GSR HOME
Back to the Home Page

GSR COMMUNITY
Join the GSR
Register your 96 GS
Register your C6 GS
Enter the GSR Forum
Join our Email List
Sign our Guestbook
GSR Photo Gallery
View our FLASH Intro

GSR SHOPPING
Visit the GSR Store
GSR Classifieds
Group Purchase Page
1996 GS Values
1996 GS Buyer's Guide

GS INFO & SPECS
1963 Grand Sport History
1996 Grand Sport History
C6 Grand Sport Info
C4 Grand Sport Info
LT1 vs LT4
LT4 Dyno Page
1996 GS & LT4 FAQ
C6 GS FAQ
GS Photo Gallery
GS Vanity Tags
GS Collectibles
Where in the World?

GSR INFO
About the GSR
GSR Member Benefits
GSR NCM Brick Page
GSR Events
GSR Links
GSR Sponsors
Donate to the GSR
Advertising

MEMBERS ONLY
Members Only Page
GSR Discount Codes
2010 C6 GS Info
96 GS & LT4 Tech Tips
96 GS/RPO Database
96 GS Owners List
GSR Membership Roster
Grand Sport Videos!
Grand Sport STUFF!
Forgotten Password
GSR Membership Status
Wallpaper of the Month

NCM
Visit the NCM
Watch the NCM Video!
NCM Build Sheets
NCM Corvette Raffle
NCM Insurance

CONTACT US
How to Contact the GSR



1963 Grand Sport History

In early 1962, Corvette Chief Engineer Zora Arkus Duntov began top secret work on a Corvette purpose-built race car to win Sebring and Le Mans and more specifically -- to put an end to the humiliating losses Chevrolet had suffered at the hands of Carrol Shelby and his Cobras.

The envisioned Grand Sport would be the ultimate Corvette, a lightweight, tremendously powerful factory built racer. Mounted with a 377cid small block with Weber side-draft carburetors (see the photo, below), it dynoed at 550hp at 6400rpm and was designed to blow the hoods off Shelby's Cobras. And if the Ferraris and Fort GT 40's were also left in the dust, so much the better.

After the prototypes had proven their mettle -- and metal -- 125 production street beasts were to be unleashed. But sadly, it never happened...

When they learned of Zora's secret program, the Chevrolet boardroom put a stop to the car's construction -- but they couldn't stop the five Grand Sports already built. And neither could the competition. From 1963 to 1967, the cars tore up the racetracks. And even after that, they continued to see duty and put up an excellent showing at races around the country and even overseas.

Thanks to the dedication of a few very serious collectors, all five of the original Grand Sport Corvettes still exist to this day (the photo shows their historic reunion at the 2003 Amelia Island Concours D'Elegance). And while they are rarely seen beyond the confines of the occasional auto show, they still create excitement in the minds of all those that witness these amazing automotive legends.

Today, thanks to modern 3D modeling technology, the specialists from the Hum3D team recreated all the details of the 1963 Grand Sport design.

      

  Weber carburetors on 1963 Grand Sport



The once-in-a-lifetime reunion of all FIVE Grand Sports

For the full story of the 1963 Grand Sport, order the book, Corvette Grand Sport by Dave Friedman & Lowell C. Paddock, published by MBI Publishing Co., Osceola, Wisconsin. ISBN 0-87938-382-8.

Order it from Amazon here!

You will not find a more authoritative reference than this 176 page book, full of rare historical photographs and insights into the minds of Zora Arkus Duntov, Roger Penske, Doctor Dick Thompson, Dick Guldstrand, and many others.

This book is an absolute must-read for any Grand Sport enthusiast! -- GSR

  Corvette Grand Sport book

Contact WebPositions for Development, Hosting, and Promotion of your Web Site
Contents © Copyright
Grand Sport Registry, LLC
All Rights Reserved
Copyright/Trademark Info

Grand Sport Registry members save 10% at...

Eckler's... the World's Largest Supplier of Corvette Parts and Accessories for all Model Years!