Today I came across a Popular Science magazine from May 1972. The big feature of this magazine was about GM’s new ROTARY ENGINE for CHEVY’s 74 Vega.

 

Did you ever read the plans for the rotary 'Vette?

 

Oh if only... There's that history of the wankel rotary engine book that's very interesting. stupid GM and their arrogance...

 

That I have not.

 

http://www.rotarywiki.com/index.php?...Rotary_Concept

 

That’s some interesting history about GM.

 

Wow ... learn something new everyday

 

24,000 miles between oil changes and 100,000+ mile seal life... were this true this would be the greatest thing since sliced bread

 

I do not think they were in the right state of mined when they wrote that. lol

 

Wow. I didn't know that either.

 

there was also the aerovette


midengined and was originally going to get a GM 4-rotor. then was fitted with a v8. and still buried because the ideal corvette was not mid-engined.

 

They might not have a choice now to mid-engine it. But I suppose this argument always rears its head when it comes time for a new Corvette.

 

1976 was the beginning for tougher emissions regulations for the whole US. The rotary engine was being looked at because it ran so clean.
The problem being the rotary was thirsty for gas. The Arab Oil Embargo and the perfection of the catalytic converter made them change their minds about the rotary.

 

It still is

 

Interesting design aspects of this engine. All iron construction, only a single spark plug per rotor, and a center bearing!

 

Wow. With this new rotary, surely it will be the beginning of the end for the piston engine.

 

10K rpm part was a great novelty until F1 started running at 18K rpm

 

All iron construction, single plugs, slide out seals
GM thought they could make a reliable, cheap rotary

It would have been fun to watch

 

People have asked GM if they are going to put the engine of the vette in the middle due to tougher competition and GM has said that the vette will retain the basic design it has: front mounted push-rod V8, 6 speed manual transmission, and RWD. If GM were to switch over to a DOHC mid-engined car with a dual-clutch auto, what would be the point? It'd just be a wanna-be Ferrari.

I would have loved to see GM produce a rotary. Some may scoff but so did everyone when GM stuck to the push-rod engine design in the 1990's. Then they released the LS1 and just made everyone eat every last word. Really hope Mazda can pull off the same trick in the future.

 

I concur !