GM designer sketches "future" Chaparral
Yesterday we showed you videos of the continuation 2E Chaparrals being built and raced by James Musser and the gang. The Chaparral racecars were so groundbreaking and awe-inspiring that a whole slew of automotive designers and engineers were drawn to the field after laying eyes on them for the first time. GM Design Director Ed Welburn is one of them. As this Winding Road piece tells us, Welburn is a huge fan of these Jim Hall racers from the1960s. While helping with that continuation car story, Welburn mentioned to the WR team that he wasn't the only Chaparral fan on the GM design staff either. He said that several others could frequently be found sketching what they thought modern Chaparrals might look like.
Click through to Winding Road to see what Jose Gonzalez dreamed up in the form of a full size version of the teaser pic at right. His creation emulates the earlier 2C rather than a 2E, and it is oh so sexy. You'll also see another design featured in this month's magazine and WR promises a third in the near future. So click over and check it out. For anybody who remembers these Texas chargers fondly, or who just appreciates wonderful racing design they are a must see.
[Source: Winding Road]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bob-o 10:24PM (1/03/2007)
Why does Winding Road so desperately want me to subscribe? Why are they saying "3 year subscription" when its free?
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Turbofrog 9:42PM (1/03/2007)
It's a nice sketch, but the angle of the perspective doesn't flatter it - it makes it look a lot chunkier than it should, whereas the Chaparrals are really low and sleek - the bodywork looks sucked around the componentry.
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Paul 11:18PM (1/03/2007)
Nothing that the Japanese can't do better
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L 11:21PM (1/03/2007)
i guess they're emulating the form and not the function..
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Race car videos 12:38AM (1/04/2007)
Looks like a fighter jet without wings.
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Car Designer 10:13AM (1/04/2007)
paul, you are a big bag of female hygiene product...go back to your soap box now.
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John P. 9:55AM (1/04/2007)
Maybe GM should get into the Supercar business, I think this sketch captures the essence of the Chaparral fairly well, but I would round it out a bit for a sexier look.
Maybe go with a twin turbo 1400hp version of the Corvette Z06 engine and rather than go porky like the Veyron, keep it light like a proper sportscar should.
Everyone can say GM should be concentrating on better people movers, but every car company has to make a car or two people can dream about.
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Richard 10:10AM (1/04/2007)
Chaparral cars were my entry into the world of race cars...and, man, they are still the most beautifully functional cars ever made (IMHO). I like the 2F, which won Nurbergring, best.
If Chevy/ GM did this - they won't dare displace the 'Vette - I would become a GM man. Too bad it will never happen.
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John P. 2:15PM (1/04/2007)
Paul's got some issues. Probably 40 years old, virgin, living with mom, hates life, and drives a civic. I could be wrong, anyone wanna wager?
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