Category: Corvette Timeline Tales

Corvette Timeline Tales: July 14, 1985 – NBC Premiers Two-Hour Pilot for Steven Cannell’s New Series, “Stingray”

Published on by Scott

Dateline: 7.14.2011
Sometimes the “car as the star” just isn’t enough.

The NBC series “Stingray” only ran for two seasons and stared Nick Mancuso in the lead roll of “Ray.” No last name, just “Ray.” He’s kind of a Robin Hood, gritty urban “Pay it Forward” mystery man. Ray drives an awesome-looking black ‘65 Corvette Sting Ray Coupe with knockoff wheels, is an expert driver, martial arts master, a speed reader with a photographic memory, master computer hacker with very fast fingers, Vietnam Vet, possibly CIA, AND doesn’t charge for his problem solving services. Just a loose IOU, collectible by Ray… some time… some day in the future… maybe.

Who DOESN’T want to be this guy?

In the ‘80s TV producer and writer, Steven J. Cannell was on a roll with hugely successful programs including “The Rockford Files,” “The Greatest American Hero,” “The A-Team,” “Wiseguy,” Continue reading “Corvette Timeline Tales: July 14, 1985 – NBC Premiers Two-Hour Pilot for Steven Cannell’s New Series, “Stingray”” →

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 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 4, 1971 – John Greenwood Wins July 4th Race

Published on by Scott

John Greenwood & Bob Johnson July 4th Win at Michigan International Speedway!

Here’s Greenwood’s Corvette at Daytona in 1971.

July 4, 1971 was a great day for America, Corvettes, John Greenwood, and Bob Johnson! At Michigan International Speedway, Greenwood and Johnson picked up a big win in a 4-hour endurance race in a field of 36 cars. Greenwood’s car was sporting an early version of his stars and stripes livery that would eventually become his signature trademark.

We covered Greenwoods BF Goodrich ZL-1 Corvette last month HERE. And it just happens that today (July 4, 2011) Blog.Hemmings.com also covered the car because it’s going on the block at RMAuctions soon. So, if you’ve ever had the itch to own an early Greenwood ZL-1 Corvette, here’s your chance. Bring lots of cash or a BIG line of credit! Continue reading “Corvette Timeline Tales: July 4, 1971 – John Greenwood Wins July 4th Race” →

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” →