At the 1954 GM Motorama in New York City, Chevrolet unveiled the Corvette Corvair Concept. The 2-door fastback had a Corvette front end, a wrap-around windshield, and rear design elements that resembled a jet fighter exhaust port. European designs impacted the chopped-off tail. The roof was influenced by airplanes, flowing back and beautifully tapering towards the rear. The top also revealed the 1958 Corvette’s quarter window and C-pillar treatment.
The Corvette provided the powertrain and chassis. The 1954 Corvette featured a 102-inch wheelbase, a 2-speed Powerglide transmission, and a six-cylinder, 235.5-cubic-inch engine capable of producing 150 horsepower.
The Corvette’s sales were modest in 1954, and its future was uncertain. As a result, management opted against putting the fastback coupe idea into production. However, the Corvair moniker would eventually be utilized on the 1960 Corvair, a rear-engined small automobile.
