4LT GS Roadster
Fiberglass isn't the primary body material on Vettes these days, but the car continues a tradition of non-traditional, lightweight bodywork that began with the very first one off the assembly line in 1953. In fact, the reason conventional fiberglass isn't used any longer is because it's been replaced with better, lighter composite materials.
Beneath the skin, the Corvette has long been a pioneer in lightweight technology, from the use of aluminum wheels and suspension parts, to powertrain and chassis parts, and more. That heritage was advanced with the launch of the C5, which used materials including balsawood in the floor to minimize the car's overall mass; the C6 went several steps further, with the introduction of the Z06's aluminum chassis and the ZR1's extensive use of carbon-fiber body panels.
Importantly, the Corvette wasn't the first car to feature a fiberglass body, but it was the first mass-produced model. Similarly, the other lightweight components used in its construction led the way for the rest of the industry, slotting in between the ultra-expensive, low-production exotics and the high-production, value-priced family cars.
Vette
