1960 CHEVROLET ENGINEERING RESEARCH VEHICLE (CERV) 1

One of the most important pieces of American automotive history the Chevrolet Engineering Research Vehicle (CERV) 1 was developed between 1959 and 1960 by Zora Arkus-Duntov as a functional mid-engine open-wheel single-seat prototype racing car. It served as Duntovs personal Corvette engineering test bed; a platform for engineers to develop and refine the Chevrolet body chassis and suspension systems. Duntov drove the CERV 1 in demo laps at the U.S. Grand Prix in 1960 but that is as far as its racing aspirations went due to the ban on manufacturer-sponsored racing at the time. The car was designed by Larry Shinoda and Tony Lapine and was originally equipped with a 283ci/350hp small-block V8 weighing only 350 lbs because of the use of aluminum and magnesium engine components. The CERV 1 features a four-wheel independent suspension 4-speed manual transmission and front disc and rear drum brakes. The steering system features a high-efficiency recirculating-ball-type steering gear of 12:1 ratio; overall steering ratio is a very fast 13.5:1. Fuel is delivered via two rubber bladder fuel cells with a total capacity of 20 gallons. Fuel-injected small-block technology was developed using this incredible car. Later for even greater performance Duntov refitted the CERV 1 with a 377ci aluminum small block an advanced Rochester fuel-injection system and Indy-style tires and wheels. Shinoda also redesigned the body structure for greater aerodynamics and the car recorded a top speed of 206 mph. Includes loads of paperwork and history on the car which stands as one of the experimental landmarks of GM history.

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