Rampant Speculation: A simple movie prop or GM's Corvette Centennial Concept?

[Rob]

From MotorTrend.com:

Since the initial spotting of this unidentified concept on the set of the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen movie, popular opinion has pegged it as a Chevrolet Corvette concept that will likely forecast the styling direction that the next-generation C7 'Vette will take. Now new reports citing unnamed inside sources say the vehicle is actually General Motor's Corvette Centennial Design Concept, built to celebrate GM's 100th birthday and set to debut next year, slightly ahead of the new Transformers flick.


The aforementioned sources say the concept's styling will tie GM's 100-year history into the future of the automaker, utilizing design elements from past and future models. Certainly there's plenty of past influence, with a rear window reminiscent of the "mid-year" Corvettes of the 1960s, along with the curvaceous fender arches of the later C3 Corvette Stingray. Wrap up the car with exaggerated proportions and sharp, angular, futuristic overtones, and GM's intentions seem to come across clearly - should this, in fact, be the rumored Corvette Centennial Concept.


What are your thoughts on this 'Vette-like mystery car? Will this car serve as a starting point for the next-generation of America's Sports Car, or is it a mere design exercise with no bearing on future models? Is this even a GM-sanctioned vehicle at all, or is it just a movie prop that bears an uncanny resemblance to the Corvette? And moreover, is the styling appealing or too overdone for your tastes? [/quote

 

[82ColEd]

You like to stir the pot, eh Boss?

My 2 cents: Movie prop slightly leaning on a concept.. Becomgin reality? Nope..



-Stefan

 

[jhecox]

Ya'll talkin bout da gren-en er da selver-en? :L

 

[Scottsredvette]

Looks like a "styling exercise" outa the 70's to me.

 

[Evolution1980]

Couple of other pics over here...

 

[5thgeneration]

The curved wheel arches are sweet. The vette needs more curves !

 

[Patrick]

I came across THIS VIDEO at the Fox Car Report (you'll need to watch it in Low resolution, there's some flaw in the high res version that stops it half way through.) The video is an interview with Ed Welburn, GM's VP of Global Design at the Chicago Auto Show, where the cars in the new Transformers movie are shown.

According to Mr. Welburn, the design of "Sideswipe" (the character name for the Stingray Concept Corvette in the movie) is not intended to go into production. A shame, as several of the design cues are rather striking.

 

[jrose7004]

That's a very enjoyable interview with Ed Welburn!