Frank Peiler, Consumer Guide Automotive’s Publisher Emeritus, is back for another round of “What If” design studies. This time, Frank envisions what the 1953 Chevrolet Corvette might have looked like if it had been designed by Studebaker, Hudson, Packard, Nash, Dodge, Ford, or Kaiser. For more of Frank’s “What If?” artwork, check out his blogs on the 1957 Mercury, 1957 Packard, Cord 810, and Lincoln Continental.
Model-Year Madness! 10 Classic Ads From 1961
1953 Corvette by Studebaker 
Lots of Corvette baubles on this shortened Studebaker Starliner — grille teeth, bumpers, side trim, taillights and rear deck lid. The wrap-around windshield would be the most expensive (but necessary) alteration to the Studebaker cowl.
1953 Corvette by Hudson 
This Vette is based on a shortened version of the Hudson Italia. Except for body trim, there isn’t much Corvette in this design at all, but it does make for a nice Hudson.
1953 Corvette By Packard: 
The basis for this car was the Packard Panther by Creative Industries and Mitchell-Bentley. This design features a Corvette-like snout with teeth. At the rear are Corvette-style taillights and deck lid. The removable hardtop design was lifted directly from the Packard Balboa show car.
1953 Corvette By Nash 
The most logical starting point for a Nash designed Corvette would have been the Nash-Healey. Except for the fake upper fender air scoops, there is nothing on this design that looks Vette-like. The Nash taillights add even more bulk to an already heavy looking car.
1953 Corvette by Dodge 
The basis for this one is the Dodge Firearrow show car. The biggest Corvette-esque elements are the teeth in grille and the headlight bezels. The front and rear bumpers are also Corvette-like, but that’s about it. The external exhaust pipes match the design of the chrome rocker panels.
1953 Corvette by Ford
This Thunderbird-esque design boasts a long list of Corvette-inspired design elements:
- Oval grille surround
- Stamped aluminum grille to resemble “teeth” of Corvette grille
- Clear Plexiglas covers over headlights and parking lights
- Split front bumper
- Functional air scoop over triple carbs on straight six
- Twin ornamental fender scoops
- Side trim similar to Corvette used to accentuate fender scoops
- Cone-shaped taillights
- Bumper exhaust tips built into bumpers
- Wraparound rear window on hardtop, similar to Ford sedans
