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XP819 Engineering Car

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XP819 Engineering Car

Developed in the mid-1960s, XP-819 was an engineering exercise to test a rear engine concept for the Corvette. The body was designed by Larry Shinoda, designer of the 1963 Stingray Split Window Coupe and CERV-1. You can see styling cues in XP-819 that later appeared in Shinoda's famed 1968 "Sting Ray" design. A GM marine, reverse rotation engine was factory-installed in the car, so the two-speed transaxle would operate properly. The entire chassis, suspension, and steering are custom made components unique to this car. Some of these parts also found their way to later production cars.
XP-819 nearly suffered the fate of many factory experimental vehicles – crushing ! However, famed racer & performance guru, Smokey Yunick requested this car as a basis for a new race car design. Smokey never completed the racer & later sold XP-819 to some Corvette enthusiasts, who recognized this important chapter in Corvette’s history.

On August 17, 2002, Mid America Motorworks was fortunate enough to add XP–819 to the MY Garage Collection. It is currently undergoing a complete restoration here at the Mid America Motorworks’ Installation & Restyling Center.

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