Vehicle Description
SUMMARY
Professional, ground-up build that was completed in early 2016
Awarded Celebrity Choice at Mid America Motorworks' 2016 Corvette
Funfest
Featured in the November/December 2016 edition of ReinCarNation
Magazine
454 cubic inch GM V8 / Tremec TKO600 5-speed manual transmission /
Dana 44 differential / 3.54 rear gears
Vintage Air conditioning
Power rack-and-pinion steering
4-wheel power disc brakes
Custom leather interior / Custom fiberglass body / Custom PPG
Deltron paint
Custom chassis / Fourth-generation Corvette suspension / 18-inch
American Racing Torq Thrust II wheels
Sale includes: Build photos / Drivetrain receipts / A copy of the
car's magazine feature
The popularity of some of America's greatest muscle cars has grown
to the point that components, and even complete replicas, are
produced as entirely new assemblies. Of course, being an astute
enthusiast, you already knew that. I mean, when was the last time
you saw an original Shelby Cobra? The replicar phenomenon gained
even more momentum when Congress passed the Low Volume Motor
Vehicles Manufacturers Act of 2015, prompting, among other things,
a revival of niche manufacturers like Checker Motor Cars. With that
in mind, it seems perfectly logical that this killer Corvette Grand
Sport, a ground-up, custom build, happily prowls the streets as a
2016 Assembled Vehicle. Wrapping hand-laid fiberglass around a GM
454 and 5 gears of Tremec motion, this awesome Vette is cool to
admire AND a blast drive. And if you're looking to own a storied
vintage car without all the drama of owning a half-century-old car,
it's a top candidate for your next classic!
BODYWORK/TRIM
Completed in early 2016 by Bad Ass Replicas of Sandusky, Ohio, this
slick Corvette is the beneficiary of a ground-up, custom build that
conveys an acute sense of quality. In addition to
better-than-factory alignment, the car's body features super
sinuous appeal thanks to a full anointing of first-generation
Corvette Grand Sport character. That character shines through
custom PPG Deltron 2-stage, which accents gloss black base with a
unique combination of tan and orange stripes. And today, this
striking Sting Ray rolls as one of the coolest classics in our
250-car showroom!
What's the point of juicing the profile of an already sculpted
sports car unless you REALLY emphasize the car's unique athletic
demeanor? I mean, we all know that Corvettes with flared fenders
are awesome cars! But therein lies the issue: the hobby already has
tons of awesome classics. So, why not go all out and try something
a bit different? That was probably the main line of thinking behind
this Chevy's familiar aesthetics. At the front of the car, a
deleted bumper makes way for a custom nose-clip, which centers a
billet grille between small parking lamps and Grand Sport-style
headlights. Above that clip, an aggressive hood shades
monochromatic wipers and flush-mount glass. Below that glass,
billet heat extractors lead chrome door handles, small mirrors and
massive side-pipes. And at the back of the car, a billet fuel
filler fronts Grand Sport-style louvers and traditional
taillights.
ENGINE
Believe it or not, "unique athletic demeanor" might be a bit of an
understatement for this Chevy. Tilt the hood and you'll find a
clean, 454 cubic inch big block that was professionally assembled
by Precision Engines of Port Clinton, Ohio. A rich mixture of
oxygen and fuel is supplied by a Holley 750 4-barrel, which floats
between a polished air cleaner and beefy FPS fluid lines. That carb
rides a lightweight Edelbrock intake, which is mated to a Jet Black
block via lightweight, aluminum heads. Those heads hang polished
valve covers between polished Edelbrock breathers and coated block
hugger headers. At the back of those tubes, an MSD Pro-Billet
distributor bounces spark between MSD 6AL ignition, an MSD Blaster
2 coil and Taylor StreeThunder plug wires. In front of those wires,
a Vintage Air Front Runner system spins a Stewart water pump
between a polished Powermaster alternator, a coated AC compressor
and modern power steering. That pump feeds a shrouded Griffin
radiator that's parked in front of a polished electric fan. And all
that first-class hardware is detailed with items like a chrome
dipstick, a polished Holley fuel regulator and a trick Wilwood
master cylinder.
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
We've said it time and time again, and the old adage still proves
true. A pro-tourer simply isn't an authentic pro-tourer unless its
significant power enhancements are augmented by significant chassis
upgrades. That's the only way 100% of the car's performance
potential will ever be realized. Accordingly, this spry coupe's
solid floors and custom chassis frame a fourth-generation Corvette
suspension that's been augmented with a full outfit of QA-1
coil-overs. At the center of that skeleton, a fresh Tremec TKO600
5-speed makes excellent use of a Dana 44 differential, which is
packed with friendly, 3.54 gears. Turns come courtesy of power
rack-and-pinion steering. Smooth and solid stops are provided by
bright red calipers, which clamp four drilled and slotted discs.
Power flows through polished American Racing Torq Thrust IIs, which
spin 235/40ZR18 Michelin Pilot Sports in front of 275/40ZR18
Michelin Pilot Sports. And everything, from this Corvette's braided
fuel lines and Moroso deep-sump oil pan to its Holley fuel pump and
Powermaster PowerMAX Plus starter, is expertly finished, superbly
detailed and ready for action.
INTERIOR
Pop the doors and you'll find a tweaked leather interior that mixes
the best aspects of modern convenience with the best attributes of
vintage style. Front and center, third-generation Corvette buckets
sport plush hides. In front of those seats, a custom, stylized dash
hangs black-trimmed Auto Meter Pro-Comp Ultra-Lite telemetry beside
Vintage Air climate control, direct-fit audio and a convenient
charging port. At the edges of that dash, hard door panels prop
traditional chrome handles in front of power-operated windows and
power-operated door locks. At the bottom of those panels, premium
carpet frames a chrome Corvette shifter. Opposite that rug, a
sturdy roll bar lines a hard headliner, which flows to big JL Audio
speakers. In front of the driver, a Corvette-branded steering wheel
spins a thick wood rim around a tilting Flaming River column. And
behind the passengers, a power-operated trunk hides the car's
battery.
OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION AND ACCESSORIES
Build photos
Drivetrain receipts
A photo from the Mid America Motorworks show
A copy of the car's feature in the November/December 2016 edition
of ReinCarNation Magazine
Two keys complete with fobs
A set of belt retractors
Lust worthy, athletic and ready to rule Main Street, this
impressive Corvette is an excellent combination of classic looks
and incredible performance. Everyone loves top-notch C2s, but some
are A LOT cooler than others. If you've been searching for an
awesome muscle car to enjoy for years to come, you're looking at
your next classic!