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Forgotten Corvettes That Only True Auto Fans Remember

Vukasin Herbez June 26, 2023

Ever since the first model saw the light of day way back in 1953, Corvettes have been known for their cutting-edge style, engine-revving power, and overall beauty. The initial Corvette was the first fiberglass production car ever made. Soon thereafter, Corvette models gained other impressive components like fuel injection, independent rear suspension, and disk brakes.

Production Corvettes were always interesting. But there was also a subset of Corvettes that were lesser known to the general public. So today, we’ll concentrate on Corvette concepts and prototypes. Ever since the first Corvette concepts from the ’50s, the fan-favorite model managed to shock and amaze car enthusiasts with its bold approach and designs. Check out the best concepts and prototypes of Corvettes that only true auto fans remember here. We’re certain you’ll be amazed.

Corvette SS

The Corvette SS debuted in 1957 as a fully functional racing car developed by Zora Arkus Duntov, the “Father of Corvette” himself. Duntov was a racer and always wanted to create the ultimate competition version. GM’s management allowed him to start a racing program and SS was the first car introduced (via Auto Evolution).

The Corvette SS featured many firsts and was a very capable racing car setting the track record at Sebring International Raceway. It was also the first in a long line of racing Corvettes that dominated the race tracks all over the world. The car started a great trend for Corvettes to find success on the asphalt for decades to come.

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Corvette Stingray XP-87

The story of the 1959 Stingray Concept is very interesting since this car was much more than just another styling exercise. In fact, this car not only teased the ’63 Corvette design but also was based on the 1957 Corvette SS experimental race car and even won the 1960 SCCA championship (via Corvettes).

Chevrolet’s engineers managed to keep the weight down to only 2,200 pounds using a lightweight plastic body, race chassis, and aluminum. With a fuel-injected 283 V8 engine and 315 HP, the Stingray Concept had a fantastic performance, which helped to become successful at racing. The car was even featured in Elvis Presley’s movie “Clambake” after being painted red.

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Scaglietti Corvette

Only a few hardcore car fans know that Scaglietti, a famous design house that worked with Ferrari, built Corvettes. Indeed, Scaglietti produced three Corvettes in 1959 for Texas millionaire and car enthusiast Gary Laughlin. Jim Hall and Carroll Shelby, both notable racing drivers and constructors from Texas, saw the potential in the 1959 Corvette’s engine and power. Although the Corvette had a light fiberglass body, two of the constructors wanted better aerodynamics, a longer nose, and more luxurious appointments (via Motorious).

So they contacted Scaglietti to design and produce a bespoke body on the 1959 Vette chassis. Scaglietti delivered three cars in different colors but with exquisite designs. They looked more like a Ferrari than a Corvette. There were plans to start regular production. But after careful consideration and cost projection, they abandoned those plans and the cars remained prototypes.

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Corvette Corvair

Many auto fans know that the Corvair nameplate was used for Chevrolet’s economy model in 1959. However, in 1954, it was also used on an exciting and cool-looking Corvette coupe. Just to remind you, those early Corvettes were all roadsters, so a Coupe ‘Vette was a big deal (via Motor Trend).

However, despite looking ready for production, the Corvette Corvair wasn’t in the cards, and customers never got the chance to buy this sleek coupe.

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Corvette Nomad

In 1954, Chevrolet presented the Corvette Nomad. Named the “Waldorf Nomad” since it debuted in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, this was essentially a Corvette station wagon (via Miami Cars).

The design proved to be very influential, and Chevrolet presented the Nomad as a three-door station wagon and a part of the mainline Chevrolet model lineup just a year later. Also, the Corvette Nomad was one of the most popular concept cars from the Motorama period.

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Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport

In the early ’60s, Chevrolet was successful in motorsports. With Zora Arkus Duntov and Ed Cole as head engineers for Corvette, the racing version of the Corvette Stingray was a logical next step in its development. Back in the day, Ford sponsored the Shelby Cobra, which was dominant at the race tracks. And the Corvette team wanted to beat it of course. So Zora and his team prepared five Grand Sport Corvettes with modified bodies, special suspensions, and fully-loaded race engines. The Grand Sport Corvette had over 550 HP and was capable of brutal performance. The Corvette team had big plans and entered the Grand Sport Corvettes in several races (via Motor Trend).

They received promising results until the decision came from the top of General Motors to stop all racing activities. For some reason, GM decided to stop investing in all forms of racing in early 1963. This killed the fantastic Grand Sport program before it could prove its worth. This made the Corvette Grand Sport one of the greatest “what if” stories of the racing world. All five cars survived and are accounted for today.

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Chevrolet Corvette Rondine

Back in 1963, the Corvette Stingray stunned the global auto audience with its fantastic design, sharp edges, split-window feature, and amazing performance. It was the epitome of an American sports car at its finest. However, in Turin, Italy, the talented designers at Pininfarina thought that they could do it better. And in cooperation with Chevrolet, they got the chance to prove themselves (via Autoweek).

The result was the Corvette Rondine, a fully operational and usable concept car from 1963 that debuted at Paris Motor Show. Since the car was commissioned by Chevrolet, it graced General Motors’ stand, and it had a 327/360 V8 engine, four-speed manual, and disc brakes. Despite the pleas for production, this gorgeous car remained a unique example and one of the most beautiful American cars with Italian design.

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Corvette CERV II

In the late ’50s, Chevrolet introduced CERV I (Chevrolet Engineering Research Vehicle), which was a Formula I racer with one seat and engine in the back. In 1964, after the GS racing program was canceled, Zora Arcus Duntov, with his team of designers, presented the CERV II (via Motor Trend).

This was a fully functional concept for future racing cars. Duntov knew that Corvette would sooner or later approach the limit of front engine configuration and was a strong advocate of moving to a rear-engine layout while participating in racing.

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Chevrolet Astro II XP-880

Even though this concept didn’t have the name Corvette directly connected to it, everybody at the 1968 New York Auto Show knew that this was the next generation of America’s favorite sports car. In those days, Zora Arkus Duntov, Chevrolet’s engineer, and Bill Mitchell, head of GM design, lobbied hard for Corvette to go with a mid-engine format and achieve better weight distribution, performance, and balance (via Corv Sport).

The Astro II was one of the first in a long line of mid-engined Corvette concepts, and for a while, it looked that Chevrolet would produce it. The concept was a fully functional prototype with the engine placed behind the passengers (390 HP big block V8), powering its rear wheels and giving the Astro II a very convincing performance.

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Corvette ZL-1

Although it was kind of a production car, the 1969 Corvette ZL1 was essentially an experimental car with special, all-aluminum 427 V8 engine designed for racing. The car wasn’t advertised, and most dealers never knew it was available. It looked like a stock big block 1969 Corvette but was far from it (via Hagerty).

Only factory insiders and people well-informed of Chevrolet’s activities knew that ZL-1 even existed. Two examples are known, and the rumor is that there was one more.

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Corvette Aerovette Wankel Concept

The mid-engine layout has been the obsession of Corvette engineers for decades. And between 1960 and 1977, there were around ten fully functional Corvette prototypes with this drivetrain layout. But one in particular is a little more interesting than the others. That is the 1973 Aerovette Wankel concept (via Motor Trend).

The most important feature of this car was the engine. It was an advanced four-rotor Wankel unit with more than 400 HP from 390 CID. In the early ’70, all manufacturers experimented with Wankel rotary engines. Looking for a cheaper, more powerful, and more efficient alternative to standard piston-type engines. Chevrolet realized that its car retained the power level of big-block V8 engines with Wankel units but in a lighter, higher-revving package.

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Corvette Mako Shark Concept

All of the automotive world knows about the 1963 Corvette Stingray’s unique styling, but where does it come from? In 1961, Chevrolet presented the Mako Shark Concept car, a roadster with all the Corvette design cues and a special paint job that resembled a shark (via General Motors).

The legend says that designer, Harley Earl, got the idea when he was out on a shark fishing trip and that he tortured GM’s design department employees to match the fish’s color. However, Mako Shark became one of the most sought-after concepts of the decade and a true design icon.

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Corvette Mako Shark II

If the Mako Shark I was the main influence for the C2 generation in 1961, the Mako Shark II was the same for the legendary C3 Corvette, which debuted as a production model in 1968. However, this concept dates to 1965 and stunned the automotive world with its sexy lines, sharp edges, and dynamic stance (via Supercars).

There were several show cars made, all a bit different from each other. Some show cars weren’t functional, but at least one car was roadworthy.

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Turbo Corvette C3

The late 1970s were a sad time for American performance, and all cars lost their power and became increasingly boring. Corvette wasn’t the exception, and to try to gain some power back, Corvette engineers designed the Turbo Corvette C3 as a factory prototype (via Car and Driver).

The car used L82 350 V8 engine with a turbocharger and Cadillac’s fuel injection. Allegedly, the 1979 Turbo Corvette prototype could deliver up to 300 HP, which was insane by the standards of the day. However, you needed racing 103-octane fuel to produce such power.

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1983 Corvette

The ’83 Corvette was the start of a very successful C4 generation, and in the end, Chevrolet produced over 300,000 copies. But regular production started in 1984, and only one preproduction ’83 model was left in existence, which makes it the rarest Corvette of them all (via History).

There were 43 ’83 Corvettes built, but the common practice is to destroy the pre-production cars. And Chevrolet did just that, leaving only one in existence. This unique example is in Corvette Museum near the Corvette factory in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

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Callaway Corvette C4 Sledgehammer

Rives Callaway established Callaway Cars in 1977 long after the muscle car craze wound down when high-horsepower performance machines were just a thing of the past. He specialized in producing turbocharger kits to be installed chiefly on European cars. His knowledge, expertise and the start of the turbo era perfectly lined up, and the company took off (via Road and Track).

1988 Callaway Sledgehammer ZR1 Corvette — Photo Credit: Motor Trend

To show the real potential of the twin-turbo C4, Callaway produced the legendary Sledgehammer Corvette. It was a highly modified and heavily turbocharged 1988 model with 898 HP. Its top speed was over 250 mph. Only two cars ever left the Callaway factory. Even though it was technically a road-legal vehicle, it was basically a prototype.

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Corvette Conan ZR-12

The C4 chassis was state-of-the-art when it was introduced in the mid-’80s. During its production, Chevrolet knew that it could handle much more power than stock. To test exactly how much power the C4 chassis could withstand, the Corvette team built the Conan ZR-12 prototype (via LSX Magazine).

This custom Corvette had a frame that was five inches longer than stock and an enormous V12 engine under the hood. The engine delivered 700 HP and an insane 750 lb.-ft of torque. Yet even with that kind of power under the hood, the C4 chassis proved to be a perfect match.

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Corvette CERV III

As we all know, Chevrolet has been playing with the mid-engine idea for the Corvette since the ’60s. But in the early ’90s, it looked like it would finally present the road-going production version. When the 1990 CERV III concept debuted, it was stunning (via Top Gear).

It was an impressive supercar with 225 mph top speed, all-wheel drive, special brakes, and 650 HP. The prototype looked very mature, and everybody expected that Chevrolet would introduce the CERV III as a production model. But unfortunately GM decided not to.

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Iso Grifo 90

The legendary IsoGrifo from the ’60s and early ’70s left an everlasting mark on the automotive industry. So in 1990, Pietro Rivolta, son of the founder, presented the Grifo 90 concept. This prototype used a Corvette C4 chassis with a new body designed by renowned stylist Marcello Gandini. Unfortunately, financial problems forced the cancelation of the project and the Grifo 90 didn’t get its chance (via Supercar Nostalgia).

Fast-forward two decades and a group of young Italian engineers decided to revive the project. But this time, it was done using Corvette C5 as a basis and dressing it up with a gorgeous yellow Grifo 90 body style. Drivers can spec their Grifo 90 with a 490 HP engine and Corvette Z06 chassis, which makes it an extremely fast and capable sports car.

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Corvette Stingray Concept

In 2009, Chevrolet surprised the automotive public with the gorgeous Corvette Stingray Concept. This show car appeared in the Transformers movie, but it traveled all over America. The Stingray Concept featured a beautiful retro-inspired design reminiscent of the legendary 1963 Corvette (via Motor Trend).

For a few years, the public speculated that Stingray would be the next C7 Corvette. But as we all know, Chevrolet decided to go with a more modern look for the C7 generation and abandoned the retro route.

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Bertone Mantide

Italians love the Corvette, so over the years, various Italian design houses produced numerous versions of America’s favorite sports car. One of the latest is the strange but fast Bertone Mantide (via Petrolicious).

Introduced in 2009, the Mantide is a total redesign of the Corvette ZR1. It retains all of the mechanics, drivetrain, and engine but puts them in a new, lighter, and more aerodynamically efficient body. This means the Mantide has a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 with 647 HP and slightly better performance. The planned production was 10 examples, but the car world still requires clarification for how many officially exist.

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Forgotten Corvettes That Only True Auto Fans Remember

Corvette SS

Corvette Stingray XP-87

Scaglietti Corvette

Corvette Corvair

Corvette Nomad

Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport

Chevrolet Corvette Rondine

Corvette CERV II

Chevrolet Astro II XP-880

Corvette ZL-1

Corvette Aerovette Wankel Concept

Corvette Mako Shark Concept

Corvette Mako Shark II

Turbo Corvette C3

1983 Corvette

Callaway Corvette C4 Sledgehammer

Corvette Conan ZR-12

Corvette CERV III

Iso Grifo 90

Corvette Stingray Concept

Bertone Mantide

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