Category: Corvette History

Vintage 1969 Baldwin/Motion Performance Group Catalog

Published on by Scott

Dateline: 7.11.11
Wanna Drive With the Exotics in 1969? Bring a Boatload of Cash!

I stumbled upon the Baldwin Motion experience almost at the beginning. Actually, I couldn’t miss it! While the particular issue of CARS Magazine is long gone from my collection, I remember it well. A screaming yellow ‘68 Phase III SS-427 Corvette with deep-dish Cragar mags, ‘65-’67 Corvette factory side pipes, a ‘67 427 Corvette hood scoop parted on top of the ‘68 427 hood dome, and a Pontiac hood-mounted tach! WOW!!!

A car such as this had never been in my face before! I bought the magazine and my best friend, Steve Grasso and I POURED over every detail of the cover story for weeks. I took my week’s allowance and sent away for my Baldwin/Motion performance Group catalog and Motion sticker. Two buck, with postage! Worth all 200 pennies, AND, unlike that issue of CARS Magazine, I still have the catalog.

What I didn’t know was that I had been initiated into the high performance world of Joel “Mr. Motion” Rosen and Marty “Mr. VETTE Magazine” Schorr. Joel went on to build dozens and dozens of hyper- performance Chevys, and CARS Magazine editor Marty Schorr would not only produce those wonderful “in your face” Motion ads and catalogs, but he would later found VETTE Magazine.

                   
Click the above images to see the BIG versions

In June 2011 we launched www.BaldwinMotionReport.com and the first thing I posted was Continue reading “Vintage 1969 Baldwin/Motion Performance Group Catalog” →

Corvette Wheels Pt 2 of 3 – 1968 to 1996

Published on by Scott

Dateline: 7.10.2011
A Historic Look Back at the Wheels that Vettes Ride On!

1968 was a major turning point in the Corvette story with the introduction of the Mako Shark II-inspired C3 Corvette. The Mako Shark II was first unleashed as a Chevrolet show car to test the market’s feelings towards the radically styled “futuristic” Corvette. The response was thunderous and the all-new body design and interior was fast-tracked into production. But making a show car into a real car is no easy task. The C3 was supposed to be introduced as a ‘67 model but wasn’t ready in time. The basic chassis and drive train was a carry-over from the ‘63 – ‘67 Sting Ray, which puts the suspension design date in the early ‘60s. At the time, no one imagined that the C3 would have a 15 year production run. Along the way, Corvette stylists kept the car fresh-looking with bumper cover, hood, fender vents, and wheels updates.

Despite the aging hardware, buyers made the Corvette a runaway success with a best-ever sales year in ‘79 with 53,807 units sold. The only other year that broke the 50K production figure was the ‘84 model with 51,547 units.
(To see larger versions of all of the below images, just click the image.)


Your Basic, Slightly Wider Stamped Steel Wheel

The arrival of the ‘68 Corvette represented the most dramatic styling change in the history of the car. The change between the ‘67 and ‘68 Corvette was even more radical than the ‘62 to ‘63 styling change. Simply put, the new C3 was unlike anything else on the road. There were some comparisons to a few Ferrari and Maseratti cars, but those similarities were restricted to the sensuous fender curves and attitude.

Tailoring the Mako Shark II’s show car lines was not an easy task. It was reported that the biggest challenge was trimming down the Mako Shark II’s large front fender humps so that the driver could have a relatively clear view forward. Nearly the entire chassis and running gear was a carry-over from the ‘67 Corvette, including the base car’s wheel design. The 5-slotted, stamped steel Rally Wheel, with beauty rings and caps was a carry-over from the ‘67 design, but was one-inch wider. The new 15” x 7” wheel was the widest wheel to that date for the Corvette. The tire size was bumped up as well. The ‘67 wheel set road on 7.75” x 15” tires on 15” x 6” wheels. Beginning in ‘68, tires sizes were measures in “series” which represented the Continue reading “Corvette Wheels Pt 2 of 3 – 1968 to 1996” →

Corvette Timeline Tales: Car Window Sticker Requirement Passed into Law, July 7, 1958

Published on by Scott

Dateline: 7.8.11

Happy Birthday to an Essential Part of Your Corvette’s History!

To see the larger version of this classic 1958 Corvette MSRP window sticker, click the image.

Fifty three years ago, on July 7, 1958 a federal law was passed requiring car makers to put window stickers on all new cars. New car window stickers have been around for so long, I thought that they’d been around since the beginning. Actually, I never really thought, “Gee, I wonder when window stickers began?”

Of course, back in ‘58 no one probably ever thought that the factory window sticker would one day be an important part of the documentation of cars. Of course, it’s a pretty good guess that Continue reading “Corvette Timeline Tales: Car Window Sticker Requirement Passed into Law, July 7, 1958” →

Corvette Wheels Pt. 1 of 3 – 1953 to 1967

Published on by Scott

A Historical Look Back at the Wheels Vettes Ride On

After the characteristics of body shape and color, wheels are arguably the most definitive aspect of a car’s personality. A great looking set of wheels can make an average car (such as a Chevy Nova) look like a hot car with just a set of Cragar wheels. Having good looking wheels is the fastest way to get people to tell you, “Hey man, nice wheels”

Looking back at Corvette wheel designs, it’s amazing to realize that the first three generation base Corvettes road on stamped steel wheels. It wasn’t until Corvette’s 11th season that buyers had any wheel option at all. The ‘63 to ‘67 knock-off and knock-off-styled wheels were quite the ticket. Then from ‘68 to ‘72, it was back to stamped steel wheels only. They were beautifully styled wheels but due to their growing width and larger tires, were adding a lot of unsprung weight. Corvette buyers finally got a wheel option again in ‘73 with the very nice looking aluminum alloy wheels that definitely enhanced the Mako Shark looks of the C3 cars.

Corvette buyers saw the last of the stamped steel wheels at the close of the ‘82 model year. With the introduction of the C4 in ‘84, its been alloy wheels all the way, providing Corvette buyers with some of the most beautiful automotive wheel designs made. Continue reading “Corvette Wheels Pt. 1 of 3 – 1953 to 1967” →

Corvette Timeline Tales: July 1977 GM’s Chief of Styling, Bill Mitchell Retires

Published on by Scott

“I design Corvettes around here!” – Bill Mitchell

Mitchell was a master at proportions. By itself, the Mako Shark looked BIG. But next to a production ‘68 Corvette, it looks like a 7/8s-size car.

It was probably a hot July day in Detroit when William L. “Bill” Mitchell quietly retired from General Motors after 42 years of service! Volumes could be written about this man. Mitchell looms large in the Corvette world because he was one of four key players that were responsible for setting the tone and design of the Corvette. Harley Earl came up with the concept of a mass-produced American sports car built in Detroit. Ed Cole was the inside engineer man that made it happen. Zora Arkus-Duntov put hair on the Corvette’s chest and made it the car a bare-knuckles brawler. And Bill Mitchell designed and guided the ‘63 – ‘67 Sting Ray and the Mako Shark-II-styled C3 Corvette. The Corvette would not have its signature style were it not for Bill Mitchell.

Bill was known as a “snappy dresser” that loved expensive italian silk suits. “Red” was also his favorite color.

Bill Mitchell, son of a Buick car dealer, started his professional career as an illustrator that liked to draw cars. While an illustrator at Collier Advertising, someone suggested that he show his car renderings to then VP of GM’s Art and Color Department, Harley Earl. Harley liked what he saw and hired Mitchell on December 15, 1935. Mitchell became Earl’s protégé and was eventually Continue reading “Corvette Timeline Tales: July 1977 GM’s Chief of Styling, Bill Mitchell Retires” →

Corvette Timeline Tales: July 3, 1952 – Chevrolet Management Approves Harley Earl’s Fiberglass Sports Car Project

Published on by Scott

Dateline: 7.3.11
This is the FIRST of a new series that will be looking back at important dates in Corvette history.

In his day, Harley Earl was called, “The DaVinci of Detroit.”

It all had to begine sometime. On July 3, 1952 Chevrolet management gave the approval to move forward with Harly Earl’s fiberglass sports car concept. Official work orders were issued to build two experimental bodies to be produced using a new material called “fiberglass.” Plus, two full-size functional cars for testing and evaluation. The project’s code name was “Opel Sports Car.”

Ed Cole had just been made Chief Engineer of Chevrolet and was very Continue reading “Corvette Timeline Tales: July 3, 1952 – Chevrolet Management Approves Harley Earl’s Fiberglass Sports Car Project” →

Was 1962 the “Best” of the C1 Corvettes?

Published on by Scott

The straight-axle Fuelie was tough enough to win it’s class at Le Mans in ‘61. Was the last of the C1 the “best”? Let’s have a look-see!

Click the images to see much larger images of these classic Corvette ads.

No matter how well received a performance car is, the day will come when the decision is made, “Let’s build a new version!” For the first generation Corvette, that day arrived in late 1959. Two years before, Ed Cole was driving his Q-Chevrolet project that would have put a transaxle in every Chevrolet car, including the Corvette, by 1960. Chief of GM styling, Bill Mitchell attended the Turin Motor Show in ‘57 and especially liked the humps over the wheels and the unique tapered roof of the Pininfarina and Boano cars. So he instructed his designers to come up with something based on those ideas. Penned mostly by Bob Veryzer and Pete Brock, the new shape is unmistakably the genesis of the Sting Ray.

While the Q-project was quickly shelved, Mitchell couldn’t let go of the Q-Corvette shape. Early in ‘59, Bill made a deal to buy the mule chassis from the Corvette SS racing project for $1. Designer Larry Shinoda was charged with designing a roadster version of the Q-Corvette for the Corvette SS chassis. On his own, Mitchell successfully raced his Sting Ray for two reasons. First, he wanted to go racing, and second, to test the public’s response to the new design. It didn’t take long before it was obvious Continue reading “Was 1962 the “Best” of the C1 Corvettes?” →

Will “The Quest” Be the Ultimate Corvette Movie?

Published on by Scott

Passion and love bring a famous old Briggs “Swift” Cunningham 1960 Fuel Injected Corvette war horse back to life and into the lead roll in a movie!

Restored old race cars has become an exciting aspect of the Corvette hobby. If you have ever wondered if master craftsmen are still working today, I suggest checking out the work of Kevin MacKay, at Corvette Repair. Kevin and his crew have brought back to life famous Corvette race cars, including the Roger Penske ‘66 L88 Corvette, several of John Greenwood’s Corvettes, and Briggs “Swift” Cunningham’s 1960 Fuel Injected Le Mans class-winning 1960 Corvette, the star of the new documentary film, “The Quest.”

Here’s the official movie preview…

Here’s what I find to be so cool about these kinds of cars. The men that build or buy race cars do it to win races. Some cars become champions, others just competitors. But what usually happens is that this year’s used up race car is sold off and the team owner buys a new fresh car. The new owner of the used racer usually repaints the machine, Continue reading “Will “The Quest” Be the Ultimate Corvette Movie?” →

The Baldwin-Motion Phase-III GT Corvette – Version 2.0

Published on by Scott

The Phase III GT was only a few months old, and Joel Rosen rolled out an even WILDER version of his ultimate Corvette GT.

A few months after Joel Rosen and Marty Schorr rocked the house at the ‘69 New York Auto Show with the Baldwin Motion Phase III Corvette, plus, got the official blessing from Corvette chief engineer, Zora Arkus-Duntov, the next version of the GT was shown on the September ‘70 issue of High-Performance CARS Magazine. The fixed-headlight was a real polarizer, but it was definitely unique. It’s too bad that federal regulations did not allow for the clear lexan headlight covers, because the covers were available for “show” or “off road” use only, and looked great.

From 1969 to 1971 only 12 Phase III GT Corvettes were built. Due to the extensive custom body work on top of the performance enhancements, the Phase III GT Corvettes were THE most expensive of all of the Baldwin-Motion Phase III Supercars. Continue reading “The Baldwin-Motion Phase-III GT Corvette – Version 2.0” →

Illustrated Corvette Series No. 170 – Corvette Stingray Concept

Published on by Scott

C7 Sneak-Peek, Or Just the Latest Corvette Concept Car?

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Although Corvette chief designer Tom Peters says that the Corvette Stingray Concept car is NOT the C7, would you like it to be?

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Intro: Not since the Mako Shark II hit the nation’s car shows has a concept car caused as much excitement within the Corvette community as the Corvette Stingray Concept. It’s been two years since the low-slung, sexy silver Stingray hit the automotive press and fans right between the eyes. And thanks to fans with excellent Photoshop skills, there has been a steady stream of images that look, well, like real cars! What the panting public has been short on are details about the car – what’s it made of, what about that unusual front suspension, and what’s really under the car’s engine covers that say, “Hybrid Stingray”? Chevrolet was long on generalities and short on red meat details. When I decided to cover the new concept car in my VETTE Magazine column, I knew I would need some inside help. Thanks to VETTE’s senior associate editor Christopher Phillip, I had an interesting series of conversations with a few GM insiders. After reassuring the gatekeepers that I was NOT trolling for C7 details, I was able to get a phone audience with Corvette chief designer, Tom Peters to discuss what they were thinking when designing the concept car. So, special thanks to David North, David Caldwell, Nichole Carrier, and Tom Peters for their assistance with the story. – Scott

Like blood in a pool of sharks, there’s nearly a fever pitch of anticipation and speculation over the upcoming C7 Corvette. If you Google search the term “C7 Corvette” you’ll get nearly 600,000 results. Whenever I post a C7-related story at CorvetteReport.com, the page hits take a spike. C7 fever began in mid-’07 with reports of a possible mid-engine C7. From there, nearly every possible “what if” concept was pinned on the the C7. Unlike previous “future Corvette” times, computer-generated images only added to the confusion because some looked like real prototype cars! Continue reading “Illustrated Corvette Series No. 170 – Corvette Stingray Concept” →

NEW Corvette Stingray Concept Car Art Print

Published on by Scott

While it’s NOT the C7 Corvette, the Stingray Concept is one of the most exciting Corvette concept cars ever made.

In the August 2011 issue of VETTE Magazine my Illustrated Corvette Series No. 170 column covers the beautiful and popular Corvette Stingray Concept Car. After pulling a few strings and several phone calls, I had the good fortune of having a delightful phone conversation of Corvette Chief of Styling, Tom Peters.

Before I go any farther, I must say that Peters is on record stating, “The Corvette Stingray Concept is NOT the C7.” Several years ago, Tom and his team of designers wanted to explore some traditional and new styling themes, just for fun. The Corvette Stingray Concept was the finished effort and judging from the response from crowds at the car shows, I’d say the car is a home run hit. So KUDOS to Tom Peters and his team of super talented designers. Continue reading “NEW Corvette Stingray Concept Car Art Print” →