Few vehicles stir more emotion in the hearts of racing enthusiasts than the 1963 Corvette Grand Sport. These legendary lightweight racers were built under the direction of Zora Arkus-Duntov, the father of the Corvette. When General Motors heard that the planned 125 units would be made available to privateers, they scrapped the program...but not before five race cars were completed. Although they were ordered to be destroyed, all five went on to race and all five survive to this day. Their mystique and value have grown greatly over the years, pushing them out of reach of the average enthusiast.
Renowned continuation and replica builder, Superformance LLC, has just brought the legendary Corvette Grand Sport back within reach. Thanks to their partnership with Duntov Motor Company and licensing from GM, Superformance has accurately replicated the Grand Sport in a way that can properly represent the brand – a proper continuation series that honors the historical significance of Chevrolet and the Corvette Grand Sport legacy. The Grand Sport will make its public debut at the 2010 SEMA Show in Las Vegas on November 22nd.
Superformance and Duntov Motor Company have painstakingly reproduced the chassis, body parts and all accessories needed to replicate this extraordinary car. Both street and race versions of the 1963 Corvette Grand Sport are available, with the support of EMI, licensing from General Motors and drive train expertise from General Motors Performance Parts assuring their authenticity and heritage. The Superformance Corvette Grand Sport coupe or roadster is now available as a complete TKM [turn key minus] vehicle, awaiting the customer's choice of engine and transmission.
While the 1963 Corvette Grand Sport originally raced with several exotic engines (ranging from a “stock” 360-horsepower, fuel-injected 327 CID to the legendary 550-hp, all-aluminum, 377 cubic inch, small block with four Weber sidedraft carburetors), today's Grand Sport is much more practical, dependable and drivable.
Through their General Motors Performance Parts partnership a variety of GM crate engine options from small to big blocks are available for your Superformance Corvette Grand Sport. Superformance, HI Tech and GM are working very closely to assure factory-like fit of GM's LSA engine with 6 speed transmission. GM's tireless efforts in this regard are spearheaded by Dr. Jamie Meyer, Head of Product Integration, Steve Felix, Mike Copeland and Cliff Cohen.
The GM licensed Superformance Corvette Grand Sport coupe and roadster TKM are available, place your order by contacting
info@Superformance.com or your
Superformance dealer.
HISTORY
In late 1962 rumors began to circulate that a Corvette was being developed that would help GM end Ford's and Shelby's dominance on the world's racing circuits. Bowtie fans and racers were ecstatic. With the blessing of Chevrolet’s® senior management, Zora Arkus-Duntov initiated a program to create a competitive road racer based on the newly designed Corvette® C-2 Stingray™.
The plan was to build 125 ultra-light Corvettes with high horsepower and superior handling to surprise the international road racing community. They would be called the Grand Sport. By building 125 cars, the Grand Sport would qualify as a GT production car under international racing rules. Sadly, the General Motors front office stopped the program well before the full 125 units had been built. When the cease and desist order came down from the ivory tower, just five Grand Sports had been completed.
During their short life span, the Grand Sports ran at tracks like Sebring, Watkins Glen, Daytona, Nassau, Road America and Mosport. Some of the Grand Sports' most notable drivers were Roger Penske, A.J. Foyt, Jim Hall, Dick Thompson, John Cannon, Don Yenko and Delmo Johnson.
Remarkably, all five of the original Grand Sports have survived to this day. The mystique surrounding them has made the Grand Sports one of the most sought-after vehicles in history. It is difficult to access their value, because they rarely if ever come up for sale, but it is believed they are insured for more than $5,000,000 each.
TODAY
While hopes of purchasing an original are highly unlikely for most people, the opportunity to share in the Corvette Grand Sport experience is finally within reach. Superformance has received countless inquiries requesting they build a 1963 Corvette Grand Sport. Now, in partnership with Duntov Motor Company, Superformance has the ability to accurately build the Grand Sport in a way that can properly represent the brand – a proper continuation series that honors the historical significance of Chevrolet and the Corvette Grand Sport legacy.
Superformance and Duntov Motor Company have painstakingly reproduced the chassis, body parts and all accessories needed to replicate this extraordinary car. Both street and race versions of the 1963 Corvette Grand Sport are available, with the support of EMI, General Motors and General Motors Performance Parts assuring their authenticity and heritage. The Superformance Corvette Grand Sport coupe or roadster is now available as a complete TKM [turn key minus] vehicle, awaiting the customer's choice of engine and transmission.
ABOUT SUPERFORMANCE
• Superformance LLC is the largest 1960’s continuation Car distributor in the world today.
• Superformance LLC in partnership with Hi-Tech Automotive RSA has over 20 years in the continuation car business producing over 4000 Complete Component Chassis to date.
• Superformance Complete Component Chassis are manufactured in a 600,000 square foot state of the art facility that employs over 600 highly skilled craftsman.
• Superformance Complete Component Chassis sales are supported by over 20 independent dealerships in North America, Europe and Australia.
• Superformance has more registered vehicles and satisfied customers on the road today than any other Complete Component car manufacture.
• Superformance has been granted licensing & endorsements by several trademark holders.
• Shelby Cobra®, Shelby Daytona Coupe®, and CS-GT40® are all under license with Carroll Shelby Licensing Inc.
• GT40® is an “authorized continuation” and is under license with Safir GT40 Spares LLC.
• Corvette Grand Sport, in partnership with Duntov Motor Company; licensed by General Motors.