The Corvette was first built in 1953 and is built today only at a GM plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

I had an opportunity last year to visit the National Corvette Museum located nearby. It happened to be the luck of the draw that they were having a huge rally there that weekend. I have never seen anything like it. It was almost as if every Vette in the world had shown up. Acres and acres of them. The real prizes of course were to be found inside the museum where masterpieces of the designer's art are to be found. Don't miss the opportunity to go there if you love old Corvettes. It may be out of the way for you but well worth the trip.

Corvettes have always been known as a mix of great handling and strong engines while retaining affordability, especially as compared to a lot of sport cars that are many times more expensive and don't really bring a lot more to the performance table.

So the classic American sports car has come about by offering a little of everything to the fan -- looks, power, handling, and cost.

Some purists have criticized the older models as being less refined and rather harsh compared to some of the import sports cars. Corvettes do lean in the direction of the simple rather than the complex as testified by the engine designs used over the years. The relatively basic V8 motor is both lighter and smaller than a lot of other sports models, but that also means they are cheaper to manufacture. Those same purists cite this as a drawback to the 'Vette but who can argue with the experience of driving this car and the sheer thrill it provides.