2014 Chevrolet C7 Corvette fascia gets accidental web preview

huh..............curious..

 

I've had stuff faxed to me from the heritage center. Albeit, it was incomplete Information about a Jon Moss build.

 

Do the Chevy records still exist?

 

The Official answer is 'they are not available'.
CH

 

Records for General Motors of Canada imported vehicles exist going back to 1947. The information has been kept in the form of shipping records listing dates, model, which options the vehicle was delivered with and selling dealer. All that information is entered in the shipping records as just code numbers A01 C08 N14 J56 M22 etc. Only those records are accessible for a fee.
CH

 

I don't believe there is anything sinister going on here.You have to consider that during the '50's,'60's,and '70's,a great deal was happening with "special" cars,race cars,one offs,show vehicles,Bill Mitchell "specials",etc., etc. Much of this work was intentionally "under the radar".Records for much of that stuff was spotty at best,because no one cared,or it was hidden in other areas to escape the scrutiny of the $$ people.As a result,many records either don't exist,were destroyed,lost,forgotten,or any number of other results.

A good friend of mine is trying to track down information on several Chevrolet show cars from the '60's,and is running into the same situation. No records,spotty records,and the individual participants are long gone. Memories are not a good source for some of these records.

 

Werner Meier?
The 'Damsels of Design' program 1958 Corvette wearing silver olive green paint that he restored was especially neat.
However styling cars or S.O. (shop order) cars are a world away from the run of the mill RPO and COPO models. When it is one of one or one of ten it is difficult to know what was done. However generally the quality of the materials and workmanship was outstanding back then on the show cars. The 1965 fuelie Corvette coupe 'cut away views' car with the body hung suspended above the chassis exhibited spectacular workmanship.
CH

 

Fancy Free restored>

sorry for this non C7 interruption
CH
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What was the interior combination? Since it came from the Damsels I would expect something a bit different.

As for Tech Center cars Mitchel and Jordan both had a tendency to get something done no matter how it came out of production. Was in Mitchell's 77 Caprice coupe that had a different shade of silver on each different surface plane. Jordan loved silver Trans ams for a while. Remember one with custom silver paint, older screaming chicken and metallic silver leather. Didn't matter if any of it held up as he was only going to keep it for 6 months. Harry Bradley talked of Mitchells cars with side pipes get re-clear coated regularly because of discoloration from the heat. This stuff was done inside the Tech Center far away from a production order. The Tech Center also painted Jordan's 1/43 scale white metal Ferrari models. Probably no work order on those either.

Jeff

 

As can be seen in the view below - green leather for the seats and dash pad. When you opened the door the standard reflectors at the base of the door were replaced with lights that blinked like tail lights. The dash instruments were special green with phosphorescent numbers with the bezel done in brushed aluminum. There was a leather wrapped bin for holding a purse and a waste container on the floor. Also featured were the first retractable seat belts. GM's Heritage Center did provide Meier with original documentation on how this special Corvette was designed.
CH
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The design process or the final specifications?

Jeff

 

As in most restorations if you are trying to recreate the 'original' look you find clues in scraps of material and color still to be found on the car. The paint is mostly original and the leather was replaced in a similar style and quality. White leather and not green was actually used with a special set of four slip covers corresponding to the four seasons. The GM Heritage Center did help with specs for this Harley Earl concept but for the design process Meir talked to the original designer; Ruth Glennie. She filled in some of the details in that there were 10 Corvettes designed by the ladies for this program. The public got to see all the different Corvette models on display but "The Martinique" was the most popular with the public and Fancy Free came in third. Sounds like a horse race...
CH

 

no.....Roy Lonberger was searching for some details on the Astro Vette showcars that he worked on along with a number of special Corvettes for the Design center.

there is an upcoming interview with Mr. Lonberger that i'll post as soon as it's published that goes into the '60's era Corvettes that Bill Mitchell did in Studio X.Interesting stuff.

 

When the non-prioduction Corvettes like the Astro Vette were done were usually done in a regular studio or one of the secret studios?

 

Roy told me they were done in Studio X to keep prying eyes away & less "input" from everyone

that's when Studio X was across the street from Design,in "the warehouse" with Shinoda

 

Grrrrr...moar pics...less filler !

 

Man, January 13 cannot come soon enough. I am waiting to see how this new car, before buying anything else right now.

 

Are you coming to Detroit?

 

Isaac, either Detroit or Bowling Green for the introduction, what are your thoughts? What is the best route?

 

Designers...
CH
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Great picture.
The Design patio.Very cool.

 

Another interesting location>
It's a new 1963 model.
CH
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Eero Saarinen did the GM Tech Center in the mid-fifties
The unique glazed brick was done in different colors for each of the buildings around the site.
for 55 yr old architecture,it still looks great & contemporary

 

posted an interview with Roy Lonberger in the Architecture, Design and Visual Arts,Car Design Thread for those with an interest in Corvette Design from the '60's.

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=386943

 

Thank you John!
CH