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.