1952 GM Project Opel Drawing Unveiled during Chat with Engineers McLellan & Hill

[Gary C.]

During the “Corvette Chat with Past Corvette Chief Engineers Dave McLellan and Dave Hill” at this year’s Ocean State NCRS National Convention, the audience was honored by the participation of Mr. Chauncey Williams. Chauncey was an Industrial Designer draftsman hired by General Motors in February 1952 to make a scale drawing of a clay model for “Project Opel”.

Project Opel was the new secret project that Harley Earl had convinced General Motors that they needed to build. Project Opel was a two-seat sports car. Harley Earl’s Special Projects crew began working on the new car, "Project Opel" in late 1951.

Chauncey Williams talked about his role with drawing the one-quarter scale illustration of the 1953 Corvette clay model.

It was an honor for Scott Sinclair and myself to be selected to escort Chauncey Williams and his family at the Ocean State Convention.

Gary
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[Dennis C.]

Re: 1952 GM Project Opel Drawing Unveiled during Chat with Engineers McLellan & Hill

Gary,

i was was able to speak with Mr. Williams on the judging floor standing next to a 1954 Corvette. It was great to hear him speak about the project and his drawing. Also, note the grills and and fender vents in the drawing. According to Mr. Williams, they needed to be hand formed and we're taking too much time, so they were removed from the project.

A great piece of history.

Dennis

[Scott S.]

Re: 1952 GM Project Opel Drawing Unveiled during Chat with Engineers McLellan & Hill

Gary, Right place at the correct time, It was my honor and privilege to escort our guests.
Scott

[John D.]

Re: 1952 GM Project Opel Drawing Unveiled during Chat with Engineers McLellan & Hill

Are these the drawings the NCRS later decided to purchase ? There's an item in the minutes of the March board of directors meeting printed in the Restorer (page 50) where $30k was allocated for this task.

[Willard M.]

Re: 1952 GM Project Opel Drawing Unveiled during Chat with Engineers McLellan & Hill

If these are he ones bought by NCRS it appears a friend here in Maine was contacted by a local antique dealer wondering who to see about selling them for the family. Luckily my friend knows about NCRS and steered him in the right direction. This friend has a one family owned 70 but is not a Corvette nut like many of us.