I am pretty sure somebody has already known about this but I was drunk and really didn't feel like looking up in archives.... but, I came into the house and guess I was on speed channel and caught a little show on history of gm. Right as I was turning it on what kept me there was a conversation about rotary motors. So, naturally I thought it was about our cars. They started talking about a four rotor concept and I was like what the hell was that. Then they showed a pic of a concept corvette with a four rotor in it. We were about to take over the world if it wasn't for emissions. haha. THE WORLD IS MINE....... (followed by evil laugh). So much for rotor vs. piston battles..... we lost to emissions. DAMN. Sorry for long drunk post

 

The emissions problem is one the major causes for limited production of the rotary. Even Mercedez ( spelling, duh ) had concepted a rotary but did not produce due to emissions concerns.

 

It wasn't emissions so much as it was the skyrocketing price of gas.

 

Both emmisions and fuel costs killed the other rotary projects, along with what would be the high tooling costs for mass production. It's probably a good thing GM didn't introduce a rotary. Back then, thier reputation for such poor quality on initial introduction of new models was so bad, the rotary would have been dead in a couple of years.

Add to that the mass public would be killing the off right and left, just by not checking the oil and overheating them. I've known too many people over the years that keep driving thier car's long after they start hearing a 'funny little noise' or 'that gauge keeps saying hot', that a rotary would not be a good choice for most 'pedestrian' drivers'. The rotary is an enthusiast engine, not to be touched by the general public.

 

Very well said!

 

I used to work for The Gleason Works, a gearcutting machine manufacturer. GM had them design a machine to grind the housings for rotory engines, since they have such a special shape. To make a longer story shorter, they had a whole factory ready to machine engines when they axed the project. So much for avoiding tooling costs.

Matt

 

One thing worth mentioning is that the Chevy was a 390cid wankel.

 

I agree, the general public should stick to the more idiot proof concepts.

It's hard to believe what you can put a big block through without causing serious damage. I let my cousin borrow my '71 LeMans once (with a 455) and when he got back he said that it was running funny and making wierd noises for the last twenty miles. Oh, and by the way there's some light on in the dash but I didn't know what it meant. I went out and popped the hood and felt the heat pouring off the motor. The belt had broken on the water pump. Even after driving 20 some miles without a water pump, that motor was fine once I replaced the belt. I was amazed! But of course, I sold it shortly afterward just to be on the safe side. lol.

 

haha. yeah. so much for tooling costs. That is amazing how much money these damn companies have to throw away. Wait a min. The red thingy that lights up in the thingy that tells me how fast i am going really means something? LOL

 

Someone here posted an article with pictures of the 4 rotor vette. Sure they would have all been beat to hell by now, but wouldnt you love to find one of those in a junkyard for cheap!

 

 

I would like to hear the long version of this story, should be very interesting.

Unfortunately, almost all concept cars are crushed or kept by the manufacturer. They have slipped out on rare occasions. The highst priced car sold at the Barret-Jackson auction was a concept Oldsmobile.

 

http://www.rxtuner.com/farticles/RotaryHistory,Part2.pdf#search='rotary%20corvette' I found this link just bullshitting around. Talks a little about other cars that have used the rotary as concepts