Corvette C5 Development

The production 1997.5 Corvette C5 was received with great success after a very long production run of the C4 body style. This wasvery close to my rear end theme in my scale model that incorporated dual 45 degree tailamps and diffuser looking vents on wither side of the quad exhaust pipes. I would have preferred the tips larger and evenly spaced.

Corvette C5 Development

The front of the production Corvette C5 was a compromise of the original theme due to aggressive aero target which over softened the corners of the car. The entire rear trailing edge was crispened and the deck raised about 2"in. (50mm) to help achieve an aerodynamic cd of 0.295.

Corvette C5 Development

This full size clay model (w/ di-noc) explored Randy Wittine's Indy Vette Concept front end about half way thru the program.

Corvette C5 Development

This full size clay (with di-noc) was taken approximately mid way thru the C5 project and depicts the car partially evolved into the final production theme. (note the soft rear end) The car went thru phases from really great to some that were questionable and ended up somewhere in between. As a young college grad, I came to understand the absolute difficulty and challenge of creating a beautiful final production vehicle. The odds are stacked against capturing the original spirit of the theme.

Corvette C5 Development

The rear end of this full size clay shows exploration of two mega exhaust tips incased into the rear fascia instead of four. The high deck makes for an extremely thick rear end that the subtle offsets try to visually minimize. In the end, the crisp end solution worked in managing the fat rear.

Corvette C5 Development

This was my scale model prepared for clinic that was well received by all participants that attended the clinic in Pomona, Ca. My inspiration was channeling my good friend Larry Shinoda's original 1963 Stingray in essence but with modern proportions and surfacing that incorporated soft surfaces combined with crisp bone lines, like that of a beautiful woman.

Corvette C5 Development

My sketch here is a close rendering of my final scale model proposal was. It is unfinished as it was done in a hurry to share the design and details with my head sculptor (Claudio Bertolin) in 1992.

Corvette C5 Development

This was my scale (di-noc) model adaptation of my senior thesis model from Art Center onto the proposed C5 production architecture. The literal translation (including boat tail) although interesting needed much refinement to adjust to the new proportions.

Corvette C5 Development

This is my senior proposal for the next Corvette that landed my job at GM. Chuck Jordan made a place for me in Design Staff when there was a hiring freeze in 1992 and I'll always be thankful to him and the other execs that made it possible for me to achieve my dream of becoming a car stylist.

Corvette C5 Development

Here's a ground eye view of my fifth scale Corvette model from Art Center made from Clark surfboard foam, laid up fiberglass and resined over like a surfboard, primed, surfaced and finally lacquered (black) and clear coated. (The smell of lacquer is addicting!) Note the tri-projector fog/turn signal lamps embedded in the fenders.

Corvette C5 Development

The scale shows an exposed and finished engine compartment. It would have a removable transparent polycarbonate cover. Also, the roof would have a hidden "B" pillar to create a glass dome effect when the targa roof is in place. Lastly the model is shown with a removable tonneau cover.

Corvette C5 Development

Another feature of this proposal is to have an adjustable windscreen that can be raised or lowered to create an open air experience not unlike that of riding a motorcycle.

Corvette C5 Development

This is a large 20x40" sketch that was the inspiration for my senior thesis: "the shape of sound" with form a graphics influenced by rock & rock music. Since the Corvette is a somewhat raw sports car, the song: "Gimmie all yer lovin'" by ZZ Top was the sheet music I analyzed and morphed the sheet music into a form vocabulary. note the double bubble back light on the sketch that made it all the way in to production.

CorvettePkgLayouts.jpg

Two package studies to understand and prove out the theme of the sketches.

Corvette C5 Development

Yours truly in the "big transportation room" at Art Center after completing my full size tape drawing of the Corvette. Full size tape drawings are practically a lost art. I became proficient at doing theme once I joined GM Design Staff Cadillac Studio and actually how to stretch the mylar and staple it to the board.

Corvette C5 Development

Here is another large 20x40" sketch of what became my scale model theme.

Corvette C5 Development

Another; what if? This drawing shows a greatly reduced mid-engined package comparable to a Porsche Boxster or even possibly a Ferrari 348 scale. It would be undoubtedly be interesting fodder to consider, but at the end of the day, it wouldn't be a Corvette!

Corvette C5 Development

A very aggressive exploring the "what if" a the Italian design house of Bertone were to do a Vette proposal.

Corvette Mid-Engine Sketch

A juicy little number I sketched while at Art Center on 20x40" vellum with markers. The assignment early in the project was to explore the Corvette architecture in a mid engine configuration. After researching the Corvette customer, it became obvious that the loyalists wanted a front engine-rear drive layout. Corvette loyalists are no different than say: Porsche loyalists who want an evolutionary not revolutionary approach to their sports car religion.

Corvette C5 Development

An exploratory refinement of my senior Art Center model at GM, this theme offers a very aerodynamic solution to the C5 evolution. Note the shark fin partial "b" pillar that has since appeared in many recent production design themes by other brands. This theme also has the highlighted power dome engine cover.

Corvette C5 Development

Corvette C5 Development

This muscular proposal is a direct descendant of the '63 Stingray done with a mono-kini split window and side exhausts.

Corvette C5 Development

This theme would depict a Corvette as a greatly downsized package not unlike the Mazda RX-7 in scale. It would retain a V8, or turbo V6 no larger than 4 liters for the V8. Note the double bubble back light with the integrated CHMSL.

Corvette C5 Development

Another study of what the next Corvette should be...

VetteSketchChevy3.jpg

A wide bodied Vette influenced by the Ferrari 348, stout and wide aimed to scare women and children.

Corvette C5 Development

Spaghetti strapped "C" pillars were a fresh concept that would radically change the wide "B" pillar look since the C3 Corvettes. The current C7 has finally given way to getting away from the wide "B" pillar look of yesterday.

Corvette C5 Development

This pencil sketch was a study on decoratiing the graphics to an almost finished Corvette theme. Note the fog lamp projectors and and turn signal indicators from the original Art Center model. Also not eh the double bubble roof line that is almost unperceptible in the production car.

Corvette C5 Development

Wow! I hadn't seen this sketch in quite a while...the dude in the car would have to be like 6'8" by the way I drew him...nothing like a little artistic license! A clean front theme, a little too clean in retrospect!

Corvette C5 Development

A nice theme for my Stinger tail proposal that didn't make into my final scale model. Note the sneeky 35 degree elipses for tail lamps.

Corvette C5 Development

Another rear end pencil sketch alternative for a C5 Corvette with a boat tail and bikini back light.

Corvette C5 Development

Slits for tail lamps, not well received by Corvette purists. At the time we were lobbying to move the tail pipes inward as the originally faced out the sides, behind the rear tires and exposed the large muffle cans underneath, it honestly looked a mess until we all agreed on the center exhaust layout.

Corvette C5 Development

A fine front end solution that was one of many great ideas proposed by the C5 team.

Corvette C5 Development

An exercise in rear backlight/sail panels, not exactly Corvette material but fun nonetheless.

Corvette C5 Development

Some early Pen doodles.

Corvette C5 Development

Corvette C5 Development

Some early Pen doodles.

Corvette C5 Development

Some early Pen doodles.

Corvette C5 Development

Some early Pen doodles.

Corvette C5 Development

Some early Pen doodles.

Corvette C5 Development

A laser CHMSL that projects a vertical fan of light into the air to warn drivers of slowing traffic ahead when slowing/stopping is stacking up. It provides early warning to cars following tall vehicles like SUV's or commercial trucks thereby reducing rear end collisions.The styling theme is a Corvette with a front mid-ship configuration. Again a greatly downsized package in case CAFE rules required a downsize in the fleet. It would make for a nice GT like a Camaro though...