Central Valley Corvettes of Fresno - November 2019
Central Valley Corvettes of Fresno - November 2019
Central Valley Corvettes of Fresno - November 2019
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‘In the Garage’ w/Pres. Dick<br />
5 Mid-engine <strong>Corvettes</strong> That Weren’t<br />
#2 - 1972 Reynolds Aluminum Corvette<br />
Fast forward to the early 1970s and the idea <strong>of</strong> a mid-engine Corvette just wouldn’t go away.<br />
The XP-895 was one in a series <strong>of</strong> experimental <strong>Corvettes</strong> built to explore alternative engine<br />
placements and chassis layouts. This vehicle features an 400 cid small block V8 mounted<br />
transversely in a mid-engine position. It utilizes a Turbo Hydramatic transmission via a bevel<br />
gear box. The body panels are all aluminum and hidden headlights are utilized to achieve the<br />
lowest possible front pr<strong>of</strong>ile. Two complete XP-895's were built, one with a steel body, and<br />
this one made <strong>of</strong> aluminum. The aluminum body was a joint venture between GM and<br />
Reynolds Aluminum. The use <strong>of</strong> aluminum was intended to demonstrate the practicality <strong>of</strong><br />
using this light weight metal for car bodies.<br />
by Matt DeLorenzo | July 17, <strong>2019</strong><br />
Pictures courtesy <strong>of</strong> GM Heritage Center