With some help from the GM photo archives, MCG takes a look back at six decades of Corvette history—and what the future might hold for America’s sports car.
Is the new Corvette a hit? Seems far too early to say. Until the driving impressions are in, the public dialog will focus on the styling, where there’s a surprising range of opinion. People seem to like the C7’s angular, chiseled nose well enough, but the new tail is more controversial. It’s a departure in many ways, starting with the taillamps: They’re not round. The word Camaro has come up more than once.
Sure. The Corvette is now six decades old and, fairly or unfairly, it hauls along with it a weighty set of expectations—baggage, you could call it. Corvette owners are now six decades old as well, reportedly. Various surveys seem to place them at 58 to 62 years old.
Corvette designers have a daunting task. With each new generation, the Corvette must be both brand new and same as it ever was. Where does the latest version of the Corvette fit in the historical continuum? In pondering these questions, maybe there’s food for thought in the gallery below.
Love the lead photo and the dress! I’ve never seen the photo anywhere.
Wansin AUTO
A thread in another forum has got me thinking about what the Corvette would be like if Chevy had taken the Porsche approach and essentially frozen the shape early one.
I’m probably in the minority in that I wouldn’t want the 1963-67 design being made immortal. I think the 1968–82 is more amenable to refreshes that mirror current trends while evoking the original. The 1957-62 and 1997–04 were pretty sharp too.
Never liked the C5 and the C6 is overwrought. I trust that they’ll dial it back a bit sometime around 2018.
Hmm, interesting. Always appreciate your perspectives. You generally have a fresh look at things.
I like what is in the dress, very tasty indeed. The car is not bad either!
There seems to be a general concensus that that is the right shape for a car, and that is the right shape for a woman.