Split-window design to return on the next Corvette
By Andrew C., 30 Aug, 2010. 0 Comments
The C7, a.k.a the next Corvette, will have a split rear window as on the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray, according to Ed Welburn, General Motors' head of global design.
Welburn, acknowledged to be the father of the re-born Camaro, confirmed that the next Vette would follow the 2010 Camaro down the road of retro-inflected styling. If you looked at the second Transformers movie closely, there was a Corvette Stingray concept shown that hinted at the design. Welburn said that the split-window is something that he expects for the next Corvette. He explains that visibility isn’t now much of a problem due to the back-up cameras and blind-spot detection systems that are available. Continued after the jump!
Looking back at history, the original 1963 split-window arrangement had sparked one of the famous battles among Corvette factions within the company, as head of design Bill Mitchell and Corvette godfather Zora Arkus-Duntov fought over the feature‚ inclusion. The split-window arrangement feature lasted only one year.
When 1964 came around, the arrangement, along with some fake hood vents, had disappeared. Nevertheless, the feature made such an impression that it has identified with Corvette ever since. The C7 will remain to be a front-engine/rear-drive vehicle, faithful to Corvette history. Of course this only came about after lengthy testing of mid-engine cars, discussion and arguments about the possibility of going mid-engine with the future Vette.
[via insideline]
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