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Think the 2014 Corvette Stingray is radical? Check out this 1964 XP-819 prototype

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1964 Corvette XP-819 rear three quarterThe 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is about as new as Corvettes get. From its polarizing styling to its aluminum chassis, the Stingray (also known as C7) is a big leap forward from the old C6. It’s not as big a leap as it seems, though.

For something truly radical, witness the XP-819, a Corvette prototype from 1964 that is undergoing restoration. Unlike every production ‘Vette, this one is rear-engined and, while the styling may seem familiar with hindsight, it looks completely different from Corvettes that were on the road in ’64.

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According to Mid America Motorworks, Corvette patron Zora Arkus-Duntov thought the rear-engined XP-819 was too unstable, opting for a mid-engined layout for future prototype ‘Vettes. The car was cut up in 1969, but apparently the pieces were large enough for it to be reassembled.

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Chevy’s only rear-engined production car would remain the Corvair. Given General Motors’ clash with Ralph Nader over that car, and the decades it took Porsche to tame the equally rear-engined 911, that’s probably for the better.

One part of the XP-819 that did carry over was its styling. The prototype bears a familial resemblance to the C3 Corvette, which debuted in 1968.

Mid America hopes to have the XP-819 in “drivable chassis” form in time for the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, which takes place March 8-10 at Amelia Island, Florida.

1964 Corvette XP-819 profileIf it makes it to Florida, the XP-819 will be a reminder of a time when imagination outweighed tradition in the design of Chevy’s sports car.

While the XP-819 was being developed, Arkus-Duntov was working on the CERV II, a mid-engined sports car with four-wheel drive. Other mid-engined Corvette prototypes include the 1970 XP-882, and the 1972 XP-895. There were also a couple of Wankel rotary engine-powered prototypes.

Granted, most of this experimentation occurred during the 1960s and 1970s, before the Corvette had really crystallized. After 60 years, it’s hard to imagine anything other than a two-seat sports car with a small-block V8 in front calling itself a Corvette. Within those parameters, the 2014 Stingray is pretty radical, but at least its engine is in the right place.

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Stephen Edelstein
Stephen Edelstein
Contributing Editor
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
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