Most Powerful Corvettes of Each Generation

Put down that Corvette coffee mug and grab your favorite Corvette hat, ‘cuz we’re going to check out each gen’s most powerful self!

For almost seven decades, the Corvette has stood the test of time. From the post-war era to today, America’s sports car changed with the times as much as its fans did. Styling, new tech, market targeting, all of it helped the ‘Vette live to see its eighth generation.

Of course, we also can’t forget the thing that makes the Corvette what it is: horsepower. The more power it had, the more the ‘Vette stood apart from everyone else. So, put away that Corvette die-cast and grab your favorite Corvette shot glass, as we take you on a trip through time to find each gen’s most powerful example! These are all cars you and I could buy off the showroom floor; thus, no race cars, tuner rides, or prototypes need apply.

C1 Era: 1962 327 Ram Jet

In the beginning, the Corvette had a lot of style, but not a lot of power. The Blue Flame inline-six had a cool name, but the reality did not live up to the promise. With the help of Zora Arkus-Duntov, though, the ‘Vette gained its mojo in 1955 with a 283 V8, and it never turned back.

By the end of the C1 era in 1962, the first-gen Corvette roared off into history with its most powerful setup: a 327 V8 with Ram Jet fuel injection. Together, the roadster laid down 360 horses upon the two-lane blacktop. A fitting send-off, indeed.