## Mid-Engine American Cars: A History of the Rare and the Remarkable
### Introduction
Mid-engine cars have always held a particular allure for car enthusiasts and manufacturers alike. Placing the engine behind the cockpit but in front of the rear axle allowed for better weight distribution, improved handling, and the potential for greater performance. However, mid-engine configurations have also been notoriously difficult to package and expensive to produce, which has limited their widespread adoption outside of exotic sports cars.
In the United States, the mid-engine concept has been embraced by a select group of manufacturers, both large and small, who have dared to challenge the conventional front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. While some of these cars have gone on to become iconic symbols of American automotive engineering, others have remained obscure and forgotten. In this comprehensive post, we will explore the history of mid-engine American cars, from the earliest prototypes to the cutting-edge models of today.
### The Early Years: Prototypes and Concepts
The earliest attempts at creating a mid-engine American car can be traced back to the early 1960s. In 1961, General Motors unveiled the Corvair Monza GT, a concept car based on the production Corvair sedan. The Monza GT featured a compact air-cooled flat-six engine mounted behind the passenger compartment. However, the project never progressed beyond the prototype stage.
In 1964, Ford debuted the Ford Mustang II concept, which also featured a mid-engine layout. The Mustang II was intended to replace the original Mustang but was rejected by Ford executives for being too radical. The mid-engine concept would not reappear in a Ford production car until the introduction of the GT40 supercar in 1966.
### The First Production Mid-Engine American Cars: Corvair and Vega
The first production mid-engine American car was the Chevrolet Corvair Monza, which was released in 1965. The Monza was based on the same platform as the Corvair sedan but featured a unique “slantback” roofline and the same 110 horsepower flat-six engine as the Monza GT concept. While the Monza received generally positive reviews for its handling, its reputation was tarnished by the Corvair’s well-publicized safety issues.
In 1971, General Motors introduced the Chevrolet Vega, a subcompact that was offered in both coupe and hatchback configurations. The Vega was also available with a mid-engine option, which was powered by a 1.6-liter inline-four engine. The Vega’s mid-engine configuration was intended to improve handling and fuel efficiency but proved to be problematic in practice. The engine was difficult to access for maintenance, and the car’s handling was compromised by a lack of rigidity in the chassis.
### The Golden Age of Mid-Engine American Sports Cars: Delorean, Pontiac, and Allante
The 1980s and 1990s witnessed a surge in the popularity of mid-engine American sports cars. In 1981, the De Lorean DMC-12 was released to much fanfare. The DMC-12 was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and featured a stainless steel body, gullwing doors, and a mid-mounted Peugeot-Renault V6 engine. The car was initially marketed as a futuristic sports car but failed to meet sales expectations and is now remembered more for its appearance in the Back to the Future film trilogy.
In 1984, Pontiac introduced the Fiero, a two-seater sports car that was available in both coupe and convertible configurations. The Fiero was powered by a variety of engines, including a 2.5-liter inline-four and a 2.8-liter V6. The Fiero was well-received for its handling and affordability but suffered from quality issues that hampered its sales.
In 1986, Cadillac debuted the Allante, a luxury convertible that was co-developed with Italian design firm Pininfarina. The Allante featured a mid-mounted 4.1-liter V8 engine and was praised for its sleek styling and advanced technology. However, the Allante was also expensive and suffered from reliability issues, which limited its sales.
### The Modern Era: Ford GT, Corvette, and Acura NSX
In recent years, mid-engine American cars have undergone a resurgence. In 2004, Ford introduced the second-generation GT, a supercar that was inspired by the original GT40. The GT was powered by a 5.4-liter supercharged V8 engine and featured a carbon fiber body. The GT was a critical and commercial success and helped to revive Ford’s performance image.
In 2019, Chevrolet introduced the eighth-generation Corvette, which marked a significant departure from the previous front-engine layout. The C8 Corvette featured a mid-mounted 6.2-liter V8 engine and was praised for its handling and performance. The C8 Corvette has been a commercial success and has helped to renew interest in the Chevrolet brand.
In 2016, Honda introduced the second-generation Acura NSX, a hybrid sports car that featured a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine and a three-motor hybrid system. The NSX was praised for its performance and technology but failed to match the sales success of the original NSX.
### Other Notable Mid-Engine American Cars
In addition to the mass-produced mid-engine American cars listed above, there have also been a number of notable mid-engine prototypes and limited production models. These cars include:
* **Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe (1964)**: This iconic race car was based on the AC Cobra but featured a unique mid-engine layout and a streamlined fiberglass body.
* **AMC AMX GT (1966)**: This two-seater sports car was based on the AMC Javelin but featured a mid-mounted 390 cubic inch V8 engine.
* **Ford GT90 Concept (1995)**: This futuristic concept car was powered by a quad-turbocharged V12 engine and featured a sleek and aerodynamic design.
* **General Motors
