Experimental Corvette -- SS

[Music] the design and construction of a functional mechanism is akin to any scientific advancement for from its paper plans and the lean anatomy of its component parts they come developments that will alter the shape of the future an experimental model of the Chevrolet Corvette is no exception from the very moment of its conception at Chevrolet's Engineering Center in Detroit - its shakedown test the Supersport proved an adventure in design and development a true experiment this experimental Corvette was developed by Chevrolet engineers headed by Zora arkus-duntov internationally known designer and racing driver in charge of this special project it is to be built literally from the floor up within reaching distance of drafting boards where it was designed first comes a tubular truss type frame 180 pounds of welded chrome molybdenum steel tubing in basket-like construction with built in ability to withstand torsion and shock the construction of the frame will permit use of lightweight magnesium for a low slung aerodynamically styled body shell from the outset weight is a vital consideration for this is to be a featherweight car of high power with startling power-to-weight ratio every component of the car is made as light and strong as possible a magnesium oil pan is just one example and it has to be filed and shaped by hand for perfect fit the Super Sport is born fast in the making from drawing board to test track just five months into it go many production Corvette parts the powerplant is basically the production 283 cubic and Chevrolet v8 engine with output elevated over 300 horsepower a high-performance camshaft and solid type valve lifters are used the cylinder heads intake manifold fuel injection system and certain other parts are experimental but the engine has the standard v8 block of three and 7/8 inch bore and three inch stroke in sports car competition gearboxes take a beating unequaled in any other type of driving into the Corvette goes a four-speed close-ratio aluminum transmission aluminum alloy used in the case helps hold the weight down to a mere 65 pounds front suspension is independent coil spring with stabilizer bar the Super Sport will use cast magnesium wheels with knockoff hubs for strength and fast tire change the non parallel control arms of the front suspension linked by coil spring surrounded shock absorbers gives the Corvette inherent advantages in cornering stability and positive control building the Super Sport is an exacting job requiring many hands many skills and advanced engineering for example Corvette engineers install inboard rear brakes a feature rarely seen in American cars the brakes are power assisted with two separate systems operated through a single pedal the brake drums are of cast-iron with aluminum muffs when combined with its rear suspension of edenian tube positioned by an arrangement of four ball jointed radius rods two unitized coil spring shock absorbers without transverse leaf spring the rear end as a whole has unique merit load transfer from one wheel to the other is canceled the unsprung weight is low and all rear axle control members are relieved of driving and breaking strain road adhesion is considered excellent the two separate brake systems operated through the single pedal include individual hydraulic vacuum assist units for both front and rear and arrangement providing a high degree of safety because of the highly experimental nature of the model some parts must be designed on-the-spot manufactured and then installed characteristic of the true sports car is the conventional manual shift it is one of the vital controls to give the car the varying performance demanded Harry F bar chief engineer of Chevrolet and Maurice rosenberger assistant chief engineer drop by at the close of their workday to check progress designer arkus-duntov proudly displays the car while work continues into the night even though the chassis is not yet completed stylists from Chevrolet's advance design section begin the task of tailoring the super sports streamlined body another unique feature of the car can be seen in the design of the cooling system employing no fan the cooling air is taken in to an aluminum radiator that incorporates an engine oil cooling heat exchanger in the bottom tank then the air is deflected upward through louvers in the hood the venturi effect of outside air rushing over the louvers draws air through the radiator at a high rate air is also deflected onto the brakes - electric fuel pumps will be fed gasoline from the 43 gallon tank of special design its plastic contour a shape to fit within the car's aerodynamic configuration it fits perfectly as it slipped into place now the experimental Corvette is taking final shape ready for removal from the engineering section to the styling department for fitting of the body shell officially the Super Sport is secret but in Detroit and throughout the automotive world fans have been speculating about its appearance and potential performance of course Outsiders make claims for it that Corvette engineers do not to the outsiders the Super Sport is a racing car to Chevrolet and designer Duntov this is a research laboratory on wheels a study of ideas to determine whether they might eventually be adapted for offering in regular passenger cars even in the styling studio work on the engine continues the experimental engine features among other things individual exhaust pipes to increase the breathing efficiency as a result compression ratio has dropped to 9 to 1 to prevent excess detonation meanwhile body styling continues and each tiny detail and there are thousands is planned and worked out on the spot when trouble arises it's a deep concern to every member of the super sport team of engineers stylists and mechanics there's constant coordination of ideas original plans are considered merely stepping stones to final designs when problems arise they're solved where they arose at the cars side bit by bit in part by part the Supersport grows the area around the car becomes crowded but the work is smoothly coordinated and carried on efficiently very often four groups work on the car at once electricians draftsman mechanics and stylists every inch of the car is streamlined including a specially designed plastic windshield the driving experience of designer Duntov himself is reflected in this functional but streamlined roll bar and headrest a safety factor ingeniously conformed to the super sports overall aerodynamic design the magnesium body shell is hinged at the rear for quick access the super sports instrument panel is designed to quickly convey to its driver the full story of performance at a glance a simple panel contains tachometer oil and water temperature gauges oil pressure gauge and clock hinged at the front the body forward of the cowl can be raised for easy access to the engine compartment installation of the hood is quick and easy the corvette grille distinguishes the Supersport marking it is an outgrowth of the remarkable Corvette sports touring car now completion of the car seems to be in sight only minor odd jobs remain to be done the rubdown adjusts the headrest for the door on install a second seat the Super Sport is fitted with a revolutionary airplane type canopy meticulously fitted it is designed to be quickly and easily removed rolled on two scales it meets the expectations of its designer the Corvette Super Sport weighs in at eighteen hundred and fifty pounds dry that's nearly a thousand pounds less than the regular production model Corvette small last-minute adjustments are made no detail can be slighted perfection is sacrifice neither to speed nor to the craftsmanship that's a hallmark of Chevrolet construction until the moment the car gets its final approval work proceeds now only details are left important details though for the Super Sport has unusual responsibilities it's more than just another specially-designed car it's another step in Chevrolet Engineering's constant effort to design new components explore new ideas and test them under the most severe operating conditions this is the principle behind the development of the Corvette Super Sport so now in a few short months Chevrolet designers and engineers have created a car of mechanical and artistic distinction the Corvette Super Sport is completed it is now a full-fledged experimental vehicle ready and eager to reveal the answers to many new styling and mechanical innovations which someday when proven they find their counterparts and millions of Chevrolet passenger cars [Music]

Channel: King Rose Archives

Views: 93,612

Rating: 4.8742137 out of 5

Keywords: General Motors, auto, Zora Arkus Duntov, Corvette, Chevrolet, Sebring, Experimental Corvette

Id: upquH0f-LQA

Length: 12min 13sec (733 seconds)

Published: Wed Mar 18 2009

Reddit Comments

[u/albertgt40]

Please also send to r/corvette

[u/isaac_lndbrg]

Worth the watch! Where did you find this?!