There is a very solid argument to make that the Chevrolet Corvette is the most influential sports car ever to come out of a major American manufacturer.
Sure, Chrysler had its Viper; Ford had its GT; and even AMC had its AMX.
However, none of them has had the longevity or the prolonged cultural significance of the Corvette.
When the Stingray was introduced, Corvette Product Manager Harlan Charles called Valet Mode “a baby monitor for your car” and said in a statement: “Anyone who has felt apprehension about handing over their keys will appreciate the peace of mind of knowing exactly what happened while their baby was out of sight.” The system, which can record speed, engine r.p.ms and g-forces during laps on a race track or on rally routes, allowed owners to monitor how another person drove the car, such as when it was being parked, serviced or cleaned. The feature included a voice recorder.
In some states, it is illegal to record an audio conversation without first informing the other party and getting their consent. Otherwise, it is a felony if you do so. Ultimately, it may not be the responsibility of Chevrolet, but rather of Corvette owners, not to violate state laws. With a top speed of 178 miles per hour, it is easy for the car to exceed posted limits, but Chevrolet is not responsible for owners who choose to speed.
True to its bargain-performance sports car heritage, the Chevrolet Corvette started at just $52,000. For that price, the seventh-generation Corvette came with an all-new 6.2-liter V8 making 455 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. It had a standard seven-speed manual transmission, limited-slip differential, aluminum frame and carbon fiber hood. Also standard was a free two-year/24,000-mile scheduled maintenance plan.
Source: Paul Conte Chevrolet
