With all the buzz we’ve seen about the all-new 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8 lately, it’s important to remember where we came from to get to this point of mid-engined perfection. As such, we’re profiling three rare, early GM prototypes from the Chevrolet Corvette lineage, all of which are at this year’s Corvette Funfest in Illinois.
1993/7 CERV-IVb
First up is the 1993/7 CERV-IVb. For those not intricately familiar, CERV is the acronym used for various Chevrolet Engineering Research Vehicles, which were first developed by Zora Arkus-Duntov, the man popularly known as the “Father of the Corvette.” Duntov’s dream was full-scale production of a mid-engine Corvette, and as a result, every CERV GM prototype was mid-engined – with the exception of the IV, which was intended as a test vehicle for the Corvette C5 generation.
Developed in the early 1990s in just 90 days, engineers left GM management out of the loop on the C4 project, for fear that it would be canceled. The IVb is equipped with the 5.7L LT1 V8 engine, a six-speed manual transmission, BBS wheels, and four-wheel disc brakes.
1997 C5 Corvette Alpha Build
Up next is the 1997 C5 Corvette Alpha Build, of which only 14 examples exist. This particular example keeps the original black matte finish of the prototype, not to mention a number of scuffs and imperfections acquired as a result of demands placed on GM prototypes during testing. For fans of the Corvette C5, this is genesis.
1997 C5 Corvette Beta Build
The final model in the three Corvette GM prototypes is the 1997 C5 Corvette Beta Build, which evolved the Alpha Build through the utilization of optimized hydro-formed frame rails and an all-new third-generation small block V8 engine. By the time the Corvette C5 was ready for prime time, it was a massive improvement compared to the previous C4 generation, and the C5 Corvette Beta Build was how it all took place.
1997 C5 Corvette Alpha Build and and Beta Build
Fans looking to see these three critical bits of Corvette history in the metal will have a change to catch them on display in Effingham, Illinois, September 19th through the 22nd at the 26th annual Corvette Funfest presented by Mid America Motorworks.
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Comments
1990s*
Ugly then and ugly now !!!
Don’t be so jealous “Scotte”, just behave and maybe someone might give you a ride in one.
Not mine though.
Not uglier than your face Scott. Hahahahaha
My ’01 C5 is light-years ahead of where my ’94 C4 was. The C4 was a great car with the LT1/LT4, but the LS with the torque tube chassis is such a huge improvement.
The C8 is the next quantum leap in performance.
In regards to ‘Scott-e, if they’re so ugly,why’d you even bother to look at the article. Besides I doubt you’ll ever own a Corvette anyway
The coolest Corvette Prototype was the ASC Geneve Corvette Convertible.
Also the Callaway variants is so pretty
These cars were cool to see, but where was Chevrolet with a C-8? Many many disappointed people.
People in the 20s need to remember that Chevrolet’s C8 Corvette didn’t just magically appear as some of the team members like Tadge Juechter has been with General Motors for over 40 years; this Corvette prototype is about heritage as without it and the success which followed, it’s unlikely that we would have a 2020 Chevrolet C8 Corvette.