During the 2024 SEMA Show, a restored 1963 Chevrolet Corvette, infused with modern engineering, drew big crowds. The car’s new lease on life was the work of the 1963 Corvette’s original designer, Peter Brock. It’s called the Studio Concept Corvette, and it sports mind-bending modifications, while retaining the car’s beloved classic look.
Brock was one of the youngest designers ever hired at GM’s Styling department. In November of 1957, he drew a sketch that would eventually become the design of the second-generation 1963 Corvette.
“This car was designed 67 years ago… and the design stayed the same from the original sketch,” Brock said at the 2024 SEMA Show. The reinterpreted Corvette keeps with the original design. “There has not been a line on the body changed on it,” he emphasized. Instead of changing the iconic shape, Brock focused his attention on details. For example, the front end is now smoother and features relocated headlights.
All the vents are functional and the rear glass area has been increased for better visibility. Exterior tweaks include a flush gas cap, relocated LED headlights, and 18-inch wheels modeled after the factory knock-offs. Additionally, there are custom hood grilles, flush-mounted cowl vents, and black chrome trim. The Corvette is finished in GM Hypersonic Gray base/clearcoat paint.
Underneath its classic skin, this Corvette boasts modern technology: an Art Morrison C7 custom chassis, C7 Corvette front suspension, Art Morrison independent rear suspension, and a 550-plus-horsepower 6.2-liter LS3 engine with Harrop Engineering Hurricane intake manifold. These touches made by Brock combine classic aesthetics and modern performance to make this classic car on par with modern performance vehicles.
Brock termed the design a “studio concept car.” He even mentioned that he would present it to an influential General Motors executive for a single build. The interest generated at SEMA was enormous, with Barrett-Jackson Chairman and CEO Craig Jackson describing the car as “a piece of history.” Jackson was struck by the story of the car and the way it uniquely incorporates elements of classic design with modern engineering.
The car shown at the 2024 SEMA Show is the prototype model for a run of 20 vehicles that will be built. Each will be one-of-one as a color combo, so no two will look the same.
