Old Slow Coach

http://www.illustratedcorvetteseries...3_4-Rotor.html

Zora Arkus-Duntov had that rare blend of a deep understanding of engineering and a passion for speed. Aesthetics did little for Duntov, unless it helped the car's performance. Concerning the Four-Rotor Corvette, Duntov was quoted, "Looking back on my 20-year association with styling, this is the best design ever produced."

From '68 to '73, Chevrolet R&D made five unique mid-engine prototypes. So, what happened? The mid-engine Corvette dream never made it into production because of the Corvette's sales success in the early '70s. Production was at an all-time high in '73, and Chevrolet returned 8,200 orders to dealers because they couldn't make enough cars! So, strictly from a business standpoint, "We're selling all we can make, don't change it!"

Another interesting situation was going on inside of Chevrolet. Four power-players were approaching the end of their careers, and they all wanted a spectacular replacement for the Corvette. Duntov from engineering, Bill Mitchell from styling, Joe Pike from sales, and GM President Ed Cole were powerful Corvette allies. But in business, the bottom line is king.

The 2-Rotor car was nice, but more power was obviously needed. So a bold plan was presented to get the job done. Using the chassis from one of the '70 XP882 cars, two 292.5-cid rotary engines joined together inside a stress member case. The 585-cid "engine" made close to 420hp. The transmission was a Turbo Hydramatic 425 from a Toranado, with a Morse Hy-Vo chain and bevel gears.

Styling was directed by Mitchell and penned out by Henry Haga. Starting with the bumper height datum line, Mitchell's instructions were to "make it sleek." The long tapers on the front and rear, and a steep windshield, made the drag coefficient only 0.325. Gull-wing doors, vents, louvers, scoops, and lots of show car trim made the 4-Rotor Corvette nearly perfect from every angle of view. Slightly longer, lower, and wider than a production '74 Corvette, it looked like "the future."

On a one-mile check track, GM president Ed Cole and Duntov clicked off 148 mph in the 4-rotor Corvette. The car started out with a throaty roar and hit top speed, belching flames and making an ear piercing scream. It was actually faster than a '73 454 Corvette! But not even powerful friends in high places could get this prototype into production.

MazdaSpeedDemon

Awesome man good find... or did you know about this for awhile?

Old Slow Coach

Just stumbled upon it today while searching for Wankle material. Honestly, I'd be a little surprised if it isn't a REPOST!!!! We'll see...

Old Slow Coach

Styling by Pininfarina...

StuntmanXero

I talked about this a while back on another section of the forums, a few people said I was just crazy until someone posted the pictures and whatnot. Its too bad they didnt produce them, and then continue them to this day.

KeloidJonesJr.

iTrader: (8)

I've heard of these.

ChildDamien

for all the guys using ls1's in their vehicles.....lol

josh greene

they made working proto types I wonder if theres one somewhere out there.
pretty sweet, to think we could all be vett drivers! lol

owen is fat

if it had taken off it sure would have been a wonderful thing for the rotary motor with the potential market share expanding so quickly... too bad it never came into production.

hey, I love my LS1 !

a 4 rotor, imagine how cool it would be to be able to go to a junkyard and snag a 'vette pullout with the 4-rotor for cheap? what a dream world for you rotary heads!

Outkast

That is funny, my name on the Chevy forum is "4 rotor Corvette" !
I also use that car to make peace with my co-workers where we fix Corvettes.

NissanConvert

iTrader: (1)

The illustrated version by yours truly:
https://www.rx7club.com/rx-7-audio-visual-lounge-143/old-skool-rotary-article-circa-1973-a-557395/