No one believed a 1983 Corvette exists but there’s a survivor in Kentucky that’s the only one of its kind

The Chevrolet Corvette is one of America’s most iconic cars, but 1983 saw production cease almost entirely.

Ever since its inception in 1953, the Corvette has captured the imagination of the public.

However, the early 1980s saw the iconic car create some unique history.

And that history has just reared its head in a way you might not expect.

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Chevrolet Corvette: America’s car

In 1953, General Motors got together amongst themselves to work out their next move.

They had a rough idea that Chevrolet would offer a small, agile sports car.

At said meeting, the executives were given the idea of the Corvette by Myron Scott.

At the time, Myron Scott was the assistant director of GM’s Public Relations department.

He proposed naming the new car after a class of small, agile warships.

The GM executives agreed, and the car was born.

Despite starting life as a small, six-cylinder sports car, the Corvette has evolved…quite a lot.

In recent years, it has evolved into America’s supercar – including taking on Europe’s best.

The early 1980s weren’t kind to Corvette

By the early 1980s, Chevrolet was facing quite a bit of trouble.

More specifically, the Corvette was facing a lot of trouble.

The C3’s platform and running gear were, in essence, relics.

Additionally, the C3-generation engine had been hampered by emission regulations from the 1970s.

So, GM executives turned their attention to the new generation – the C4, earmarked for 1983.

Unfortunately, the C4’s development was hampered from the very beginning.

In 1981, production was moved from St. Louis to Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Production and part processes quickly fell way behind schedule.

By 1982, it became clear to GM executives that the 1983 release date could never be met.

So, GM decided to delay the C4 release date to the following year.

One unit survives the 1983 delay

To everyone’s shock, there is a real, actual 1983 Corvette in existence.

Despite a few 1983 prototypes being made, they were all purged and destroyed before the C4 release.

Well, one happened to slip through the cracks and survive.

It turns out that the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green has the only surviving ’83 model in existence.

It was saved from being stuck outside and was given a star-spangled theme that would make Captain America proud.

In 1994, it was donated to the Museum, which restored the car back to its original white paint job.

Thankfully, they did an excellent job restoring the one-of-one car, and it still sits in the museum today.

So, if for no other reason, you should visit the National Corvette Museum.

Because, you will see the only 1983 model in existence.

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