![[VIDEO] Doug DeMuro Ranks Every Generation of Corvette](https://www.corvetteblogger.com/images/content/2025/04/040825_9.jpg)
It’s all in good fun, but the latest episode of Doug DeMuro’s “This Car Pod With Doug DeMuro & Friends!” is sure to be controversial among the readers of this site.
A viewer writes in to Doug and asks him to rank the Corvettes by generation, a seemingly easy task, but have you ever tried to do it? As Doug puts it, “some things that were desirable in the ’50s ain’t desirable today.”
Doug & Friends never really seem to come to a mutual agreement on the actual ranking, but their lively discussion does stir the pot and got us thinking how we would rate the generations ourselves.
Doug quickly affirms that the C2 generation from 1963-67 should be #1 – “C2 is the car!” he exclaims with a huge smile on his face.
He then somewhat blushingly says the C8 would be his next pick, but one of his buddies disagrees because there’s no manual transmission offered, even admitting he wants to experience the beleaguered C4 with the much-maligned Doug Nash 4+3.
Doug then rates the C3 last, but again his buddy argues that the C4 should have that dubious distinction, prompting Doug to say something “controversial.”
“C4.1 is last,” he claims, “C3 is second to last, C4.2 is better. The ’96 Grand Sport is one of the coolest Corvettes ever built, but any late C4 is a great Corvette.” His friend asserts they must take the generations as a whole, which leads to Doug’s sheepish assertion that he would still rather have a late C4 than a C5, C6, or maybe even a C1.
Check out the entire video for more “sure-to-rile-up-us-old-Corvette-guys” talk as the guys continue their seven-minute discussion.
So, what does your ranking look like from top to bottom?
Source:
This Car Pod!
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![[VIDEO] Watch (and Listen) as a C8 Corvette Z06 Runs Full Throttle on the German Autobahn](https://www.corvetteblogger.com/images/content/uploads/2026/07/070226_3-218x150.jpg "[VIDEO] Watch (and Listen) as a C8 Corvette Z06 Runs Full Throttle on the German Autobahn")
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I’ve got to have my 6 spd manual and a convertible top for it to be a true sports car. That being said, my C6 Grand Sport 4LT is my first choice. I passed on the 427 because it is not known to be as durable as the LS3 engine. I love the C6 styling and the interior (mine has the Heritage Package also) is very comfortable.
I’ve driven C1-C6. Depends what you want. The ’58 I drove was a stylish truck. My neighbor had a ’67 4spd L-79 side pipes that may be my favorite. Another friend had a ’69 427/400 vert that was brute. I owned a ’79 L82…junk. I really liked the C4 ZR1 I had some seat time in. The C5 Z06 I own now IMO is the best. Just love it. C6 Z06 is a lot of car for the street. Don’t care for the styling on C7-C8, tho the performance speaks for itself. The C5, the one that I could afford, ticks all the boxes for me.
I have always held the 56-57 C1’s styling as the defining moment for Corvette as a sports car. The handling was not great but fair for the time.
The C2 was a huge jump forward setting the bar very high for performance and handling. The C3 early years were beautiful with the sleek “coke bottle” design and chrome bumpers.
The C4 I drove when it was new and appreciated the up grades from the C3. At the time the styling was exciting but didn’t age well.
The C5 changed the performance metric at the racing circuits but I could never get my head around the styling. The rounded surfaces were aerodynamic but not aggressive enough visually, kind of a pudgy face.
The C6 really brought the styling forward with it’s eyes open all the time and a bit of a smirk to the confident grin. It was my favorite until the C7 arrived.
The C7’s Edgy, Aggressive lines and improved fit & finish said Chevy was serious, IMHO. I can stare at the lines from any angle and never get tired. My C7 Z06 with Stage 3 ground effects looks like a Monster coming your way ready to attack.
Finally we have the C8 mid-engine sports car with a convertible option that does not erase the trunk space. Chevy hit it out of the park with everything required to gain respect from here and across the pond. The Porsche snobs even have positive comments. The styling and performance is beyond all expectations. I’m old school and the mid-engine visual balance of the car is not for me. I prefer a longer hood but I appreciate what Chevy has accomplished.
The 1996 C4 manual trans can hold its own, any time…and if you’ve detailed the engine compartment, it’s worth the trip….just like the flip hood Jaguar, it’ll get the views at any show…as well as the comments
This guy is full of shit if he thinks the C3 is second to last. Also he’s wrong about all 96 Grand Sports having red interiors. My favorites list: 1-C7 2-C3 3-C2 4-C6 5-C4 6-C5 7-C8 8-C1.
The generations all rank differently across different metrics. Looks, performance, handling, interior, etc–all would probably vary somewhat as to which is best or most desirable.
Personally, I find the C7 and C2 to be least desirable (exterior). Both sit between generations that have more desirable characteristics (for me). C6 improved the C5; C7 was overdone. C1 looked great, and the C3 has the sexy coke bottle–but the C2 just “is”. C2 doesn’t hit me much different than a 1st gen Mustang (visually).
Interior wise, C4 and C5 are probably the least desirable. Chevy was still making corvette interior in 2004 that would have fit right in with 1990.
The C8 is too fat, unfortunately. Corvette went from something that was akin to a MX5 back in the 1950’s…to something that is competing with Bugatti for bulk. However, it does have the performance crown–and by a wide margin. Rowing gears is entirely overrated; as long as you can select gears manually–the method via how it is done is irrelevant.
It’s a damn shame I can’t get C3 looks/proportions with a C8 powertrain, stiffness and suspension.
P.S.
I should point out that the ’58+ C1 exterior is a vast improvement over what it replaced, and I prefer the 58-60 over the earlier or later C1. No other generation has that level of drastic exterior change, save for perhaps the C3.
So when comparing C1 vs other generations, it definitely does matter which version of C1 we’re talking about.
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