Was This Rejected C5 Concept the Basis for the 2014 Corvette Stingray?

Check out this rejected C5 Corvette design that was brought to our attention by our friend Chris Draper via Digital Corvettes. The picture comes from James Schefter’s book All Corvettes Are Red which details the design and launch of the 1997 Corvette.

The photo is a computer rendering of a proposed design for the fifth generation Corvette that eventually made its debut in 1997. And boy oh boy does it bear a strong resemblance to today’s 2014 Corvette Stingray.

The C5 Concept shows the same tapered cockpit design, complete with quarter windows and rear hatch that tapers onto the flat rear deck. Four rectangular lights are shown in the 2+2 configuration and four exhaust ports are centrally mounted. The diagonal vent is there on the front quarter panel and it even looks like the top has the same painted strip on the edge of the roof panel.

The caption for the photo simply reads:

In a computer rendition, this Corvette’s rear end was too radical. it was one of hundreds of designs rejected over the years.”

The 2014 Corvette Stingray has these same overall design characteristics but in a much more aggressive package. And while the rear was deemed too radical in the mid-nineties, its also the most controversial feature on the new Corvette.

It’s very probable that some of the guys on the C5 Corvette design team were involved in the C7 Corvette project as well. Would love to hear from Corvette Exterior Design Manager Kirk Bennion on this!

And for you “Tailighters” who cry about Camaro lights on the Corvette, proof that a Corvette actually had these lights BEFORE the Camaro should bring you much joy. It’s okay to like the new Stingray!

Source:
Digital Corvettes

Related:
[VIDEO] How the C7 Corvette Prototype Made It Into Gran Turismo 5
[VIDEO] Conception – The 2014 C7 Corvette
[Video] Autoline Goes Inside the GM Design Studio