Concept Car Of The Day: 1964 Chevrolet CERV II - AllCarIndex
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The journey of the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray to become the first-ever mid-engine Corvette was a culmination of 60 years of experimentation and innovation. As the eighth generation Corvette, it represents a radical leap forward in terms of capability from its predecessors, while also incorporating lessons learned from past engineering exercises such as the Chevrolet Experimental Research Vehicles (CERVs) I-III and the Aerovette.
Zora Arkus-Duntov, considered the father of the Corvette, first encountered mid-engine vehicles in his youth, sparking his interest in pushing the boundaries of automotive engineering. Throughout his career as an auto racer and engineering consultant in automotive and aeronautics, Duntov was drawn to GM by the original Corvette concept he saw at the 1953 Motorama in New York City’s Waldorf Astoria. He joined GM in 1953 and helped transform the proposed Small Block V-8 into a viable technology for the Corvette.
Duntov’s pursuit of the mid-engine layout for the Corvette led to the development of concepts like the CERV I and CERV II, which showcased innovative engineering solutions such as four-wheel-drive systems and powerful V-8 engines. The 1990 CERV III concept further explored the potential of mid-engine structures, highlighting the performance benefits of this layout.
Despite facing challenges in mass manufacturing, the Corvette team, with advancements in development and technology, carefully planned out the architecture of the 2020 Corvette Stingray. Engineers worked closely with designers to ensure that the vehicle’s form met all necessary performance benchmarks while preserving the Corvette legacy.
The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is a testament to the vision and dedication of those who came before it, embodying the core fundamentals of performance, functionality, and attainability that have defined the Corvette brand. Through decades of experimentation and innovation, the Corvette has finally realized its destiny as a mid-engine powerhouse, paying off the dreams of thousands of individuals who contributed to its evolution.
