Above: Here is Peter Brock's 1957 sketch of what became the C2 Corvette some six years later (image provided courtesy of the Peter Brock Collection).
Above: VP of Design Bill Mitchell had a heated argument about the two-pane glass split-window rear windscreen of the 1963 Corvette coupe with Head of Corvette Engineering Zora Arkus-Duntov. Mitchell said that the spine of the coupe was a crucial design element of the C2. Duntov countered that the spine ruined rearward visibility and increased production costs. In the end, the two compromised. Mitchell relented and said that the split-window would only be a one-year feature. Initially, some new coupe owners in 1963 had the spine removed and an aftermarket plexiglass rear windshield installed. Due to its rarity and aesthetic appeal, as most Corvette enthusiasts are aware, this one-year design element plays a huge part in what makes the 1963 Corvette coupe so valuable and collectible today. Sometimes function follows form - with the advantage of hindsight.
Above: A 1967 Corvette convertible with a 427-cubic inch V8 engine that is rated at 390-horsepower and backed by a Muncie M21 four-speed manual transmission wears her Goodwood Green paint perfectly. Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions.
Peter Brock is best known for his work on the Chevrolet Corvette from 1957-1963, but his influence extends far beyond just one model. Though a very talented young man, Brock well-earned the role as the chief stylist for GM’s Corvette division during this time. His work on the Corvette Sting Ray (1963-1967) was innovative and revolutionary. The car’s sharp, aggressive design has been admired for decades and remains a key moment in Corvette’s legacy. For the full scoop regarding the design, engineering, and development of the C2 Corvette (1963-1967), visit 1963-67 C2 Corvette: History, Prices, Engine Options, and Production Numbers.
Above and below: Beginning in October 1963, Peter Brock had just 90 days to design, with the Shelby American team of engineers, mechanics, and builders to construct the Shelby Daytona coupe for her premier race at the 12 Hours of Daytona, in Daytona Beach, Florida. The team managed to construct six Daytona coupes for GT and endurance racing in the United States and in Europe. The Shelby Cobra Daytona proved to be a formidable race car in GT and endurance racing in the U.S. at tracks like Daytona, but also for the larger circuits in Europe, like Le Mans in Rheims, France and for Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, also known as Spa, located in Francorchamps, Belgium, which is in the Ardennes region of Wallonia, about 40 kilometers from Liège.
The 289 Shelby Cobra roadsters weren't aerodynamic enough to compete at the larger racetracks in Europe, as they weren't able to slice through the air. They were bricks in the wind. Though only six original Daytona coupes were constructed, they won races worldwide, earning a first in the GT class and fourth overall at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1964 with Bob Bondurant and Dan Gurney sharing driving duties for the Shelby American Team. The Shelby American team then won the FIA Sports Car Championship on July 4, 1965, with the vaunted six Daytona coupes and the venerable 289 Cobra roadsters. This Daytona coupe is on display at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum, in Philadelphia, PA. Michael Furman photographed the Daytona.
Brock’s other contributions include the Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe (1964), which became a dominant force in racing and further cemented his reputation as a visionary in American automotive design.
Above: In 1999, Jimmy Price of High-Tech Automotive in South Africa (known as Superformance in the U.S.A.) invited Peter Brock to create a contemporary version of the Cobra Daytona Coupe that he originally designed in 1964. The modern Cobra Daytona Coupe has all the creature comforts, including power steering, power roll-up windows, and an HVAC system. It's a retro-modern super car.
Though not as widely known as some of the other designers on this list, Michele Loreti made significant contributions to automotive design during the 1960s and 1970s, particularly with his work for Fiat and Ferrari. His minimalist, functional designs helped define the style of several notable cars from these brands.
Above: From right to left you'll find the 1966 Fiat 124 Sport Spider flanked by a current Fiat 124 Spider Abarth convertible that is Mazda Miata based. Photo courtesy of Motor Trend magazine.
Loreti’s influence is most evident in his work on the Fiat 124 Sport Spider (1966), which married classic Italian styling with practical engineering. His work at Ferrari also helped refine the shapes and aerodynamics that made the brand synonymous with performance and beauty.
Though John DeLorean is often associated with the famous DeLorean DMC-12 of the 1980s, his influence on car design began long before the car made its way into popular culture. In the 1960s, DeLorean was a key figure at General Motors, serving as the head of the Pontiac Division. Under his leadership, the company produced cars that would go on to define an era.
Above and below: The 1964 Pontiac GTO is powered by a tri-power carb'ed 389-cubic inch V8 mill that's backed by a four-speed manual transmission. Thanks Mecum Auctions for allowing CI to publish these GTO coupe and convertible photos.
DeLorean played a key role in the development of the Pontiac GTO (1964), often credited as the car that launched the muscle car era. His vision was rooted in creating vehicles that combined performance with style, and his impact on the industry is still felt today, both in terms of design philosophy and the push for innovation in the automotive space.
Above: This sleek jet black 1964 GTO convertible also sports a 389-cubic inch V8 powerplant and a four-speed manual transmission.
Above: A 1962 Triumph TR4 looks every bit as good in resale red as she does in British Racing Green. The Michelotti designed TR4 first appeared in 1961. Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions.
Giovanni Michelotti was another iconic Italian designer whose influence spanned the 1960s and 1970s. Michelotti’s work ranged from concept cars to production models, and he is remembered for his refined, elegant designs that captured the spirit of the era. He was the man behind cars like the Triumph Spitfire (1962), the Triumph TR4 (1961), and the BMW 2002 (1968), which became icons of their respective brands.
Above: A 1968 BMW 2002 coupe appears more than ready to tackle the open roads in the Golden State. Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions.
Michelotti’s ability to blend Italian elegance with British practicality was evident in his work with Ferrari, Lancia, and Alfa Romeo. One of his most celebrated works is the Ferrari 250 GT (1954), which is often cited as one of the most beautiful Ferraris ever made - high praise from Prancing Horse enthusiasts.
Above: The Ferrari 250 Europa GT Coupe Speciale is an undisputed masterpiece of automotive design, a one-of-a-kind coupe, penned by famed Italian stylist Giovanni Michelotti and built by Carrozzeria Vignale. Photo courtesy of Gooding and Company Auctions.
The Italian design house Bertone was behind some of the most memorable cars of the 1960s and 1970s, with the genius of Nuccio Bertone at the helm of the design ship. Bertone was responsible for designing some of the most beautiful and innovative cars during the era, including the Lancia Stratos Zero (1970), a revolutionary, wedge-shaped design that became one of the most photographed concept cars in history. The Stratos Zero foreshadowed the design direction of future high-performance sports cars.
Above and below: The 1967 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale - form and function are in perfect harmony with this rare super car.
Bertone also worked on the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale (1967), a rare and highly coveted car, which represented the pinnacle of Italian design and engineering. Bertone’s ability to marry high art with high performance made him one of the standout automotive designers of the era.
Two Photos Below: The last of 14 Pre-Production 1956 Lincoln Continental Mark II coupes poses for a Mecum Auction's professional photographer - what a beautiful luxury car!
Raymond Loewy, known as the “father of industrial design,” made an indelible mark on automotive design with his clean, futuristic lines. Loewy’s work on cars during the 1960s and 1970s exemplified both elegance and practicality, influencing models that would define American automotive design for decades.
Among his many contributions, the Studebaker Avanti (1962) stands out as one of the most iconic cars designed by Loewy. Its dramatic, forward-thinking design broke the mold of traditional American car styling. Loewy’s influence on other major models like the Lincoln Continental Mark II (1956) and Coca-Cola bottle are also notable, as they had an enduring impact on the aesthetic direction of automotive design into the 1960s and beyond.
Although Harley Earl's career started before the 1960s, his influence continued to shape GM’s designs during the 1960s and 1970s. Earl is often credited with creating the concept of automotive styling departments and elevating car design to an art form. As the head of GM’s Styling Section, Earl was the mastermind behind some of the most iconic cars of the 1950s and early '60s, but his legacy continued to loom large through the 1960s, particularly with the creation of the Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray and the Cadillac Eldorado.
Above and below: You're viewing the first 1967 Pontiac Firebird produced, serial number 001. The stunning convertible sold at Mecum Auction's Kissimmee, Florida sale in 2021. Richard Rawling's shop Gas Monkey Garage performed a nut and bolt ground up restoration on Richard's Firebird prior to the Mecum Kissimmee auction.
Earl’s influence on American car design was vast. He was responsible for the introduction of tailfins, streamlined designs, and the "concept car" as we know it today. Though he retired in 1958, his work laid the foundation for future GM designs that continued into the 1960s and 1970s, such as the Chevrolet Camaro (1967) and Pontiac Firebird (1967).
Above and below: This 1967 Camaro Indy 500 Pace car is equipped with a 396-cubic inch big block V8 engine that makes 375-horsepower. Gear changes are accomplished with a Muncie four-speed manual transmission. The Camaro SS396 sold at the Mecum Kissimmee 2025 Auction.
Giorgetto Giugiaro’s name is synonymous with automotive innovation. His designs during the 1960s and 1970s helped to usher in a new wave of automotive aesthetics, fusing elegance with practicality. One of his earliest successes came in 1968 with the Fiat 124, a car that would go on to be one of the best-selling vehicles in history. But it was his later work, including the De Tomaso Mangusta Mongoose (1966), BMW Garmisch (1970), and Volkswagen Golf (1974), that cemented his place in automotive history.
Above and below: The author photographed this stunning orange hued Mangusta Mongoose at the 2022 Concorso Italiano, held on Saturday in mid-August every year during Monterey Car Week.
Giugiaro was known for his ability to blend technical innovation with fluid, timeless design. His work transcended national boundaries and helped define modern car styling, making him one of the foremost designers of the era. His unique, bold lines and functional beauty continue to influence the automotive industry to this day.
Above: This 1967 Camaro Z28 Trans Am race car was photographed at the Gooding and Company Auction during the 70th Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance by the author. Lead photo of two 1967 Camaro Trans Am race cars courtesy of Mecum Auctions for the company's 2025 Kissimmee, FL auction.
The automotive designers of the 1960s and 1970s helped to define an era of sleek, performance-driven, and visually stunning vehicles that captured the imagination of car enthusiasts around the world. From the futuristic designs of Giorgetto Giugiaro to the innovation and risk-taking of Raymond Loewy and Bertone, these designers left an indelible mark on the history of automotive design. Their work continues to influence car manufacturers today, and their contributions have ensured that the vehicles from this golden age remain timeless classics.
Above: The modern vehicles surrounding this timeless 1969 Z28 Camaro look pretty darn boring in comparison with the stunning pony car (photographed in the parking area on Blackhorse Golf Course in Seaside, CA, at the 2024 Concorso Italiano by the author).
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