Superformance Grand Sport Corvette

KevinM · #1 (**permalink**) 01-20-2009, 08:24 AM

I just saw on the Superformance website that they have signed an agreement with Duntov Auto to build a continuation series of the Grand Sport Corvette.

Does anyone have more info on this?

Kevin

TerrysSPF · #2 (**permalink**) 01-20-2009, 08:40 AM

I just saw this a couple days ago as well, and I forgot to post it here. -Very interesting though.

They don't seem to have a lot of info on it right now though. I've got a call in to Dynamic and waiting to hear from someone about it. I'm hoping they have some info they can mail out.

-Where I saw it: http://www.superformance.com/News_Vi...x?Articleid=34

Woodz428 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-20-2009, 08:58 AM

I thought that Superformance had announced that last year. Maybe it's the "officially" part that's new. Will it be aluminum??

KevinM · #4 (**permalink**) 01-20-2009, 09:04 AM

Interesting that they licensed it from Duntov Motors. I would have thought that Chevy would have owned the rights to the shape.

Kevin

aks801 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-20-2009, 10:23 AM

Man, if it does happen that is a huge feather in an already impressive cap for SPF.

Got the Bug · #6 (**permalink**) 01-20-2009, 10:29 AM

Oh the humanity....not a Chebby.

Will the kit accept a Ford power plant?

There's a pic in this thread of a real GS that Canepa is working on (1 of 6):

Saturday 10th Drive

RodKnock · #7 (**permalink**) 01-20-2009, 10:59 AM

Having owned a '66 Big Block Corvette Convertible for 25 years, the GS in my opinion is one ugly mutt. There are other companies making GS replicas, but I'm sure SPF will become dominant given their history. I would speculate sales will be slow even in a good economic climate. Just look at those flares.

They would sell more repro Vettes, if they reproduced the 1967 435HP Convertible, though it does seem like every 1967 Corvette owner has one already.

Tommy · #8 (**permalink**) 01-20-2009, 06:02 PM

It's been a while since I hung out on the midyear section of the Corvette Forum, but I seem to recall that GM put some Gran Sport replica makers out of business by insisting that they build them on actual Corvette frames with original titles. I believe their argument was that anyone could modify an existing Corvette any way they liked, but they couldn't build a replica from scratch without infringing on GM's rights. I may be wrong or there may be other issues of which I am not aware. But's that's what I recall reading a few years back.

Rick Parker · #9 (**permalink**) 01-20-2009, 06:20 PM

ERA was set to do this a few years ago and cancelled the project.

mr bruce · #10 (**permalink**) 01-20-2009, 07:10 PM

Dynacorn builds the 69 Camaro bodys under licence from GM.( 7 to 10% I have been quoted) I would guess that Superformance would have such an agreement with GM for the Gransports.

eric johnson · #11 (**permalink**) 01-20-2009, 07:14 PM

I would welcome the Grand Sport. I think it looks pretty darn good. The more the replicas the better! Can't afford the originals...

66 GT40 289 (GTD)
67 427/435 Sting Ray
55 Beck 550 spyder

ZOERA-SC7XX · #12 (**permalink**) 01-20-2009, 07:23 PM

ERA's tooling and molds were sold to Tony's Auto in MA. His very nice replica was displayed at Lime Rock Vintage Festival.

dlampe · #13 (**permalink**) 01-21-2009, 06:35 AM

I really like it. I would love to see that happen.

427supr · #14 (**permalink**) 01-21-2009, 10:29 AM

I don't know. To me its still a vette. Why pay big money for a replica Grand Sport, when you can buy a real one and clone it into a grand sport. I like Corvettes, but to me they are a dime a dozen. Go to a local car show and there are 50 vettes at one show.

ack fia · #15 (**permalink**) 01-21-2009, 11:00 AM

I wonder what happened to the ERA Grand Sport prototype roadster I remember seeing in pictures of an early Run and Gun event

1985 CCX · #16 (**permalink**) 01-21-2009, 11:11 AM

What ever happened to the FIA that SPF was going to produce?

TerrysSPF · #17 (**permalink**) 01-21-2009, 12:54 PM

I have always hoped that they could/would figure out a way to start producing an "affordable" Aluminum car.
I saw the one they built and had on display at Dynamic in Ohio and thought it was beautifully done. -Had a round-tube frame also. (Tout here on CC owns it today).

Just too expensive to produce I suppose. And without the ability to keep cost down, they would be in direct competition with Kirkham - who I think produces a terrific product, to say the least.

ZOERA-SC7XX · #18 (**permalink**) 01-21-2009, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ack fia

I wonder what happened to the ERA Grand Sport prototype roadster I remember seeing in pictures of an early Run and Gun event

Tony Stefan has the tooling, just that his first car was the coupe. Hopefully we'll see a roadster soon. This was taken at his shop in '07.

Mid-year Corvettes are anything but 'dime a dozen'. It would be blasphemy to cut one up to make a GS. Kinda like cutting up a Shelby Mustang (well, not quite)

Great Asp · #19 (**permalink**) 01-21-2009, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 427supr

I don't know. To me its still a vette. Why pay big money for a replica Grand Sport, when you can buy a real one and clone it into a grand sport. I like Corvettes, but to me they are a dime a dozen. Go to a local car show and there are 50 vettes at one show.

How do you really feel?

E

eric johnson · #20 (**permalink**) 01-21-2009, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZOERA-SC7XX

Tony Stefan has the tooling, just that his first car was the coupe. Hopefully we'll see a roadster soon. This was taken at his shop in '07.

Mid-year Corvettes are anything but 'dime a dozen'. It would be blasphemy to cut one up to make a GS. Kinda like cutting up a Shelby Mustang (well, not quite)

Not only that, but the Grand Sport replica I'm sure is a tube frame car like the original... I saw one at Lime Rock last labor day and it went like stink...