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1 of 1 - A Rare Sighting

Old 11-18-2018, 11:28 AM
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ahero4eternity
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Default 1 of 1 - A Rare Sighting

I was at my local Cars & Coffee yesterday morning and this caught my eye. It's Bunkie Knudsen's original 1963 C2 Sting Ray. The current owner obtained it after chasing it for about 3 years. Since its restoration about 30 years ago (I think it was restored in 1988, the year I was born!), it has 180 miles on it (again, not including Bunkie's original miles prior to restoration). This is a true, classic, piece of history.



















This Corvette will be the main attraction of Mecum’s spring auction. It is literally a one-of-a-kind creation so rare and special that bidding is expected to exceed the $1-million mark.
http://bestride.com/news/1-million-classic-corvette

Like the New York show car, Knudsen’s personalized Corvette was distinguished by its intricately constructed side exhaust and custom paint, in Knudsen’s case combining prototype Crimson Firefrost metallic lacquer with a full-length White stripe and White soft top (the car also retains a matching hard top). This combination was mirrored in the extensively modified interior, where a unique custom shift console assembly was flanked by 1964-type seats upholstered with White Naugahyde and Maroon accent stripes. The exquisitely-finished door panels were covered with White Naugahyde trimmed with unique chrome-plated brass trim plates and crossed-flag emblems, and slotted stainless steel floor grille plates - a common feature in GM styling cars of the era - replaced the stock floor mats. The distinctive twin-spoke steering wheel featured two types of wood on the rim, behind which 1964 instrumentation was used in the color-matching dash. The interior was later upgraded with changes to the instrumentation and the addition of 1967 seat belts.

Chevrolet Engineering also went to work under the hood, substituting chrome plating and crinkle-finish Black paint in place of the cast aluminum surfaces on the fuel injected 327 CI small block. The engine bay was also modified to accommodate the special exhaust system, including trimming the heater box for clearance and relocating the battery to the area behind the passenger seat.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/HA0414-17...e-styling-car/

And more reading if you're interested: https://autoweek.com/article/car-lif...-heads-auction

Last edited by ahero4eternity; 11-18-2018 at 06:08 PM.
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Old 11-18-2018, 03:53 PM
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Steve Garrett
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No.....moved to C2 General.
Old 11-18-2018, 03:57 PM
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neat car but why a top cog belt
Old 11-18-2018, 04:36 PM
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Dayco brand fan belts are "top cog". I stocked them in my store but when someone with an old car asked for a belt I would get them a Gates one because their cogs are on the inside.
Joe
Old 11-18-2018, 04:38 PM
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Top cog belts don't turn over under high stress.
Doug
Old 11-18-2018, 04:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Steven Bell
No.....moved to C2 General.
They are lot more picky about OT stuff in the C7 section.

Doug
Old 11-18-2018, 04:57 PM
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Originally Posted by ahero4eternity
*Insert C7 content to make this thread relevant in the C7 General Discussion forum*



Anyway, I was at my local Cars & Coffee yesterday morning and this caught my eye. It's Bunkie Knudsen's original 1963 C2 Sting Ray. The current owner obtained it after chasing it for about 3 years. Since its restoration about 30 years ago (I think it was restored in 1988, the year I was born!), it has 180 miles on it (again, not including Bunkie's original miles prior to restoration). This is a true, classic, piece of history.




















http://bestride.com/news/1-million-classic-corvette


https://www.mecum.com/lots/HA0414-17...e-styling-car/

And more reading if you're interested: https://autoweek.com/article/car-lif...-heads-auction
I watched this car sell in November of 2010 for $400,000.00 at the Mecum sale for Bob McDorman Chevrolet in Canal Winchester, Ohio. I told my brother then that it would soon be a million plus dollar car. It is really cool in person, not "perfect" in any way, shape, or form, but really really cool.
Old 11-18-2018, 05:28 PM
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I first asked this question 20 years ago - what documents this as a "Bunkie Knudsen" car, other than he being in charge of the division when it was built? Was it EVER titled to BK?
Old 11-18-2018, 06:09 PM
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Originally Posted by desertpilgrim
I first asked this question 20 years ago - what documents this as a "Bunkie Knudsen" car, other than he being in charge of the division when it was built? Was it EVER titled to BK?
This was his personal daily driver.....
Old 11-18-2018, 06:16 PM
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valve covers and F.I. unit look great in black
Old 11-18-2018, 06:46 PM
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I don't understand the exhaust pipes where they exit the fender. There has to be a lot of flow restriction in those bends.
Old 11-18-2018, 07:17 PM
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So, here's my deal....cool that the OP is a younger dude born in '88...and seems to appreciate C2s and other Corvettes....thanks for the post.
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Old 11-18-2018, 07:25 PM
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Originally Posted by GEM '62
I don't understand the exhaust pipes where they exit the fender. There has to be a lot of flow restriction in those bends.
I don't think pure performance was the number 1 concern. I think style was.
Old 11-18-2018, 07:29 PM
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Why would anyone post this in the C7 section ... I honestly don't understand ?
Old 11-18-2018, 07:35 PM
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Why the casting flaw in the valve covers?
This whole thing stinks.
Old 11-18-2018, 07:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Mark Lovejoy
Why the casting flaw in the valve covers?
This whole thing stinks.
I'm a little confused...What exactly are you trying to say?

Last edited by gowenfast; 11-18-2018 at 07:53 PM.
Old 11-18-2018, 09:51 PM
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Originally Posted by gowenfast
I don't think pure performance was the number 1 concern. I think style was.
I think you're correct. It seems like this car was more of a styling exercise than a performance upgrade.
It's nice to have the opportunity to see some of these one of one.

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To 1 of 1 - A Rare Sighting

Old 11-19-2018, 07:13 AM
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CrossedUp
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Originally Posted by ahero4eternity
The current owner obtained it after chasing it for about 3 years.
He shouldn't have had to look THAT far since it'd been for sale here for many months:
https://corvettemike.com/used-corvet...e-convertible/
Old 11-19-2018, 07:22 AM
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Originally Posted by Mark Lovejoy
Why the casting flaw in the valve covers?
This whole thing stinks.
That is odd that they would not source a correct piece on such a unique vehicle.
Old 11-19-2018, 07:40 AM
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I'll say it caught your eye! It would have caught mine too! For sure, you would not ever bump into another Sting Ray like it at any Cars & Coffee!
I would love to see a photo of the trim tag on that puppy.
Thanks for posting it up here on the CF.

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