Motion
The Vehicle Design of Chuck Pelly
Intersection-Inc.
Intersection-Inc.
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Scarab
One of the most well recognized sports car of the 60’s because of its race records.
The Front Engine Scarab (Reventlow Motors) produced from 1958 to 1960 and designed by Chuck Pelly and Dick Troutman.
Its classic voluptuous body form, among the first of its kind, featured the long sweeps of the front fender that flowed into the tightly formed rear fender in conjunction with the high lifted round rear, providing a long-lasting memorable look.
The Scarab had many famous personalities involved, such as Lance Reventlow and Jill St. John.
Chaparral MkI and MkII produced by Chaparral Motors (owned by Jim Hall and Hap Sharp). The Chaparral was designed by Chuck Pelly.
The Chaparral followed the Scarab and was designed to be as low as possible with independent wheel fenders much like the Bonneville Salt Flat speed cars. A high rounded tail was used to provide adequate fuel and aerodynamic lift.
The Chaparral, named after a bird that roams at high speed, was a milestone in the golden era of race design.
Chaparral
Magna 'Badlander' Torrero 2
Designed alongside Jeff Teague, Chuck Pelly worked with Magna International on a lifestyle concept vehicle.
The whole purpose was to create a brand new niche for young and not-so-young people," according to Mr. Gingl, Magna's executive vice-chairman. Integral to the project was Lifestyle Segmentation and trailers designed by lifestyle activity.
Designworks/USA
The first Designworks / USA studio was opened in 1972. It is still ongoing in Newbury Park, California as well as opening offices in Shanghai and Munich.
Chuck Pelly was the owner of Designworks / USA from 1972 until 1995 when it was purchased completely by the BMW Group. At that time Chuck became President and CEO until becoming a consultant with the firm in 2000.
In 1998 Designworks USA was rated amonst the "Top 10 Best Industrial Design Offices" by D.C. Groupe, Frankfurt, Germany.
Designworks/USA
for BMW
Wholly purchased by BMW 1995 and still ongoing as a major international design firm in 2015.
During his tenure at Designworks USA Chuck Pelly was involved in developing a number of notable BMW vehicles such as the BMW E46 3 Series (1998), BMW E63 Sport Activity Vehicle (1999), BMW Zeta Concept (1993) and BMW’s E2 Electric Vehicle (1994).
BMW continues to own Designworks and it is now based in 3 global locations - Newbury Park in California, Munich in Germany and Shanghai in China.
Zimmer-Porsche
910S
Low body, special order, mid-engine coupe constructed on a Porsche 910 race-car chassis designed and built in 1975.
The engine was a aircooled flat 6 with a capacity of 200cc, connected to a 5 speed manual gearbox. The Zimmer-Porsche pushed 205kW and a top speed of 300km/h (187mph). Only 1 was ever built.
Harrison Special
With the aluminium bodywork designed by Chuck Pelly, the Harrison Special was a racecar designed in 1963.
Jim Clark of Formula 1 fame took it to the pole for the 1964 Players 200 GP at Mosport - however it was not raced after this. George Folmer and Lloyd Ruby were known other drivers.
The car has been lost for many years but is now in the process of being restored in the US.
Kustom
Karts
One of the first summer jobs Chuck Pelly had while still in high school was at Frank Kurtis’ old Indy shop which had been recently purchased by McCuelloch Chain Saw Company.
With a shop full of race car builders and a pile of chain saws engines in the corner, it wasn’t long before the first few go-karts emerged.
It is hard to really credit one person, but certainly one of the firsts was Ingeles and Borelli. Chuck was very much part of this activity and made supplemental school money by drawing Putt Putts for Progressives for many years.
Cattiva
Catamarans
Cattiva Catamarans is a Yacht company founded by Chuck Pelly. A feature design is the Custom 43 foot sailing catamaran launched in 2002 in Gulf Harbour, New Zealand, called Cattiva 43.
Engineered by well-known Naval Architects, Morelli & Melvin. The yacht gained international attention and has extensively sailed the South Pacific including trips to Fiji, Tonga, New Caledonia, Vanuatu and around New Zealand waters.
Her first passage being from New Zealand to Tonga in 2003.
Los Angeles Auto Show Design Challenge
Advanced automotive design studios from around the world present their concepts to a judging committee and compete for top honor; winner of judges' pick as well as people's choice award are both announced during the annual reception.
Now over a decade old, the LA Auto Show Design Challenge is still the world's only professional design competition, involving the largest auto-manufacturers from around the globe.
In 2014 we saw Honda Advanced Design Tokyo win the Judge's Choice Award with their concept 'CARpet' with Infiniti's 'SYNAPTIQ' taking home the People's choice award.
In 2015 we see the toughest challenge so far.