1967 Corvette Convertible
Discussion
I vote for this:
The Grand Sport, a purpose built race car. The Grand Sport project began in 1962 with Duntov's engineers fashioning a special lightweight Corvette, atremendously powerful factory built racer, based on a tubular steel, ladder-type frame. Using various aluminum components, a special hand made fiberglass body with super thin panels, and magnesium Halibrand knock-off wheels also saved weight. Brakes were large 11.75 inch disks at all four wheels. Initial plans called for a 377ci small-block engine with four Weber carburetors for the Grand Sport dynoed at 550 bhp at 6400rpm and was designed to blow the hoods off Shelby's Cobras. And if the Ferraris and Fort GT 40's were also left in the dust, so much the better.
But neither became a reality. The first Grand Sport was fitted with and aluminum 327 fuelie while awaiting the 377 V-8 still in development. Before the 377 could be finished, GM announced a racing ban, instructing all divisions in January 1963 to cease racing projects immediately. Only five of the 125 planned Grand Sports were produced before that order came down. All five underwent various mechanical and exterior modifications, taking on a varied succession of scoops, flares and engines. Both small and big blocks were used over the years and two of the GS coupes were later converted into roadsters for competition at Daytona in February 1964. After a second racing ban (Corvette engineering was clearly still supporting the five Grand Sports) the five Grand Sports were sold off, and like the SS and the SR2's before them, all five Grand Sports are today in collectors hands.
>> Edited by The Wiz on Thursday 1st April 10:02
>> Edited by The Wiz on Thursday 1st April 11:09
The Grand Sport, a purpose built race car. The Grand Sport project began in 1962 with Duntov's engineers fashioning a special lightweight Corvette, atremendously powerful factory built racer, based on a tubular steel, ladder-type frame. Using various aluminum components, a special hand made fiberglass body with super thin panels, and magnesium Halibrand knock-off wheels also saved weight. Brakes were large 11.75 inch disks at all four wheels. Initial plans called for a 377ci small-block engine with four Weber carburetors for the Grand Sport dynoed at 550 bhp at 6400rpm and was designed to blow the hoods off Shelby's Cobras. And if the Ferraris and Fort GT 40's were also left in the dust, so much the better.
But neither became a reality. The first Grand Sport was fitted with and aluminum 327 fuelie while awaiting the 377 V-8 still in development. Before the 377 could be finished, GM announced a racing ban, instructing all divisions in January 1963 to cease racing projects immediately. Only five of the 125 planned Grand Sports were produced before that order came down. All five underwent various mechanical and exterior modifications, taking on a varied succession of scoops, flares and engines. Both small and big blocks were used over the years and two of the GS coupes were later converted into roadsters for competition at Daytona in February 1964. After a second racing ban (Corvette engineering was clearly still supporting the five Grand Sports) the five Grand Sports were sold off, and like the SS and the SR2's before them, all five Grand Sports are today in collectors hands.
>> Edited by The Wiz on Thursday 1st April 10:02
>> Edited by The Wiz on Thursday 1st April 11:09
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