Superformance to produce 1963 Corvette Grand Sport replica

Superformance is a company that made it's name making top of the line Cobra and GT 40replicas out of SoCal. The Corvette Grand Sport is arguably Chevrolet's most iconic race car. In it's heyday, the Grand Sport dominated the Cobra on the race track but was axed by GM before it could make any sort of significant mark in racing.

While owning a real Grand Sport is a feat that only a few can lay claim to, Superformance is making the dream a reality for folks willing to pony up a fraction of the cost. A new licensing agreement with GM has made it possible to produce a Corvette Grand Sport model available in either coupe or convertible form.

If you're looking for authenticity, Superformance has gone all out to make their replica just like the real thing. They even use original blueprints and molds from one of the original race cars to produce them. Powertrain options are only as limited as your imagination and the GM Performance Parts catalog.

Check out the press release below for more details.

PRESS RELEASE:

ICONIC CORVETTE R REBORN

Glories of yesteryear were conceived when General Motors licensed a Californian specialist sports car partnership in early 2009 to resume production of the iconic 1963 Corvette Grand Sport, arguably GM's most prestigious track racer ever.

Duntov/Superformance LLC lost no time in turning opportunity into reality, and Duntov immediately began production of the race version of the Grand Sport, which has already raced and won a number of events this year.

Now the street version of this popular 1960's muscle car will follow with the series production of a Turn Key Minus chassis by Superformance. The original Grand Sport - intended to be a "Cobra Killer" - were built by General Motors under the watchful eyes of Zora Arkus Duntov, GM's chief engineer at the time.

The value of a continuation model and that of a historic original is encapsulated in its authenticity. Superformance went to great lengths to ensure that the new street version would be as like the original Grand Sport as two peas are in a pod having acquired the original blue prints and molds off the original #2 Grand Sport.

With only five originals ever built, the Superformance Grand Sport will give buyers the opportunity to own a piece of GM's rich history. What makes this street version an even more valuable product is that it is licensed by its originators and that is not only meant to be raced, but is equally at home as a daily driver..

The SPF Grand Sport will be available in a roadster or coupe version and the technical originality is ensured by the legendary discipline and precision that has made Superformance products the leading fully assembled rolling chassis in the world.

Each SPF Grand Sport will be professionally engineered, custom crafted and professionally assembled in the largest and most modern privately owned specialist automotive manufacturing facility in the world.

The design of the Grand Sport chassis enables owners to select their drive trains from virtually any General Motors crate option available. The first completed street version rollers will be available in the US in mid 2010. Current orders can be placed by calling (949) 900-1950 or sending an email to info@superformance.com.

EcoBoost V8 powered Ford Shelby Mustang in the works?

Here's a rumor that actually makes a lot of sense - an EcoBoost V8 powered Mustang. We've already got 4 and 6 cylinder EcoBoost engines in the works, why now an 8 cylinder?

And the rumor is that the boosted V8 would be under the hood of a Mustang, a Shelby Mustang at that. In other works, a direct injected, twin turbo, V8 powered Mustang. Let the enthusiasts and aftermarkets of the world commence drooling now.

While there is nothing wrong with the current GT500's supercharged 5.4L, it does get pretty bad gas mileage. And with the ever looming threat of a ZR1 Camaro on the horizon, it makes sense that Ford would be ready to win the horsepower war at the top.

First built Petty's Garage Challenger to be auctioned at Barrett-Jackson

Hitting the auction blocks at Barrett-Jackson next year will be this Challenger built by Petty's Garage. The Garage is a new company that plans to work on "museum-quality" restorations of vintage race cars, custom cars and high performance street machines. This 2009 Challenger was built to kick off the business with a bang.

Painted in the familiar Petty Blue, this Challenger sports a 585-hp Hemi 426, Pedders suspension upgrades, Brembo Gran Turismo brakes, a new center exit Corsa exhaust system, and a Petty's Garage body kit consisting of custom front fascia, rear bumper cover, custom rocker panels and a rear spoiler.

The inside gets the once over as well, with Petty's Garage branded seats and door panels. Check out the press release below for more details.

PRESS RELEASE

PETTY'S GARAGE NOW TURNING OUT CUSTOM MACHINES
NASCAR Facility Sending First Car to Barrett-Jackson Auction for Charity

Level Cross, N.C. (November 10, 2009) - The change at 311 Branson Mill Road in Level Cross, N.C., a facility that has produced more race winners than any other shop in the history of NASCAR, is amazing. The employees of a newly-formed Petty's Garage are transplanting that legacy of success into a new endeavor producing performance automobiles there. The first car from the historic garage will be a custom 2009 Dodge Challenger to be sold for charity at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in January 2010.

"For 61 years, Petty Enterprises built, engineered and raced some of the most-historic cars in all of NASCAR right from this shop," said 'The King' Richard Petty. "You're talking about Plymouth Belvederes, Superbirds, Road Runners, Torino's and Dodge Chargers. When racecars went from being a purely production car to a car built from the ground up, or modified, solely for racing, many of them came out of Level Cross. We are proud of what we were able to accomplish here and it was important for us to keep this place going."

Over the years, Petty Enterprises garnered 268 wins in what is now the Sprint Cup Series, ten championships and nine Daytona 500 wins from this facility. Now, Petty's Garage will focus on the manufacturing of performance vehicles, including the "museum-quality" restoration of vintage race vehicles, custom cars and high performance street vehicles. The first complete car project is the build of a Dodge Challenger to be sold at the Barrett-Jackson collector car auction in January of 2010 by the Petty Family Foundation (PFF). The proceeds of the sale will benefit the PFF and the charities it supports.

Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Barrett-Jackson specializes in providing products and services to collector car owners, astute collectors and automotive enthusiasts around the world. The company produces "The World's Greatest Collector Car Auctions™" in Scottsdale, Palm Beach, Fla., Las Vegas and Orange County, Calif. Barrett-Jackson also endorses a one-of-a-kind insurance offering for collector vehicles and other valued belongings.

"Richard Petty made a huge impact at our Scottsdale event earlier this year when he helped sell another MOPAR for charity," stated Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. "We're pleased that he chose one of our world class automotive lifestyle events to showcase the shop's talents and raise money for such a fantastic charity. It will be truly a historic event where someone will get to own a well-documented car built by the one and only, Richard Petty."

The 2009 Dodge Challenger was completely disassembled and placed on a rotisserie so it could be painted the trademark Petty Blue by BASF R ̶ M. Reassembly included a Late Model 426 Hemi by Arrington Engines with 585 hp, Pedders suspension upgrades, Brembo Gran Turismo brakes, a new Corsa Exhaust system with a Petty's Garage custom center exhaust exit and refinished all of the suspension to Petty Parts Blue by BASF R ̶ M. Body Modifications consisted of a Petty's Garage custom front fascia and rear bumper cover, Petty's Garage custom rocker panels, rear spoiler and Petty's Garage branded interior seats and door panels.

"This Challenger is special to me because I wanted to build something that I would drive on a daily basis," stated Petty. "I wanted the car to have a race car look, but be functional on the street and I think the guys really captured that. But most importantly it provides our foundation with the platform to help our Veterans, children with life threatening illness and our neighbors in need. Everyone at Petty's Garage is excited about getting this Challenger to Barrett-Jackson in January. I think it will do well when we get there. It definitely shows our capabilities and the auction will put us in front of the right people to show what we can do."