Corvette - The 1953
Corvette quenched the thirst of post-Korean War consumers for the first
quintessential "American sports car." Aiming to outdo
the haute Euro design of the MG and Jaguar, Chevy Design VP Harley Earl found
his inspiration in fiberglass speedboats of the Great Lakes. Corvette’s design
team used the malleable new material to create never-before-possible lines and
curves. The result turned heads: the pearl-white roadster with fire red
interior, rocketship taillights, and a jet-inspired cockpit. By the late
50s, models topped 150 MPH, making it the performance leader of American sports
cars. The Corvette's sporty image was shored up by Sting Ray and continued
future-forward design updates spanning its five decade history as one of the
world's sleekest high performance machines. Generations have fallen in
love with their Corvettes and this program details that decades-long affair.
Chevrolet (1955-57) - In 1955,
Chevrolet's "Hot One" burst on the scene with a flurry of fins and
chrome. Though a masterpiece of design, the car's big news was the
ferocious small block V8. These models transformed Chevy’s old, stodgy image to
one of youth, speed, and vigor, trumping American rivals Ford and Chrysler. Decades
after the "Mighty Mouse" made its mark on Detroit, the heart of this
legendary engine can still be felt in millions of race cars, boats, fork-lifts,
and, of course, Chevrolets.Featuring footage of the annual Woodward Dream
Cruise event, this program asks experts and enthusiasts alike about the lasting
impact of the "Hot One" and its signature V8.
Chevrolet Bonus Features: Biography of a Sports Car; Chevrolet Thunder: The
Marque of Monterey Corvette Prep for Sebring Corvette at Sebring Race Day
Camaro Design.
