In 1968, GM unveiled the AstroVette show car. According to an official press release, "This clean-contoured, experimental Corvette is a study vehicle, which will provide useful information in another automotive design investigation area." The car was based on a blue production '68 convertible. It was built in the spring of 1968. The shape and the aluminum wheel covers suggested a land speed record Bonneville salt flat racer. The paint was pearlescent white, and the blue interior was dyed black. Other than a non-stock steering wheel, the interior is production stock. The side flaps in the front fenders are non-functional. They are only scribed in the body. The original 400hp L-68 427 engine mated to an automatic Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission was not modified, except for some chrome items. Tall narrow Firestone tires added to the Salt flat racer look.
The car was not very popular at first, and it earned the name "Moby Dick." Soon after its unveiling, it was relegated to secondary show car circuits and eventually put in storage. At some point in time, the car was repainted orange, and in 1992 the car was restored to original show car specs.
The 1968 Chevrolet Corvette Astro-Vette concept car was an aerodynamic study to see how slippery the Corvette could be. Two notable styling features were picked up in 1973 and 1974. In 1973, when most cars got huge, chrome front bumpers, Corvettes got the Astro-Vette treatment. Then in 1974, the tail end was restyled, a la Astro-Vette.
Source: Frank Markus, MotorTrend Magazine; Mario van Ginneken - www.corvettes.nl; Bill Bowman - wiki.gmnext.com
Images: www.shorey.net
