I was surfing around e-bay and stumbled across this beastie. I wonder if this was one of the unsanctioned factory racing beasties or ???? It's too bad there isn't more information available. The guy trying to flog it didn't post much but claims (surprise, surprise!) the car has it's original motor and heads, no heater, no speedo, etc. Hmmm.

 

Yeah, Mac, that is undoubtably a factory racer. Who else could come up with the idea of using the rear fender and deck clip as a hydraulically actuated drag brake.

Come into a hairpin too fast?...No problema...flick the ole drag brake up and whoa, doubling the frontal area drops the speed quickly down to negotiate the curve. Of course, there must have been one heck of a "learning curve" for the drivers to learn how to modulate their drag brake. :jester :hat :jester

 

Yeah, pretty weird stuff! The deleted speedo, heater etc does make me wonder- was it ordered that way? If so, to what purpose? Was it a "white body" someone built for drag racing? How did this car end up the way it is? Who made the flip front end, let along the flip rear? Was this a consious imitation of the Shelby Cobra? Like I said in the title- curiousity!

Speaking of Hot Rod, Patrick, did you read this month's edition? There is an article about a guy who built/welded/created his own frame, hung on 1986 Vette running gear, motor & 6 speed tranny. He then bought a 1957 Vette in the midst of a resto. He sold the 57's motor & rolling chassis to fund his project, then plunked the 57 body onto his handbuilt frame.

Give the guy brownie points for ambition but the person who sold him the 57 :mad on the understanding that it was to be restored :mad (according to the article) doesn't talk to the guy anymore :mad:mad:mad. GO FIGURE! If you're going to build a kit car, do so- leave the originals alone or at least, find one that's been thrashed beyond restoration.

The article starts off talking about how the writer at Hot Rod don't like Vette owners because 1) they don't drive their cars- they trailer them and 2) they don't do their own work- they pay for it. He openly admired the guy who parted out the C1 for his willingness to do so!

In the writer's humble opinion, what use is a 435 hp, 11 sec quarter mile car if you're afraid to touch it. While I guess he has a point for those owners who have the rare, mega-dollar, top flite Vette. I think most of us have old Vettes as hobby cars- not a daily driver, but a great toy we don't mind driving and showing off. I'm not afraid to drive my Vette- how about you?


[Modified by Mac, 7:08 AM 11/18/2001]

 

Rare racer from GM? No. Tricked up Grand Sport replica body kit? Yes.
:)