This Is Why Mid-Engine Corvette C8 Is Codenamed ZERV
The mid-engine Corvette C8 is undoubtedly the most hotly-anticipated new model to come from the Bow Tie brand in decades. But beyond the hype, there's decades' worth of history to this thing as well. Internally at GM, the mid-engine Corvette C8 carries the codename ZERV. While this not officially confirmed, these four letters are likely a nod to the "Father of the Corvette," Zora Arkus-Duntov, and to his early CERV concept vehicles.
For those who might not know, Zora Arkus-Duntov was a Belgian-born American engineer and race driver who joined GM in 1953 as an assistant staff engineer. Given his racing background, which included several class wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, it's no surprise that Arkus-Duntov was an immediate fan of the Corvette. However, while he found the sports car visually attractive, he also felt as though the Vette's underpinnings could use improvement.
During his tenure at GM, Arkus-Duntov helped to broaden Chevrolet's motorsport offerings and performance catalogue, and was eventually promoted to director of Chevy's high-performance vehicles. Unsurprisingly, the position included extensive work with the Corvette.
In his new position, Arkus-Duntov helped to usher in the application of the Chevy Small-Block V8 to the Corvette platform in 1955, and he launched the Grand Sport program in 1962 with the intention of creating a lightweight C2 Corvette capable of beating all challengers in GT-class racing.
Throughout it all, Arkus-Duntov sought to move the Corvette from a front-engine layout to a mid-engine layout. As a racer and engineer, Arkus-Duntov knew firsthand the benefits of a mid-engine platform, but his push to build a production-ready mid-engine 'Vette was met time and again by problems and setbacks.
Source: Jonathan Lopez - GM Authority
Posted 5/24/19