Thursday 12th November 2009

Superformance Reveals New Chevy Grand Sport

Rare 1963 racer gets new lease of life

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2010 Superformance Grand Sport...

American car builder/tuner Superformance is introducing a road-legal replica of the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport. Thanks to a licensing deal the company struck with GM earlier this year, the car will be made using the original Grand Sport's moulds, but with some thoroughly modern mechanicals.

Superformance is better known for its GT40 and Cobra 'replicars' but, considering its history, the Grand Sport seems an appropriate addition to the range.

The original 1963 Grand Sport was the secret pet project of the chief Corvette engineer at the time, Zora Arkus-Duntov, who was anxious to produce a competent answer to Ford's success with the Shelby Cobra. GM bosses soon cottoned on to the unofficial project, and canned the whole thing after just five Grand Sports had been completed.

... original 1963 Corvette Grand Sport

One of the originals (chassis #002) recently went up for auction in the US, but failed to reach its reserve after bidding 'dried up' at $5 million USD(!). It is thought that all five Grand Sport's still survive today, whilst Duntov (who died in 1996) lives on in spirit in the Duntov Motor Company, Superformance's partners in the new Grand Sport project.

Capitalising on the renewed interest in this incredible rarity, Superformance has already produced a racing version of the Grand Sport that has apparently had some success in the US racing scene.

A road version of the Grand Sport will soon be available in roadster or coupe form, with an engine bay designed to accept 'almost any' of the current line-up of GM 'crate' engines. Even if 'replicars' aren't your thing, with GM's licensing, blessing and even original blueprints this one is rather special, and each car will be custom-built at Superformance's Southern-Californian plant. The new Grand Sport should hit the road in the US in mid-2010, but the order books are already open.

Below you can see a montage video of the original Grand Sport that was made for that unsuccessful auction in January, as well as Superformance's own promo video for its new replica (sadly lacking in moving shots!).

Superformance Grand Sport:

Original '63 Corvette Grand Sport:

 

 

[BoRED S2upid]

Can't say im familiar with such a beast but the more different cars on the road the better in my book, new cars all look the same this should be encouraged.

[RJDM3]

Hate to be the picky one, but superformance dont make any cars, superformance is just the brand name they are sold under. Superformance is a californian company the retails and distributes the cars. The cars are manufactured by HiTech in south africa, the same guys that built the nobles of years past

[jgt1972]

Looks more like a boat.

[evile]

Actually, all of Hi-Tech's "vintage" component cars are sold under the Superformance banner in the US. They have dealers from coast to coast. Also, Hi-Tech builds the chassis' for Rossion Automotive. The Rossion Q1 is based on the Noble M400.

[chevy-stu]

Lovin it....

[vetteheadracer]

All five of the original Grand Sports do still exist and infact all 5 were at Amelia Island Concours a few years ago. One of the 5 that belongs to the Collier Collection in Florida was at Goodwood FoS in 2003.
Another interesting fact about the Grand Sports is they were all built to 7/8ths scale of the original road cars!

There are a number of replica cars out there one of which was at the Corvette Nationals this year:



P.S. I want one!

[DJC]

Er, they have competed at the Revival havent they? Because Im sure Ive watched Pirro blow the bloody field away in one!

[minipower]

Fantastic machine. I would certainly buy one of these if my numbers came up.

[LCR270]

chevy-stu said:

Lovin it....

+ 1


STINGRAYESQUE

[SimonSaid]

RJDM3 said:

Hate to be the picky one, but superformance dont make any cars, superformance is just the brand name they are sold under. Superformance is a californian company the retails and distributes the cars. The cars are manufactured by HiTech in south africa, the same guys that built the nobles of years past

Hi Robert

Its not entirely clear on the press release - I've pasted some of it here, see what I mean:

Superformance Press Release said:

Glories of yesteryear were conceived when General Motors licensed a Californian specialist sports car partnership in early 2009 to resume production of the iconic 1963 Corvette Grand Sport, arguably GM's most prestigious track racer ever.

Duntov/Superformance LLC lost no time in turning opportunity into reality, and Duntov immediately began production of the race version of the Grand Sport, which has already raced and won a number of events this year.

Now the street version of this popular 1960's muscle car will follow with the series production of a Turn Key Minus chassis by Superformance. The original Grand Sport - intended to be a "Cobra Killer" - were built by General Motors under the watchful eyes of Zora Arkus Duntov, GM's chief engineer at the time.

The value of a continuation model and that of a historic original is encapsulated in its authenticity. Superformance went to great lengths to ensure that the new street version would be as like the original Grand Sport as two peas are in a pod having acquired the original blue prints and molds off the original #2 Grand Sport.

The SPF Grand Sport will be available in a roadster or coupe version and the technical originality is ensured by the legendary discipline and precision that has made Superformance products the leading fully assembled rolling chassis in the world.

Each SPF Grand Sport will be professionally engineered, custom crafted and professionally assembled in the largest and most modern privately owned specialist automotive manufacturing facility in the world.

Not very clear, but sounds like more than just distribution. Hmmm...

[427James]

Dont know why they dont make the hard top. Its a clearly much better looking car. As someone has already stated, the open car looks a bit like a crap boat.

[I WISH]

Might be bloody quick .... and possibly loads of fun ...... but its still bloody ugly .... unlike the original 'stock' corvette on which its based which was really quite cute.

[marcosgt]

Great - My favourite Vette (in hard top Bahamas form anyway).

I've long said when I win the lottery I'll have a Superperformance Daytona Cobra and I actually saw one (first ever!) at the weekend - As awesome looking (and going) as I imagined!

Where's my piggy bank?

M.

[427James]

marcosgt said:

Great - My favourite Vette (in hard top Bahamas form anyway).

I've long said when I win the lottery I'll have a Superperformance Daytona Cobra and I actually saw one (first ever!) at the weekend - As awesome looking (and going) as I imagined!

Where's my piggy bank?

M.

Agreed. I think everyone would prefer the Daytona Cobra.

[bosscerbera]

DJC said:

Er, they have competed at the Revival havent they? Because Im sure Ive watched Pirro blow the bloody field away in one!

The Grand Sport is no ordinary C2.

[EMEZolfe]

beau.............................................................................................................................................................................................tiful

[pSyCoSiS]

Looks like a raw beast !

[DJC]

bosscerbera said:

DJC said:

Er, they have competed at the Revival havent they? Because Im sure Ive watched Pirro blow the bloody field away in one!

The Grand Sport is no ordinary C2.

Ahh sorry Boss. Yank metal from the 60s isnt my area. Feel free to enlighten me...

[nonplussed]

Not overly keen, whereas the Cobra Daytona replica they do - or at leastt did - still makes me go "wibble" when I see it. Definitely my lottery win car as well.

[johnnymaestro]

Could we possibly have that Rear 3/4 View as a Alternate POTW Please .