GM styling center or tech center

[Keith B.]

Does anyone really know what one off cars were built there doing the 60's??? I am not just talking Corvettes but other cars as well.

[Michael G.]

Re: GM styling center or tech center

Just a guess, but perhaps the GM Heritage Center? Maybe someone else knows a contact there.

[Richard M.]

Re: GM styling center or tech center

If a list of all cars from the 60's Styling Department were to exist, that would be a fun read.

I wonder if Ed Welburn(Retired GM VP of Design) would know. I met him back in 2018 at Amelia Island. We had a nice conversation. I wish I'd have known your question then, as I'd have asked him if such a list exists.

I recall he gave me his contact card but I have no idea if I still have it or not.

Rich
PS This article describes the beginnings of GM Styling, a.k.a. Art and Colour

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/the-art-and-colour-of-gm

And this one of the Styling Center chiefs from Earl to Welburn

https://www.motortrend.com/features/looking-back-gms-six-design-chiefs/

[Michael H.]

Re: GM styling center or tech center

GM Styling (now GM Design) is a part of the GM Technical Center. The GM Engineering Center (now called the Sloan Building) is across the street and connected by an underground tunnel. They historically have worked together on functional vehicles. GM Styling is the series of buildings at the bottom of this picture (Design Dome is at the bottom left). You can see some of the GM Engineering Center on the upper right side of the picture. The GM Engineering Center is bigger than it looks in the picture and use to have a large garage/fabrication area in the middle of it. John Hinkley had a lot of great stories about one-off cars that were built in the GM Engineer Center, although many were for engineering and not show cars.

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[Keith B.]

Re: GM styling center or tech center

It seems like every time a odd ball car comes up for sale or discussions of rare cars come up like the 65 Chevelle Z16 convertible. every ones response is oh it must have came from the tech center. It would be nice to see a official list of what was really done there.

[John D.]

Re: GM styling center or tech center

I was at the GM tech center in October for a meeting and drove over by the Design building and this car- Astro 1 was in the lobby. I believe it's on loan from the GM Heritage Center which I was also lucky enough to visit. Could only see the lobby but the building itself just exudes history and I was buzzed just to be there in the spot where this and many other iconic cars have sat over the years. There's a new design building going up right next to the design dome.


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[Bill M.]

Re: GM styling center or tech center

John from the gauges and the headlight doors it looks like an early 70's design?

[Jack M.]

Re: GM styling center or tech center

I believe ASTRO I dates back to a 1967 debut... a very futuristic design concept.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: GM styling center or tech center

I see the turn tables in the bottom left. Went to a Corvette show there & met ZORA years agp.