Gramps46 Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 (edited) Corvette Sting Ray Evolution 1957 – Bill Mitchell, GM Head of Styling, took a tour of Italy. He was especially impressed with the Alfa Romeo Disco Volante (flying saucer) designed and built by Carrozzeria Touring and took lots of photos. Mitchell assigned Research Studio B “young guns” (including that Pete Brock of Cobra and Datsun fame) to pursue his ideas for a C2 Corvette which was to be called the Sting Ray. (Mitchell was an avid fisherman) 1959 – Mitchell Sting Ray racer Mitchell wanted to test public reaction to the design ideas for the Sting Ray. The Automobile Manufacturers Association in 1957 had suddenly banned American manufacturers from participating in racing thus Mitchel was able to purchase the Corvette SS test mule chassis and commissioned the construction of the Sting Ray racer. The Mitchell Sting Ray racer generated a lot of positive attention but was hampered on the track by the drum brakes inherited from the SS. 1963 – The new C2 Corvette Sting Ray split window coupe and convertible went into production with the Mitchell inspired body and a Duntov inspired chassis. Footnotes: Pete Brock’s book – Corvette Sting Ray - Genesis of the Corvette Sting Ray – recommended Models: Alfa Romeo Disco Volante – Leo Models 1/24 diecast Mitchell Sting Ray – Scale Craft Models (Landis and Sposaro) 1/25 resin Corvette Sting Ray – Revell Promos 1/25 Personal attachment – In the mid-1970s I was fortunate enough to own and restore two C2s. Edited January 29, 2022 by Gramps46 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake45 Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 Very most way excellent! Thanks for sharing it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randyc Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 Nice history lesson. Watching Corvettes in the 24 Hrs of Daytona, too. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Chernosky Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 Gary...I knew some of this...now I know all of it. Thanks for posting...great models and good information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Venom Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 Very cool! Thanks👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobraman Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 Very interesting. Cool car. Thank you ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bisc63 Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 Cool models! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PappyD340 Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 Awesome!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyser Posted January 30, 2022 Share Posted January 30, 2022 Stellar looking cars. Seeing them together really shows lineage nicely. Mitchell, Jordan, Brock, much of that group had great sense of history and balance. Pulling a Disco into a production car nice trick. And don’t forget Clambake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulbo Posted January 31, 2022 Share Posted January 31, 2022 Beautifull build👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy grumpy Posted January 31, 2022 Share Posted January 31, 2022 Beautiful and interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 Very sharp and cool! I like Elvis in Clam bake.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldcarfan27 Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 On 1/30/2022 at 9:40 AM, keyser said: Stellar looking cars. Seeing them together really shows lineage nicely. Mitchell, Jordan, Brock, much of that group had great sense of history and balance. Pulling a Disco into a production car nice trick. And don’t forget Clambake. Looks like Barris got ahold of that car too! He should have been a baker, considering all the gingerbread he makes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyser Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 (edited) Nope. All Bill Mitchell. That was personal car for awhile. far better taste than George. Clear scoop was added. Nod to TR’s. Wasn’t on it save for movie. Long hood grilles were, made it to 63 in shorter version. Edited February 1, 2022 by keyser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1959scudetto Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 Very interesting story, Gary - I've got no idea that Bill Mitchell got the inspiration for the Corvette SS and Sting Ray from an earlier trip to Italy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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