The 1970 Chevrolet Corvette XP-882, designed by Corvette chief engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov was one of Chevrolet’s early attempts at producing a mid-engine sports car.

The XP-882 concept was first shown at the New York Auto Show in 1970 but during its lifetime underwent several changes and was displayed at motor shows up until the mid 1970s.

It was powered by a 400 C.I.D. small block V8 mounted transversely behind the cockpit, coupled to a front drive Oldsmobile Toronado Turbo-Hydramatic transmission with its drive shaft running through the engine’s oil pan to the differential.

Duntov’s engineers built two XP-882’s, yet almost on the day they were finished, John DeLorean became Chevrolet general manager and cancelled the program as impractical and too costly. His decision stood only a short time, when Ford announced plans to sell the Italian built mid-engine DeTomasa Pantera through Lincoln-Mercury dealers, he ordered one of the XP-882s displayed at the 1970 New York Auto Show.

It stunned the press and stole the show but GM never said anything about production.

source: http://history.gmheritagecenter.com