Rob Dahm’s Journey: Transforming a C8 Corvette with a Quad-Rotor Engine

Super Street: Four years ago, during an annual pilgrimage to the SEMA show in Las Vegas, a widebody RX-7 caught attention in the Garrett Turbo booth. Although incomplete, it showcased extraordinary potential with custom fabrication and a four-rotor engine powered by an all-wheel-drive setup, leaving onlookers in awe. A Facebook Live streamed at that time attracted significant engagement, revealing how much interest there was in such unique builds. Over the years, skeptics doubted its completion, but by 2020, the car was finished—albeit without doors and a front end—and was seen performing impressive burnouts. The question now is, what does a skilled builder do after crafting a hand-built, rotary-powered machine? The next logical step: a quad-rotor C8 Corvette.

Rob Dahm, a well-known builder and YouTube personality, embodies a passion for rotary engines. His expertise is evident in his billet 4-rotor RX-7 with all-wheel drive and a two-rotor C5 Corvette. While some enthusiasts may consider installing a compact Mazda engine into a Corvette, traditionally equipped with a throaty V-8, to be sacrilege, there is a storied history between the Corvette and the Wankel rotary engine. This new C8 Corvette build will directly draw inspiration from that legacy.

Back in the 1960s, the emergence of the Ford GT40 prompted General Motors to develop several mid-engine Corvette concepts featuring various engine types. One notable prototype, the XP-895 Aerovette, showcased a rotary engine that GM had been refining internally. The modular nature of the Wankel engine design allowed for a simple transformation from a 2-rotor to a 4-rotor configuration, producing over 400 horsepower while sporting a distinctive 1970s aesthetic.

Embracing the Mid-Engine Legacy

The oil crisis of 1973 ultimately halted GM’s rotary project and stopped the Aerovette from evolving into a production Corvette. Nevertheless, the desire for a mid-engine Corvette has persisted for decades. Rob Dahm, as a rotary enthusiast and a builder of an already converted rotary Corvette, is uniquely positioned to realize the streetable interpretation of the Aerovette dream.

In an insightful video, Rob Dahm discusses the details surrounding the 4-rotor engine that will lead this transformative project. While he awaits the arrival of the C8 Corvette at his workshop to begin the extensive conversion process—removing the existing V-8 engine—his enthusiasm and passion for rotor engines shine. This anticipation builds as fans await progress updates on this fascinating build.