In this week’s Reader Reaction, we conducted a poll through the Corvette Online Facebook page, and asked, “Which is the most influential Corvette generation?” We are happy to report, that this poll got the best response we’ve ever had, with over 80 contributions, many of which included pictures with their personal cars, or ones they have loved in the past. Thank you all for your contributions!

To get the following results, we tallied each answer for one of the seven generations of Corvette. If you answered with two, we put a tally on the earlier of the two generations, as we probably would not have the newer without its predecessor. We also included a group for those Corvette lovers that just couldn’t decide, and replied with an “all of the above” type response.

Gen 1 

The first generation ran from 1953 to 1962, and clearly, started it all, oddly enough, these only got two votes. Perhaps the public is of the opinion that while the first generation did in fact get America’s sports car off and rolling, it is very different from most of the other generations if not all of them. None the less, they are a beautiful car, and one that can be well respected.

Gen 2

Things certainly took a turn to the more “muscly” side with the second generation. Running from 1963 to 1967, this marks the shortest production period of any Corvette generation (assuming of course the Stingray is produced past the year 2018). These cars received 12 votes, placing them about midfield in the poll. David Etlin commented with, “C2 of course. Four wheel disc brakes, independent suspension, 427 engine, split rear window coupe. All these reasons make the second generation the most important...”. While we all have our own reasons for our answers, Mr. Etlin makes a great case.

Gen 3

Generation three was the winner of our poll, bringing in 22 votes, almost double that of any competing cars. The third generation Vette was in production from 1968 to 1982, which makes it the longest running model to date. This car underwent a number of engine changes, and unfortunately ended on the more tame side due to smog regulations and the like. Jesse Rowland voted with, “c3 has the vote in my book. My favorite’s are the c2’s, but a neighbor had a pearl white c3 she’d come home in every day. i’d watch outside for Tess to come home, hoping for a glance at her Vette. Between the time period it spans and sheer quantity, the 3rd gen is commonly the iconic Corvette thought of in both childhood memories and iconic Vette shape today.

Gen 4

In many ways, this Corvette helped turn the car down the technological path in which is currently resides. The 4th gen, built from 1984 to 1996 took nine votes in the poll setting it into fourth place. While it was built with much improved handling, electronics, and materials compared to previous generations, it was probably overshadowed by the next generation’s changes.

Gen 5

The 5th generation was in production from 1997 to 2004. Due to the major change of moving the transmission to a rear mounted transaxle, this Corvette has a definite place among those that have inspired change. The C5 received 12 votes in the poll, which made for a 3rd place tie with the gen 2.

Gen 6

While this line of Corvettes is a bit more modern then all of the previous, the C6 only took 5th place in the poll with 7 votes. This Corvette was designed with new stunning headlights, electronic door locks, and some impressive horsepower found in the 427. The 6th generation cars were built from 2005 to 2013, but apparently just didn’t change enough to warrant a lot of votes.

Gen 7

Lastly, we have the new kid on the block. Despite only having been in production this year, 2014, with some 2015s beginning to roll out of the plant, the new Stingray took 13 votes, and 2nd place. Chuck Monroe  said, “New generation corvette is a very fine car …..takes back seat to no Euro sports car and at half the price !” To anybody who has not had the privilege to drive one of these new Vettes, they are nothing like any previous Corvette and have certainly earned every vote.

Gen D) All of the Above

The Facebook poll had four participants who just love something about each generation, so they had to vote for them all. Paul Underwood wrote in, “They are all relevant in their own way. Each generation perpetuated the next until we reached the stunning C7.” While this may not help to edge out one generation over another, it certainly is nice to hear from folks who just truly love all things Corvettes spanning more then 60 years.