Introducing "TRIBUTE" - A 2017 Grand Sport Tribute to the 1963 Grand Sport #001
 

Photo Credit for most of the exterior photos - Todd Cooperider, Esoteric Fine Auto Detailing Owner

The following is a link to all of the photos taken by Todd Cooperider: https://flic.kr/s/aHskVMzrmw Todd also took additional photos after we put the targa top back on and will have those ready on Monday.



I would like to thank the following for their significant contributions to the project:

- Mike Furman, Criswell Chevrolet, who helped me order the Grand Sport with no hassle or fuss and always made the journey fun.

- Steve Ray, Airbrushed Inc., whose expertise as an artist is what made the concept a stunning reality. If you truly want Steve's best work, give him a concept for what you want done, leave him alone, and be blown away by the finished product.

- Josh and Don, RPI Designs, who not only offer great products, but also provide exceptional communication and service after the sale.

- Sean Dunshee, VetteFX, who always comes through with the very best products and rush service when needed.

- The fine folks at American Car Craft, Apsis USA, ACS Composite, Cultrag Performance, GM Parts Direct, Wheels Boutique, and NoviStretch.

- Shawn Raines and the team at Corsa for their work on my exhaust system.

- Todd Cooperider and the team at Esoteric Fine Auto Finishing, who I now consider to be the very best when it comes to paint protection services and aftermarket parts installation. Todd is also a pro behind the camera lens.

- My friends, John Elegant, Steven Bell, and Mike Furman, for letting me bounce ideas off of them and for providing honest opinions about those ideas.

- My friends, Mark and Karen Thomas in Columbus, Ohio, and Gary and Torie Cockriel in Bowling Green, Kentucky, for their hospitality while I was in their cities for various trips associated with the project.



Modifications:

Steve Ray, Airbrush Inc. - Removed all body panels, sand and clear coat all body panels with three coats of clear, cut and buff all panels, custom carbon flash painted Grand Sport stripe with custom phantom Grand Sport in the stinger and velocity yellow edges, custom painted engine bay pieces and hood liner, custom painted interior parts, custom painted Z06 grille, custom painted rear bumper cover "Corvette" script and grill slats, paint tinted rear tail lights and side markers, custom machined and painted Grand Sport fender emblem

RPI Designs - Signature Series side skirts and splitter, painted front fender spats, interior replacement parts, painted windshield cowl, painted windshield wiper arms, various engine bay parts, various interior parts

VetteFX - LED side markers

American Car Craft - various engine bay parts

Apsis USA - Horn pad cover

ACS Composite - Diffuser fins

Cultrag Performance - Z06 grille, Stage 2 rear winglets

GM Parts Direct - Grand Sport floor mats, cargo mat

NoviStretch - Front bra

Corsa - Double Helix X-Pipe, Extreme Exhaust, Black Chrome Exhaust Tips

Wheels Boutique - Custom velocity yellow and carbon flash painted ADV.1 ADV 10 Track Function CS wheels with Continental Extreme Contact DW tires

Esoteric Fine Auto Finishing - minor paint finish work, installation of SunTek paint protection film and window tint (18% on the sides and rear), installation of PowerStop brake pads (front and rear), side skirt and splitter installation, Kamikaze ceramic coating on all exterior parts and wheels



This has been a long time coming, so with no further ado, my 2017 Grand Sport "Tribute!"


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Pretty darn incredible!

Wow! I'm speechless, and it's beautiful!

P.S. Are you really going to be able to drive that without fear?

Thank you! :cheers:

The whole thing is spectacular, but what takes it for me is the 63 in the hood stripe!

WOW !!! Looks amazing.....engine bay makes the car for me.

:yesnod: I was actually going to say it had a Blue Angels vibe to it.

That's really cool. It looks great:thumbs:

It's almost Blue Angels blue.....

That's what I was thinking.

That looks killer, nicely done! :cheers:

What an outstanding amazing car! Thank you for creating it. And of course thanks to Steve@AirbrushInc for his phenomenal work.

Very cool!

Thanks, friends! There is so much information to share about the project from concept to reality, as well as information about all of the specific mods, etc. I hope to post that information tomorrow. One thing that I feel is very significant is the fact that everything is painted. There are absolutely no decals anywhere. Steve Ray did a phenomenal job on the paint work and so many others deserve credit as well. I shall also give credit to everyone involved when I post tomorrow.

Wow, just Wow! Totally insane. Like I said earlier, just take it to the NCM and rope it off, cuz you certainly can't drive it anywhere. Like Foosh said, speechless :yesnod: Looking forward to the detail. :cheers:

I'm speechless:thumbs:

Bloody amazing! Love the contrast of yellow with blue.

Like Foosh said, though, how are you gonna be able to drive that outside? ​​​:O

I'm not a fan of blue cars but I'll make an exception for yours. Well executed.

I agree with an earlier post. You could also call the car your Blue Angel edition.

Wow. Just wow. I am late to this party, but that car is just beautiful. And it really is a "tribute" to the original GS. Perfect, Jeremy---so well done, it sets a new standard IMO.

Great pics too but the car is the star! Drive it in good health as some friends say....

I see I copied jmc's opening sentence above; I didn't even read it. I got stopped on the pics. :yesnod:

awesome tribute...i like that a lot