Vehicle Description
1979 Corvette Speed Racer Mach 5
The large red M on the hood of the Mach 5, as well as on Go's
helmet, is the emblem of Mifune Motors, the family business, and an
homage to Japanese film star Toshiro Mifune. In North America it
was assumed to stand for Mach 5 and in the Latin American version
for Meteoro. Speed's full name was Go Mifune, in homage to Japanese
film star Toshiro Mifune. His name, Americanized, became Speed
Racer. His adventures centered on his powerful Mach 5 car, his
girlfriend Trixie, his little brother Spritle, Spritle's pet
chimpanzee Chim-Chim, and his mysterious older brother, Racer X,
whose real name was Rex Racer.
What does one do when they have a bunch of extra fiberglass laying
around and plenty of time on their hands? Well, they take a 1979
Corvette chassis, and some of the original body panels and they
create the iconic Mach 5 driven by none other than Speed Racer.
This fab fabrication presents as one of a kind, and we hear at
Classic Auto Mall can most assuredly guarantee you'll be the ONLY
one on your block to have one!
Exterior
Gone are the hidden headlights of the original 1979 version, now
replaced with a trio of sculpted pods, (pontoon like), that come to
create 3 nicely rounded points, the outer two housing stainless
covered pointed to the ground aero coverings. In the center is the
original Corvette hood, but now the 3rd centered "pontoon" reaches
out to meet the two flanking fenders if you will. Rectangular
headlights are squeezed in between the outer can central pontoon
and are no longer hidden. A red M is painted on the hood which is
stylized to fit onto the pontoon in the center. The back of the
front fenders appear much like the original 79 versions and the
doors and rockers are believed to be pretty much original '79
design as well. The back of the car is also an artistic expression
on steroids with the driver's cowl bump up, and more pods for the
rear of this racer. The taillights appear suspiciously as 1963
Caddy tail lights, and the rear roll pan has been modified for a
more aero look. Red Speed Racer badging and a stainless-steel round
gas filler covering is seen on the trunk lid. 15-inch polished
drilled wheels are on all 4 corners and are wrapped by raised white
lettered BFG tires. Noted on the doors a round circle in red with
the number 5 in the center in yellow. This denoted the Mach 5 and
also pays homage to the Japanese flag.
Interior
Deep red vinyl covers the interior, and the high back buckets are
dressed similarly to the Michelin man with their puffy bolsters,
lumbar supports integrated headrests. Door panels are also in red
sporting vinyl uppers and red carpet lowers and compliment the
buckets. These show slight wear on the plastic surrounding the door
levers. A matching padded red vinyl topper for the dash with a
black insert front, houses the gauge clusters. On the center climb
from the console we note the radio is missing. A center console,
flanked by the bucket seats, is in nicely molded black plastic, and
houses the shifter and temp sliders. Clean deep red carpeting is
seen on the floors and cargo space uses black carpeting, and all
shows in good condition.
Drivetrain
Under what is now a pinned hood, is a beauty of an engine in 350ci
L48 V8 form. It is highly polished on the top end and has an
aftermarket open hole chromed air cleaner covering. A shiny
Edelbrock intake manifold and carburetor of 4-barrel designation
are noted on top. On the back is a TH350 3-speed automatic
transmission. The rear axle is 3.55 ratio. Underneath all the
polished machined top end is an orange/red painted GM block and all
bolt ons are like new with no corrosion, supple rubber hoses and
wiring in yellow.
Undercarriage
Save for the elongated body pontoons its standard '79 Vette fare
underneath. Slight spotty surface rust, and solid steel framing. C3
Corvette suspension is on along with power disc brakes on all 4
corners as is power steering. Dual exhaust snake rearward, however,
the driver's side is missing a muffler of Cherrybomb
designation.
Drive-Ability
Suit up Chim Chim we are going on an adventure! Off to the test
track where it performed like a ...1979 Corvette! Smooth
acceleration and shifting, and bias free panic stopping.
Certainly one of a kind making extensive use of creative license
and morphing a 1979 Vette into the Mach 5 of Japanese Anime
groundbreaking cartoon fame, now reality, and could be in your
driveway. Go Speed Racer...GO!
VIN DECODE
1Z8789S416413
1-Chevrolet
Z-Corvette
87-Coupe
8-350ci V8 4bbl L48 195hp
9-1979
S-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant
416413-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
