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In the world of automotive engineering, sometimes bold ideas lead to spectacular failures. Such was the case with the 1964 Chevrolet XP-819, an engineering study that aimed to test a rear engine concept for future Corvette development.
The XP-819 was born out of a disagreement between Zora Arkus-Duntov and engineer Frank Winchell. Winchell believed that a balanced, aluminum rear-engine, V8 powered sports car was possible, while Duntov was skeptical. A crude design was quickly put together, earning the nickname "ugly duckling" from Duntov himself.
Determined to prove his theory right, Winchell turned to designer Larry Shinoda to overhaul the design. Shinoda, along with designer John Schinella, swiftly sketched out a new body design that won approval. In just two months, a working prototype of the XP-819 was ready, with Shinoda overseeing the styling.
The new design was well received, but unfortunately, Winchell's rear engine V8 concept did not perform as expected. During a high-speed lane change test, disaster struck. The XP-819 crashed into a wall, bouncing off multiple times and ending up a wreck. The question of stability had been definitively answered, albeit in a rather dramatic fashion.
The damaged XP-819 was then sent to Smokey Yunick's shop in Daytona, Florida, where the chassis was salvaged for usable parts. The remaining parts were stored away in a paint booth, considered only as "old junk".
Years later, a Corvette collector stumbled upon the junked XP-819 while purchasing parts from Yunick. Seeing the potential in the car, the collector undertook the monumental task of rebuilding and restoring the car. The once-forgotten XP-819 was brought back to life as a streetable machine.
Today, the resurrected XP-819 stands proudly on display at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky. What was once dismissed as "old junk" now serves as a reminder of the daring ideas and ambitious projects that shape the world of automotive innovation. The legacy of the 1964 Chevrolet XP-819 lives on, a testament to the power of determination and the spirit of ingenuity in the world of cars.
