The first generation of Corvette was introduced late in the 1953 model year. It first appeared as a show car for the 1953 General Motors Motorama. The car generated enough interest to induce GM to make a production version to sell to the public. Production began in June 1953 with 300 hand-built Corvette convertibles being produced, all Polo White, for the 1953 model year.

The 1954 model year vehicles could be ordered in Pennant Blue, Sportsman Red, Black, or Polo White; 3,640 were built, and sold slowly.

The 1955 model offered a V8 engine as an option. Despite the poor sales of the Corvette at the time, the brand new V-8 was an overwhelmingly popular option. Only 6 of the 1955 models were produced with the inline-six. With a large inventory of unsold 1954 models, GM limited production to 700 for 1955.

A new body was introduced for the 1956 model and an optional fuel injection system was made available in the middle of the 1957 model year. The 1958 Corvette received a body and interior freshening which included a longer front end with quad headlamps, bumper exiting exhaust tips.

The 1959–60 model years had few changes except a decreased amount of body chrome and more powerful engine offerings.

In 1961, the rear of the car was completely redesigned with the addition of a "duck tail" with four round lights. The light treatment would continue for all following model year Corvettes until 2014. In 1962, the Chevrolet 4.64 L Small-Block was enlarged to 5.36 L. 1962 was also the last year for the wrap around windshield, solid rear axle, and convertible-only body style.

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