There’s no doubt that the mid-engine C8 Corvette represents a major evolution for the iconic sports car nameplate, but it’s hardly the first GM vehicle to mount the engine behind the cabin. For example, the Chevrolet Corvair is most notable for its innovative rear-mounted engine layout. So then – what about combining the modern C8 Corvette powertrain with the classic styling of the Corvair? What would that look like? Well, as it turns out, that’s exactly what we have here in the following rendering dubbed the “Corv8.”
Posted to social media by automotive artist Abimelec Design (@abimelecdesign), this high-quality rendering stuffs the C8 Corvette’s naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 LT2 engine and M1L eight-speed dual-clutch transmission into the rear end of a 1965 Chevy Corvair, and the result is impressive. The artist did a wonderful job making the transplant look like a real engine swap, including a number of cutaways to show off all the technical details, such as a custom cradle loosely based on a Porsche 550 Spyder, and a custom exhaust system to boot.
When equipped with the optional performance exhaust system, the C8 Corvette’s LT2 engine produces 495 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, which is a hefty sum for a vehicle like the lightweight Corvair. As such, the artist decided to add custom pushrod suspension to the mix, taking cues from the Koenigsegg One:1 for the design. There’s also a set of big brakes to make sure the C8 Corvette-powered Corvair is, as the artist puts it, “safe at any speed.”
Further details include a carbon fiber intake fed through an air inlet in the rear quarter windows, while the Corvair body was widened and adorned with extra carbon fiber aero bits. In back is an air brake flap that deploys when charging hot into a corner.
With the modern guts of a C8 Corvette and the old-school cool of a Chevy Corvair, this sporty mashup is thoughtfully executed and tastefully designed. What are your thoughts? Is this a swap you want to see in the real world? Let us know in the comments, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet Corvair news, mid-engine Corvette news, Corvette C8 news, Corvette news, Chevrolet news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
Not bad for a Vair…
😝
Someone needs to build this.
there is a LS powered pro touring 1966 Corvair. JB Granger’s really nice build
I had a ’65 Corvair Corsa Turbo back in college in the early ’70’s. A friend liked it and went looking for one. He turned up a ’66 with the Crown Corveight kit already installed with a Chevy 327. I got to drive it and it was phenomenal. Unfortunately, he slid it into a curb and destroyed the transaxle. He sold it soon after.
They HAD a Corvair-8 back in the day. It flipped the existing trans axle and mounted a V-8 in the engine bay. Some people also put it in the back seat. Back in ’72 I drag raced Corvairs with the original motors. Had a lot of fun. Crown manufacturing in Long Beach California specialized in Corvair race parts.
Chuck
PAE
Great art work . BUT the engine needs much more cooling airflow in and out .
I am interested in getting the info, if someone has ever considered or actually has taken a C7 frame,chassis and installed the Corsa body on the C7 chassis and floor pan? I think is will be the ultimate Corvair ,ever. Second: is there a small block engine that can be installed directly to a corsair differential. The corvair engines rotates clockwise. If directly mounting the crankshaft end of the V-8 to the existing Corvair differential would their be a problem?. To reverse mount an engine that would hook up directly. Will it have to rotate counter to the differential?.
Retro looks with modern day performance, this is having your cake and eating it too!
JB Granger built a LS powered pro touting 1966 Covair. its bad a$$
Gary B I don’t think so. If you look around the engine as well as back to the exhaust pipes and mufflers, the air is directed back and down. They may also to opt to put louvers on the rear deck lid.
Chuck,
I assume that the radiator is in the front but the car has no grill . The carbon fiber air ducts are for intake air . The C8 Corvette has vents and intake air front and rear . If you read any of the articles on the C8 design you would find that cooling air was one of the biggest problems that had to be solved. My first new car was a Corvair .
This may be my favorite rendering EVER. Someone needs to get to work building this. Dave Kindig maybe? Sure, there are lots of V8 Corvairs, but no C8 based ones… this would be epic.
I’d like to see it too. This looks pretty close to those 65/66 models. For tractability and economy, I’d like to see a smaller and lighter V8 in the Flat-Plane Crank style, at maybe 3.5 to 4.0 liters but definitely paired up to the DCT 8 Speed trans. Of course, if they’d like to add a six speed manual option, GM would just have to live with themselves after they sold out every one of these Corvair head turners. No reason why that and a replica 1964 Malibu SS with excellent gaps and panels and stiffness with a four-speed and perhaps a 350 in it wouldn’t also sell a whole lot. Either of the cars might also find some customers is electric boost was put on the front wheels, particularly of the Corvair. No one at Bob’s Big Boy in Toluca Lake would know what to do with themselves! AF
Great idea. I personally want to see a Corsa body mounted on a C-7 frame. I’ve never seen anything like this done. I would like to see the project, from start to completion (documented) on film. Maybe on (You Tube).
GM should bring back the Corvair in all it’s retro glory with RWD 4 and 6 cyl. mid-engines as well as an EV. Could make quite the Miata-esque speedster!
I saw a V8 corvair at the Super Chevy Show in the early 2000’s, at National Trails Raceway in Columbus Ohio. The builder was from West Virginia, and installed an early Oldsmobile Toronato drive-line.
He drove the car from W Va. to Columbus, and back to W Va.
I saw him drive it around the swap meet area and it sounded great.
It drew a lot of attention.
Judging by the taillights and front chrome piece, this is not a ’65. The front chrome piece on a ’65 has a red inset and the taillights shown are ’66 and later.
-65 Corvair Corsa 180 Turbo Owner
It has side-markers, so ’68 or ’69…
I’ve seen Corvairs taken and dropped onto a G-Body chassis and updated with big brakes, LS power and all the comforts. Would love to do that myself.
Saw one in the early 80s once with a 327 in it.The engine was under the back window with the transaxle flipped around and adapted.
The guy said it ran and handled great! Was a real sleeper! Said he could dust the Porsches
of the day like nothing!!
Obviously a lot of car enthusiasts commenting about specifics. I’d just like to say the car is gorgeous. Love the corvair. My uncle bought 3 in the early 70s as an investment
Sorry, but in my opinion the Corvair was NEVER a cool car.
Amazing, I had one, a 1964 Covair. Kind wish I would have kept it, from what I know now.
I had a 1964 Corvair Spider convertible in1969. I had bumped the boost of the turbo charger up slightly. On the street, light to light it surprised many American muscle cars. It was wonderful to drive a on a small local black topped motorcycle track, it turned in good times to the surprise of many. My youth at the time caused me to have the need for 6 new heavy duty clutches and pressure plates. I had bought the car for $375 in 1967 with 30,000 miles on it. It went through hurricane Camile, never getting a scratch or tear in the top. Loved the little car, sold it when I left the military late 1969.
I’ve owned 13 Corvair’s over the years. 110, 140, 180, and 327ci V8. Cars, vans, and dune buggies. I love this concept. It would be a daily driver. Often wonder what the Corvair could be with 21st century technology…maybe this could be it!
Wow, a rendering – where it doesn’t have to work or even exist.
Always loved the second gen Corvairs. They fixed the Nader issues if there ever were any, and the styling, engine sound, and available performance were excellent, just add an oil cooler. But if you think that a 427 Cobra is a killer, then this Corvair/vette model would be absolutely lethally dangerous.
Looks really cool. Well-done rendering. Very creative and talented work.
I had a 66 Corsa, loved the car, it drove better than any car I had ever driven. The I traded it for a new 1969 Hugger Orange Z-28 Camaro. I regretted selling both after the fact. Both are worth big bucks,now.