Legendary car designer and classic restorations expert Chip Foose tried his hand at improving the design of the C8 Corvette Stingray in the latest installment of the Chip Draws A Car series on YouTube.
This video series follows Foose as he gives his opinion on the designs of various vehicles and offers some advice on how the designers could have improved it based on his own critiques. Foose then traces the vehicle and makes his own alterations to the design, showing us how the different route he would have taken if he worked at that particular automaker.
Foose isn’t a fan of the design of the C8 Corvette, as he believes it’s too radical of a departure from previous Corvettes. So, with this sketch, he tries to inject a little bit more Corvette heritage into the C8’s forward-thinking design.
To do this, Foose pulls the proportions of the vehicle rearward, keeping the mid-engine layout, but bringing more weight over the rear tires to give it proportions that are similar to the C7 Corvette. He also believes the side vent on the C8 Corvette looks tacked on and too much of an afterthought to the overall design, so he pushes more into the rear wheel arches, integrating it into the body a bit more.
Foose isn’t a fan of the C8 Corvette’s taillights, either, as he believes they look too much like the lights from a Lamborghini or another similar exotic. He envisions his redesigned C8 as having lights similar to those on the C7 Corvette, which he says would make it more recognizable as a Corvette when viewed from the rear.
We think the C8 Corvette already strikes a good balance between Corvette heritage and contemporary design, but we don’t mind Chip’s reinterpretation of the sports car’s design, either. Check out the video embedded below to see him reimagine the eight-generation of Chevy’s iconic sports car bit by bit.
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Comments
I’m a huge Foose fan but I have to go with GM, on this one. GM got this design right.
I agree.
I agree with everything Foose says. C8 is a big step forward but the design is not up to the high standard set by Corvettes of the past; specifically the C2 and C3. While I think his design is a big improvement, it still lacks the purity and cohesion needed for a truly timeless design that lives up to Corvette’s early heritage.
In terms of design, I’d order them as follows:
1. C2/C3 (tie)
3. C1
4. C4
5. C6
6. C7
7. C8
8. C5
I agree with Chip Foose his design looks worlds better than GM. When I saw the 1st C8 in person on the road because there was No Auto Shows last year, it look like a Ferrari kit car . I disagree with Mr.Foose “ Price gouging, Rip off sponsors Pep Boys” I went there 2-16-21 to get a fuel pump replaced on my 99 Ford Explorer. Not being real mechanics they needed to put on a machine to tell they wht I already said $100, then they quoted me $1,100- $500 for a pump that I picked up at O’Rileys for $52 and $600 for labor. Performance Automotive drop the tank and put it in for $200. I made a complaint with BBB, State and Federal needs to investigate that place
It’s not that the C8 isn’t good looking, it’s just that it looks exotic car generic. It could be a Ferrari, McLaren, Lotus…anything. It just doesn’t stand out and certainly doesn’t show any Corvette DNA.
You got it in a nutshell, I don’t care what anybody say’s, if you take the badging off the car most people would not know it was a Corvette and I’m sure some A lot of corvette owner’s wouldn’t recognize it from a distance. Let me be clear here! I love ALL CORVETTE’s but the C8 not much.
Foose does some great stuff.
His version doesn’t look mid engine however. It looks like where C8 would have gone if it stayed front mid engine perhaps.
That’s the best part of Chip’s design.
He really hid the mid-engine layout by giving the car front engine proportions.
He nailed it.
Chip is functionally autistic
Foose’s design is better but I wish the ass-end wasn’t so massive and high.
Just a woman’s opinion but – his version looks like the path they are taking the Camaro down in the front end, and am I seeing the faint lines of the old bullitt mustang on the rear scoops? Anyway for me, they always drop the ball on the rear – what is with leaving the bottom half of the rear looking so unfinished these last few years?
So many like Chip’s design. But, is such design truly feasible with the mid engine layout. He’s provided a sketch but hasn’t done the engineering fit all aspects that make up a corvette under that shape.
Overall, I agree it looks good but where’s the functional car that proves such design is feasible. Yea, the corvette is similar to other mid engines cars and there’s a reason for that. Unfortunately, no one here is taking into consideration the functionality of the design.
We have a great C8 that is available. Take it or leave it and stop complaining about the design.
Whether it looks better or not is subjective. I don’t think it does. The real problem I see is the lowered roof and slope of the windshield. You might have to be under 5’6″ to drive it.
I like the direction Chip Foose is going, but I would reduce the front end’s opening by a third.
I don’t like Chip’s design. I get that the C8 should’ve look more corvette but I also think that it’s time to move and look forward. Let’s sit and wait til the C8 Z06s come out, those are gonna be 🔥🔥🔥
I am with Foose!! I have been involved with Performance boat & custom vehicle design for decades, and you just shouldn’t make a drastic change like that in one generation. I see the c8 all over the Dallas area, and cannot tell it from the Ferrari or Lambo from a distance! Then again, I was a fan of the Avalanche (owned 6 of them) and look what happened to it!
I’m glad he’s not work for GM! He’s not only getting rid of all distinguish corvette design elements also it does not look like a street ready safe car nor functional with that very high belt line that compromises visibility then combines it with the very slender window opening that not looks like able to stand any rollover impact at all.
It’s a first rough draft. And a beautiful design. Better than the current C8. I do agree with you as far as safety and regulations, but I think they could’ve done a better job on design And design heritage. And I think chips design, even though it’s just a design study it does look better then the current C8. Just my personal opinion. Everybody has a right to have an opinion.
I was a proud owner of a 72. Last year for so many nostalgic items. And no we can’t ever go back to that era, but for me even from 2014 on the look has vanished more n more. If I want a Ferrari or maclaren ( money wasn’t an object). I’d buy one. I don’t want my American sports car to look like euro trash. Appreciate chip’s rendition but it’s not a corvette homeage either.
I like the C8’s look , that’s why I ordered one. My opinion I don’t like Chip’s design.
OMG!! Foose’s interpretation is SOOOO much better that GM’s.
Other than some minor details on the very front & very back, he nailed it.
He gives the car a more cab rearward look that really helps to camouflage the mid-engine layout. The front end isn’t so short, stubby, and droopy. And the high point of the roof/greenhouse is set much further rearward than the production car giving his car a much sleeker, sexier, less cartoony look.
His looks more like a front engine car, which is appropriate for the Corvette.
GM really eff’ed up the C8.
I love Chip’s better. I agree that it should remain looking like the lines of previous bodies. That side vent I always thought did not look right. I think the C7 is a better looking design then the C8. I love the C7. I still prefer the front engine rear drive platform. It is BS that there was no potential left. The aftermarket tuners take a C7 and do magic, far better then the factory setup. Plus, they should have put coil overs on it years ago. I would like to see what Chip does to the back. Hopefully it would still have the round tail lights that are a Corvette tradition.
Ummm no. I’m glad you didn’t design the current one. Yours looks too flat and fishy like. OTOH it’s only on paper and you can’t tell three-dimensionally how it will be.
I love Chip and everything he does in my personal opinion I think he’s one of the best custom car builders around……..But I don’t agree with him on the Corvette I think Chevy got it right.
I have a 37 Ford two door sedan I would love to have Chip to his magic he’s definitely the man!,,