Superformance Reveals New Chevy Grand Sport
Rare 1963 racer gets new lease of life
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.
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:
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!
Its not entirely clear on the press release - I've pasted some of it here, see what I mean:
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.
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.
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