Superformance and GM unveil their 1963 Corvette Grand Sport

[BT SNAKE]

I've poked a little fun at Superformance's Vette But
I really think they do have a great product. The only thing I see kinda odd is their marketing strategy. They have ads here but none on the Corvette forum. To me that's like selling cigarettes in a cancer ward. My ads would be all over that Vette forum.
Maybe I'm wrong but I believe the majority on this forum are here because of the Cobra mystique. Yes, mine is Chevy powered but it's the shape I like. The Cobra shape is a contemporary classic and I'm not sure the Grand Sport is.

Hersh

[Randall Thomas]

With all the interest in the new Superformance Grand Sport regarding some of the authenticity features, I was able to call Lance Stander, CEO of Superformance USA and ask him specifically about two of those while he is still on the floor at SEMA.

Lance tells me that some customers may prefer the "cleaner" look of the SEMA car. As you know, some look at the Grand Sport as being "ugly" or "gaudy". So these few little deleted features may be just what those people would like. However, for the purist and the historic enthusiast, there will be options to include BOTH the rear wheel fender vents as well as the holes in the rear valance just like the originals. And it may not stop just there.

As you know, not all the Grand Sports were absolutely identical as the year progressed each were changed slightly by their owners in their own ways. It appears Superformance may offer to replicate those individual changes as well as add more authenticity to the engine compartment for those choosing to use more period correct power plants. I think their goal is to offer as a feature, a truly spot-on mirror image of the original as well as a more street and comfort friendly Grand Sport. Superformance has done exactly that with the GT40 and is still creating new options even today for that line.

Like it was said, this was prepared in the typical SEMA rush time frame like so many others do as well. I've been told there is a lot more is to come from Superformance and the 1963 Corevette Grand Sport in the very near future as full production is enganged and cars start rolling through their huge 270,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Port Elizabeth.

I thought I heard posters in this thread might get a discount... not sure tho. I think I'll try it out myself and see 8-)


Randall

[Randall Thomas]

Here are two new videos capturing the excitment at SEMA surrounding Superformance;

Grandsport Debut... (starts a 4:25)
http://www.youtube.com/user/GMPerfor.../2/FrvrQVctnJk

Interview with Lance Stander and focus on the Grand Sport...
http://www.youtube.com/user/GMPerfor.../5/PRPQ1rxCCfw


Randall

[redd]

ugly exhaust it needs 4" side pipes.

[Don]

SEMA & Superformance Press Releases:

GMPP AND SUPERFORMANCE TEAM UP FOR A CORVETTE MASTERPIECE

Built for nothing more than pure speed, the 1963 Corvette Grand Sport announced to the world that Chevrolet was ready to take on all comers. Under the direction of Zora Arkus-Duntov, Chevrolet engineers built a lightweight racecar, served up 500+ horsepower small blocks, and sent the competition back to the drawing board. Unfortunately, only five of them were ever built.

At SEMA this year, we were stoked to bring the spirit of this Corvette classic to a wider audience with the E-ROD Corvette Grand Sport. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Chevrolet, Duntov Motor Company, and Superformance LLC, the E-ROD Corvette Grand Sport is a stunning true-to-form replica of the vaunted '63 Grand Sport.

Owning an original Grand Sport is not an option for most of us. With this painstakingly re-created Corvette Grand Sport, that original experience is finally within reach. The Superformance E-ROD Corvette Grand Sport coupe or roadster is now available as a complete TKM (turn key minus) vehicle, awaiting your choice of engine and transmission. Our build team chose the top dog — the 556 hp/551 lb-ft. E-ROD LSA.


http://www.superformance.com/News_Vi...x?Articleid=90

[ERA Chas]

The hype and marketing BS accompanying this new car are in full swing. The more clear-eyed among us here have already picked it's bones clean. It's SPF's vision of what a street GS should look like-but there was no such thing. (There WERE street Cobras).
I've the greatest respect for the original five-but not this Shelby-like hoopla car. With a 271,000 sq. ft. SA assembly location and the minuscule labor costs there, even the proprietary foundry castings and tooling should allow a roller cost of $65K.
For $90 to 100K, a '64-'66 coupe with coilover, heim-jointed, bronze bushed suspension and rigid chassis, powered by an aluminum 540 BBC making 700HP can be built. Right here. Which would bury this SPF in all performance categories and look much less obnoxious. Even have a 'trunk' for Nancys who require such equipment.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

For $90 to 100K, a '64-'66 coupe with coilover, heim-jointed, bronze bushed suspension and rigid chassis, powered by an aluminum 540 BBC making 700HP can be built. Right here. Which would bury this SPF in all performance categories and look much less obnoxious. Even have a 'trunk' for Nancys who require such equipment.

Yes, but it's not a licensed GS from GM.

Man, Chas, take it easy on the car. It's a new entry in the replica market and let's see if it finds a niche. As I mentioned before, I would rather start with a brand new canvas rather than some old POS mid-year that needs everything to be new or rebuilt.

BTW, '62 was the last year for trunks in Vettes. The mid-years ('63-'67) did not have a trunk.

[ronwin]

Era.Chas wrote: With a 271,000 sq. ft. SA assembly location and the [u]minusculelabor costs there, even the proprietary foundry castings and tooling should allow a roller cost of $65K.

Miniscule labor cost?: At the last count, labor cost in even a relatively small auto plant like HiTech Automotive runs to R135 and hour: at the current exchange rate of R6 to US$, that translates to $22,50 an hour. Miniscule?