11 concept cars that should have made it

Concept cars are staples at major auto shows, but the cars typically look much different if and when they make it to production. In many cases, that's a mistake. Here are 11 times when changing a concept car, or failing to put it into production at all, was a big mistake.

1973 Chevrolet AeroVette Concept

If one thing had changed back in the early 1970s, today's Corvette would be midengine.

In 1969, Zora Arkus-Duntov (the father of the Corvette) built the experimental XP-882, a midengine Corvette concept. Unfortunately, John DeLorean, then Chevrolet's general manager, put the project on hold. To blunt the media impact of Ford's introduction of the midengine Pantera, DeLorean authorized a refurbishment of the XP-882 in 1972. The car emerged as the XP-895, with its transverse V-8 replaced by a four-rotor Wankel engine producing 420 hp.

While GM scrapped its rotary development program in 1973, the idea of a midengine Corvette was well received. Nevertheless, the Corvette remained front-engine/rear-drive for cost reasons. Had the midengine XP concept made production, then Corvette today would be perceived as a more apt competitor to Ferrari and Porsche.