: Erica Mueller
Mark Your Calendars for National Corvette Day
National Corvette Day is a time for fans of the car to come together and celebrate their love for this American icon. Many car clubs and organizations hold events and gatherings where Corvette owners can show off their prized possessions and share stories about their experiences with the car.
But National Corvette Day is not just for Corvette owners. It’s a day for anyone who appreciates the beauty and power of this legendary car. Whether you’re a fan of vintage Corvettes, prefer the newer models, or maybe you collect Lego Corvette models or Hot Wheels Corvettes, there’s something for everyone to enjoy on National Corvette Day.
If you’re an owner, we’ll see you on the road. And if you’re not, we hope you’ll convince one to take you for a spin!
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