The 1953 and 1954 Covettes featured a six cylinder engine and GM’s Powerglide,
two-speed automatic; the first big change for the Vette arrived in 1955 with the optional 265CID, V-8 engine. The 235CID Six was dropped in 1956 as were the wire mesh
headlamp covers. The V-8 was offered with HP options as high as 240 but the
transmission choices remained the Powerglide or the three-speed manual. Things
started to get interesting in 1957 with engines (now a 283CID) offered with
optional fuel injection with ratings as high as 283HP. A four-speed transmission was finally offered as an option late that year. For 1958 the three speed was dropped and the Fuelie could be ordered with ratings as high as 290HP. Engine
specs remained basically unchanged for 1959, the bodywork was updated at the front with distinctive twin headlights (which would stay with the car through 1962).Excerpt copied with permission from ‘Sports Car Pocket Guide’ by Michael Duffy. For more info or to purchase, go to….. http://www.amazon.com/shops/hc-books
