C8 Corvette, Corvette ZR1, Zora. The internet’s rumormill has been in full force as of late over the realization of a mid-engined Corvette. If you’re willing to take a break from it all, read on about the rear-engined Corvette that exists, the XP-819.
Zora Arkus-Duntov, known as the godfather of the Corvette, and Frank Winchell, an engineer on the Corvair program, once had a disagreement. The two disagreed over the viability of a rear-engined sports car design with a proper V8 engine. Porsche had already proven the layout was workable, but that was with a measly flat-four. Some interesting research came about.
Winchell proclaimed a balanced rear-engined sports car was possible with the use of an aluminum engine and larger tires to compensate for the rear weight distribution. Duntov plainly felt it was preposterous. A basic design sketch was worked up from what Winchell was thinking, but was received poorly. Winchell then approached Larry Shinoda (designer of the iconic Stingray Corvette) with his idea and requested he make something beautiful. Shinoda worked his magic, and when presented to Duntov, a working prototype was ordered.
Winchell’s brainchild had managed to come to life, and ’68 ‘Vette influences are certainly seen in the front, where an elongated tail finishes out the rear. It used an aluminum V8, and larger tires were outfitted to keep the weight bias in check, just as Winchell imagined.
But did it drive? A better question, did it drive well? The answer is an unfortunate no. Winchell’s brainchild of a Corvette was accidentally outfitted with regular street tires, and not the oversized ones the vehicle was designed with. When the XP-819 was undergoing a high speed lane change test in wet conditions, the test driver lost control of the vehicle and bounced off of more than a few walls, ultimately destroying the prototype. Sigh.
The Corvette was ultimately seen as a piece of history, and the XP-819 was rebuilt. It resides in the National Corvette Museum where spectators are able to relive Winchell’s dream, and take in some of the fascinating engineering this one of a kind Vette came to be.
Comments
This Vette would’ve had a very roomy front trunk.
This car was a mess from the start. The engine had to be reverse rotation as It is backwards in the car and even with the aluminum the car could lift the front tires.
This one never went far.
Note If I recall the car survived because it was given to Smokey Yunick and hidden away like many other GM historic car and parts.
It was restored to a high degree. on the chassis. I have not seen it with the body on and installed at this point. Last Spring it had no body yet. But it was going to be finished.
This was a car that seemed like a good idea but was not.
Note GM used the Corvair engine in many special show cars after this due to the lower and lighter weight. The Monza, Astro and others used the Porsche thinking but to much better effect with the lower center of gravity and the lower weight. They even flipped the engine in front of the rear axle in some of these cars for a true mid engine corvair set up.