The 1959 CERV-1. Photo from wikipedia.org

This week’s top five list features cars that are highly custom, purpose-built or prototypes from the factory. Our top five list ends with one of the most innovative prototype cars that came out of the GM design studio.

The 1959 CERV-1 was the pilot car in the Chevrolet Engineering Research Vehicle (CERV) series of Chevrolet experimental cars. Chevrolet’s famous designer, Zora Arkus-Duntov, started development of the CERV I in 1959. He stayed with the program and began work on it’s successor, the CERV II in 1963.

The CERV I was unveiled to the public at the Riverside International Raceway in November 1960. It’s use as a research tool for the company is legendary. Built at the Chevrolet Engineering Center at Warren, Michigan, it’s primary function was to provide Chevrolet engineers with a test platform from which direct visual studies were made from all types of ride and handling behavior under amplified conditions.

Another fundamental factor in the experimental car’s design is the visibility afforded by the body design. The body enclosed the engine, transaxle and engine cooling system while all four wheels, in contact with the ground, are clearly visible.

Photo from www.hemmings.com

Features of the CERV-1 included an extremely light weight horsepower-to-weight ratio such as that usually associated with high performance race cars. A rear mounted engine with a fully synchronized four-speed transaxle provided the drivetrain. The driver sits well forward on the centerline of the car for virtually optimum visibility, and all four wheels are independently suspended to provide a high order of stability and positive handling. The car is currently on display in Effingham, Illinois at the MY Garage Museum owned by Mike Yager.