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The split window Corvette was the first one I had ever seen. I still get emotional when a see its rear quarter view while walking around the car. Also the first Corvette I ever got a ride in....
Thank you so much to CorvetteOnLine for recreating happy memories.
https://www.corvetteonline.com/featu...e-split-window
Thank you so much to CorvetteOnLine for recreating happy memories.
Originally posted by CorvetteOnLine
Wednesday Rewind: A Look Back At The Split-Window
By ANDY BOLIG JANUARY 16, 2019
Sometimes, there are things that become so iconic that they override even the greatest of accomplishments. Take the new-for-’63 Corvette Sting Ray. It was a design home-run, with styling that wooed the hearts of America at first sight. There was no “getting used to it” like some of today’s designs, but the first thought of many Americans was how THEY were going to get into one!
The styling for '63 was all new. Styling had fully digested the space-race theme and personal rocket-ships were the trend. Phony vents up front and a centrally-located blind spot were key features of the new Corvette.
There were a lot of changes for the second-generation Corvette. The car was coming into its own and designers, as well as engineers were passionately pouring themselves into Chevrolet’s halo car. Being an all-new design meant that there would be things that were improved upon in succeeding production years, but there were a few things that may not be considered an improvement. It all depended on which side of the fence you were on.
There are a couple of items that denote specifically a 1963 Corvette. The faux grilles atop the hood were removed the very next year, as was the most heated, yet endearing feature of the ’63 coupes, the split-window. In this story, we take a look back at why the split-window was embroiled in such a heated debate and some of the super-heroes that fought the battle on both sides of the argument. Interestingly, no one ever asks who made the decision to remove the faux grilles from the hood.
In the ultimate "Form vs. Function" battle, then styling head Bill Mitchell fought for the split-window. Chief Engineer, Zora Duntov didn't think that it brought anything to Corvette's performance and therefore, felt it unnecessary.
We’re reminded of the stories where folks would cut the offending bodywork that bisected the rear window and replaced the glass with a later ’64-up piece. Ironically, many of those offending pieces were re-introduced into the car’s bodywork once folks realized how much value they brought to the overall package. Hard to say how many of those cars toggled between the two camps and are in “stock” configuration today.
There’s no doubting that the ’63 Corvette will remain as one of the pinnacles, not only of the C2 generation, but Corvette as a whole. Take a stroll back with us as we re-visit what it took to ensure the first Sting Ray received this main design cue, and what it took to get it removed shortly afterward.
By ANDY BOLIG JANUARY 16, 2019
Sometimes, there are things that become so iconic that they override even the greatest of accomplishments. Take the new-for-’63 Corvette Sting Ray. It was a design home-run, with styling that wooed the hearts of America at first sight. There was no “getting used to it” like some of today’s designs, but the first thought of many Americans was how THEY were going to get into one!
The styling for '63 was all new. Styling had fully digested the space-race theme and personal rocket-ships were the trend. Phony vents up front and a centrally-located blind spot were key features of the new Corvette.
There were a lot of changes for the second-generation Corvette. The car was coming into its own and designers, as well as engineers were passionately pouring themselves into Chevrolet’s halo car. Being an all-new design meant that there would be things that were improved upon in succeeding production years, but there were a few things that may not be considered an improvement. It all depended on which side of the fence you were on.
There are a couple of items that denote specifically a 1963 Corvette. The faux grilles atop the hood were removed the very next year, as was the most heated, yet endearing feature of the ’63 coupes, the split-window. In this story, we take a look back at why the split-window was embroiled in such a heated debate and some of the super-heroes that fought the battle on both sides of the argument. Interestingly, no one ever asks who made the decision to remove the faux grilles from the hood.
In the ultimate "Form vs. Function" battle, then styling head Bill Mitchell fought for the split-window. Chief Engineer, Zora Duntov didn't think that it brought anything to Corvette's performance and therefore, felt it unnecessary.
We’re reminded of the stories where folks would cut the offending bodywork that bisected the rear window and replaced the glass with a later ’64-up piece. Ironically, many of those offending pieces were re-introduced into the car’s bodywork once folks realized how much value they brought to the overall package. Hard to say how many of those cars toggled between the two camps and are in “stock” configuration today.
There’s no doubting that the ’63 Corvette will remain as one of the pinnacles, not only of the C2 generation, but Corvette as a whole. Take a stroll back with us as we re-visit what it took to ensure the first Sting Ray received this main design cue, and what it took to get it removed shortly afterward.
https://www.corvetteonline.com/featu...e-split-window
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