Car Model History

First generation · C1 · 1953–1962

1955Chevrolet Corvette

The original Corvette — launched mid-1953 as a hand-built fiberglass-bodied roadster. Six-cylinder at first; the 265 small-block V8 arrived for 1955, setting the V8 sports-car template.

First generation · C1

1955 Chevrolet Corvette, C1 first generation — cream roadster, front three-quarter view

Photo: Sicnag / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.

Quick facts

Engines
2offered235 cu in "Blue Flame" inline-six → 265 cu in small-block V8
Top output
195hp265 cu in small-block V8

Body stylesConvertible

The 1955 model year

Overview

For 1955 Chevrolet made the new 265-cubic-inch small-block V8 available in the Corvette, transforming the car's character from a six-cylinder cruiser into a genuine performer. The V8 became the engine the Corvette has been built around ever since.

Specifications

Engines
  • 235 cu in "Blue Flame" inline-six155 hp
  • 265 cu in small-block V8195 hp
Transmissions
2-speed Powerglide automatic, 3-speed manual (V8)
Body styles
Convertible

Year over year

What changed

  • The 265 cu in small-block V8 became available, the first V8 Corvette.
  • A V8 badge (the enlarged 'V' in the Chevrolet script) marked the cars.
  • A three-speed manual was available by the end of the model year, as Chevrolet later recorded in its Corvette Heritage history.

Worth knowing

Notable

  • First V8 Corvette — the start of the small-block sports-car formula.

Living with it

Reliability & ownership notes

  • Early small-block V8 cars; originality and matching numbers drive value on survivors.

Maintenance & service parts

Keep your 1955 Corvette on the road

Start with the service interval, then match the engine or exact version you own. Order links appear only when a catalog-backed part number is available, and every listing still needs a fitment check.

Service desk

What this car needs & when

Use this as a service-planning checklist for 1955 Chevrolet Corvette. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.

Service topics
9
Scheduled topics
9
Applicability stated
9
Exact references
1

Before ordering Identify your engine, options and build date. Part numbers and sizes can change within one model year. Shopping links appear only for catalog-backed references; still verify the listing against your vehicle before ordering.

  • Engine oilView intervals, applicability and sources

    Engine oil

    Sourced interval available

    First change at 500 miles; use shorter intervals for dust storms, cold or severe weather, or very dusty roads.

    Applies to: 1955 · United States

    Published interval: 3,000 mi · Every 2,000–3,000 miles after the initial 500-mile change.

    Source: Chevrolet — 1955 Corvette Operation Manual (scan hosted by CorvSport) · Operation Manual pp. 23–28, Periodic Lubrication and Maintenance / Maintenance in Brief · checked

  • Engine oil-filter elementView intervals, applicability and sources

    Engine oil-filter element

    Exact reference available

    Applies to: 1955 · United States

    Published interval: 6,000 mi

    Source: Chevrolet — 1955 Corvette Operation Manual (scan hosted by CorvSport) · Operation Manual pp. 23–28, Periodic Lubrication and Maintenance / Maintenance in Brief · checked

    Baldwin P53 cataloged fitment

    This manufacturer application record establishes replacement-filter fitment only; it does not alter Chevrolet's service interval.

    Applies to: 1955 · United States · Baldwin's exact 1955 Corvette application rows assign P53 to every cataloged engine family; confirm the installed engine and filter before ordering.

    Source: Parker/Baldwin Filters — 2025 Automotive Applications catalog · PDF page 786, Chevrolet 1955 Corvette 235-cu-in inline-six and 265-cu-in V8 rows — Lube — P53 · checked

    Verified ordering references

  • Chassis lubricationView intervals, applicability and sources

    Chassis lubrication

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1955 · United States

    Published interval: 1,000 mi

    Source: Chevrolet — 1955 Corvette Operation Manual (scan hosted by CorvSport) · Operation Manual pp. 23–28, Periodic Lubrication and Maintenance / Maintenance in Brief · checked

  • Powerglide fluid level — checkView intervals, applicability and sources

    Powerglide fluid level — check

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1955 · United States

    Published interval: 1,000 mi

    Source: Chevrolet — 1955 Corvette Operation Manual (scan hosted by CorvSport) · Operation Manual pp. 23–28, Periodic Lubrication and Maintenance / Maintenance in Brief · checked

  • Rear-axle lubricant level — checkView intervals, applicability and sources

    Rear-axle lubricant level — check

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1955 · United States

    Published interval: 1,000 mi

    Source: Chevrolet — 1955 Corvette Operation Manual (scan hosted by CorvSport) · Operation Manual pp. 23–28, Periodic Lubrication and Maintenance / Maintenance in Brief · checked

  • Spark plugs — remove, clean and regapView intervals, applicability and sources

    Spark plugs — remove, clean and regap

    Sourced interval available

    0.035" gap

    Applies to: 1955 · United States

    Published interval: 5,000 mi

    Source: Chevrolet — 1955 Corvette Operation Manual (scan hosted by CorvSport) · Operation Manual pp. 23–28, Periodic Lubrication and Maintenance / Maintenance in Brief · checked

  • Carburetor air-inlet extensions — inspect screensView intervals, applicability and sources

    Carburetor air-inlet extensions — inspect screens

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1955 · United States

    Published interval: 5,000 mi

    Source: Chevrolet — 1955 Corvette Operation Manual (scan hosted by CorvSport) · Operation Manual pp. 23–28, Periodic Lubrication and Maintenance / Maintenance in Brief · checked

  • Front wheel bearings — clean and repackView intervals, applicability and sources

    Front wheel bearings — clean and repack

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1955 · United States

    Published interval: 10,000 mi

    Source: Chevrolet — 1955 Corvette Operation Manual (scan hosted by CorvSport) · Operation Manual pp. 23–28, Periodic Lubrication and Maintenance / Maintenance in Brief · checked

  • Seasonal cooling-system serviceView intervals, applicability and sources

    Seasonal cooling-system service

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1955 · United States

    Source: Chevrolet — 1955 Corvette Operation Manual (scan hosted by CorvSport) · Operation Manual pp. 23–28, Periodic Lubrication and Maintenance / Maintenance in Brief · checked

    Fall — add antifreeze

    Applies to: 1955 · United States · Fall seasonal service.

    Published interval: 12 months · Each fall.

    Source: Chevrolet — 1955 Corvette Operation Manual (scan hosted by CorvSport) · Operation Manual pp. 23–28, Periodic Lubrication and Maintenance / Maintenance in Brief · checked

    Spring — flush cooling system

    Applies to: 1955 · United States · Spring seasonal service.

    Published interval: 12 months · Each spring.

    Source: Chevrolet — 1955 Corvette Operation Manual (scan hosted by CorvSport) · Operation Manual pp. 23–28, Periodic Lubrication and Maintenance / Maintenance in Brief · checked

Collect

Bring this model year home

Find a scale model using the exact year, make, and model—not a generic generation search.

Sources

  1. General Motors Heritage Archive — 1955 Chevrolet Corvette Vehicle Information Kit
  2. Chevrolet — Corvette Heritage, printed p. 2: 1955 late-model-year manual availability
  3. Wikipedia — "Chevrolet Corvette (C1)"

Other First generation years

Explore the C1 generation →All First generation · C1 years →

Documented lineup

Find your exact 1955 Corvette

Start with a family, body style, or engine. Every card opens the facts and maintenance information for that factory version.

3factory configurations
Exact factory pairings documentedHow this lineup was verified

These source-backed records identify published body, engine, and transmission combinations. Exact pairings do not by themselves assert that every factory option or special edition is represented.

3versions shown
Browse 3 documented records — use the filters above to narrow the list
Convertible

Corvette 155 Convertible — 2-speed Powerglide automatic

Body
Convertible
Engine
235 cu in "Blue Flame" inline-six (155 hp)
Gearbox
2-speed Powerglide automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Convertible

Corvette 195 Convertible — 3-speed manual

Body
Convertible
Engine
265 cu in small-block V8 (195 hp)
Gearbox
3-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Convertible

Corvette 195 Convertible — 2-speed Powerglide automatic

Body
Convertible
Engine
265 cu in small-block V8 (195 hp)
Gearbox
2-speed Powerglide automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

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