1963 Corvette Grand Sport Tribute 383 Stroker V8 502 HP 5 Speed PS A/C

Ever wanted something really badly, but couldn't quite get your hands on it? Better yet, ever wanted something that was really rare? That might be what the owner of this awesome classic had in mind when he transformed a run-of-the-mill '66 Vette into a world-class Grand Sport replica. Thanks to striking Mid-America Industries fiberglass, the car certainly looks the part. It definitely has the speed to walk the walk, given its 502 horsepower small block. And it probably performs just as well since its tough Tremec 5-speed is centered in a beefy Mid-America chassis and spry fourth generation Corvette suspension. Essentially, what the owner of this Chevy created is a car that'll do everything an original Grand Sport can do for a fraction of the money. A car that, thanks to decades of improved technology, probably offers a better mix of driving experiences. And most importantly, a car that you can actually take to a track and lean on without worrying about breaking an exclusive 1 of 5 collectible. If that sounds like your idea of fun, grab the phone and reach out to your friends at RK Motors Charlotte!

BODYWORK/TRIM

Hailing from a $127K build that was completed in late 2012, this razor-sharp coupe wraps glossy black paint and a bright red stripe around fresh Mid-America fiberglass. The first thing that draws your eye is a high Nassau hood, which seats large, metal-trimmed air inlets behind a familiar cross-flag emblem. Beneath that badge, a modified front-clip positions aerodynamic lighting around a clean billet grille. At the sides of that grille, a widened and sculpted profile centers recessed door handles between, billet-trimmed air extractors, familiar bowtie mirrors and aggressive brake ducts. Opposite those ducts, a flush-mount greenhouse founds satin-finish wipers in front of a trick fuel filler. And at the back of the car, a re-imagined valance hangs monochromatic tail lamps beneath a locking decklid.

ENGINE

Tilt this coupe's lightweight hood and you'll find 383 cubic inches of stroked Chevy small block that twists stout 9.6 to 1 compression into 502 dyno-proven horses and 513 lb./ft. of dyno-proven torque. Certainly a fitting tribute to Duntov's original Grand Sports, this impressive mill, created by the pros at Moline, Illinois' American Speed, was balanced, blueprinted, assembled, dyno-ed, disassembled and reassembled all in the name of quality. At the top of the 1972 block, a satin air cleaner hangs red Chevrolet lettering above a 750cfm Holley 4-barrel, which is sequenced to billet Holley fluid lines and an aluminum Carter pump. Under that carb, an Edelbrock Performer RPM intake feeds CNC-ported Air Flow Research heads, which hide Crane roller rockers, AFR springs, Comp pushrods and Crane roller lifters under satin, Chevrolet-branded valve covers. At the back of those heads, a hydraulic roller cam twists an MSD Pro-Billet distributor, which bounces spark between MSD ignition, an MSD Blaster 2 coil and Moroso-loomed Accel Hi-Temp Super Stock plug wires. Beneath that cam, a forged SCAT crank pushes forged I-beam Super Stock rods, which anchor Speed-Pro Power Forged pistons inside Perfect Circle rings. At the sides of that crank, rowdy Stahl headers make quick work of charred dinosaurs. At the front of those tubes, a Vintage Air Front Runner system frames a Carter water pump, a Cloyes roller timing set and an SFI steel damper with a fresh AC compressor and modern power steering. And in front of that drive, a big Be Cool radiator cycles water around two quick-spinning puller fans. Virtually every facet of this Corvette's fresh engine bay exists to maximize the car's performance. And even the small details, like a Melling oil pump, ACL Calico bearings, an Optima battery, a Delco starter and quality Fel-Pro gaskets, illustrate a strict regard for quality.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

Park this Chevy on a lift and you'll find a 4-inch round tube chassis that, like the car's body, was directly sourced from Mid-America Industries. A tough Tremec TKO600 5-speed hangs a McLeod Centerforce clutch between a sturdy McLeod flywheel and proven Lakewood scattershield. That strip-ready gearbox twists torque to a rugged Dana 44 third member, which is stuffed with track-ready 3.45 gears. That first-class drivetrain rolls on a fourth generation Corvette independent suspension, which follows compact Aldan coil-overs with fresh Bilstein shocks. Turning is a cinch thanks to modern power rack-and-pinion steering. Smooth and solid stops are provided by a quartet of discs and calipers. A steady stream of octane comes courtesy of a 22-gallon fuel cell. Power flows through attractive Halibrand-style wheels, which spin 235/60R15 Goodyear Eagle GTIIs in front of 275/60R15 Goodyear Eagle GTIIs. And the car's clean, Satin Black floors appear to have never seen inclement weather.

INTERIOR

Inside this Vette you'll find a stylish interior that mixes fresh leather surfacing with vivid visuals. Not surprisingly, those visuals are framed in a 4-inch round tube roll cage. That cage cradles hi-back, 2-tone seats, which are finished with 4-point Simpson safety harnesses. In front of those seats, a body-matched dash hangs clean Auto Meter Phantom telemetry over billet foot pedals, cockpit-style powertrain commands and brisk Vintage Air climate control. Beneath that dash, fade-free carpet frames a familiar Hurst shifter. At the sides of that carpet, 2-tone door panels back traditional chrome handles. And in front of the driver, a polished steering wheel laps a tilting column.

OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION

* A comprehensive build book
* -- Restoration photos
* -- Detailed engine specs
* -- Detailed engine dyno results
* -- Detailed weight specs
* -- A breakdown of the car's build cost
* A display board
* Extra Simpson belts
* An extra seat cushion
* Painted headlight covers

Lust worthy, athletic and ready to rule Main Street, this awesome C2 is an excellent combination of classic looks and incredible performance. It has the potential to rip off blistering lap times, and will politely cruise the show 30 minutes later. And with top-notch craftsmanship and a roster of first class components, it's poised to dominate either of those arenas!

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SUMMARY

* Ground-up build completed in 2012
* Professionally built 383 cubic inch Chevrolet V8 / 502 dyno-proven horsepower
* Tremec TKO600 5-speed manual transmission
* Mid-America Industries 4-inch chassis / Fourth generation Corvette independent suspension
* Leather interior / Vintage Air conditioning
* Mid-America Industries fiberglass body
* Dana 44 differential / 3.45 gears
* Sale includes a comprehensive build book
* Power rack-and-pinion steering / 4-wheel disc brakes
* 15-inch Halibrand-style wheels