Rarely-seen ‘Corvette prototype’ to appear at Amelia Island
03-08-2013, 10:59 AM
#1
Rarely-seen ‘Corvette prototype’ to appear at Amelia Island
Concours
As Chevrolet rolls out its seventh-generation Corvette, people who have followed the car’s evolution for decades may recall the many experimental versions of the sports car that never made it to production.
One of the most interesting was the rear-engine XP-819 of 1964. At the time General Motors executives and engineers were considering a number of new layouts for the Corvette that were exotic compared with the production model’s traditional front-engine setup.
While many Corvette fans speculate about the potential of numerous mid-engine prototypes developed as potential Corvettes, they tend to recall the XP-819 with less fondness if they remember it at all.
Now the car, which was nearly scrapped more than 40 years ago, is about to make a high-profile comeback. At least part of it will appear at the 18th annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance that begins today.
Mike Yager, founder of Mid America Motorworks, a supplier of aftermarket parts and accessories for Corvettes, bought the XP-819 at a 2002 auction and later began a frame-off restoration. More than 3,500 hours later it is not quite finished. So Yager said he will display its functioning, drivable chassis without bodywork and hopes to have the complete car ready for next year’s show.
http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/20...os_Driversseat
As Chevrolet rolls out its seventh-generation Corvette, people who have followed the car’s evolution for decades may recall the many experimental versions of the sports car that never made it to production.
One of the most interesting was the rear-engine XP-819 of 1964. At the time General Motors executives and engineers were considering a number of new layouts for the Corvette that were exotic compared with the production model’s traditional front-engine setup.
While many Corvette fans speculate about the potential of numerous mid-engine prototypes developed as potential Corvettes, they tend to recall the XP-819 with less fondness if they remember it at all.
Now the car, which was nearly scrapped more than 40 years ago, is about to make a high-profile comeback. At least part of it will appear at the 18th annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance that begins today.
Mike Yager, founder of Mid America Motorworks, a supplier of aftermarket parts and accessories for Corvettes, bought the XP-819 at a 2002 auction and later began a frame-off restoration. More than 3,500 hours later it is not quite finished. So Yager said he will display its functioning, drivable chassis without bodywork and hopes to have the complete car ready for next year’s show.
http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/20...os_Driversseat
03-08-2013, 09:03 PM
#3
Race Director
The XP-819 was strange beast. It featured a aluminum small block, mounted behind the rear axle, and mated to a 2 speed automatic transaxle.
The guy behind the project, was one of the original engineers from the Corvair program. As such, he was a big supporter of rear engined cars, and was convinced that a V8 powered, rear engined sports car, was a viable idea. It turned out he was wrong. The car was heavily damaged when it crashed in testing, and the program was abandoned.
If you look at the photo, you can see the seam at the rear wheel opening. The whole rear folds forward at that seam, to expose the engine.
The guy behind the project, was one of the original engineers from the Corvair program. As such, he was a big supporter of rear engined cars, and was convinced that a V8 powered, rear engined sports car, was a viable idea. It turned out he was wrong. The car was heavily damaged when it crashed in testing, and the program was abandoned.
If you look at the photo, you can see the seam at the rear wheel opening. The whole rear folds forward at that seam, to expose the engine.
Last edited by gbvette62; 03-09-2013 at 07:18 AM. Reason: corrected spelling
03-09-2013, 12:28 AM
#4
Melting Slicks
Some good reading about the car:
1964 Corvette XP-819 Rear Engine
XP-819 Corvette: Definitely Not The "Ugly Duckling"
1964 Corvette XP-819 Rear Engine
XP-819 Corvette: Definitely Not The "Ugly Duckling"
03-09-2013, 10:02 PM
#5
Race Director
The wheel base on this car resembles an old AF/X drag racer. Too much rear over hang for me. Although I'm glad to see this piece of Corvette history is being preserved and will put on display.