Jan. 1956 photo of 1958 Corvette concept design

[Richard S.]

January 1956 Corvette concept design for 1958 split window. At the base of the split window you can see the name Corvette and the cross flags. Also looks to possibly have T-tops, perhaps an attempt to compete with the new Thunderbird.

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[Paul D.]

Re: Jan. 1956 photo of 1958 Corvette concept design

I hope the car in the background is what is being referred to as the 58 Corvette prototype. Looks pretty much on point to be in 56 photo. Chip.

[Richard S.]

Re: Jan. 1956 photo of 1958 Corvette concept design

Nope, when I was able to blowup the concept vehicle in the foreground it says Corvette beneath the split windows and the license says 1958. From what I understand 1960 was to have been the debut of the C-2 corvette with the split windows however, GM diverted all available funds to the development and marketing of the 1960 Corvair thus delaying the C-2 until 1963.

[Owen L.]

Re: Jan. 1956 photo of 1958 Corvette concept design

Thank God for Bill Mitchell (with Larry Shinoda & Zora Arkus Duntov)! That split window would have been a horrendous mistake which would have killed Corvettes as we know them. In my opinion, this design would have taken the Corvette along the Thunderbird path.

[Duke W.]

Re: Jan. 1956 photo of 1958 Corvette concept design

In the mid-fifties GM was developing a new line of mid-size sedans with a transaxle. This gave rise to the Q-Corvette that was to use the transaxle and it is well documented in Karl Ludvisgen's Corvette book. It was a good deal smaller than the C1 and maybe even a little smaller than the C2.

The 1958 recession killed the new sedan line along with the Q-Corvette. The "split window" car in the foreground is not a Q. It's too big - probably built on a C1 chassis

The split rear window fastback design was originated by Bertone and was used on several of the Alfa Romeo BAT (Berlina Aerodinamica Tecnica) show cars in the mid-fifties. I also have a vague recollection of a late-fifties Oldsmobile show car with a split rear window. Bill Mitchell was obviously a big fan of the design.

Back then GM was making ten cents on every sales dollar and had a ton of money to spend on toys.

Serious C2 design work started in 1960, a couple of years after the Q was cancelled.

Duke

[George J.]

Re: Jan. 1956 photo of 1958 Corvette concept design

In the mid-fifties GM was developing a new line of mid-size sedans with a transaxle. This gave rise to the Q-Corvette that was to use the transaxle and it is well documented in Karl Ludvisgen's Corvette book. It was a good deal smaller than the C1 and maybe even a little smaller than the C2.

The 1958 recession killed the new sedan line along with the Q-Corvette. The "split window" car in the foreground is not a Q. It's too big - probably built on a C1 chassis

The split rear window fastback design was originated by Bertone and was used on several of the Alfa Romeo BAT (Berlina Aerodinamica Tecnica) show cars in the mid-fifties. I also have a vague recollection of a late-fifties Oldsmobile show car with a split rear window. Bill Mitchell was obviously a big fan of the design.

Back then GM was making ten cents on every sales dollar and had a ton of money to spend on toys.

Serious C2 design work started in 1960, a couple of years after the Q was cancelled.

Duke

Duke, I think the split window design started in the 1930's. See below:
bugatti-type-57-sc-atlantic-76700.jpg

[Mark H.]

Re: Jan. 1956 photo of 1958 Corvette concept design

I also have a vague recollection of a late-fifties Oldsmobile show car with a split rear window. Bill Mitchell was obviously a big fan of the design.

Duke

That would be the "Golden Rocket". A combination of split window, Cadillac fins, and a Tucker front end. Geez, what a mess: https://viaretro.com/2018/02/oldsmob...-is-the-limit/

[Leif A.]

Re: Jan. 1956 photo of 1958 Corvette concept design

That would be the "Golden Rocket". A combination of split window, Cadillac fins, and a Tucker front end. Geez, what a mess: https://viaretro.com/2018/02/oldsmob...-is-the-limit/

Sure looks a lot (exactly) like the picture in the OPs post.

[Richard S.]

Re: Jan. 1956 photo of 1958 Corvette concept design

I am still trying to understand what's going on with the top of the doors. Could that have been an early attempt at T-tops?

[Duke W.]

Re: Jan. 1956 photo of 1958 Corvette concept design

I think the "car" in the photo in post #1 might be a clay model. The photo in #8 appears to be a running car... probably a C1 chassis with a few changes to the body features.

I think the top of the doors just blend into the roof, and that feature showed up on the C2 Coupe.

Duke

[Duke W.]

Re: Jan. 1956 photo of 1958 Corvette concept design

Duke, I think the split window design started in the 1930's. See below:
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Ah, yes... a Bugatti... probably the inspiration for the early "split window" Beetle.

The Bertone BAT prototypes carried the idea further with a "boat tail" and larger windows that wrapped around to nearly the top of the fenders.

My original plan was always to buy a convertible. The first time I saw the SWC I knew it was a no-brainer!

Sometime during my two years in Madison, some young chick who looked totally stoned was ogling my parked SWC as I walked up. As I got in she said: "It looks like a spaceship". I just said, "Naw, it's a Corvette.

Duke

[Owen L.]

Re: Jan. 1956 photo of 1958 Corvette concept design

I am still trying to understand what's going on with the top of the doors. Could that have been an early attempt at T-tops?

Here are a few door pics of the '56 Olds Golden Rocket (check out the pedals and speedo in the steering wheel):
1956_Oldsmobile_Golden_Rocket_Concept_Interior_01.jpg1956_Oldsmobile_Golden_Rocket_Concept_05_2.jpg

[Richard S.]

Re: Jan. 1956 photo of 1958 Corvette concept design

Ok, now I understand what is going on with the doors and roof. Interesting concept, but must have been technically challenging.