Chevrolet Aerovette Wankel
The mid-engine layout has been the obsession of Corvette engineers for decades. Between 1960 and 1977, there were around 10 fully functional Corvette prototypes with this drivetrain layout. But one, in particular, is a bit more interesting than others: the 1973 Aerovette Wankel concept. The most important feature of this car was the engine. It housed the advanced four-rotor Wankel unit with more than 400 HP from 390 CID. In the early ’70, all manufacturers experimented with Wankel rotary engines. They were looking for a cheaper, more powerful, and more efficient alternative to standard piston-type engines.
Chevrolet realized that its car retains the power level of a big-block V8 engine with a Wankel unit but in a much lighter, higher-revving package. So the green light was given for the development of the Wankel Corvette (via General Motors). The functional prototype was shown at the 1973 Paris Motor Show and received mixed reviews. The styling was good, and 420 HP was double the power of a regular 454 Corvette. Still, people were reluctant to accept the idea of a mid-engined Corvette. Drivers weren’t sure about the zooming sound of the engine instead of the recognizable V8 rumble. After Chevrolet realized the costs of introducing such a car, the project was shut down. But the legend of the Wankel Corvette is still alive among Chevrolet aficionados.