Corvette V7 Twin Turbo: A Tribute to Zora Arkus-Duntov's Vision and Modern Innovation

ONE-OFF - Perfection is a rare concept in the automotive world, yet it’s precisely this pursuit that has fueled the creation of legendary vehicles. Among them, the Chevrolet Corvette stands out as an icon of American muscle and sports car engineering. For decades, enthusiasts and designers alike pondered what could have been if the Corvette had embraced a mid-engine layout earlier in its evolution. One fascinating chapter in this saga is the story of the 1964 Chevrolet Corvette GS IIB Concept, a car that highlights the unfulfilled potential of mid-engine Corvettes.

The 1963 Corvette V7 Twin Turbo Custom is designed and built by Harlan Motorsport Design to describe what they thought Chevrolet would make if they decided to compete with the Ferrari's, Porsche's, and Ford GT40 in the mid-1960s. (Picture from: RM Sotheby's)

Chevrolet’s experiments with high-performance, rear-engine vehicles trace back to the 1960s. The Corvette GS IIB Concept, developed in 1964, was one such endeavor. Despite its innovative design and potential to rival European supercars like Ferrari and Porsche, the GS IIB was ultimately dismissed by General Motors’ leadership. This decision mirrored a pattern seen in other mid-engine Corvette prototypes, which repeatedly failed to transition from concept to production. Some speculate that if the Corvette had adopted a mid-engine layout during this era, it might have joined the ranks of the Ford GT40 in motorsport legend.

The 1963 Corvette V7 Twin Turbo Custom is said exquisitely captured the mid-engined Corvette concept idea of Zora Arkus-Duntov. (Picture from: Silodrome)

In the 1970s, Chevrolet made another notable attempt to bring a mid-engine Corvette to life with the Aerovette, and was first shown to the public in the New York Auto Show 1970. Approved for production in 1977, the Aerovette’s journey was cut short when its key proponent retired, and the project was subsequently canceled. Though later revisited in 1980, the vision of a mid-engine Corvette continued to face obstacles, leaving enthusiasts to wonder what might have been if earlier efforts had succeeded.

The 1963 Corvette V7 Twin Turbo Custom has been designed to be very similar in style to the Corvette C2 Sting Ray with the passenger compartment moved forward and positioned the engine directly in front of the rear wheels. (Picture from: Silodrome)

Fast forward to a modern reinterpretation of this dream: the Corvette V7 Twin Turbo. Designed and constructed by Harlan Motorsport Design, this custom-built masterpiece imagines what Chevrolet might have created had they aimed to compete with Ferrari, Porsche, and Ford in the 1960s. Its design borrows heavily from the Corvette C2 Sting Ray , shifting the passenger compartment forward and placing the engine just ahead of the rear wheels. This nod to mid-century racing aesthetics is combined with cutting-edge engineering to create a vehicle both nostalgic and contemporary.

The 1963 Corvette V7 Twin Turbo Custom is designed and built on the chassis with the power-train in mind, so a dual ladder space frame was shaped from high-strength steel tubing. (Picture from: Silodrome)

The Corvette V7 Twin Turbo’s craftsmanship is evident in its bespoke features. Its chassis, built on a dual ladder space frame made from high-strength steel tubing, supports a powerhouse of performance components. Penske Racing provided fully adjustable suspensions, while massive six-piston Baer brakes with cross-drilled rotors ensure unmatched stopping power. The car’s aggressive stance is completed with HRE five-spoke star wheels, wrapped in Michelin’s widest production tires.

The 1963 Corvette V7 Twin Turbo Custom uniquely featured with an industry first "suislide" articulating door system that exhibits absolutely jaw-dropping geometry. (Picture from: Silodrome)

As quoted of RM Sotheby's, the handcrafted custom car is described as "the best of the best," at least that's what Kip Wasenko, GM Performance Design Director said, how's this Corvette V7 Twin Turbo exquisitely captured the mid-engined Corvette concept idea of Zora Arkus-Duntov.

The 1963 Corvette V7 Twin Turbo Custom is fitted with race-style seating from Cobra with full Crow harness system. (Picture from: Silodrome)

Inside, the V7 Twin Turbo is a blend of function and luxury. Its cabin features race-style Cobra seating with a full Crow harness system, offering a secure yet comfortable driving experience. The original Sting Ray dashboard humps, wrapped in leather, house precision Auto Meter gauges. Innovative details like the “suislide” articulating door system showcase an avant-garde approach to design. Unlike most modern cars, it forgoes an audio system, as the roar of its twin turbos is deemed music enough.

The 1963 Corvette V7 Twin Turbo features leather-wrapped original Sting Ray dash humps, elegantly equipped with precision Auto Meter gauges. (Picture from: Silodrome)

As explicitly mentioned above, the car was purposed built theoretically to be an worthied rival of the Ferrari's, Porsche's and Ford GT 40's of the '60s era. Although this custom Corvette did not actually compete against those iconic cars in certain periods on any racing tracks. Due to it was built and styled in modern era of the 2015, but remained with the spirit of an exciting time in motorsports of the 1960s.

The 1963 Corvette V7 Twin Turbo Custom is powered by a twin turbo Chevrolet LS V8 engine capable of producing power of 1,000 hp and 982 ft lbs of torque. (Picture from: Silodrome)

Under the hood lies a twin-turbocharged Chevrolet LS V8 engine, capable of delivering an astonishing 1,000 horsepower and 982 ft-lbs of torque. This immense power is transmitted to the rear wheels through a custom-built Mendeola transaxle, controlled via Master Shift paddles mounted near the steering wheel. While the car’s aesthetics channel the spirit of the 1960s, its performance capabilities are firmly rooted in modern technology.

The 1963 Corvette V7 Twin Turbo Custom ever crowned as the winner of the automotive industry's coveted GM Design Award 2015. (Picture from: Silodrome)

The Corvette V7 Twin Turbo’s excellence did not go unnoticed.😓 In 2015, it earned the prestigious GM Design Award, solidifying its place as a standout in automotive innovation. That same year, it was offered for sale at RM Sotheby's Auctions America Fort Lauderdale 2015 event with an estimated value between $90,000 and $110,000. Despite its accolades and craftsmanship, the car remained unsold, a testament to its rarity and niche appeal.

The legacy of the mid-engine Corvette is a story of what could have been and what finally came to be. While the Corvette GS IIB and other prototypes paved the way for innovation, modern interpretations like the V7 Twin Turbo remind us of the enduring allure of bold design and uncompromising performance. This journey from missed opportunities to groundbreaking achievements underscores the Corvette’s place as a symbol of American automotive ambition, inspiring enthusiasts to dream of what’s next. *** [EKA [08112022] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | RM SOTHEBY'S | SILODROME | BEHANCE ]

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