stigza.com

The Chevrolet Aerovette was a concept car created by the Chevrolet division of General Motors, as an Experimental Project (XP-882). It has a mid-engine configuration using a transverse mounting of its V-8 engine. Zora Arkus- Duntov's engineers originally built two XP-882s during 1969, but John DeLorean, Chevrolet's general manager, canceled the program because it was impractical and costly. In 1972, DeLorean authorized further work on the XP-882 chassis and gave it a new project code, XP-895. A near-identical body in aluminum alloy that resembled the XP-895 was constructed, and became the "Reynolds Aluminum Car." Two of the Chevrolet Vega 2-rotor engines were joined together as a 4-rotor, 420 horsepower engine. .

In 1976, the 4-rotor engine was replaced by a 400 cu in Chevy V-8, and the concept car was named Aerovette and approved for production for 1980. The Aerovette featured gullwing doors. The production car would use a 350 cu in V-8, and priced between $15000-$18000. However, after chief supporters Duntov, Bill Mitchell, and Ed Cole had retired from General Motors, David R. McLellan decided that a front/mid-engine car would be more economical to build and would have better performance, and canceled Aerovette program. Contemporary import mid engine cars had poor sales in the United States which ultimately determined the Aerovette's fate, terminating production plans.

#