Tuesday 24th May 2011

Endora SC-1: The German Coachbuilt Corvette

Yes, you read that headline right...

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It might look like a cross between a Honda NSX and a flying car from a 1950s sci-fi movie, but this is actually a coachbuilt bespoke Corvette.

Or at least, it will be, when fledgling German coachbuilder Endora cars actually creates it. It's called the SC-1 and it is intended to blend the best aspects of coachbuilt custom conversions of the 50s, 60s, and early 70s (think two-tone bodywork, rear wheel spats) with the more modern touches the 21st century consumer expects of a sports car (think LED tail lamps, a rear-diffuser and modern high-intensity headlamps.

Beneath the glam bodywork, however, lies the simple heart of a Chevrolet Corvette, so you'll be able to get the SC-1 in various V8 forms: 437hp 6.2-litre LS3, 512hp 7.0-litre LS7 or 647hp supercharged LS9.

All come with a six-speed manual transmission and the base model also gets the option of a six-speed paddle shift auto.

As for prices and launch dates, well, your guess is as good as ours (probably better)...

[JuniorJet]

Bizzare, but also strangely attractive...

There's a good chance I'd have one if it was under £40k (and if I had £40k in loose change- as you do)

[lankybob]

Looks like a cross between and NSX and the newest shape Jag XK from the front. And in that orange one in the photo, the back looks like a Reliant SS1! Ghastly car IMO.

[TheEnd]

It's like Chop Shop, but with Photoshop.

which I guess makes it Shop Shop.

[oilit]

looks mustang on the back light panel - the front isnt too offensive - which is more than can be said for the rear arch & quarter treatment - which looks horrific IMHO.

[TommyBuoy]

I'm going to go out on a limb here - I like it as a design.

Not sure whether it would work in 'the flesh' as the rear quarter does seem a bit bland; it's different though and I think it works, even if the rear arch reminds me of a Nova.

[Kevin VRs]

Disgusting! A standard Corvette looks much better. Why waste loads of money in turning something good into something bad...

[George H]

Looks really nice from the front, but the back and side are horrific!

[MrTappets]

What a curious mix of bland and cliched. And are those NSX headlamps?

[jazzyjeff]

lankybob said:

Looks like a cross between and NSX and the newest shape Jag XK from the front. And in that orange one in the photo, the back looks like a Reliant SS1!

That would indeed be the case if

- You had ever seen a Reliant SS1
- There was a rear view picture of the orange drawing



Best get down Specsavers asap (hopefully next door to PC World to save you a journey )

[Chapppers]

JJ... He's kinda right though (just the rear quarter):

[LuS1fer]

Reminds nme of a cross between a Fiat Coupe and some 60's Oldsmobile Toronado/ Buick Riviera. A very unpleasant desgn that looks like a reject from a 60's Thunderbirds set.

[Kawasicki]

me like, especially partially faired in rear wheels.

/cluelesson/Does it still have the beam axle and leaf spring rear axle?/cluelessoff/

[LuS1fer]

Kawasicki said:

me like, especially partially faired in rear wheels.

/cluelesson/Does it still have the beam axle and leaf spring rear axle?/cluelessoff/

No rigid axle since 1963:

All six generations of the Corvette have used leaf springs in some capacity. The basic arrangement for each generation is listed as follows:

C1 (1953–1962):
Front: Independent unequal-length double wishbones with coil springs.
Rear: Rigid axle supported by leaf springs and longitudinal control links.[1]
C2 (1963–1967), C3 (1968–1982):
Front: Independent unequal-length double wishbones with coil springs.
Rear: Independent suspension with trailing and lateral links supported by a centrally mounted leaf spring.[2]
C4 (1984–1996):
Front: Independent unequal-length double wishbones with transverse fibreglass mono-leaf spring mounted to allow for anti-roll effect.
Rear: Independent suspension with trailing and lateral links supported by a centrally mounted fibreglass mono-leaf spring.
C5 (1997–2004), C6 (2005–):
Front: Independent unequal-length double wishbones with transverse fibreglass mono-leaf spring mounted to allow for anti-roll effect.
Rear: Independent unequal length double wishbones with transverse fibreglass mono-leaf spring mounted to allow for anti-roll effect.

[leghorn]

Looks like a Hot Wheels car - would have loved it when I was 5.
But not now

[Johnboy Mac]

It's odd, different for sure - which maybe exactly what potential customes want. I presume it will be silly money but better build than the base car. If ever a car needs to be seen in the flesh this one does. Good luck to Endora.

[toys]

Nothing wrong with the outside of a Corvette. What they need to 'coachbuild' is a whole new interior...

[minipower]

They should maybe just leave it to the Yanks!

[edinph]

Am I alone in remembering Endora as the mother in Bewitched?

[soxboy]

1/10, 1 fro the engine.

Looks like it was designed by 4 different people who never actually met.

[TUS 373]

Kevin VRs said:

Disgusting! A standard Corvette looks much better. Why waste loads of money in turning something good into something bad...

My thoughts entirely. Sometimes, it is best to just leave alone.