Photos added, 1:30 PM
We bet you didn't see this one coming. The next Corvette, the C7, will have a split rear window as on the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray.
In an interview with Inside Line, Ed Welburn, General Motors' head of global design, father of the re-born Camaro, told us the next Vette will follow the 2010 Camaro down the road of retro-inflected styling
This was hinted at by the Corvette Stingray concept that was used in the second Transformers movie. "That car is not the next Corvette," says Welburn, "But the split-window is something that I expect for the next Corvette."
Welburn added, "With the back-up cameras and blind-spot detection systems that we have these days, the visibility issue is much less of a problem."
The original 1963 split-window arrangement caused sparked one of the legendary battles among Corvette factions within the company, as head of design Bill Mitchell and Corvette godfather Zora Arkus-Duntov battled over the styling gimmick's inclusion.
The feature lasted only one year. By '64 it, along with some hideous fake hood vents, was gone. The feature made such an impression though that it has become inextricably tied with Corvette ever since.
The C7 will also remain faithful to Corvette history by remaining a front-engine/rear-drive vehicle. This after lengthy testing of mid-engine cars, discussion and, predictably, arguments about the possibility of going mid-engine with the future Vette.
Assuming it does not become strictly a retro exercise, we like the idea of a split-window Corvette. If you don't like it, tell us why. --Daniel Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit
More photos after the jump.
srlracing says:
01:45 PM, 09/21/09
The split window will add some uniquely American and uniquely Corvette styling which has (as good looking as the current car is) been a bit boring while (let's be honest) aping the 360 Modena looks.
rsholland says:
01:54 PM, 09/21/09
Always thought the original '63 split-window coupe to be the best looking 'Vette ever built, despite the poor rear visibility. However, as is mentioned, with today's rear cameras, that's far less of an issue.
A college friend of mine had one back in the day. Drove it several times. It was a neat car.
activ8 says:
02:08 PM, 09/21/09
I'd prefer if companies stopped going retro and started looking to the future, but this one is definitely a win!!
rsholland says:
02:12 PM, 09/21/09
There's nothing wrong with milking one's heritage, if it's done right.
estreka says:
02:16 PM, 09/21/09
Cameras and sensors are no substitute for visibility.
felonious says:
02:40 PM, 09/21/09
Unless it comes with a rearward-facing police detection system, I'm not buying one. I had an 04 STi - been there, done that, don't wanna do it again.
stovt001 says:
02:48 PM, 09/21/09
I love the 1963 Corvette. It is my favorite year, hands down. That said, I agree with both activ8 and estreka. I'm tired of "retro" design. Heritage cues are one thing, but copying is quite another. I think GM did a pretty good job modernizing the Camaro design (as opposed to Dodge's shameless copy of the 1970 design) and I suppose the split rear-window could be pulled off without being retro, but the Corvette is such an easy car to design in a way that nods to heritage without being gimmicky. And Estreka is absolutely right that there is no substitute for visibility. Though I don't consider the Camaro's visibility to be nearly as bad as Edmunds makes it out to be, I do feel GM Design is getting too much say and design concerns are pushing out everything else. You shouldn't create a problem out of vanity just because you can work around it. Yes, the split rear window looks cool and can be pulled off, but ultimately I think that is one thing I'd like to see remain unique to the 1963 model I love so much.
porschecarrera says:
03:08 PM, 09/21/09
It looks cool, but I think that will only last until the first speeding ticket because you couldn't see the police car coming up your tail :P
cah11705 says:
03:17 PM, 09/21/09
If it looks anywhere close to as good as the '63 vette, i'lll be happy. It will need a nice and unique interior, great sport seats, and at least the performance of the new grand sport too. That would finally make it recognizable as more than just a fast car with crap build quality.
stephen987 says:
03:42 PM, 09/21/09
The '63 was a tug-of-war between stylist Bill Mitchell and engineer/godfather Zora Arkus-Duntov. Mitchell wanted the split window for styling, and won--for a year. Duntov pointed out that no one could see out of the damn thing, and for '64 it was gone.
I'm with Duntov. The faster you drive, the more important it is to see out, in all directions.
rkr says:
03:58 PM, 09/21/09
So over this bad plastic knock off retro crap. It took the industry to long to catch-up to the independent builders. No split windows, No the Vett does not need a rear view-side view cameras. How about losing weight not adding more crap? You want cameras, split windows, fins then buy a freaking Cadillac. It took too long for them to get the Vett on a weight watchers diet and bulk the motor up to ruin it with bad aero dynamics and 50 pounds of useless electronics. Want to improve the Vett, oust the cheap interior and make it feel like the pedigree monster it is!
P.S. Sorry as much as people seem to liked the 63 I prefer my Dads 58. Now That's Retro!
carlisimo says:
05:05 PM, 09/21/09
I just hope it isn't too big a departure from the style that the last 3 generations have had. The Corvette has been distinctive (in a good way) for a long time, without any hint of the Stingray.
On another note, it's sad to hear that technology is being officially treated as a replacement, not just a supplement, for visibility.
stonehammer says:
05:10 PM, 09/21/09
Crickey mate, thats retro stupid!
cwc1 says:
05:13 PM, 09/21/09
Retro is so-o-o five years ago. How about looking to the future-o? If the next Corvette is to have retro styling, the fad will really be over by the time it gets into production.
It's as if auto stylists have run out of new ideas or something, so now they're doing remakes, just like Hollywood.
How about some tail fins? (But wait, that concept has them. Not good.)
dbostondriver says:
05:42 PM, 09/21/09
This is a great idea. And for everyone that thinks its retro, the McLaren F1 had split window.
If done right, this will be one of the best looking cars in history. Add a top notch, no cheapness interior and it might be able to compete with the SuperCars from overseas.
Then again the C7 is going to be made by GM, and they always find a way to mess things up.
hondacura4 says:
06:03 PM, 09/21/09
I'm hoping with the C7 Chevy will finally address the (lack of) perceived quality that has plagued Corvettes for generations.
Given its starting price there is no reason this car cant have the materials and build quality of say....a Cadillac CTS, or even better. More polish and refinement never hurt anything if executed correctly.
cz75 says:
08:40 PM, 09/21/09
Too much opportunity to botch this, IMO.
hondapilot2004 says:
04:28 AM, 09/22/09
they better do it right...
dg0472 says:
05:39 AM, 09/22/09
Hmmm. Didn't work out so hot in '63. So yeah let's try it again. I see this as possibly the design that gets such designs outlawed. The feds are already considering a visibility standard. This may well do for it what GM's X-frames did for side impact standards. Moronic, moronic, moronic.
charlesb says:
08:03 AM, 09/22/09
Someone above said "retro stupid" and I agree. A return to a bad idea from the past. I'm awaiting the "New GM's" take on the Corvair.
jederino says:
08:32 AM, 09/22/09
The fastback design was not the problem for the generally hot looking Corvette. It's the chintzy interior, and lackluster front grill.
I wouldn't mind seeing a split rear window driving in my neighborhood, but I wouldn't buy it. Visibility is too important to sacrifice for a styling exercise. Look to the new Italia, which has a generous green house, and still manages to look fanstastic.
sgude says:
09:08 AM, 09/22/09
Great idea, as long as it doesn't screw up visibility TOO badly. No one complains when Mercedes goes retro (SLS), but let the Vette guys take a cue from the past (and like it or not, it is an iconic cue) and the naysayers are all atwitter! It's likely none of the people complaining would buy one anyway, and it's just as likely the new split-window Vette will sell just as well as the C5/6 has, if not improve.
msdaisy says:
11:19 AM, 09/22/09
Is there going to be a Transformers edition?
stephen987 says:
01:15 PM, 09/22/09
@sgude: No one complains when Mercedes goes retro because the Mercedes was a good design the first time.
zoomzoomn says:
01:41 PM, 09/22/09
Hmmm. Cool looking cause for a major blind spot. Not worth it.
dnoodles says:
04:53 PM, 09/23/09
you know why i love this car already? because i'll never buy one.
as a study in common sense, this makes very little (for all the visibility reasons already stated).
as a design study, this car is a thing of beauty. you have to admit, if you throw out all necessary utility in this car, and just look at it as a sculpted work of art, this is a very nice looking piece, indeed. it's total eye candy.
so i'm a big yes on production of this thing. that is, until one of them inevitably backs into or over me.
p.s. - is anyone else curious as to how the trunk works on this thing? maybe it pulls out like a drawer.
i know, i know. split window stingray don't need no stinkin' trunk... tell that to the american consumer.