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2024

By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of General Motors Archives & Special Collections, Mecum Automotive Auctions
Published 11.6.2024

1955 Chevrolet assembly line GM Media Archivesand Special Collections 31955 Chevrolet assembly line (GM Media Archives and Special Collections)

If there was one designer that had a positive influence on automotive design during the 1950s and 1960s, it was Clare MacKichan (March 10, 1918 - February 10,1996). A graduate of the University of Michigan in 1937 with a degree in mechanical engineering, MacKichan was chief designer for the Chevrolet studio from 1951 to 1962. He worked first under General Motors design chief with Harley Earl and then later with Bill Mitchell.

GM Design Staff early 1950s. Clare MacKichan seated second from right. GM Archives and Special Collections RESIZED 1GM Design Staff, early 1950s. Clare MacKichan seated second from right. (GM Archives and Special Collections)

MacKichan had a hand in many popular Corvette models throughout the 1950s and 1960s, leaving a positive design mark on many popular GM models. He was also responsible for the introduction of the 1954 Corvette at GM’s Motorama event at the Waldorf Astoria in New York in 1953-54. This exhibit drew thousands of spectators who thoroughly enjoyed the new Corvette show car on display for the first time.

Early Corvette shows including the Corvair concept GM Archives and Special Collections 2Early Corvette shows, including the Corvair concept (GM Archives and Special Collections)

The 1955–1957 Chevrolet models were also very popular among American car buyers. The front end 1955 Chevrolet grille designed by MacKichan was a great topic of discussion for many, including automotive historians like me.

1956 57 Chevrolet design studio GM Archives and Special Collections RESIZED 41956-57 Chevrolet design studio (GM Archives and Special Collections)

For many years, both automotive historians and past GM/Chevrolet designers have said that MacKichan was a great designer, who really thought with his head. He was a very creative and charismatic individual who took the lead on many Chevrolet design proposals. Other talented Chevrolet designers included Carl H. Renner, Charles Stebbins, and others.

1955 was a great year for the auto industry. The first eight weeks saw one million cars sold, with General Motors alone delivering over 450,000 vehicles by mid-February. MacKichan was part of Chevrolet’s iconic designs for 1955-1957, which some automotive historians referred to as the “Hot Ones.”

1958 Chevrlolet Bel Air Impala press photo GM Archives and Special Collections RESIZED 51958 Chevrlolet Bel Air Impala press photo (GM Archives and Special Collections)

MacKichan once said this about designing the1957 Chevrolet models: “The 1957 front end was radical, one of those things whose absence on the first generation 1955 Chevy is easy to understand.”

In 1957, Ford passenger car production passed Chevrolet for the first time since 1935. However, in 1958, MacKichan and Chevrolet’s design team designed and introduced a more powerful and great looking model called the Impala. The new 1958 Chevrolet designs gained 30 percent of the passenger car market for the first time in its history.

1959 Chevrolet rear end design GM Archives and Special Collections 61959 Chevrolet rear design (GM Archives and Special Collections)

The 1958 Chevrolet designs were dropped after just one year because of body sharing at General Motors. MacKichan said this about the 1959 Chevrolet designs: “In 1959, we went to a shared body shell with Pontiac, Oldsmobile and Buick. This was an effort to save money in the corporation.”

Clare MacKichan GM Archives and Special Collections 7Clare MacKichan (GM Archives and Special Collections)

In 1962, MacKichan left Chevrolet and was sent to Germany with the task of establishing the Opel design studio. He created many great-looking design proposals with Larry Shinoda and Tony Lapine. Later, he and Erhard Schnell started work on an exciting sports car design. Known as  project “1484,” the resulting car was the first generation Opel GT made from 1968 to 1973. 

1969 1973 Opel design under Clare MacKichan designs Mecum Automotive Auctions RESIZED 81968- 1973 Opel GT design under the direction of Clare MacKichan (Mecum Automotive Auctions)

In conclusion, Clare MacKichan was a very talented automotive designer, responsible for many iconic Chevrolet models. He was inducted into the Corvette Hall Of Fame on September 1, 2011. MacKichan died on February 10, 1987. Although he is gone, his great designs will always be a respected part of Chevrolet’s history for generations to come.

Bibliography

General Motors/Chevrolet Hall of Fame.

Clare Mackichan. GM/Chevrolet Category: 2011 Induction. National Corvette Museum. 

Chappell, Pat. “The Hot One Chevrolet 1955-1957.” Dragonwyck Publishing, 1977.

Ludvigsen, Karl. “Corvette, America’s Star-Spangled Sports Car: The Complete History.” Automobile Quarterly Publications, 1973-1974.

by Bob Sadler, MotorCities Director of Communications & Engagement
Images Courtesy of General Motors Archives, Business Week, Detroit Free Press, Motor Trend and Time Magazine
Published 10.30.2024

By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of Stellants North American Archives
Published 10.23.2024  

By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of Brooks Stevens Archives and the Robert Tate Collection
Published 10.16.2024

By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of General Motors Archives & Special Collections, Corvette News, Robert Tate Collection
Published 10.9.2024

By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of Stellantis North American Archives, The Robert Tate Collection
Published 10.2.2024

by A. Wayne Ferens
Images from the Ferens Collection
Published 9.25.2024

By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of General Motors Archives & Special Collections
Published 9.18.2024

By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of the Henry Ford Media Center Archives
Published 9.11.2024

by Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of Stellantis North American Archives
Published 9.4.2024

by Bob Sadler, MotorCities Director of Communications & Engagement
Images Courtesy of the Walter Reuther Library
Published 8.28.2024

By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of Stellantis North American Archives, Old Car Weekly, BBspot.com
Published 8.21.2024

By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of The Henry Ford Media Center Archives
Published 8.14.2024

By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of General Motors Archives & Special Collections
Published 8.7.2024

By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of Steve McQueen’s Estate, Warner Brothers
Published 7.31.2024

by A. Wayne Ferens
Images Courtesy of Shelby American and Hertz
Published 7.24.2024

By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of Cheryl Kelley
Published 7.17.2024

By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of Stellantis North America Archives, Muscle Car Plus and the St. Louis Car Museum
Published 7.10.2024

By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images courtesy of the Robert Tate Collection
Published 7.3.2024

by A. Wayne Ferens
Images from the Ferens Collection
Published 6.26.2024

By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of Ebony Magazine, Road & Track Magazine, Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed
Published 6.19.2024

By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of the Stellantis North America Archives, Vlad Radu Auto Evolution, Steven Juliano
Published 6.12.2024

By Brian Yopp, MotorCities Deputy Director
Images Courtesy of Jack Teetor and the Automotive Hall of Fame
Published 6.7.2024

By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of the GM Heritage Archives
Published 6.5.2024

1992 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray III design sketches GM Heritage Archives 21992 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray III design sketches (GM Heritage Archives)

One of the most stylish concept Corvette models that came out of the General Motors Technical Center was the 1992 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray III concept. This concept was created under the direction of Charles M. “Chuck” Jordan (1927-2010), who was a part of the GM design team for many years.

Charles M Jordan VP of GM Design staff 1986 1992 GM Heritage Archives RESIZED 1Charles M. Jordan, VP of GM Design staff 1986-1992 (GM Heritage Archives)

Throughout GM history, Jordan contributed many great designs to the company’s various brands that were very successful. The 1992 Corvette Sting Ray III concept was introduced in a black cherry color scheme that many fans really liked. I remember seeing the model when it first debuted and was very impressed with its futuristic styling. It offered a great looking front-end with angled headlight styling features.

Another 1992 Corvette Sting Ray III sketch GM Heritage Archives 3Another 1992 Corvette Sting Ray III sketch (GM Heritage Archives)

Some automotive historians have said that the 1992 Corvette Sting Ray III concept was reminiscent of the popular 1960s Corvette models. Jordan was very pleased that the Sting Ray III concept generated a lot of buzz and recognition when it was introduced at the 1992 Detroit Auto Show.  

A black and white aerial shot of the 1992 Corvette Sting Ray III concept GM Heritage Archives 4A black and white aerial shot of the 1992 Corvette Sting Ray III concept (GM Heritage Archives)

The Sting Ray III was designed by a GM stylist from its advanced concept center located in Southern California. Automotive historians have said that this concept was considered for production, however, its $300,000 price tag made that idea a responsible no.

The 1992 Corvette Sting Ray III design concept GM Heritage Archives 5The 1992 Corvette Sting Ray III design concept (GM Heritage Archives)

The concept was built using carbon fiber, which provided strength and flexibility. An adjustable steering wheel was added along with a great-looking sloping windshield design. John Schinella, who was in charge of the California-based studio, said, “After the structure and drivetrain placements were determined, sketches were made, presented, debated and finalized. The completed shape had to look new.”

1992 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray III concept GM Heritage Archives 61992 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray III concept (GM Heritage Archives)

The Sting Ray III used advanced technology, including optical sensors. The model also featured all-wheel steering and cast-aluminum wheels. In addition, the concept featured an analog and digital instrument gage panel, and the interior design provided a fighter jet feel when driving.

1992 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray III concept GM Heritage Archives 7A rear view of the 1992 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray III concept (GM Heritage Archives)

Michael Lamm & Dave Holls, the authors of “A Century of Automotive Style: 100 years of American Car Design,” said, “GM’s California Concept Center, under John Schinella, developed the 1992 Sting Ray III as one possible answer to the Dodge Viper. John Mack did most of the exterior design, while Jon Albert designed the interior. The running metallic purple prototype carried a 300-hp Corvette V8.”

1992 Corvette Sting Ray III concept interior GM Heritage Archives 81992 Corvette Sting Ray III concept interior (GM Heritage Archives)

In conclusion, GM Design staff were shaping the future when they introduced the Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray III concept to the public in 1992. It also received several awards for best design concept.  Finaly, this model will always have a place in our automotive history as a great-looking show car that Corvette fans and historians will enjoy and remember for years to come.

Bibliography

Car Styling News. “1992 Sting Ray III Concept.”   

Teeters, Scott K. “1992 Sting Ray III Concept, AKA: The California Corvette.” Motor Trend Magazine, February 17, 2016.

Rosenberg, Diego. “1992 Corvette Sting Ray III Concept, Melding the Past and the Future.” October 10, 2014.

Lamm, Michael & Holls, Dave. “A Century of Automotive Style 100 Years of American Car Design.” Lamm-Morada Publishing, 1996-97.

by Bob Sadler, MotorCities Director of Communications
Images Courtesy of the Automotive Hall of Fame
Published 5.29.2024

By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of The Henry Ford Media Center Archives
Published 5.22.2024

By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Packard Illustrations from the Robert Tate Collection
Published 5.15.2024

By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images courtesy of Stellantis North America Archives, GM Media Archives, and Ford Motor Company Archives
Published 5.8.2024

By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of the Petersen Museum, AllCarIndex, and Custom Rodder magazine
Published 5.1.2024

by Brian Yopp, MotorCities Deputy Director
Images by Bob Sadler, MotorCities
Published 4.24.2024

By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of the GM Media Archives
Published 4.17.2024

By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of the Robert Tate Collection and The Henry Ford
Published 4.10.2024

By Jeffrey D. Brasie
Images Courtesy of the Sloan Museum of Discovery
Published 4.3.2024

by Brian Yopp, MotorCities Deputy Director
Images Courtesy of the Ford Piquette Plant Museum
Published 3.27.2024

By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images courtesy of the Robert Tate Collection
Published 3.20.2024

By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of Della Woods, Replicas West/Tom West, Drag Racing Hall of Fame
Published 3.13.2024

By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian & Researcher
Images courtesy of GM Media Archives
Published 3.6.2024

EDITOR’S NOTE: Today, we continue our observance of Black History Month with a look at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn's Achievement exhibit, which opened one year ago.

by MotorCities Staff
Image Courtesy of MotorCities National Heritage Area
Published 2.28.2024

By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of Ford Motor Company Archives and the Detroit Free Press
Published 2.21.2024

By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images courtesy of the GM Media Archives
Published 2.14.2024

By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of Chrysler Archives, Robert Tate Collection, ClassicCars.com
Published 2.7.2024

by A. Wayne Ferens
Images from the Ferens Collection
Published 1.31.2024

By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of Hot Rod Archives, Motor Trend Archives, Wallpaper.com and Chrysler Archives
Published 1.24.2024

By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of Paula Murphy Archives
Published 1.17.2024

By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of the Malcolm Bricklin Archives. A special thanks to Historian Ron Konopka for this story.
Published 1.10.2024

by A. Wayne Ferens
Images Courtesy of Ford Motor Company Archives and the Ferens Collection
Published 1.3.2024