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

Start here

What do you need to know?

This page covers the whole 1955 Chevrolet Corvette model year. Choose your task first; exact trims and engines are separated where the factory offered different versions.

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
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

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
Factory intervals
9
Fitment-scoped
9
Exact references
1

Before orderingIdentify 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.

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 →

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