We often look back on the automotive design of the ‘60s with awe and wonder. The sleek lines and unique ideas of the period can make our current models seem pretty boring by comparison.

When it comes to the American cars of the period, a lot of that style and ingenuity can be attributed to one particular designer, William Mitchell. From Cadillac to the Corvette, Mitchell’s

classic car

concepts are among the most iconic of his era.

Mitchell’s personality and opinions didn’t help his legacy, but his work managed to speak for itself. Just how deep does Mitchell’s influence go?

Jerry

dug around the Internet to find out.

Who was Bill Mitchell?

William Mitchell grew up around cars. The son of a Buick dealer, he spent much of his childhood drawing cars. The pastime would turn him into one of the industry’s all-time greatest designers.

At the age of 20, he landed his first post drawing designs for General Motors. In only two years,

The Star

says he was chief designer at Cadillac.

From there, Mitchell eventually landed the top job in GM’s product design department as Chief of Styling in 1958. He manned the ship for the entire proceeding decade, developing such classics as the Buick Riviera, Chevy Camaro, and Cadillac Seville.

He retired from his post in 1977 but continued designing cars like the Cadillac Seville until his death on September 12, 1988.

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Bill Mitchell’s baby: the Corvette Stingray

Mitchell was responsible for the era that made Cadillac what we know it to be today. But he’s most remembered for a car from another GM brand— Chevy’s Corvette Stingray.

Any car enthusiast knows what a Corvette Stingray looks like. The classic sports car has a body like no other, with its protruding wheel wells, long, aggressive snout, and tiny cabin.

Under the hood, maximum horsepower went from 360 in 1963 to over 500 hp in an

incredibly rare

edition model from 1967, of which Chevy made only 20.

Mitchell oversaw its development, working closely with designer Larry Shinoda to make sure his ideas came to fruition. The success of the sports car in 1963 sealed the deal, and Mitchell continued working on the car throughout his career.

Cost of owning a Corvette Stingray

MORE: Joe Biden Was Hesitant to Give Up Driving His Beloved Corvette

The price of a Corvette from the ‘60s depends a lot on the trim level and condition of the car. But for one in good condition, you’ll likely have to pay between $60,000 and $100,000. Rare editions can sell for over $300,000.

Luckily, Corvettes from this era easily qualify for

classic car insurance

, which usually costs much less than regular coverage.

If you get a hold of a really rare Corvette, you might want to insure it under an agreed-value policy, which will cost much more.

Either way, Jerry can help you find the policy that’s right for you. A licensed broker, Jerry does all the hard work of finding cheap quotes from the top name-brand insurance companies and buying new car insurance. The average Jerry user saves $887 a year.

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