Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Racer XP-87 - Stingray as precursor to the C2
You have only
1 out of 7
images seen in high resolution
Summary
On the second experimental chassis of the XP-64 SS, purchased for 500 dollars, Bill Mitchell conducted secret design experiments with far-reaching consequences. The XP-87 Stingray Racer became the blueprint for the second and perhaps most beautiful Corvette generation. This report tells the story of the development of the Stingray Racer and shows the prototype in pictures from the time.
This article contains the following chapters
- Bill Mitchell's private racing car and reference for design development
- From racing car to reference model of the C2
Estimated reading time: 3min
Preview (beginning of the article)
As early as 1957, Chevrolet was working on the so-called "Q-Corvette", a now-forgotten experimental vehicle with a transaxle arrangement, modern rear axle suspension and internal drum brakes. The housing of the transmission/differential unit was made of aluminum. Everything was designed for a large interior, low weight and balanced weight distribution. However, the now virtually forgotten Project Q was not developed further and was abandoned in favor of the Corvair. The two designers Bob Veryzer and Pete Brock based the Q on the Pininfarina-Abarth record-breaking car and Tom Tjaarda 's 1957 Ghia IXG show car, each with strongly pronounced shapes on the top of the fenders. Veryzer and Brock developed a coupé with a fixed roll bar and a slightly drawn glass dome and a generously glazed front.
Continue reading this article for free?
Photos of this article
