Superformance Corvette Grand Sport - Impressive

[Tommy]

Thoughts from a guy who owns a Cobra replica and a 1963 Corvette coupe -

I enjoyed the video and appreciated the depth and detail it provided. I would like to have seen it with the hood open.

I'm having a little trouble figuring out what the replica Grand Sports are supposed to be. The original 427 Cobras came in three basic flavors: street, race, and SC. That gives Cobra replica makers and owners lots of ways to capture the spirit of the originals in a car they can enjoy today. The Grand Sports were true race cars with no street amentities. The few Grand Sport replicas that have appeared over the years were generally street cars presented as 1963 Corvettes modified to look like Grand Sports. As they were more like custom street cars than true race cars, it made sense that they have carpet, ignition locks and similar street features.

The car in the video looks like it is intended for street use rather than hard core track use. As such, it is more a replica of a the Corvettes that were modified to look like Grand Sports than it is a replica of a true Grand Sport. I can see where such a car might be appealing to someone who wanted a car that looks like a Grand Sport without destroying a genuine 1963 Corvette coupe. But I can't see why a large production version the car in the video should cost almost $100K any more than the recent BTM version of the Cheetah. Other than the unique body shapes of both cars, they seem little different from the many Cobra replicas that can be purchased for half that cost.

If I had so much money I could afford to buy such a toy, I think I'd enjoy it as long their weren't many others in circulation. But the first time I saw another one at a car show (like I frequently do with Cobra replicas), I'd be regretting the big money I had paid for it.

[rodneym]

Has one hit the streets yet?
I was in line at the DMV for SB100 on Jan 4, 2010, with a guy who was also doing SB100 for the first Grand Sport! Not sure how he was doing it w/o the car, but that's what he and the dealer employee said.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by rodneym

Has one hit the streets yet?

Uh, did you not see my post "none have been delivered, yet"?

The GS is not a "nuts and bolts" replica. Research showed that people want the look but not the race car. Duntov is licensed to build track versions, the street versions will be Superformance.

Upgrades to the interior are obvious in the video....no factory 60's Grand Sports came with air con! Brake upgrades, the rack and pinion steering, power windows, etc. are obvious changes from the 60's cars. These are intended to be high performance sports/GT cars rather than all-out race cars.

And note that the car is licensed by GM to carry the "Corvette" name and logos. It is LEGALLY a "CORVETTE"!

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

And note that the car is licensed by GM to carry the "Corvette" name and logos. It is LEGALLY a "CORVETTE"!

And an SPF GT40 is legally a GT40.

GM is not making the GS Corvette is it? Does GM have a plant in South Africa?

I smell one of those threads about real versus replica.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

And an SPF GT40 is legally a GT40.

GM is not making the GS Corvette is it? Does GM have a plant in South Africa?

I smell one of those threads about real versus replica.

Why yes, GM DOES have several plants in South Africa! They don't build Corvettes 'though. And yes, the "legal" thing IS a marketing thing but then so is a Cobra built in Poland

If it's not a hologram, it is "REAL"....... it just isn't "original"..........................

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

Why yes, GM DOES have several plants in South Africa! They don't build Corvettes 'though. And yes, the "legal" thing IS a marketing thing but then so is a Cobra built in Poland

If it's not a hologram, it is "REAL"....... it just isn't "original"..........................

Actually, Kirkham doesn't refer to its car as a Cobra. The SAAC Registry does. But I digress.

We'll have to ask Evan about "real" versus "original."

[rodneym]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

Uh, did you not see my post "none have been delivered, yet"?........It is LEGALLY a "CORVETTE"!

I tell ya, I get no respect.

Legal? Will ol' Duntov sign the dash?

[NewYorkGuy]

Originally Posted by rodneym

Has one hit the streets yet?
I was in line at the DMV for SB100 on Jan 4, 2010, with a guy who was also doing SB100 for the first Grand Sport! Not sure how he was doing it w/o the car, but that's what he and the dealer employee said.

doesn't take 4 years to redesign a replica car. truthfully, there was ongoing GM lawsuit against superformance and Mongoose.

$100K superformance versus $70K Mongoose roller. Same car except Mongoose is made in USA

all 3 companies, Duntov (they still make street versions), Superformance, Mongoose, are "official GM" vendors.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by NewYorkGuy

doesn't take 4 years to redesign a replica car. truthfully, there was ongoing GM lawsuit against superformance and Mongoose.

$100K superformance versus $70K Mongoose roller. Same car except Mongoose is made in USA

No, it does NOT take 4 years to redesign a replica, it takes as long as it takes to make it right!

Superformance was "truthfully" NOT part of the Mongoose lawsuit. Superformance has been licensed by GM since 2009 and has never been sued by GM.

A prototype/proof of concept was built and shown in 2010. The decision was then to go forward and revise the chassis and interior. That has been an ongoing project at the factory that was not top priority so it has taken longer than you might have expected.

No, the "Mongoose" car is NOT the same as the Superformance. Obviously the exteriors look the same, the are Grand Sport replicas after all.

How long does it take a Leaf to purchase a Cobra, oh, wait, never mind...................

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by NewYorkGuy

doesn't take 4 years to redesign a replica car. truthfully, there was ongoing GM lawsuit against superformance and Mongoose.

$100K superformance versus $70K Mongoose roller. Same car except Mongoose is made in USA

No, it does NOT take 4 years to redesign a replica, it takes as long as it takes to make it right!

Superformance was "truthfully" NOT part of the Mongoose lawsuit. Superformance has been licensed by GM since 2009 and has never been sued by GM.

A prototype/proof of concept was built and shown in 2010. The decision was then to go forward and revise the chassis and interior. That has been an ongoing project at the factory that was not top priority so it has taken longer than you might have expected.

No, the "Mongoose" car is NOT the same as the Superformance. Obviously the exteriors look the same, the are Grand Sport replicas after all.

How long does it take a Leaf to purchase a Cobra, oh, wait, never mind...................

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

No, it does NOT take 4 years to redesign a replica, it takes as long as it takes to make it right!

Superformance was "truthfully" NOT part of the Mongoose lawsuit. Superformance has been licensed by GM since 2009 and has never been sued by GM.

A prototype/proof of concept was built and shown in 2010. The decision was then to go forward and revise the chassis and interior. That has been an ongoing project at the factory that was not top priority so it has taken longer than you might have expected.

No, the "Mongoose" car is NOT the same as the Superformance. Obviously the exteriors look the same, the are Grand Sport replicas after all.

How long does it take a Leaf to purchase a Cobra, oh, wait, never mind...................

We heard you the first time.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

We heard you the first time.

Yeah, OK...dang this computer stuff!