C7 Corvette design rehashed design from 1997 C5 design proposal?

mikeyg36 · 02-21-2013, 07:52 PM

Thoughts? http://www.slashgear.com/2014-corvet...1997-21270561/

Quote:

When General Motors and Chevrolet unveiled the 2014 Corvette C7 Stingray last month, it received mixed reactions. Yes, it’s an amazing-looking car, and the redesign makes it more sleek than ever. However, many critics were upset that Chevrolet ditched the iconic rounded taillights in favor of a new look. Then again, this isn’t the first this has happened.

When Chevrolet was planning to redesign the Corvette starting with the 1997 model year, they wanted to stick with something conservative, which meant that a lot of design proposals were thrown out. At that time, the Corvette didn’t see a makeover since 1983, so a long-awaited redesign was definitely due, but it seems the company didn’t want to surprise too many people.

One of the design proposals that Chevrolet threw out was the one pictured above. It looks quite familiar, right? The taillights are same square shape of the 2014 model, and the quad-exhaust is all there in the middle (which showed up on the Corvette C5 actually, so that’s sort of out of the question). This particular design, though, was deemed too crazy for 1997, so it was eventually thrown out.

However, here in 2014, it seems the design is ready for prime time, and while many thought that the 2014 Corvette’s taillights came straight from the recently-redesigned Camaro, it seems that the Camaro might have actually gotten the idea from this 1997 Corvette design proposal. Plus, the 2014 model has the same overall fastback shape and the diagonal air vents towards the front. Coincidence?

Picture:

OldJedi · 02-21-2013, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyg36

Thoughts? http://www.slashgear.com/2014-corvet...1997-21270561/

Nice digging! A very interesting fact that most likely most people did not know or remember.

mikeyg36 · 02-21-2013, 07:59 PM

Thanks!

pgviper · 02-21-2013, 08:01 PM

Very interesting. Thanks for posting.

Stingray · 02-21-2013, 09:07 PM

This should be posted in other 'Vette foums so the hater/naysayers can just...:tape:

Enough said. Good find! :madgrin:

HurricaneRN · 02-21-2013, 10:09 PM

Question is, in 1997 who was responsible for deciding a perfectly flat slightly curved piece of fiberglass with 4 trailer lights imbedded in it would look better than that.

guiLT · 02-22-2013, 09:23 AM

Eh.. Not really.

AZCamaroFan · 02-22-2013, 10:07 AM

kind of reminds me of the EV1 at first glance.
it is remakable the quarter window and rear glass are there , kind of makes you wonder if someone was looking at old prototypes.

mikeyg36 · 02-23-2013, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overflow

Eh.. Not really.

The rear lights, windows, exhaust, and side vents look pretty similar...

GaBoy25 · 02-23-2013, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stingray

This should be posted in other 'Vette foums so the hater/naysayers can just...:tape:

Enough said. Good find! :madgrin:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overflow

Eh.. Not really.

:nono:

Stingray · 02-23-2013, 01:06 PM

Are there other views/pics of that concept proposal?

mikeyg36 · 02-23-2013, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stingray

Are there other views/pics of that concept proposal?

I couldn't find anymore

GaBoy25 · 02-23-2013, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyg36

I couldn't find anymore

Me neither

FenwickHockey65 · 02-23-2013, 01:18 PM

It lacks the overall angularity of the C7.

02-22-2013, 09:23 AM	#7
guiLT Tampa Gulf Coast Family Drives: 2001 Maxima Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 6,585 View My Garage	Eh.. Not really. __________________

02-23-2013, 01:18 PM	#14
FenwickHockey65 General Motors Aficionado Drives: 2023 GMC Canyon, 2023 Expedition Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 37,375 View My Garage	It lacks the overall angularity of the C7. __________________ 2023 GMC Canyon Elevation 2023 Ford Expedition SSV (State-Issued)

02-21-2013, 07:59 PM	#3
mikeyg36 Drives: 2015 Z/28 #533 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: NY Posts: 6,732	Thanks!

02-21-2013, 08:01 PM	#4
pgviper Drives: 67 Pro Touring Camaro Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 253	Very interesting. Thanks for posting.

02-21-2013, 09:07 PM	#5
Stingray just can't get enough Drives: a bunch of fast toys... Join Date: May 2012 Location: SoFla Posts: 3,598 View My Garage	This should be posted in other 'Vette foums so the hater/naysayers can just...:tape: Enough said. Good find! :madgrin:

02-21-2013, 10:09 PM	#6
HurricaneRN Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 8	Question is, in 1997 who was responsible for deciding a perfectly flat slightly curved piece of fiberglass with 4 trailer lights imbedded in it would look better than that.

02-22-2013, 10:07 AM	#8
AZCamaroFan Camaro6 2016-2018 Drives: sometimes Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Phoenix Posts: 18,468	kind of reminds me of the EV1 at first glance. it is remakable the quarter window and rear glass are there , kind of makes you wonder if someone was looking at old prototypes.

02-23-2013, 01:06 PM	#11
Stingray just can't get enough Drives: a bunch of fast toys... Join Date: May 2012 Location: SoFla Posts: 3,598 View My Garage	Are there other views/pics of that concept proposal?