While most folks think of the Chevy Corvair as infamous for its rear-mounted flat-six powerplant – and the associated handling problems this configuration allows for – many people may not be aware that this wasn’t actually the first Corvair. That honor goes to the Chevy Corvette Corvair concept shown at the 1954 Motorama show, which was the first Corvette to bear a fastback roof. While the Corvair nameplate was eventually handed off to the notoriously accident-prone vehicle we know today, the C1 Corvette was only offered as a convertible model during its lifespan. With all that in mind, check out this custom Corvette built to resemble what the 1954 Corvair concept may have looked like in production form.
A few notable details about this build turn heads, including the bodywork. As previously mentioned, the C1 was never offered as a fastback model outside of the Corvair concept. As such, the owner of this ‘Vette felt compelled to realize this design.
As if the fastback design wasn’t eye-popping enough, peeking under the hood is enough to make even the grittiest men tear up. This build features a naturally aspirated 9.2L V12 engine built by Race Cast Engineering, rated at a claimed 800 horsepower. Based on a GM LSx crate engine, this output is direct to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission sourced from a C7 Corvette. As such, this custom ‘Vette is fittingly named “TwelveAir”. The body is a hand-formed aluminum unibody design while stopping power comes from Wilwood Aero6 brakes in front and Aero4 brakes in back. JS Custom Interiors crafted the interior, and the C1-inspired dash is 3D-printed.
Of course, GM Authority has reported on several V12 engines based on the GM LS platform.
The unique bodywork, mythical powerplant, and overall quality of this build earned the “TwelveAir” the 2024 Don Ridler Memorial Award at the Detroit Autorama, which has been called “the Nobel Prize of hot rodding.” Given every year since 1964 to a vehicle that falls under strict “never been shown before” guidelines, the winners of this award are inducted into an elite group of members. The trophy also comes with a $10,000 cash prize.
Finally, a historical piece interesting to note is that slow C1 Corvette sales killed off this Corvair-inspired fastback design. However, the C2 Corvette would feature a legendary coupe model with the introduction of the 1963 model year.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more Corvette news, GM-related powertrain news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
Let’s set the record straight. The Corvair was not as problem laden as Nader stated and successfully implied as any flaws COULD have been resolved. It was meant to compete with porsche and we all know porsche has had it’s tail heavy flaws as well making it a death trap as well. Bad press ruins a lot of cars and the 1988 Fiero is one as well. I know, I owned one and it was great.
I drove Corvairs back in the ’60’s and found them to be reliable, fun to drive and handled great. I saw a number of cars in the ditch at that time, some on their roof. None were Corvairs. Most of them were Volkswagens and some were Renaults. My corvairs were and 1965 hardtop and a 1966 convertible. I thought they handled better than most cars I’d owned during that period.
Calling them problem prone is usually a term used by someone that never owned one, or ever drove one. If you bother to check you’d find that Nader wasn’t singling out the Corvair in his book “Unsafe At Any Speed”. If the early Corvair was a problem at all, it was because it’s suspension resembled the Volkswagen.
The problem was GM took the attack personal and the media had a misdirected field day. Sound familiar to today?