GT350R tribute/clone or 1964 Corvette Grand Sport Replica from Spf

[REAL 1]

Guys: Toying with the idea of doing a track car sometime next year.

I want a car that is streetable but that I can open track and have fun with.

I am thinking of a GT350R clone/replica or a Spf 1964 Grand Sport replica.

Its a toss up in my mind.

I can probably do both cars in the same $$$ ball park. I would do a 289 or 302 in the GT350 and a 350 punch/stroked to a 377 cu in in the Vette with stacks.

Pros and cons with both. I think the GT350R is more popular but the Grand Sport a rarer replica and more unusual. I like unusual . Like the reason I've taken a liking to Patrick.

Anyway what do you guys think????? Pros and cons of each???

[jhv48]

Before you decide, check out the availability of the SPF corvette.

They've been on order from the factory for two years. Haven't seen any on SPF's website that have actually landed on our shores yet.

[Mark IV]

While no SPF Grand Sports have been delivered to date, there are production level cars on the line in South Africa and I would expect some to arrive late third quarter 2013.

Resale on a GT350 clone is easy and of course parts are easy to get. There are a lot of clones racing and that has kept interest and values up so that is a plus. The Grand Sport certainly would be a head turner and you likely won't run into another at the track or a show.

I sorta regret all of the clean 65-66 Mustang 2+2s that have given their lives for clones/race cars/restomods, etc. There are only so many and there will never be more original Mustangs (the repro body shells don't count, they were NEVER a "Ford") so that is a consideration in my eyes.

The GS with the sidedraft Weber manifold looks really cool.....and that is from a die-hard Ford guy!

If you want info on the GS just contact me and I'll forward the option and price sheets.

[jayscobras]

Mustang without question...less expensive and easier resale. If you are just set on a grand sport, talk to Gary at Mongoose Motorsports. They really know their stuff and quality is outstanding.

Jay

[REAL 1]

Thanks guys. Resale is a consideration for sure.

[RodKnock]

When they were announced the SPF Grand Sport was a $90,000 roller. Not sure what the price is today. But, you could build a very nice GT350 clone for 1/2 the investment in an SPF. I've seen gorgeous GT350 clones on the market for around $50,000 or less. Heck, for $100K+, I'd buy a real GT350.

Just my personal opinion, but the Grand Sport is not a good looking Vette. If I were looking into racing a vintage Vette, then I'd buy an existing C2 Vette that has been modified already for racing.

[Rick Parker]

Make one as close to that from the guys at Cobra Automotive. These cars "Haul the Freight"

8000 RPM and ALL the tricks, and they have ALL the parts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5jckqmGH30

[Slither]

Originally Posted by Rick Parker

Make one as close to that from the guys at Cobra Automotive. These cars "Haul the Freight"

8000 RPM and ALL the tricks, and they have ALL the parts.

2011 Road America KIC-1965 Shelby GT350 - YouTube

What a screamin' BEAST!!!

[Clois Harlan]

I would second Jays recommendation on the Grand Sport from Gary at Mongoose. Gary builds an excellent product and is just a super guy to work with. I believe they are located in Cuyahoga, Ohio

[LMH]

Tough choice! Would the GS be a coupe or roadster? Coupe and I'd probably go with a GS. It's more rare and not one of the pack. Just my $.02.
Larry

[347stroker]

I concur with Rick about Cobra Automotive. Great shop, great people and they build winning cars! Tom

[John McMahon]

....you NEED this....

FOR SALE: 1966 MUSTANG ROAD RACER - PRICE: $70K Located in NJ.



- This car was an ex SCCA racer that was built from the ground up over a 2 year period in 2007 by Charlie Libby of NC…
- This car was run in Open Track events at Watkins Glen, Pocono Raceway and VIR (SAAC31 event). Car has a VIN, but no title. Not street legal.
- Motor has approx. 15 hours on it and is professionally maintained after each event by G&S Automotive (vintage race shop) in Oxford, NJ.

Specs:
732hp 358 Roush Cup Motor
Tex Racing 4 speed trans w/ triple disk clutch
9" Cup rear - 4:11 gears and a locker
3 link rear with coilovers front and rear
Wilwood 6 piston brakes
Wilwood pedal and master cyl.
315s and 335s on 17x11 and 17x12 Custom BBS wheels
315s and 335s on 17x11 and 17x12 three piece Jongbloed wheels
Full cage
Ohlins LMJ shocks
Dry sump oil system
Trans and Rear oil coolers
oil tank heater
pre-oiler
Fuel Safe fuel cell
OMP seat
1967 GM Deepwater Blue metalic paint with Ford Wimbledon White stripes.

Complete photo gallery of the build….
http://ppl.ug/wIq4FLT_XPs/

For more information, please contact Rich at: rsa@xemaps.com
Car is located at Jersey Shore.

[John McMahon]

link to build pics in currently inactive...will provide soon.....

[Rick Parker]

That WOULD work!

[REAL 1]

John: you are talking to a guy with 0 track experience. That is a little to much car for a show and shine guy. Thinking of something with a little less power!

[601HP]

If I knew in 1996 what I know now, we'd have bought a 1966 Mustang fastback and built a GT350 clone. My wife agrees. She now says she wishes we'd bought the fastback instead of the 1966 GT convertible we've owned for 16 years. I put a lot of time and money in this car.

Our convertible is a very nice car, but a GT350 with the 'R' code front end is a nasty aggressive looking car.

We both reached our 60th birthday 2 months ago, and I don't have the desire and energy to wrench on another car to bring it to the level we prefer. I'm slowing down, dang it!

David

[twobjshelbys]

How about a real gt350 hertz? PM me...

[John McMahon]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

John: you are talking to a guy with 0 track experience. That is a little to much car for a show and shine guy. Thinking of something with a little less power!

Quite honestly Evan...the car almost drives itself. Probably handles a pert near close to your GT and with the racing trans clutchless shifts at high speeds are a joy. You really don't feel the power unless you put your foot in it.

Clint Boyer from NASCAR was all over it at Watkins Glen when they were testing for the road race there, I think in his rookie year? He loved it, as did most folks at SAAC31, where it got a ton of compliments.

[vector1]

i've raced a gt350 clone a little, they look better than they race, but if driving on the street they make a nice cruiser, doesn't matter how much you modify it, the engine still sits out in front of the front wheels, too high, with a solid axle, and everything has to be modified to work, unless street driving. Just a fancy nice looking money pit that will never run well on a road course, no matter how much engine you put in it, or can fit in it. And forgot, unibody sucks to work on.

[1ntCobra]

Originally Posted by vector1

i've raced a gt350 clone a little, they look better than they race, but if driving on the street they make a nice cruiser, doesn't matter how much you modify it, the engine still sits out in front of the front wheels, too high, with a solid axle, and everything has to be modified to work, unless street driving. Just a fancy nice looking money pit that will never run well on a road course, no matter how much engine you put in it, or can fit in it. And forgot, unibody sucks to work on.

At the SAAC31 vintage race at VIR, it seemed that there were plenty of GT350R clones in front of Dick Smith in CSX3035, which is not what I expected. But the GT350R clones are using decades of tricks learned to make them go faster and I suspect that CSX3035 has not been heavily modified.