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