Corvette Black Book 1953-2010

In this space last year, it was noted that 2009 would be a watershed year for Corvette with the introduction of the ZR1. It was a watershed all right, as the worldwide economic meltdown brought GM to its knees, culminating in its bankruptcy filing on June 1, 2009. Thanks in no small part to its status as one of GM’s premier products and a proven moneymaker, Corvette has survived. It did take a 48% sales hit, making 2009 the lowest production Corvette since 1997. And 1997 didn’t suffer from lack of demand, but from the late and slow rampup of that all-new model. Excluding 1997, one has to go back to 1962 for lower volume. Yet judging from the Competition Sport and Championship GT1 interim 2009 models, and the Grand Sports of 2010, it appears the Corvette crew hasn’t skipped a beat. And a new 2010 Corvette Black Book is here to document it all, with a cover graced by a classic 1956 model.

Tough act to follow
The first Corvette Black Book was published in 1978. Two years later a new edition added 1979 and 1980. A bigger edition came along in 1984 and updated books continued each year through 1990. In 1992, the book was rewritten cover to cover and resized to cram in 40% more data for each year. New editions were published each year through 1999. In 2000, height and page count increased. Page count increased again in 2003 to 160 as more material was added. The beauty of the Corvette Black Book lies, like the car itself, it its constant evolution. These are pocket-sized marvels with thousands of Corvette facts, options and option codes, exterior and interior colors and codes, production figures, serial numbers for body, engine, and component parts, original “window sticker” prices, and a compilation of the details that make each model unique. By categorizing all this in a precise year-to-year format, the Corvette Black Book puts phenomenal expertise at your fingertips. And the latest 1953-2010 edition is the best yet.

Improved yet again
Each new Corvette Black Book edition updates the model year just completed, but 2009 must set some kind of record. Along with the late-intro special models mentioned above, 2009 models had six separate starting and ending VIN sequences. Production volumes are added, of course, and some are eye-catching like the 17 GT1 convertibles built. More rare? How about one ZR1 built to be auctioned for charity. It has its own one-of-one VIN sequence and was the only 2009 factory-painted LeMans Blue. For 2010, Grand Sport models combine wide body styling and Z51-type suspensions with base engines. Count on the Corvette Black Book to condense all this complexity into a quickly comprehendible format. Our usual nitpicking resulted in changes to 1965, 1966, 1969 and 2009 data sections. Fifteen pages have text revisions, updates, clarifications...all part of an endless effort to maintain the Corvette Black Book’s reputation for detail and accuracy. Not only does it have the information you want, the book is designed so you can find what you’re looking for quickly.

Authenticity
No one’s perfect, but after three-plus decades of attention to detail, the Corvette Black Book has become the enthusiast’s bible. Next time you visit a top quality Corvette restoration shop, see if there isn’t a you-know-what lying around. Notice which book is stuffed into enthusiasts’ pockets at Corvette events around the world. It is Mike Antonick’s Corvette Black Book from Michael Bruce Associates. Period.

Specs
160 pages, softbound, 4.375” x 9.125” vertical, 114 b/w photos, uncountable facts. $17.95

Buy 2010 Edition Now

1953-2009 Corvette Black Books still available
2009 was the year for Corvette’s supercar intro. The ZR1 is featured on this edition’s front cover. With 638-horsepower and a base price of $105,000, it was one for the books.

Note that the 2009 edition was printed in October, 2008. So if your main interest is in 2009 and 2010 models, (or the specific models cited above), we recommend the new 2010 book.

Specs
160 pages, softbound, 4.375” x 9.125” vertical, 115 b/w photos, uncountable facts. Special $14.95

Buy 2009 Edition Now

1953-2008 Corvette Black Books still available
2008 was the Corvette Black Book’s 30 year. So in addition to the standard paperback edition, a bonded leather hardbound edition was offered. Distribution of the hardbound was from the publisher only, with just 1,000 copies produced for sale. The content of the two editions was the same.

Note that the 2008 editions were printed in October, 2007. So if your interest is in 2008, 2009 or 2010 models, we recommend the new 2010 book. Of course, the hardbound’s limited production and superb bind quality make it a nice keeper regardless.

Specs
Standard paperback edition: 160 pages, softbound, 4.375” x 9.125” vertical, 113 b/w photos, uncountable facts. $17.95 retail, Special $12.95

30th Anniversary hardbound edition: 160 pages, flexible bonded black leather cover with gold stamping, sewn pages, 4.5” x 9.375” vertical, 113 b/w photos, uncountable facts. $27.95

Buy 2008 Edition Now

Notices

(1) This publication is not in any way connected with the “Black Book” published by National Auto Research Division of Hearst Media Publications. (2) Michael Bruce Associates, Inc., and the Corvette Black Book are not associated with or sponsored by General Motors or its Chevrolet Motor Division.