When Chevrolet launched the Corvette in 1953, the car was far from the all-conquering performer it is today. But despite its comparative lack of speed, the diminutive sportabout represented an important milestone in American automotive history.
Having watched the surge in popularity of flyweight British vehicles from manufacturers such as Nash-Healey, MG, and Jaguar, GM officials finally decided to counter with an affordable two-seater of their own. America's first sports car was born.
Today, the Corvette is known and loved the world over as embodying an unbeatable combination of performance and everyday livability. With the help of ProTeam Corvette Sales, we've put together a small sampling of international Vette owners, all of whom purchased their Corvettes in the United States and shipped them abroad.
Croatia
Croatia is located in southern Europe, tucked amongst its fellow remnants of the Yugoslavian republic and bordering the Adriatic Sea. But while Drazic Damir's '58 Corvette had to travel quite a few miles to reach its new home, this Euro Vette buff's passion for hands-on enjoyment rivals that of his Stateside counterparts.
"Last winter I had the Vette painted and rechromed and added an original-style radio," he tells us. He further claims to have driven the car more than 600 miles since buying it, and he plans to attend a Corvette event in Switzerland later this year. Still, the '58's most memorable appearance likely came when Damir drove the car to his recent wedding reception.
Canada
Somewhat closer to home resides this Glen Green '65 327/365 convertible. Pictured with the car is its owner, Wayne Jusiesh, who lives in Kelowna, British Columbia. Like so many Corvette fanatics, Jusiesh has found that owning just one of the classic sports cars is not enough. The Canadian is currently looking for another vintage Vette to add to his nascent collection.
Hungary
We all have our own reasons for purchasing a Corvette, usually having to do with an insatiable desire to revel in the car's voluptuous design or experience its exhilarating performance. Hungarian Daniel Poisson's rationale, however, grew out of considerably more utilitarian considerations.
"An indoor garage space became available in our complex," he says, " and it happened to be next to our current parking spots. So, I guess you could say that getting that new parking spot was the catalyst for buying a Corvette."
Don't let Poisson's casual demeanor fool you; he has admired '50s Corvettes since he was young. "They incorporate a style and quality that make the car a classic," he says. "I truly believe that only a few cars ever reach this place in history, and Corvette has to be one of them."
Poisson plans to drive his wife to Vienna in their Roman Red '59 and join a local "Old Timers" club that holds four races a year.