Performance Review: Chevrolet Corvette C1 327 V8 - [1962]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Chevrolet Corvette Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Chevrolet Corvette C1 327 V8 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1962. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1963 Ferrari 275 GTB 3.3 V12 and the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO.This particular Chevrolet Corvette has a 5354cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Corvette shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. 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 1400 kgs (3086 lbs) this makes the Chevrolet Corvette C1 327 V8 in the same weight category as the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica 5.2 V10 or the give or take 50kg.

The Chevrolet Corvette shares the same bhp with the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp)

In terms of power the 5354cc 16V V8 engine produces 365 bhp (272 kW) @ 6200 rpm similar to the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp) or the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 352 lb-ft (477.2 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 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 2009 Audi R8 6.0 Quattro V12 TDI (285.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Chevrolet Corvette.

The Chevrolet Corvette has a Power to weight ratio of 260.7 bhp per ton and 251.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1962 Corvette competing with the 2009 Audi R8 6.0 Quattro V12 TDI (285.7 bhp per ton) or the 2009 Cadillac CTS -V 6.2 V8 Auto (285.7 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 251.4 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 2012 Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster GT (276.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2017 Honda NSX 3.5 V6 Turbo Petrol Electric Hybrid (275.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.0 secs, this made the Chevrolet Corvette C1 327 V8 as fast as the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (5.80 secs) the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (5.80 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 DSG (5.80 secs) the or the 2017 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 280 (5.80 secs). This Chevrolet Corvette C1 327 V8 is also faster than the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic Wagon (5.90 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic (5.90 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.90 secs) the and the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 (5.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Corvette and the 1993 Mercedes E Class 60 AMG 6.0 V8 W124

When talking about the performance of the Chevrolet Corvette on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.81 secs @ 106.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1993 Mercedes E Class 60 AMG 6.0 V8 W124 (12.80 secs), the 2019 Toyota Supra GR RZ 3.0 Turbo (12.81 secs), and the 2017 BMW X6 xDrive50i 4.4 V8 F16 (12.81 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1962 version of the Chevrolet Corvette C1 327 V8 has a maximum speed of 140mph.

Top Speed of the 1962 Corvette equals the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (151 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1962 Chevrolet Corvette C1 327 V8 then how about the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (151 mph), the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Polo R WRC 2.0 Turbo (151 mph), or the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Edition 30 DSG (151 mph).

Related Links:

1962 Corvette Rivals List.

A Brief History of Chevrolet

Car Comparison