Vehicle Description
When Zora Arkus-Duntov sets his mind on something, the entire
automotive world sits back in wonderment. That's exactly what
happened when he took his vaunted C2 Sting Ray and developed it
into a racing version called the Grand Sport. GM grounded the
project before it could ever get off the ground, but it wasn't
before they granted 20 specific VINs, designs, and molds for these
purpose-built race cars. Only six were built in the '60s before GM
brought the final axe down on the project, and although they were
barely raced, they absolutely embarrassed any Shelby creation
whenever they did make a rare appearance at the track. The legend
of the mighty Grand Sports (and what could've been had they ever
been homologated for production) grew in the racing community, and
eventually the exclusive rights to the remaining 14 cars were
purchased by ex-GM engineer and race-driver, Alan Sevadjian.
Sevadjian's outfit, Duntov Motor Company, has been building
Corvette Race Cars since the '80s, and because they owned the
rights, they also built the authentic 'continuation' Grand Sports.
This gorgeous 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport is #18.
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Yes, you read that right. This is one of the original VIN Grand
Sports, that uses the same design and mold that Zora picked out for
his original race cars. Had he ever been given the chance, this car
would've been built in 1963 and collecting Cobra pink slips at
every race track in America from then on. Instead, it was built
decades later using one of the remaining 14 VINs, along with the
original designs and molds, but in the spirit of Corvette racing,
Sevadjian filled it with the top performance parts of our day,
rather than completely recreating the original race cars. That
means this vehicle is about as close to one of the original six
Grand Sports as you can get, particularly on the exterior.
Sherwin-Williams Dimension Guardsman Blue on White is the paint
scheme, identical to that of '63, and even though the car is
street-legal, it's never been raced and therefore still in
excellent shape. No longer perfect, as it has logged 1220 miles
since it was built, but nevertheless the finish is still incredibly
shiny and the body is laser straight. Following the original specs
means deleted bumpers, exposed headlight covers with clear lenses,
an aggressive louvered hood, sculpted air vents on the beefy rear
end, and of course, chrome side-pipes at the flanks. It's a work of
art, executed to a top-end level that would even make Mr. Duntov
proud.
Inside it's strictly business, fairly spartan but purpose built to
go FAST. Contoured, low-back racing buckets feature Simpson 5-point
racing harnesses, plush blue carpets line the floors and are
protected with matching floor mats, while simple door panels at the
flanks argue for function over form. The dashboard was reworked and
painted blue to match, and is highlighted by a gloss-black bezel
mounted ahead of the driver that's been filled with an array of
gauges that work to keep a close eye on the organized violence
under the hood. An OMP racing steering wheel was mounted atop a
tilt column and is ready for white-knuckle abuse, and it's a
perfect complement to the cue-ball topped Hurst shifter that's only
a short reach away. Despite the Grand Sports racing pedigree, it
isn't completely bereft of creature comforts, as it comes equipped
with aluminum racing pedals, a full Vintage Air A/C system, and
even a stereo system managed by the vertically installed,
retro-style AM/FM/AUX head unit in the center stack. And believe it
or not, there's even enough trunk space for a couple trophies and a
travel bag.
Although the looks are pure 1963 Grand Sport, what moves it is much
more modern, and therefore much more powerful. The original race
cars used 377 cubic inch small blocks and the top GM fuel-injection
of the day, whereas #18 is powered by a GM E-Rod 6.2L LS3 V8 that
mirrors the same displacement, but is aided by modern
fuel-injection and electronics. Power is rated at 430HP, and the
car is geared to go 174MPH at 5000RPM, with a redline of 5900RPM.
And when you're hammering it down and feel the incredible light
weight of 2550 lbs, then you'll quickly understand why everyone is
so obsessed with power-to-weight ratios. The lively LS3 mates to a
Tremec TKO600 5-speed manual that's kept in line with a
transmission cooler, and it plants itself to the road with the
added help of modern power steering and Wilwood 4-wheel disc
brakes. Number 18 is nearly identical to the original six Grand
Sports with a heavy-duty, steel frame composed of 5-inch
longitudinal tubing, although modern suspension components
throughout help stiffen the body and plant it to the ground. A
giant aluminum radiator with a big auxiliary fan keeps this
Corvette nice and cool, and the soundtrack is downright erotic
thanks to those thumping side-pipes at the flanks. Finishing the
timeless look is a set of 15-inch gold-and-chrome alloys equipped
with knock-off spinners and safety cables, and they come wrapped in
staggered 225/60/15 front and 245/60/15 rear BFGoodrich T/A
radials.
Flat-out, this is one of the most pedigreed, exclusive American
motoring icons we've ever featured here at Streetside Classics.
Even the replica versions of these race cars are extremely valuable
and popular today, imagine what happens when you pull up in a
real-deal, 1 of 20 original Grand Sport? Built by the only
professionals that have the right to make them, and to such a
top-notch standard that our race-loving forefathers would be
jealous. Be a part of history and call today!