Wednesday, August 07, 2019

1953 Rolex v. Corvette



1953 v. 2020

Rolex v. Corvette

Basel World 2020 Prediction


Chevrolet recently debuted the upcoming all new mid-engine Corvette stingray which just went through its most radical transformation in its history. So much so, it metamorphosed from a caterpillar crawling around on the ground, to a beautiful butterfly flying through the sky. In my opinion this is something GM should have done 20 years ago, but as they say, 'better late than never."


Little Red Corvette




The most amazing thing about the all-new Corvette model is that it looks AMAZING, and does 0-60MPH in less than 3 seconds while starting at under $60,000. This car is potentially going to wreak-havoc on upscale brands like Ferrari. The 2020 Corvette pictured above has a targa top that can be stored in the rear trunk, and Chevy has already showed of a convertible version as well. Chevy made the 2020 available for pre-order on Chevrolet.com and from what I understand, they are close to being sold out already.

I think the new Corvette is super cool, and but I would never purchase one unless it was electric. I hope GM is working on an electric version of this car, which would really be awesome! Chevrolet introduced the original Corvette in 1953, which is pictured below in front of the Golden Gate Bridge.



Ironically, Rolex had a 'Corvette' model long before GM as we see in the photo below of the 1943 Rolex Corvette wristwatch!





So what does this have to do with Rolex beside the fact the Corvette and Submariner are both super-iconic? Rolex debuted the Submariner in the same years GM launched the Corvette, 67 years ago, back in 1953.


I believe it is likely Rolex will be debuting an all-new Rolex model at Basel World 2020. I have no evidence of this, and I am speculating, but I think the Submariner is next in line for a major update. So what would I expect? I hope and pray Rolex introduces a 43MM Single Red Submariner, which for me would be THE ultimate Submariner. I could see Rolex introducing a 40 and 43MM Submariner. As they say, time will tell...




The screenshots below show Tadge Juechter who is featured in the keynote video below. Tadge is the Corvette Executive Chief Engineer and notice he is wearing his Rolex Day-Date! 








2020 Corvette




I have an interesting story to share with you. When I was 16 years old I wanted to be an automotive engineer. In high school and college I would sit in class and draw cars all-day. I decided ultimately not to pursue a career in automotive design since at the time American cars were the absolute worst they ever have been. This was the era of cardboard cars like the Chrysler Reliant K, which made me want to vomit out my ears! In other words, I didn't want to waste me design skills on working for companies that made instantly obsolete garbage.




At the time, in the mid 1980s the only people making cool cars were from Germany which included models like The Porsche 911 Cabriolet, The Porsche 928, The Mercedes 500SEC, and the BMW 633CSI. At the time I didn't see it as a possibility to move to Germany to design cars since I didn't speak German. Little did I realize most German's spoke English at the time.


I remember a few decades ago having a conversation with somebody about automotive design and I said "I can't understand why car companies don't make cars that look like a Ferrari, but are far less expensive? In other words, why doesn't a company like Toyota make an MR2 that looks like a Ferrari?" Well, it finally happened with the 2020 Corvette.






It's interesting from what I have observed with the new Corvette. It's not just a car that looks cool, featuring typical half-baked American junk interior quality. Instead, Chevy seems to have gone all-out to make the Corvette the Real Deal!!!



Looking at the new Corvette makes me think about the song "Tighten Up" by Archie Bell & The Drells starts playing in my head so I thought I would share the video below. Play it and look at the photos above of the new Corvette!!!