Peter Brock Studio Concept: The Split-Window Corvette reimagined

1963 Chevrolet Corvette by J.A. Ackley
Jan 14, 2025

Photography courtesy BRE and Barrett-Jackson

Yes, Peter Brock helped design the original 1963 Split-Window Corvette, but what would he do with it today, as the sole designer? That’s the premise behind the Peter Brock Studio Concept, a re-envisioned 1963 Chevrolet Corvette.

(For more on the development of the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette, read the award-winning book by Brock, “Corvette Sting Ray: Genesis of an Icon,” available here.)

Of course, Brock worked with a team of designers on the ’63 Corvette. That included penning lines with GM legends such as Bill Mitchell, who oversaw the project as Director of Design at GM Styling. Brock, then a young designer, didn’t always agree with Mitchell’s philosophy, but understood that Mitchell had a reason for his choices. Fast forward 60-plus years, and Brock can finally institute some of the design elements he wanted to see.

For the Peter Brock Studio Concept, Brock teamed with Michael Staveski, of Restomod World. Brock didn’t want to do the typical restomod, though. He liked the overall production lines of the ’63 Corvette and didn’t want to simply follow the typical restomod formula.

First step, Brock made the faux scoops and vents real. He doesn’t care much for fake anything. If it’s a scoop or a vent or whatever, it should serve an actual function and the vents on this car do just that.

Zora Arkus-Duntov disliked the rear visibility of ’63 Corvette. But to replace the iconic split window would make it just a C2 Corvette. So Brock enlarged the surface area of the split rear window, increasing sightlines, but somehow managing to do it ever so subtly that it’s not glaringly apparent from afar.

No more flip-up headlights. Yes, some have a nostalgic affinity for them, but Brock wanted to eliminate them as they sometimes had issues, plus it makes for a smoother nose. This Split-Window Corvette instead has its headlights recessed.

Brock put the car on 18-inch, Forgeline wheels that he felt paid tribute to the Stingray’s classic lines.

Now that it’s the 2020s, why not take advantage of today’s technology? This Corvette uses an Art Morrison chassis with a full C7 suspension. Under the hood is the latest LS3 Corvette V8, with Harrop fuel injection. Wilwood brakes provide the stopping power. After all, a designer with a motorsports background enjoys performance, right?