What two-speed automatic transmission was used in the first Corvette?

The first Corvette used GM’s two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission.

The 1953 Corvette paired its Blue Flame inline-six with the Powerglide, a two-speed automatic already used in Chevrolet passenger cars. Although the Corvette looked like a purpose-built sports car, many of its mechanical components came from Chevrolet’s existing parts supply.

The transmission helped Chevrolet bring the new car to production quickly. Its controls were adapted for the Corvette, including a floor-mounted shifter that better suited the two-seat roadster’s sporting image. The early car’s performance was limited by the modest gearing and automatic-only launch configuration, even though its lightweight fiberglass body and sleek proportions attracted enormous attention.

Powerglide is easy to confuse with Hydra-Matic, GM’s earlier and more complex automatic transmission associated primarily with Oldsmobile and other divisions. Dynaflow belonged to Buick, while TorqueFlite was Chrysler’s system. The Corvette eventually gained manual-transmission options, but the first production cars are strongly associated with the two-speed Powerglide and the Blue Flame six.