1955 V-8 Corvette
Although the early Corvettes had sensational styling, their performance left drivers underwhelmed. As Corvette sales slumped in 1954, Zora Arkus-Duntov worked behind the scenes to improve Chevrolet's new sports car. One of the biggest changes for 1955 was replacing the Corvette's Blue Flame six- cylinder engine with a V8 motor. Chevy engineer Ed Cole devised the 265ci "Turbo Fire" V8, which produced 195hp, 40 more than the Blue Flame. Of the 700 1955 Corvettes produced, 693 came with the V8, identified by the stylized "Chevrolet" name on the side. This marriage with the V8 engine has made speed and performance synonymous with Corvette ever since.