Chevrolet - and most other US made cars - were more interested in how fast they would go in a short distance - usually 1/4 mile. They didn't care if a car could go 160MPH if it took 5 minutes and half a county to get there. And leak 2 quarts of oil doing it.
Really, maybe you should read some facts first.
Some performance specifications for the Jaguar at its release.
Its combination of beauty, high performance, and competitive pricing established the model as an icon of the motoring world. The E-Type's 150 mph (241 km/h) top speed, sub-7-second
0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) acceleration,
monocoque construction,
disc brakes,
rack-and-pinion steering, and
independent front and rear suspension distinguished the car and spurred industry-wide changes
Performance specifications for the Corvette at its release, ya I can see it was a real 0 - 60 record breaker ROFLMFAO
The engine was a
235 cu in (3.85 L) inline six engine
[7] that was similar to the 235 engine that powered all other Chevrolet car models, but with a higher-compression ratio, three Carter side-draft carburetors, mechanical lifters, and a higher-lift camshaft. Output was 150
horsepower (110
kilowatts). Because there was currently no manual transmission available to Chevrolet rated to handle 150 HP, a two-speed
Powerglide automatic was used. 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) time was 11.5 seconds.
Performance specifications for the Jaguar XK 140, which would be in direct competition with the first Corvettes. Hmm, seems to pretty much kill the Vette in every category. Thems the facts not some pipe dream.
Acceleration times from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) were 8.4 seconds, 9.1 seconds and 9.1 seconds respectively. Only the
R&T test tried 0–100 mph (160 km/h) which took 26.5 seconds. Standing 1/4 mile (~400 m) times were 16.6 seconds (82 mph (132 km/h) approx) and 16.9 seconds (86 mph (138 km/h)).
The Jaguar XK 120 in 1948 five years BEFORE the release of the Corvette. Tell me again about how the American cars are all so fast.
The magazine reported a top speed of 124.6 mph (200.5 km/h), acceleration from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 10.0 seconds and fuel consumption of 19.8 miles per imperial gallon (14.3 L/100 km; 16.5 mpg‑US).
Wow, couldn't even beat Jaguars outdated cars from five years previous when it was released, what a joke. Chevrolet didn't even have a manual transmission that could handle a measly 150hp to put in the car lol.