The iconic American sports car miraculously survived a troubled birth, quality problems, recessions. Now, the 2014 makeover debuts at Detroit auto show. DETROIT — The Chevrolet Corvette is 60 years old this week, and that's a miracle. Many miracles, in fact. The iconic American sports car has survived a troubled birth, quality problems and development delays. it has overcome threats from recessions and regulations. And it has outlasted waffling by Chevy parent General Motors over whether such a car should exist at all.