Inspired by Nature: Mako Shark and Sting Ray Corvettes
Art Center Car Classic Pasadena CA, Oct 27 2013 - Clay Dean, Design Director at GM Advanced Design provides a short history on the two key concept cars that came to define Corvette. The 1959 version was quiet internal Chevrolet project -- based on the mule underpinnings from the 1958 SS racer. Ultimately Bill Mitchell wanted a car he could race in SCCA on weekends, and had enough daredevil to get it done without much scrutiny. The car became a theme model for the 1963 Corvette.
The 1961 Mako Shark leaned a little further in the direction of what the 1963 Corvette would become. On a fishing trip Bill Mitchell studied the shape and fluidity of the shark, and embodied the style in the Mako Shark. Even the gradient paint top to bottom was true to nature.
These two pivotal years helped set the tone for the survival and heritage of the Corvette brand, at a time when that future was not at all certain.
Photos and video by Randy Berg
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