Difference between revisions of "Chevrolet GPiX Concept"

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{{Infobox Automobile
{{Infobox Automobile
| name          = Corvette C2
| name          = Chevrolet GPiX Concept
| image          = [[Image:Chevrolet Corvette C2 Coupe (Rigaud).jpg|250px|Chevrolet Corvette C2]]
| image          =  
| manufacturer  = [[Chevrolet]]
| manufacturer  = [[Chevrolet]]
| parent_company = [[General Motors]]
| parent_company = [[General Motors]]
| production    = 1963–1967
| aka            =
| predecessor    = [[Chevrolet Corvette C1]]
| production    = 2008
| successor      = [[Chevrolet Corvette C3]]
| assembly      =
| class          = [[Sports car]]
| predecessor    =  
| assembly       = [[St. Louis, Missouri]]
| successor      =  
| layout         = [[FR layout]]
| class          =  
| body_style    = 2-door [[coupé]]<br>2-door [[convertible]]
| body_style    =
| related        = [[Corvette Stingray (Concept car)]]<br>[[Corvette Mako Shark (Concept car)]]
| layout        =
| platform       =  
| engine        =
| transmission  =
| wheelbase      =
| length        =
| width          =
| height         =  
| weight        =  
| related        =  
| designer      =
| sp            = us
}}
}}
{{Infobox Automobile generation
| name          = Base model
| image          = [[Image:1965 Chevrolet Corvette front.jpg|250px|1965 327 coupe]]
| production    = 1963–1967
| engine        = 327&nbsp;in³ ''[[Chevrolet Small-Block engine#327|Small-Block]]'' [[V8]]
}}
{{Infobox Automobile generation
| name          = Fuel injection
| image          = [[Image:Chevrolet Corvette C2 fuelie.JPG|250px|Fuel-injected corvette with fender badge]]
| production    = 1963–1965
| engine        = 327&nbsp;in³ ''[[Chevrolet Small-Block engine#327|Small-Block]]'' [[fuel injection|FI]] [[V8]]
}}
{{Infobox Automobile generation
| name          = Big block
| image          = [[Image:1967 Chevrolet Corvette convertible.jpg|250px|1967 427 convertible]]
| production    = 1965–1967
| engine        = 396&nbsp;in³ ''[[Chevrolet Big-Block engine#396|Big-Block]]'' [[V8]]<br>427&nbsp;in³ ''[[Chevrolet Big-Block engine#427|Big-Block]]'' [[V8]]
}}
:For an outline of all the Chevrolet Corvette generations see {{main|Chevrolet Corvette}}


The '''Chevrolet Corvette C2''' is a [[sports car]] designed by [[Larry Shinoda]] under the styling direction of [[Bill Mitchell]], and was produced between 1963 and 1967 at the St. Louis assembly plant. It is commonly referred to as the second generation or ''mid-year'' [[Chevrolet Corvette]] built and marketed by [[Chevrolet]].
The '''Chevrolet GPiX Concept''' is a [[concept car]] manufactured by [[General Motors]] under the [[Chevrolet]] division.<ref>[http://www.leftlanenews.com/chevrolet-gpix.html Chevrolet unveils the GPiX concept]</ref><ref>[http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/28/officially-official-gm-debuts-chevy-gpix-concept-in-sao-paulo/ GM debuts Chevy GPiX Concept in Sao Paulo]</ref>
 
1963 would see the introduction of the new '''Corvette Sting Ray''' [[coupé]] with its distinctive split rear window and fake [[hood vents]] as well as an [[independent rear suspension]]. The split rear window was discontinued in 1964 due to safety concerns. Because they made the design too busy, the hood vents were also cut. Power for 1963 was at 360&nbsp;hp (272&nbsp;kW) hitting 375&nbsp;hp (280&nbsp;kW) in 1964.
 
Four-wheel [[disc brake]]s were introduced in 1965, as well as a "[[big-block|Big Block]]" engine option: the [[GM Big-Block engine#396|396&nbsp;in³]] (6.5&nbsp;L) [[V8 engine|V8]]. Side exhaust pipes appeared on the 1965 Sting Ray. Chevrolet would up the ante in 1966 with the introduction of an even larger [[GM Big-Block engine#427|427&nbsp;in³]] (7&nbsp;L) [[V8]] version of the "Big Block," creating what would be one of the most collectible Corvettes ever. 1967 saw an L88 version of the 427 introduced, which was rated at 430&nbsp;hp (321&nbsp;kW), although unofficial estimates{{Fact|date=November 2008}} place the actual output at 550&nbsp;hp (410&nbsp;kW) or more. Only twenty such engines were placed in the 1967 Corvette, and the cars can fetch US$600,000 or more at auction today. From 1967-1969, the 1282&nbsp;ft³/min (605 L/s) Holley triple two-barrel carburetor, or [[Tri-Power]], was available on the 427. The 1967 model was originally intended to debut the [[Chevrolet Corvette C3|C3]] generation Corvette, however due to engineering delays and possibly to avoid internal competition with the new [[Chevrolet Camaro|Camaro]] ponycar, the C3 was pushed back a year until 1968; as such, the C2 carried over for an additional model year. Other early options available on the C2 included AM-FM radio (mid 1963), air conditioning (1963), leather upholstery (1963), telescopic wheel (1965), head rests, presumably to prevent whiplash (1966).
 
The 1965 introduction of the 425&nbsp;hp 396&nbsp;c.i. "Big Block" was ultimately the harbinger of doom for the Rochester fuel injection system. The 396/425&nbsp;hp option cost $292.70 whereas the 327/375&nbsp;hp "fuelie" option cost $538.00; few people could find a way to justify spending $245 more and receiving {{convert|50|hp|abbr=on}} less. When only 771 "fuelie" cars were built in 1965, Chevrolet discontinued offering fuel injection on the Corvette.  It was 18 years until fuel injection returned.
 
In 2004, ''[[Sports Car International]]'' named the Sting Ray number five on the list of [[Sports Car International Top Sports Cars|Top Sports Cars of the 1960s]].
 
The design of this generation had several inspirations. The first was the contemporary [[Jaguar E-Type]], one of which Mitchell owned and enjoyed driving frequently. Bill Mitchell also sponsored a car known as the "Mitchell Stingray" in 1959, because Chevrolet no longer participated in factory racing. This vehicle had the largest impact on the styling of this generation, although it had no top and didn't give away what the coupe would look like. The third inspiration came from nature:  a [[mako shark]] that Mitchell caught while deep-sea fishing.
 
==Grand Sport==
[[Image:1963 Corvette Grand Sport.JPG|thumb|right|250px|1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport raced by Bob Bondurant]]
In 1962 Corvette chief engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov initiated a program to produce a lightweight version based on a prototype that mirrored the new 1963 Corvette.<ref> Friedman and Paddock 1989, p. 16.</ref> Concerned about Ford and what they were doing with the [[Shelby Cobra]], Duntov's program included plans to build 125 Grand Sport Corvettes to make them eligible for international Grand Touring races. After the GM executives learned of the secret project, the program was stopped, and only five cars were built. All five cars have survived and are in private collections. They are among the most coveted and valuable Corvettes ever built, not because of what they accomplished, but because of what might have been.{{Fact|date=November 2008}}
 
The cars were driven by famed contemporary race drivers such as [[Roger Penske]], [[A.J. Foyt]], [[Jim Hall (race car driver)|Jim Hall]], and Dick Guldstrand among others. The Grand Sports, however, were never fully developed; poor aerodynamics caused high speed handling problems that were alleviated by a number of modifications but never completely solved. [[Dick Thompson]] was the first driver to win a race in the Grand Sport 004. He won a 1963 [[Sports Car Club of America]] race at [[Watkins Glen International|Watkins Glen]] on [[August 24]], [[1963]]. <ref>Friedman and Paddock 1989, p. 36.</ref>
 
The Corvette Grand Sports were raced with several different engines, but the most serious factory engine actually used was a 377 cubic inch displacement, all-aluminum, small block with four Weber side-draft carburetors, rated {{convert|550|hp|abbr=on}} at 6400&nbsp;rpm. Body panels were made of thinner fiberglass to reduce weight and the frame was constructed of amazingly light steel tubes.
 
==CERV II==
{{main|Chevrolet Corvette CERV}}
 
Zora Arkus-Duntov began work on the CERV II in 1963, which was completed in 1964. This vehicle and CERV I were later donated to Briggs Cunningham Museum, in Costa Mesa, California.
 
==Rondine (1963)==
Based on the 1963 Corvette C2 chassis, the Corvette 'Rondine' (Ron-di-nay) concept car was built for the 1963 [[Paris Auto Show]], designed by [[Tom Tjaarda]] of [[Pininfarina]].[http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/1094/Chevrolet-Corvette-Rondine-Pininfarina-Coupe.html][http://www.gizmag.com/go/8257/]
 
Sold at Barrett-Jackson 2008 for $1,600,000.00
 
==Production notes==
{|class=wikitable
!Year!!Production!!Base Price!!Notes
|- align=right
|1963||21,513||$4,037||align=left|New coupé body style introduced (only year for split rear window); convertible more expensive than coupé
|- align=right
|1964||22,229||$4,037||align=left|Rear window of coupé changed to single pane; hood louvers deleted
|- align=right
|1965||23,562||$4,106||align=left|396&nbsp;in³ [[Chevrolet Big-Block engine|Big-Block]] V8 added; last year of [[fuel injection]] until 1982; side-discharge exhaust introduced
|- align=right
|1966||27,720||$4,084||align=left|Big-Block is now 427&nbsp;in³ and comes with unique bulging hood; 300-horsepower 327 small block V8 now standard
|- align=right
|1967||22,940||$4,240||align=left|Five-louver fenders are unique; Big-Block hood bulge redesigned as a scoop; parking brake changed from pull-out under dash handle to lever mounted in center console; Tri-power 427 would become most sought-after Corvette ever
|-
!Total!!117,964!!!!
|}
 
<gallery>
Image:63 vette (OA).PNG|1963 split-window coupe
Image:1964 Chevrolet Corvette.jpg|1964 Chevrolet Corvette
Image:196X Chevrolet Corvette.jpg|Chevrolet Corvette
Image:1965 Chevrolet Corvette rear.jpg|1965 single-window coupe
Image:SC06 1966 Chevrolet Corvette 427 Coupe.jpg|1966 427 &mdash; note the unique hood bulge and three-slit fenders
Image:1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427 convertible.jpg|1967 427 &mdash; note the scoop-type hood and five-slit fenders
Image:SC06 1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427 L89 engine.jpg|1967 L71 "Tri-power" engine
Image:'66 Chevrolet Corvette (Auto classique).JPG|1966 Chevrolet Corvette
Image:Chevrolet Corvette C2 (Auto classique).JPG|Chevrolet Corvette C2 convertible
Image:Chevrolet Corvette C-2 (Auto classique).JPG|Chevrolet Corvette C2 coupe
Image:Chevrolet Vette C2 (Auto classique).JPG|Chevrolet Corvette C2 convertible
</gallery>
 
==Engines==
{| class=wikitable
!Engine
!Year
!Power
|-
|rowspan=5|327&nbsp;in³ ''[[Chevrolet Small-Block engine#327|Small-Block]]'' [[V8]]||1963–1965||250&nbsp;hp (186&nbsp;kW)
|-
|1963–1967||300&nbsp;hp (224&nbsp;kW)
|-
|1963||340&nbsp;hp (254&nbsp;kW)
|-
|1965–1967||350&nbsp;hp (254&nbsp;kW)
|-
|1964–1965||365&nbsp;hp (272&nbsp;kW)
|-
|rowspan=2|327&nbsp;in³ ''[[Chevrolet Small-Block engine#327|Small-Block]]'' [[Fuel injection|FI]] [[V8]]||1963||360&nbsp;hp (268&nbsp;kW)
|-
|1964–1965||375&nbsp;hp (280&nbsp;kW)
|-
|396&nbsp;in³ ''[[Chevrolet Big-Block engine#396|Big-Block]]'' [[V8]]||1965||425&nbsp;hp (317&nbsp;kW)
|-
|rowspan=2|427&nbsp;in³ ''[[Chevrolet Big-Block engine#427|Big-Block]]'' [[V8]]||1966–1967||390&nbsp;hp (291&nbsp;kW)
|-
|1966||425&nbsp;hp (317&nbsp;kW)
|-
|rowspan=2|427&nbsp;in³ ''[[Chevrolet Big-Block engine#427|Big-Block]]'' Tri-Power [[V8]]||1967||400&nbsp;hp (298&nbsp;kW)
|-
|1967||435&nbsp;hp (324&nbsp;kW)
|}
 
==See also==
* [[Chevrolet Corvette]]
* [[Corvette Mako Shark (Concept car)]]
* [[Corvette Stingray (Concept car)]]


==References==
==References==
;Notes
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
;Bibliography
{{refbegin}}
* Friedman, Dave and Paddock, Lowell C. ''Corvette Grand Sport: Photographic Race Log of the Magnificent Chevrolet Corvette Factory Specials 1962-1967''. St. Paul, Minnesota: MBI Publishing Co., 1989. ISBN 0-87938-382-8.
* Mueller, Mike. ''Corvette Milestones''. St. Paul, Minnesota: MBI Publishing Co., 1996. ISBN 0-7603-0095-X.
* Nichols, Richard. ''Corvette: 1953 to the Present''. London: Bison Books, 1985. ISBN 0-86124-218-1.
{{refend}}
==External links==
* [http://web-cars.com/corvette/1963.php 1963 Corvette] - C2 Corvette history and technical development


{{Corvette timeline}}
[[Category:Chevrolet concept vehicles|GPiX Concept]]


[[Category:Chevrolet Corvette|C2]]
{{Chevrolet vehicles}}

Latest revision as of 02:16, 4 February 2009

Chevrolet GPiX Concept
ManufacturerChevrolet
Parent companyGeneral Motors
Production2008
ManualsService Manual

The Chevrolet GPiX Concept is a concept car manufactured by General Motors under the Chevrolet division.[1][2]

References