The 55-57 Chevys (Bel Airs, Nomad Wagons, etc...) were some of the most imitated car designs ever, in styling and mechanical areas. The Cadillac styling was also highly influential in the 50s and 60s. Even the comparatively conservative and understated Mercedes styling department eventually had to give a nod to them by adding fins to their sedans back then!
There have been tons of mechanical and styling innovations throughout the Corvette's lifetime. It's never been a Ferrari, or a Porshce, or a 300SL, but on the other hand, one could always be bought for a fraction of the price that those cars command, while still offering VERY high performance (OK....except during the smog pump days of the mid/late 70s!
). For decades, Corvette has been the definitive American sports car that "normal" humans could actually afford.
The past 20 years or so haven't been very good at GM for the most part, but they WERE innovators and leaders back in the day....they could do it again.
Mike