Chevrolet Corvette Rondine

Vehicle Overview

The Chevrolet Corvette Rondine is a striking show car crafted by Pininfarina on a production 1963 Sting Ray chassis. Designed by Tom Tjaarda, an American who had been working with Italian coachbuilders since 1959, the Rondine features an innovative design that experimented with two distinct rooflines. The first design option showcased an inward-slanting rear window with the roof cut off at the B-pillar, while the second option employed a more traditional sloping rear window. During the early 1960s, as many automobile manufacturers shifted to unitary chassis construction, the fiberglass-bodied Corvette became a popular subject for European coachbuilders. Pininfarina, renowned for its elegant and cutting-edge designs, took this opportunity to showcase its talents at the 1963 Paris Motor Show with the Rondine Coupe. The car’s sleek and sophisticated shape drew considerable attention, incorporating design cues that would later influence the Fiat 124 Spider, including the Fiat 124 Rondine. The Rondine’s design exemplifies Pininfarina’s commitment to blending elegance with innovation, and its influence is evident in its later designs. Today, the unique Chevrolet Corvette Rondine remains an important piece of automotive history. It is still owned by Pininfarina and was prominently displayed at the 2005 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, which celebrated the Italian coachbuilder’s 75th anniversary. The Rondine’s presence at such a prestigious event underscores its enduring legacy and the lasting impact of Pininfarina’s design prowess on the automotive world.