Performance Review: Chevrolet Corvette C1 235 Convertible - [1953]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Chevrolet Corvette Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Chevrolet Corvette C1 235 Convertible is the 2 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1953. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1954 Jaguar D Type 3.4L and the 1953 Alfa-Romeo Disco Volante 1900 Touring Coupe.This particular Chevrolet Corvette has a 3859cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The Corvette shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Corvette's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1290 kgs (2843 lbs) this makes the Chevrolet Corvette C1 235 Convertible in the same weight category as the 2023 Pagani Utopia 6.0 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Chevrolet Corvette shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 3859cc 12V St6 engine produces 150 bhp (111 kW) @ 4200 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 223 lb-ft (302.3 Nm) @ 2400 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Chevrolet Corvette you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2000 Vauxhall-Opel Astra Coupe Turbo (141.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Chevrolet Corvette.

The Chevrolet Corvette has a Power to weight ratio of 116.2 bhp per ton and 172.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1953 Corvette competing with the 2000 Vauxhall-Opel Astra Coupe Turbo (141.2 bhp per ton) or the 2008 Abarth 500 Opening Edition 1.4 Turbo (141.0 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Chevrolet Corvette generating around 172.8 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1999 Ferrari 360 Modena F1 (197.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 2003 BMW 3 Series M3 CSL 2d SMG E46 (197.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 11.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 11.4 secs, this made the Chevrolet Corvette C1 235 Convertible as fast as the 2019 Ford Ranger Double Cab High Rider 3.2 TDCI (11.00 secs) the 2011 Dacia Sandero 1.6 16v (11.00 secs) the 1982 Renault 11 GTX (11.00 secs) the or the 1982 Vauxhall-Opel Manta 1.8 GT (11.00 secs). This Chevrolet Corvette C1 235 Convertible is also faster than the 2006 Peugeot 207 1.6 16v (11.10 secs) the 1970 Ford Cortina MkIII 2000GT (11.10 secs) the 1968 Peugeot 504 1.8 8v (11.10 secs) the and the 2011 Aston-Martin Cygnet 1.3L Launch Edition (11.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Corvette and the 2012 Lexus ES 350

When talking about the performance of the Chevrolet Corvette on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.98 secs @ 80.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2012 Lexus ES 350 (16.91 secs), the 2012 Dodge Charger SXT Blacktop 3.6L V6 (16.92 secs), and the 1992 Volkswagen-VW Corrado 2.9 VR6 (16.93 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1953 version of the Chevrolet Corvette C1 235 Convertible has a maximum speed of 108mph.

Top Speed of the 1953 Corvette equals the 2013 Renault Captur 1.2 Turbo TCe 120 EDC (119 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1953 Chevrolet Corvette C1 235 Convertible then how about the 2013 Renault Captur 1.2 Turbo TCe 120 EDC (119 mph), the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (119 mph), or the 1985 Toyota MR2 Mk1 (119 mph).

Related Links:

1953 Corvette Rivals List.

A Brief History of Chevrolet

Car Comparison