Eight-cylinder Corvette hitting the market for the first time!
The first Corvette outfitted with a muscle-bound V-8 engine was none other than the experimental chassis EX87, a game-changer in GM's automotive history. A pioneering achievement that kick-started the Corvette's enduring V-8 legacy.
Initially, a relic from the 1955 Corvette line, the EX87 underwent a transformation, receiving the powerhouse 265 ci V-8 engine and two-speed automatic transmission. Sporting the body from car #6903, this beast was driven by none other than Zora Arkus-Duntov, the Corvette's "paterfamilias," and Mauri Rose, a three-time Indy 500 winner and a brilliant GM engineer, who crafted the small-block Chevy V-8[1][2][3].
The EX87's true impact, however, came from its role as a testing ground. Demonstrating the potential prowess of a V-8 engine in the Corvette, it showcased what the sports car could truly become. The EX87 scorched tracks at GM’s Desert Proving Grounds in Arizona, reaching mind-boggling speeds of 163 mph[4].
As the V-8 Corvette's development accelerated, the EX87 benefited from upgrades, including installation of the Duntov-tuned 307ci V-8 and later, a 327ci V-8 engine. Reflecting the evolving engines that would come to define the Corvette[3][4]. The V-8 Corvette was ready for mass production in 1956, with the EX87's testing phase paving the way.
In essence, EX87 is more than just a prototype; it's an historical artifact, lodged in both GM's and Corvette’s heritage. It symbolizes the shift that catapulted the Corvette into the ranks of iconic American sports cars, synonymous with powerful V-8 engines. The experimental machine is still alive and kicking, auctioned off as a relic of automotive history[1][4][5].
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What was the impact of the EX87 on the Corvette's V-8 legacy in the industry? The experimental chassis showcased the potential power and speed of a V-8 engine, revolutionizing the sports car landscape in finance and transportation. With Zora Arkus-Duntov and Mauri Rose at the helm, it demonstrated what the Corvette could truly become, reaching astonishing speeds of 163 mph. In lifestyle and automotive circles, the EX87 is hailed as an historical artifact, symbolizing the shift that catapulted the Corvette into the ranks of iconic American sports cars.
