Car Model History

First generation · C1 · 1953–1962

1962Chevrolet 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

1962 Chevrolet Corvette, C1 first generation — black hardtop coupe, front three-quarter view

Photo: “1962 Chevrolet Corvette” by Mustang Joe / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 1.0. Cropped to 16:9.

Start here

What do you need to know?

This page covers the whole 1962 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 1962 Corvette

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

10factory 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.

10versions shown
Convertible

Corvette 250 Convertible — 3-speed manual

Body
Convertible
Engine
327 cu in four-barrel V8 (250 hp)
Gearbox
3-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Convertible

Corvette 250 Convertible — 4-speed manual

Body
Convertible
Engine
327 cu in four-barrel V8 (250 hp)
Gearbox
4-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Convertible

Corvette 250 Convertible — 2-speed Powerglide automatic

Body
Convertible
Engine
327 cu in four-barrel V8 (250 hp)
Gearbox
2-speed Powerglide automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Convertible

Corvette 300 Convertible — 3-speed manual

Body
Convertible
Engine
327 cu in four-barrel V8 (300 hp)
Gearbox
3-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Convertible

Corvette 300 Convertible — 4-speed manual

Body
Convertible
Engine
327 cu in four-barrel V8 (300 hp)
Gearbox
4-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Convertible

Corvette 300 Convertible — 2-speed Powerglide automatic

Body
Convertible
Engine
327 cu in four-barrel V8 (300 hp)
Gearbox
2-speed Powerglide automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Convertible

Corvette 340 Convertible — 3-speed manual

Body
Convertible
Engine
327 cu in high-lift-cam V8 (340 hp)
Gearbox
3-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Convertible

Corvette 340 Convertible — 4-speed manual

Body
Convertible
Engine
327 cu in high-lift-cam V8 (340 hp)
Gearbox
4-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Convertible

Corvette 360 Convertible — 3-speed manual

Body
Convertible
Engine
327 cu in Rochester fuel-injected V8 (360 hp)
Gearbox
3-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Convertible

Corvette 360 Convertible — 4-speed manual

Body
Convertible
Engine
327 cu in Rochester fuel-injected V8 (360 hp)
Gearbox
4-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

The 1962 model year

Overview

The 1962 Chevrolet Corvette was the C1 model-year specification for the U.S. market. Its documented factory range comprised 327 cu in small-block V8, carbureted or fuel injected with 2-speed Powerglide automatic or 3-speed manual or 4-speed manual.

Specifications

Engines
  • 327 cu in small-block V8, carbureted or fuel injected
Transmissions
2-speed Powerglide automatic, 3-speed manual, 4-speed manual
Body styles
Convertible

Year over year

What changed

  • The final C1 adopted the 327 V8 while retaining its convertible body and externally accessible trunk.

Worth knowing

Notable

  • This page records the U.S. 1962 factory powertrain and body-style range rather than borrowing a nearby model year's specification.

Living with it

Reliability & ownership notes

  • For a 1962 Corvette, verify the VIN, installed powertrain and service history against the exact-year GM document; age, modifications and deferred maintenance are more useful evidence than generation-wide reputation.
  • Check the NHTSA VIN lookup for unrepaired safety recalls before purchase or road use.

Maintenance & service parts

Keep your 1962 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 1962 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
13
Factory intervals
12
Fitment-scoped
13
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.

  • Chassis, parking-brake system, shift linkage, and clutch cross-shaft — lubricate

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1962 · United States

    Published interval: 1,000 mi

    Source: Chevrolet — 1962 Owner Protection Plan, second edition · Maintenance coupons at 1,000–15,000 miles and complete-lubrication list, pages 2–31 and 48 · checked

  • Rear-axle lubricant level — check and add as necessary

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1962 · United States

    Published interval: 1,000 mi

    Source: Chevrolet — 1962 Owner Protection Plan, second edition · Maintenance coupons at 1,000–15,000 miles and complete-lubrication list, pages 2–31 and 48 · checked

  • Transmission lubricant level — check and add as necessary

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1962 · United States

    Published interval: 1,000 mi

    Source: Chevrolet — 1962 Owner Protection Plan, second edition · Maintenance coupons at 1,000–15,000 miles and complete-lubrication list, pages 2–31 and 48 · checked

  • Brake-master-cylinder fluid level — check and add as necessary

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1962 · United States

    Published interval: 1,000 mi

    Source: Chevrolet — 1962 Owner Protection Plan, second edition · Maintenance coupons at 1,000–15,000 miles and complete-lubrication list, pages 2–31 and 48 · checked

  • Battery — service

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1962 · United States

    Source: Chevrolet — 1962 Owner Protection Plan, second edition · Maintenance coupons at 1,000–15,000 miles and complete-lubrication list, pages 2–31 and 48 · checked

    Fluid level — check and add water as necessary

    Applies to: 1962 · United States

    Published interval: 1,000 mi

    Source: Chevrolet — 1962 Owner Protection Plan, second edition · Maintenance coupons at 1,000–15,000 miles and complete-lubrication list, pages 2–31 and 48 · checked

    Terminals — clean and grease; terminal washer — oil

    Applies to: 1962 · United States

    Published interval: 1,000 mi

    Source: Chevrolet — 1962 Owner Protection Plan, second edition · Maintenance coupons at 1,000–15,000 miles and complete-lubrication list, pages 2–31 and 48 · checked

  • Engine oil and filter — service

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1962 · United States

    Source: Chevrolet — 1962 Owner Protection Plan, second edition · Maintenance coupons at 1,000–15,000 miles and complete-lubrication list, pages 2–31 and 48 · checked

    Engine oil — change

    Applies to: 1962 · United States

    Published interval: 4,000 mi · The plan calls this the regular change; abnormal operating conditions may require another interval from the Owner's Guide.

    Source: Chevrolet — 1962 Owner Protection Plan, second edition · Maintenance coupons at 1,000–15,000 miles and complete-lubrication list, pages 2–31 and 48 · checked

    Oil filter — check

    Applies to: 1962 · United States

    Published interval: 4,000 mi

    Source: Chevrolet — 1962 Owner Protection Plan, second edition · Maintenance coupons at 1,000–15,000 miles and complete-lubrication list, pages 2–31 and 48 · checked

  • Air cleaner — service

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1962 · United States

    Source: Chevrolet — 1962 Owner Protection Plan, second edition · Maintenance coupons at 1,000–15,000 miles and complete-lubrication list, pages 2–31 and 48 · checked

    Service as required

    Applies to: 1962 · United States

    Published interval: 4,000 mi

    Source: Chevrolet — 1962 Owner Protection Plan, second edition · Maintenance coupons at 1,000–15,000 miles and complete-lubrication list, pages 2–31 and 48 · checked

    Paper element — check and replace if necessary

    Applies to: 1962 · United States · If equipped with a paper element.

    Published interval: 15,000 mi

    Source: Chevrolet — 1962 Owner Protection Plan, second edition · Maintenance coupons at 1,000–15,000 miles and complete-lubrication list, pages 2–31 and 48 · checked

  • Fan belt — check

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1962 · United States

    Published interval: 4,000 mi

    Source: Chevrolet — 1962 Owner Protection Plan, second edition · Maintenance coupons at 1,000–15,000 miles and complete-lubrication list, pages 2–31 and 48 · checked

  • Fuel-filter element — check

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1962 · Fuel-injected engine · United States

    Published interval: 5,000 mi

    Source: Chevrolet — 1962 Owner Protection Plan, second edition · Maintenance coupons at 1,000–15,000 miles and complete-lubrication list, pages 2–31 and 48 · checked

  • Ignition and engine tune-up — service

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1962 · United States

    Source: Chevrolet — 1962 Owner Protection Plan, second edition · Maintenance coupons at 1,000–15,000 miles and complete-lubrication list, pages 2–31 and 48 · checked

    Spark plugs — clean and adjust; distributor points and timing — check and adjust

    Applies to: 1962 · United States

    Published interval: 5,000 mi

    Source: Chevrolet — 1962 Owner Protection Plan, second edition · Maintenance coupons at 1,000–15,000 miles and complete-lubrication list, pages 2–31 and 48 · checked

    Comprehensive engine tune-up

    Includes coil, condenser, distributor, vacuum control, compression and heat-riser checks; cylinder-head/manifold tightening; spark-plug, point, timing and carburetor adjustment.

    Applies to: 1962 · United States

    Published interval: 10,000 mi

    Source: Chevrolet — 1962 Owner Protection Plan, second edition · Maintenance coupons at 1,000–15,000 miles and complete-lubrication list, pages 2–31 and 48 · checked

  • Brakes — adjust

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1962 · United States

    Published interval: 5,000 mi

    Source: Chevrolet — 1962 Owner Protection Plan, second edition · Maintenance coupons at 1,000–15,000 miles and complete-lubrication list, pages 2–31 and 48 · checked

  • Front wheel bearings — clean, repack, and adjust

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1962 · United States

    Published interval: 10,000 mi

    Source: Chevrolet — 1962 Owner Protection Plan, second edition · Maintenance coupons at 1,000–15,000 miles and complete-lubrication list, pages 2–31 and 48 · checked

  • Engine oil filter — catalog fitment

    Exact reference available

    Manufacturer-catalog fitment only; no service interval is inferred.

    Baldwin P18 cataloged fitment

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

    Applies to: 1962 · United States · Baldwin catalogs P18 for the 1962 Corvette 327-cu-in carbureted and fuel-injected V8; confirm the installed engine and filter before ordering.

    Source: Parker/Baldwin Filters — 2025 Automotive Applications catalog · PDF page 785, Chevrolet 1962 Corvette 327-cu-in carbureted and fuel-injected V8 row — Lube — P18 · checked

    Verified ordering references

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 — 1962 Chevrolet Corvette Vehicle Information Kit
  2. NHTSA — VIN recall lookup

Other First generation years

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

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