In early 1961 a group of designers, engineers, planners and marketers gathered to formulate a response to the changing demographics of the auto market as baby boomers were hitting driving age. With a business case in hand for a compact, affordable and stylish sporty car, they set to work creating a new car. Dozens of proposals were tried and discarded before Gale Halderman finally came up with the look that would hit the streets on April 17, 1964.