chevrolet corvette

[lyndon sharpton]

why did chevrolet get the corvette,and not some other division? any one know?

[Michael H.]

Re: chevrolet corvette

Lyndon,

That's a really good question. Oldsmobile was the division that was noted for high performance in 1952-53, not Chevrolet. Had to be some of the key players in management that pulled the sports car to Chevy. I think Olds had a shot but passed on the idea of a sports car.

[Steve G.]

Re: chevrolet corvette

Then Olds came out with the '54 F-88 to compete w/Corvette, and was quashed. This was the prototype that went for over $3M at Barrett a couple years ago.

[Tom R.]

Re: chevrolet corvette

It came out of Chevrolet design?

[Art A.]

Re: chevrolet corvette

Steve, The F-88 was actually labeled an EXPERIMENTAL vehicle by GM, not a prototype.

Tom, Each vehicle line, Chevrolet, Olds,etc, had a design studio within the GM Styling Section (that's what GM called it back then)and designed their own vehicles under lock and key so the each division couldn't see what the others were designing.

Art