It was probably the most American and thus most unusual further development of the Corvette to date, if that a foreigner ever can judge. It was full of self-confidence and that's a good thing. After all, you were out of the woods. Sales were stable since 1958 and further production secured. Furthermore, there was now an opponent with the Ford Thunderbird, from the one does not want to be forced into the knee.

The waistline, however, surrounding the car, was unusual only for today's eyes. Take any company that created a car in this time and you will also discover the waistline. As an example, but really just as an example, is mentioned the Fiat 1500 from 1962 here. This line, also called trapezoidal look, of course, came from United States. As an ancestor of this style, perhaps can be considered Corvair from their own company from 1959/60.



Actually, the New should not represent a surprise, because Mitchell has already used similar bodies in race, purely private and among friends, for the American Association of Manufacturers has prohibited activities in this division. How much parts of the design have already been tried, you can see in the image above at the immediate predecessor of 1962. The rear was unchanged at the 63.

And yet Mitchell has hit the mark. Because, of course, the Corvette was to buy only as a roadster thitherto, whereas now a coupe was added. And what a. This rear window (Figure 3) has engaged the auto critics. Of course, they have pointed to the lack of rearward visibility. The customers bought nevertheless and the Stingray were a great sales success already in the first year.

The worst came afterwards. No, not for the manufacturer. But for all those who have changed the car and installed either a plastic pane or the true solution by Chevrolet from 1964. One thing one must consider. With the splited pane from 1963 one has a Classic of significantly higher value to collectors and little spread due to the change from 1964.

A pity that the company has give in the pressure. For the rest of the body adapted very nice this style. Thus, even the bar was wider at the top than below and, for example, the bonnet in addition to the scoop for the option fuel injection also provided even with a light center fold and the Corvette logo pointing thereon. Also a center edge ran over the roof. But compare with Figure 7 and form your own judgment.

Still other design ideas have been diluted. The only way to explain the "staffage" on hood, laterally in the front fenders and in the B-pillar. After all, one had failed to arrange the headlight below the waist. That would have probably looked depressing. Thus, just the Corvette came to the first "sleep eyes" of the post-war period in America.

The rest is reported quickly. At the same time more complex frame (+ 50 kg) and new rear independent suspension (!) the wheelbase had become 10 centimeter shorter. This made the car much more stable. Nevertheless, it was inside still a little more convenient. Together with the unconventional hatchback you could maybe stow away some more baggage. Long-haul drivers will have been pleased with the opportunity to be able to order the Corvette with an even larger tank (136 liters).

Oh, we almost forgot the name. The predecessors had also been references to predatory fishes, especially the Corvette SS seen from the front design. Presumably this was due to Mitchell's hobby deep sea fishing. 01/14