When people talk Corvettes, the conversation usually starts with what you can see and hear: that unmistakable shape, the thunder of a Chevrolet V-8, and the legacy of all-American performance. But one of the Corvette’s most important—and often overlooked—contributions to sports car history lies beneath your right hand. From two-speed automatics to cutting-edge dual-clutch gearboxes, the Corvette’s transmission evolution tells a story of bold engineering, performance innovation, and a few head-scratching detours along the way.

So, buckle up—we’re shifting through more than 70 years of Corvette transmission history, one gear at a time.

C1 Corvette: A Sports Car with an Automatic?

When the Corvette first hit the streets in 1953, it came with a six-cylinder engine and a two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission. That raised some eyebrows—especially among enthusiasts used to the manual gearboxes in British and European sports cars. But there was logic behind it.

This version of the Powerglide had just been updated to shift automatically into high gear, and its torque converter design meant it launched smoothly and reliably. It was also compact and lightweight, fitting nicely into the Corvette’s tidy engine bay. While it may have seemed like a compromise, it set an unexpected precedent: an automatic Corvette that still delivered thrills.

By 1955, things started to heat up. Zora Arkus-Duntov helped bring the V-8 to the Corvette lineup, and manual transmissions followed shortly after. But that early move toward automatics laid the groundwork for the self-shifting performance cars we see today.

C2 Corvette: Muscle Meets the Powerglide

By the time the second-generation Corvette—known as the Stingray—rolled onto the scene, the four-speed manual and small-block V-8 combo had become a fan favorite. But the trusty two-speed Powerglide was still around and proved it could handle serious muscle.

In 1967, a rare few C2 Corvettes were ordered with the 427-cubic-inch big-block paired with the Powerglide. Only 207 of the high-strung Tri-Power variants got the two-speed auto, and another 392 came with the 390-horsepower version. These cars weren’t slouches—rumor has it they could hit 90 mph in first gear and 140 in second.

Even though most buyers opted for manuals, these builds showed that the Corvette’s automatic wasn’t just a convenience—it was a legitimate performance option.

C3 Corvette: Automatic Goes Mainstream

With the third-generation Corvette came a new chassis, fresh styling, and a shift in priorities. The C3 debuted the three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 automatic transmission. It was tough, smooth, and just as quick in real-world driving as the manual. No surprise, then, that automatic Corvettes started outselling their manual counterparts.

European automakers were watching. Soon, brands like Ferrari, Porsche, and Mercedes-Benz were offering V-8-powered GTs with automatic transmissions of their own—some even using GM’s Turbo Hydra-Matic under the skin.

As horsepower dropped in the 1970s thanks to emissions rules, Corvette leaned further into comfort and luxury. The final C3, the 1982 Collector’s Edition, had no manual option at all—marking a rare moment where every Corvette was automatic. But that was about to change.

C4 Corvette Part One: Enter the 4+3 Transmission

With no 1983 model year, the C4 Corvette officially launched in 1984—every one of them fitted with the four-speed 700R4 automatic. But GM had plans to bring a manual back into the mix. The problem? There was no five-speed in the GM lineup strong enough for the V8.

So, Chevy got creative. The stopgap was a hybrid transmission setup: a four-speed Borg-Warner T-10 with an automatic overdrive unit on the top three gears, made by Doug Nash. Dubbed the “4+3 Corvette transmission,” it promised better highway cruising without sacrificing acceleration.

In theory, it worked. But in practice, most drivers found it clunky and unreliable. Critics preferred the smoother shifting imports, and sales numbers confirmed it—buyers overwhelmingly went with the automatic.

Still, weekend racers appreciated the performance potential of the 4+3, especially after modifying the system to allow overdrive in first gear. But Chevy knew it wasn’t a long-term solution.

C4 Corvette Part Two: The Six-Speed Arrives

By 1989, Chevrolet was ready to turn the page. Enter the ZF six-speed manual transmission—first seen in the ZR1 “King of the Hill” Corvette and later offered in standard models as well. Finally, the Corvette had a gearbox that could stand toe-to-toe with anything Europe had to offer.

Not only was the six-speed smoother and more refined, but it was also quicker. Even with the same 250-horsepower engine, the improved gearing made the car faster in every situation.

To avoid the gas-guzzler tax, Chevy fitted the six-speed with a computer-controlled skip-shift feature, known as CAGS. Under light throttle, it forced a shift from first to fourth. Drivers hated it—and the aftermarket quickly responded with delete kits.

Meanwhile, GM replaced the old 700R4 with the 4L60-E, an electronically controlled automatic that rounded out the C4’s run with a strong, reliable, and thoroughly modern feel.

C6 Corvettes: Six Speeds for Everyone

The C6, launched in 2005, was a major refinement of the C5 platform, offering better visibility, sharper handling, and a much-needed interior upgrade. But perhaps the biggest change came in 2006, when Chevrolet introduced a new six-speed automatic transmission.

This wasn’t just smoother—it was faster. For the first time, the automatic was just as quick, if not quicker, than the manual in most situations. And drivers loved it. In fact, the most popular spec was an automatic convertible—proving again that for many Corvette fans, cruising mattered just as much as carving corners.

Still, manual diehards weren’t left out. The six-speed manual remained available across the lineup, from base models to the fire-breathing ZR1, with ratios tailored to performance driving.

C7 Corvette: The Seven-Speed Era Begins

The seventh-generation Corvette raised the bar again with a bold new look and serious performance under the hood. It also introduced a first for Chevy: a seven-speed manual transmission. Designed to rival Porsche’s seven-speed in the 911, the gearbox offered smooth, precise shifts and improved fuel economy on the highway.

In everyday driving, most of those gears were optional—the torque of the new LT1 engine meant you could cruise around town without rowing through all seven.

For those who wanted even less shifting, Chevy offered an eight-speed automatic starting in 2015. It was fast, efficient, and helped drop 0–60 times even further. When the C7 Z06 became available with an automatic for the first time, purists grumbled—but buyers didn’t. They loved the mix of power and convenience.

C8 Corvette: Mid-Engine, Dual-Clutch, All Business

The eighth-generation Corvette is a game changer. With its mid-engine layout and exotic styling, it’s a true American supercar. And that transformation extended to the gearbox as well.

For the first time, the Corvette uses a dual-clutch automatic transmission, developed by Tremec. This isn’t your granddad’s slushbox—it’s a race-bred, paddle-shifted system that delivers instantaneous gear changes with zero power loss. It’s so quick, even pro drivers have a hard time beating it with a manual.

Some fans still miss the stick shift, but the performance speaks for itself. The eight-speed dual-clutch is strong enough to handle the standard Stingray, the hybrid E-Ray, and even the mighty Z06.

From two speeds to eight, Corvette has long offered unique and class-leading options. What’s next? Likely some kind of hybrid drive, or perhaps an all-electric drivetrain, but for most Corvette fanciers, today’s C8 is as futuristic, and forward-looking, as they could possibly want.

From Two Speeds to Dual-Clutch: Corvette’s Transmission Legacy

From the humble two-speed Powerglide to the track-ready dual-clutch of today, Corvette’s transmission history mirrors its rise as a global performance icon. Each generation brought new solutions—sometimes brilliant, sometimes flawed—but always pushing the envelope.

Whether you’re into drag racing, canyon carving, or just Sunday drives with the family, there’s a Corvette transmission that fits your style. And as hybrid and electric powertrains loom on the horizon, one thing’s for sure: the Corvette will keep shifting forward.