Tagged: Corvette design

Inside Bill Mitchell’s Secret Garage – 2 VIDEOS

C1 Corvettes / C2 Corvettes / Corvette News & Opinions / Corvette People

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Inside Bill Mitchell’s Secret Garage – 2 VIDEOS

My monthly column in VETTE Magazine, “The Illustrated Corvette Series” is now in its 21st year. I’m in the middle of a series I’m calling, “The Corvette’s Founding Fathers” that covers the careers of Harley Earl, Ed Cole, Bill Mitchell, Zora Arkus Duntov, Larry Shinoda, and Peter Brock. Each of these men played a foundational roll in setting the pattern and personality of the Corvette. Without them, the Corvette might not have survived the 1950s.

1963 Corvette – The First Production Sting Ray

C2 Corvettes / Corvette History

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1963 Corvette – The First Production Sting Ray

The first 1963 Corvette Sting Ray, The original American Idol – I call the Corvette the “The American Automotive Horatio Alger Story.” It’s the ultimate automotive rags-to-riches story. You could also call it an automotive Cinderella story. While the C6 has taken more flack than it deserves, it’s good to look back to the very beginning to get a really clear picture of how far the Corvette has come in 60 years. Today, new designs are market researched, but in the ‘50s, it was a seat-of-the-pants approach, driven by men with strong personalities. “Father” of the Corvette, Harley Earl, was the director of GM’s “Art and Color Section.” from 1927 to 1958. His successor, William L. Mitchell picked up the mantle and drove the Corvette where Earl never imagined.

C7 Report – Styling Analysis of the Jalopnik C7 ZR1 Renderings

C7 Corvette Rumors

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C7 Report – Styling Analysis of the Jalopnik C7 ZR1 Renderings

Back on November 14, 2011, Jalopnik.com dropped a fire bomb on the Corvette community with three renderings of what they claim to be, accurate illustrations of a ZR1 version of the C7 Corvette. Chevrolet immediately said, “Thanks, but WRONG, Jalopnik!” And Jalopnik called GM’s response, “a weak ass denial…” Okay, play NICE, everyone!

So, it’s been almost three month and if you read through the various forums and blog comments, not everyone is jazzed about what they see. Check out my full analysis of the alleged C7 Corvette, as per Jalopnik.com.

NEW Mako Shark Tribute Art Print From K. Scott Teeters

C3 Corvettes / Mako Shark / Maco Shark Corvettes

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NEW Mako Shark Tribute Art Print From K. Scott Teeters

It’s only been a week or so since the photos of a disguised C7 Corvette surfaced and already the critics are weighing in. One report commented that the profile and proportions look too much like the current C6. And therein lies the designer’s dilemma when it comes to designing a new Corvette. The new design has to “look like a Corvette,” but has to “look new.” This isn’t a new problem actually. But before we come down on the Corvette design team too harshly, we should all just breath… and be patient. Those disguised cars always look bad.

Vette Videos: 2009 Press Conference Debut of the Corvette Stingray Concept Car

C7 Corvette Rumors / Corvette News & Opinions / Vette Videos / Videos - C7 Corvettes

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Vette Videos: 2009 Press Conference Debut of the Corvette Stingray Concept Car

Every debutante has her day, that special day when she’s the bell of the ball. Corvette styling chief and lead designer of the C6 Corvette and the Corvette Stingray Concept car, Tom Peters was a proud papa on February 11,2009 when GM’s Ed Welburn debuted the Corvette Stingray Concept car at the Chicago Auto Show. Before we get into the rest of the event, let me get this out of the way in the beginning. In Spring ‘11 I had the opportunity to talk at length with Tom Peters for my Illustrated Corvette Series No. 170 2-page color special edition covering the latest and arguably the swoopiest Corvette concept car to ever wear the Corvette moniker. Tom was emphatic, “This is NOT the C7 Corvette.”

Corvette Timeline Tales: July 1978 – Chevrolet Studio III Chief, Jerry Palmer Sketches Out the Next Generation C4 Corvette

C4 Corvettes / Corvette History / Corvette Timeline Tales

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Corvette Timeline Tales: July 1978 – Chevrolet Studio III Chief, Jerry Palmer Sketches Out the Next Generation C4 Corvette

The design process has to start somewhere and that “somewhere” is a humble sketch. Car guys are always doodling and I’m certain that designer Jerry Palmer probably had a few preliminary loose sketches of what he thought the next Corvette should look like. Palmer was promoted to head of Chevrolet Studio III in 1974 and took over exterior design responsibility in 1977 when Bill Mitchell resigned.

NEW Corvette Stingray Concept Car Art Print

C7 Corvette Rumors / C7 Corvettes / Car Shows / Corvette Gifts / Corvette History / Corvette News & Opinions

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NEW Corvette Stingray Concept Car Art Print

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.

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