1958 Chevrolet Corvette XP-700

This is a special experimental Corvette, designed and built under the personal supervision of William L. Mitchell, Vice-President-in-Charge of General Motors Styling. It is part of a continuing program of experimentation conducted by Styling and Chevrolet, whereby various engineering and styling features are tested on road vehicles with an eye toward possible production applications in the future.

Mechanically, the car uses many regular Corvette components – such as the frame, chassis parts and fuel injection. However, the fiberglass body has been extensively redesigned to impart a “grand prix” feeling to the Corvette sports car appearance.

Many “grand prix” characteristics are evident, such as a long, low front overhang, large air scoops, exposed frontal areas for better cooling and wire wheels with racing hubs. The hood length is accentuated by a snubbed, “bob tail” back end treatment, which has the effect of further elongating the hood profile. This imparts a classic sports car look to the body silhouette. Protruding around the radiator grille is a floating, shock-dampened bar that provides bumper protection for the front end.

One of the most startling features is the bubble-shaped upperstructure. This laminated plastic canopy is coated inside with vaporized aluminum to turn back the sun’s rays. The metal strut in the center of the canopy houses louvered vents to exhaust air from the passenger compartment. Constant circulation of air inside the passenger compartment prevents fogging of the plastic canopy when the car is operated. Another unique device is an overhead mirror, mounted above the windshield with a viewing porthole in the roof structure. This feature provides unobstructed rear view vision for the driver.

The exterior color is pearlescent silver, with a matching silver interior.

GM

Designed and built under the personal supervision of William (Bill) Mitchell, the wild-looking XP-700 used many regular Corvette components, such as the frame, chassis parts and engine. The fiberglass body was extensively redesigned with a ‘grand prix’ appearance. The long, low front overhang, large air scoops, exposed frontal areas and wire wheels with racing hubs were a few of the ‘grand prix’ touches. The bubble-shaped laminated plastic canopy – coated with vaporized aluminum to help block the sun’s rays – was one of the most memorable features of the car. A metal strut in the center of the canopy featured louvered vents, which enhanced circulation in the passenger compartment. Among the more exotic concepts: An overhead mirror, mounted above the windshield with a viewing porthole in the roof structure. The rear end styling influenced the second generation Corvette models.

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First shown in 1959, the Chevrolet XP-700 was revised in 1960 with a longer and smaller grille, extended tail and double bubble plastic roof, complete with a periscope rear-view mirror. The transparent canopy was like a one-way mirror, passengers could see out, but outsiders would see their own reflections. Originally painted red, the version that appeared during the 1961 Chicago Auto Show was finished in pearlescent silver, which matched the silver cockpit. The exposed side pipes were retained from the 1959 version, as was the rear wraparound bodylines that predicted the design used on the 1961-1962 production Corvette.

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