C1
There have been six generations of the Corvette so far, generally referred to as versions C1 through C6. The first generation started in 1953 and ended in 1962, with the noteworthy addition of optional fuel injection in 1957. This new induction system first saw regular use on a gasoline engine two years prior on the Mercedes-Benz 300SL “Gullwing” roadster. Although the Corvette’s GM-Rochester fuel injection system used a single central plunger to feed fuel to all eight cylinders in contrast to a more direct means of delivery with a single plunger for each of the Mercedes’ six cylinders, the system nevertheless produced 283 hp (211 kW) from 283 in³ (4.6 L), making it the first production engine in history to reach 1 hp/in³ (45.5 kW/L). In 1962, the GM Small-Block was enlarged to 327 in³ (5.4 L) and produced a maximum of 360 hp (268 kW).