The 1972 Reynolds Aluminum Corvette, also known as the XP-895, was part of a series of experimental Corvettes designed to explore alternative engine placements and chassis layouts. At a time when GM was considering the future of the Corvette, engineers were actively experimenting with mid-engine configurations, a concept that would take decades to reach production but remained a persistent vision for the brand.

The XP-895 featured a 400 cubic inch small-block V8, mounted transversely in a mid-engine layout. Power was delivered through a Turbo Hydramatic transmission via a bevel gearbox, a unique setup that contributed to the car’s innovative packaging. With its drivetrain positioned behind the driver, the XP-895 aimed to achieve better weight distribution and handling characteristics compared to the traditional front-engine Corvettes of the era.

What set this particular XP-895 apart was its all-aluminum body, the result of a collaboration between GM and Reynolds Aluminum. At a time when automotive manufacturers were seeking ways to improve fuel efficiency and performance, aluminum was seen as a promising lightweight alternative to traditional steel. Two versions of the XP-895 were built—one in steel and this one in aluminum, serving as a testbed for the feasibility of mass-producing lightweight metal body panels. Hidden headlights were incorporated into the sleek design to maintain the lowest possible front profile, further enhancing the car’s aerodynamic efficiency.

While the XP-895 never reached production, it played a crucial role in Corvette’s long history of innovation. Its mid-engine configuration foreshadowed the eventual arrival of the eighth-generation (C8) Corvette, which finally brought the mid-engine dream to reality nearly five decades later. Today, the aluminum-bodied XP-895 remains a significant piece of GM’s experimental legacy, housed in the GM Heritage Collection as a reminder of the brand’s relentless pursuit of performance and technological advancement.