Corvette Nivola Concept Car Packed a Twin-Turbo V8 Right in the Middle of Its Wedge-Shaped Body
As popular as the “regular” Corvette is, there’s been talk of and a desire for a mid-engine Corvette for decades. It’s taken the form of daydreams, sketches, renderings, and concept cars, such as the 1990 Corvette Nivola from Bertone.
According to Car Design News, the concept first shown at the 1990 Geneva Motor Show was “named after one of Bertone’s favourite race drivers, Tazio Nuvolari, whose nickname was Nivola. Bertone would further honour the storied racer by painting the rakish new concept a yellow-gold in remembrance of the Nuvolari’s favourite colour.”
That goldenrod covered a 43-inch-tall wedge-shaped body with a front end laid back at a dramatic angle and a squared-off rear end. The not-quite-round wheel arches bring to mind the openings on the Lamborghini Countach – fitting because the lines of that mid-engine Italian were also a product of the Bertone design house.
Unlike the Countach, the Nivola packed a twin-turbo LT5 with 650 horsepower right between its blocky back and swoopy greenhouse, which was topped by a removable roof. The engine’s placement enabled a 40/60 front/rear weight distribution. Lotus’ involvement led to the Nivola getting four-wheel steering.
Although the exterior didn’t look especially Corvette-like, the garish black-and-aqua interior color scheme leaves no doubt as to when this concept was produced. Instead of frames, the seats had their bottom cushions attached to the floorpan. The Nivola’s hydropneumatic suspension allowed for 2.4 inches of extra ground clearance.
As you can tell, the Nivola never made it into production, although Car Design News says it was liked by those who saw it at shows and events. It may be an odd design, but it’s hard to say it’s ugly. It’s believable at least as a starting point for a ’90s Alfa or Maserati supercar, just not a Corvette. “America’s sports car” just wouldn’t sound the same in Italian.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
