1961 Chevrolet “Kelly Corvette” By Vignale
In 1960, Gordon Kelly, a Wisconsin industrial designer working under Brooks Stevens, pursued a singular dream: a grand tourer uniting American performance with Italian beauty. Over several years, that vision took shape through sketches, drawings, and a detailed scale model. Carrying it unannounced to Italy, he persuaded coachbuilder Alfredo Vignale to realize it. Completed in 1961 on a Corvette chassis, the “Kelly Corvette” featured a hand-formed steel body inspired by European racing coupes. Though surrounded by cars that would become classics when unveiled at the 1961 Paris Salon, it received enthusiastic acclaim with Car and Driver declaring it "the hit of the show."
Collection of John and Sonia Breslow
This Vehicle is on display in the Transatlantic Lines: American Cars by Italian Masters exhibit.
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