The Chevrolet Corvette, one of America’s most iconic sports cars, has a storied history that began with its prototype assembly in Flint, Michigan, and blossomed into full production in St. Louis, Missouri. This journey, marked by innovation and perseverance, saw the Corvette evolve from a modest beginning to a symbol of American automotive excellence.
Early Beginnings in Flint
The Corvette’s story started in Flint, Michigan, where General Motors employees hand-assembled 300 Corvettes between June 30 and December 24, 1953. These early models were crafted on small prototype assembly lines within the Flint Chevrolet plant, which had been built in 1947 to meet the postwar boom for full size Chevys. Although Flint was never intended to be the Corvette’s permanent home, it provided a convenient location for designers and engineers from GM’s Tech Center in nearby Warren, Michigan, to develop new manufacturing techniques at the General Motors Assembly Research Center.
Transition to St. Louis
On December 28, 1953, the first 1954 Corvette rolled off a true production line in the original Fisher Body Mill Building at the intersection of Natural Bridge Road and Union Boulevard in St. Louis. This building was part of the expansive General Motors Union Boulevard Complex, which also housed Chevrolet and GM truck production lines.
St. Louis was a bustling automotive hub, with up to 35,000 employees working in a sprawling 3-million square foot facility. During World War II, GM’s St. Louis plant had played a crucial role in assembling DUKW amphibious vehicles using standard GM 2.5-ton, 6×6 CCKW all-wheel drive chassis.
Corvette Production in St. Louis
Despite the factory’s massive scale, Corvette production ramped up slowly. The goal was to produce 300 Corvettes per month, but actual production for 1954 was 3,640 units. Sales were initially sluggish, with only 700 Corvettes sold in 1955. However, production gradually increased, reaching 30,000 units per year by 1969 and a record 53,000 units in 1979.
The St. Louis plant, however, was not without its challenges. Workers faced tough conditions, with no air-conditioning and a glass roof that turned the factory into a furnace during the humid Midwest summers. Each of the 62 separate fiberglass body parts had to be hand-sanded and fitted, creating an environment filled with itchy fiberglass dust. The factory experienced multiple strikes by the United Auto Workers, reflecting the difficult working conditions.
The Move to Bowling Green
On August 1, 1980, the adjacent Caprice/Impala assembly line in St. Louis was closed, and Chevrolet production moved to a new state-of-the-art facility in Wentzville, Missouri, about 40 miles away. The following year, on July 31, 1981, Alphonse Juergensmeyer drove the last Corvette off the assembly line at the Mill Building. This marked the end of an era, with 695,214 Corvettes produced in St. Louis.
Approximately 1,000 Corvette assembly-line workers relocated to the new Corvette plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky, where production continues today. The move to Bowling Green represented a new chapter for the Corvette, with a modern facility that allowed for improved production techniques and better working conditions for employees. Bowling Green is home to Corvette production to this day. It’s also where the National Corvette Museum is located.
Legacy of the St. Louis Corvette
The last St. Louis-produced Corvette symbolizes the resilience and dedication of the workers who helped establish the Corvette as a legendary sports car. Despite the challenges faced in the old factory, their hard work and craftsmanship laid the foundation for the Corvette’s enduring success. Today, the Corvette continues to captivate automotive enthusiasts worldwide, thanks to the legacy built in St. Louis and carried forward in Bowling Green.
