Get Behind The Wheel Of An Original, Unrestored 1963 Corvette Grand Sport: Video
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Few factory-produced Corvette’s hold more prominence than the 1963 Corvette Grand Sport.
Back in the early 1960’s, Zora Arkus-Duntov, the grandfather “godfather” of the Corvette, wanted to create a Corvette for the track but GM brass were vehemently against the idea.
However, being the general badass that he was, Zora went and created five Corvette Grand Sports in secret. And what he produced is arguably one of the best-looking and best-sounding Corvettes ever made. Ever.
Just five cars were ever made, two of which were roadsters. When GM got wind of the program they immediately shut it down, crushing Zora’s dreams. Luckily, they didn’t crush the Grand Sport.
Aside from its rarity, the Grand Sport is quite possible one of the most insane Corvettes ever made. Its 427 cubic-inch L88 develops between 500-600hp and an amazing 1,000 lbs lighter than road-going Corvettes of the period. With more power and significantly less weight it’s no surprise this thing gets squirrely in about 0.2 seconds.
Luckily, one of these one of the roadsters is on display at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in Philadelphia, PA.
The best part? Twice a month the museum takes several cars from their ridiculously valuable collection and drives them outside for spectators to see and hear.
And that’s exactly what we have for you below: The awesome, bowel-shaking roar of an unrestored ’63 Grand Sport roadster.
Anyone got a spare plane ticket to Pennsylvania lying around?
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This is not an original, unrestored 1963 Corvette Grand Sport. Original, in part. All original Grand Sports were coupes, two of which were converted to roadsters to reduce aerodynamic drag. The L-88 engine did not exist in 1963, first showing up about 1966 (offered in 1967 as a limited run option). The original Grand Sports all had highly modified 377 c.i. small block engines with Weber carburetors.
Both the roadster configuration and L-88 engine were modifications to the original car.
Please be true to the marque.
Here this is the history and the restoration of this car. You are correct it is not original as all these cars were raced and modified much over the years. This one does have two bodies and they can change them for track time.
Varon Mullis, you are spot on. Plus, the car shown does not have a Grand Sport hood, but a ’65-’66 big block hood,