Corvette XP-987 GT: The Untold Story of a Rotary-Powered Concept Car

Rotary Ambition - The pursuit of innovation has consistently propelled the automotive industry toward uncharted frontiers. During the transformative 1970s, car manufacturers competed to redefine engine technology in response to emerging challenges and opportunities. Against this dynamic backdrop, Chevrolet embarked on a bold journey to reshape the future of American sports cars. The result was the Chevrolet Corvette XP-987 GT—a concept car that seamlessly blended advanced engineering with daring design. But the origins of this remarkable vehicle trace back not to Chevrolet itself, but to a groundbreaking invention by a German engineer whose work would lay the foundation for its creation.

The 1973 Chevrolet Corvette XP-987 GT along with the 1973 GM-RCE266 Wankel Rotary Engine sat on display at the National Corvette Museum. (Picture from: CorvetteMuseum)

Felix Wankel’s revolutionary rotary engine, introduced to the world in the mid-20th century, stood out as a marvel of modern engineering. Its compact and lightweight design, coupled with fewer moving parts than traditional piston engines, offered smoother operation and higher revving capabilities. Initially adopted by brands like NSU and Citroën, it was Mazda that truly elevated the Wankel engine’s reputation, integrating it into iconic models such as the RX-7. Yet, the engine’s potential also caught the attention of American automakers, particularly Chevrolet, which envisioned not one but two mid-engine Corvette prototypes—the Two-Rotor and Four-Rotor concepts—powered by this groundbreaking technology.

The Chevrolet Corvette XP-987 GT, a concept car that seamlessly blended advanced engineering with daring design. (Picture from: MotorTrend)

Chevrolet’s venture into the realm of rotary engines began with the creation of the XP-987 GT, commonly referred to as the Corvette Two-Rotor. Conceived in the early 1970s, this prototype was designed to demonstrate the versatility of the Wankel engine, which General Motors had been developing for a range of applications. The engine’s compact size and impressive power-to-weight ratio aligned perfectly with Chevrolet’s vision of a nimble, high-performance Corvette. The decision to adopt a mid-engine layout further marked a significant departure from the traditional front-engine designs of its predecessors, signaling a bold evolution in the Corvette’s legacy.

The Chevrolet Corvette XP-987 GT boasted a striking design, born from meticulous efforts led by GM’s Vice President of Styling Bill Mitchell, sketched by Kip Wasenko, and brought to life in collaboration with renowned Italian coachbuilder Pininfarina. (Picture from: MotorTrend)

The XP-987 GT’s striking appearance was a result of meticulous design efforts led by Bill Mitchell, GM’s Vice President of Styling. Kip Wasenko’s sketches envisioned a sleek, European-inspired body, featuring a distinctive split windshield with an integrated radio antenna at its central seam—a hallmark of Mitchell’s influence. To bring this ambitious design to life, Chevrolet collaborated with the renowned Italian coachbuilder Pininfarina. Built on a heavily modified Porsche 914/6 chassis, the car’s steel body combined American ingenuity with European craftsmanship, resulting in a unique aesthetic that captured global attention.

The Chevrolet Corvette XP-987 GT built on a heavily modified Porsche 914/6 chassis, the car’s steel body combined American ingenuity with European craftsmanship, resulting in a unique aesthetic that captured global attention. (Picture from: Corvette Furman On Facebook)

When the XP-987 GT made its debut at the 1973 Paris Motor Show, it captivated both enthusiasts and industry experts. The concept’s compact design, powered by a two-rotor GM engine producing 180 horsepower, offered a glimpse into what the future of Corvette could entail: a perfect blend of performance, efficiency, and style. However, despite the excitement surrounding the concept, significant challenges loomed. The rotary engine, though innovative, faced hurdles such as high fuel consumption and difficulty meeting increasingly stringent emissions standards. The 1973 oil crisis and growing environmental concerns compounded these issues, prompting GM to abandon its rotary engine program in 1974.

The Chevrolet Corvette XP-987 GT powered by a two-rotor GM engine producing 180 horsepower, offered a glimpse into what the future of Corvette could entail: a perfect blend of performance, efficiency, and style. (Picture from: MotorTrend)

The XP-987 GT’s journey didn’t end with its withdrawal from the spotlight. After its global showcase, the car was stored at GM’s Vauxhall Motors Design Centre in England, where it remained largely forgotten for nearly a decade. Scheduled for destruction in 1983, the concept was rescued by Tom Falconer, a dedicated Corvette enthusiast and author. With assistance from Chuck Jordan, GM’s Head of Design, Falconer ensured the car avoided the scrapyard. The XP-987 GT found a new home in Falconer’s garage, where it underwent modifications to restore its functionality.

The Chevrolet Corvette XP-987 GT made its debut at the 1973 Paris Motor Show, it captivated both enthusiasts and industry experts. (Picture from: Corvette Furman On Facebook)

In a poignant twist, the rotary engine that symbolized the car’s innovative spirit was replaced with a Mazda 13B rotary engine, underscoring the lasting legacy of Felix Wankel’s invention. Falconer’s tireless efforts preserved the XP-987 GT as a tangible piece of Corvette history, allowing it to make appearances at prestigious events like the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. Today, the car stands as a reminder of an era defined by experimentation and ambition, and a tribute to the engineers and designers who dared to dream. | PSE-y4hRuK8 |

The Chevrolet Corvette XP-987 GT represents a glimpse into a path not taken. Its story is one of creativity, collaboration, and resilience, embodying the relentless pursuit of progress that drives the automotive world. Though it never reached production, its legacy endures as a symbol of what could have been—a testament to the boundless imagination that defines innovation in every era. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CORVETTEMUSEUM | CORVSPORT | CONCEPTCARZ | CORVETTE FURMAN | CARBUZZ | HEMMINGS | LSXMAG | MOTORTREND ]

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