1963 Grand Sport replica by Mongoose

Built in 2012 by Mongoose Motorsports in Ravenna Ohio: A tube frame with C-4 suspension, Coil overs, C-4 power rack and pinion and standard C-4 brakes; front and rear. This car weighs about 1000 lbs. less than a C-4; so it has plenty of braking power. A power booster is mounted under the left front fender; as were the originals. Access for filling by small door is on the top of the fender. The front and rear track was narrowed by 2 inches over standard C4 to allow the offset wheels to be used. The owner wanted the car to have the 1960's/1970's looksimilar to racing in SCCA in the mid 70's. The wheels are PSE (Phil Schmidt Engineering) replica GS wheels; which are unique and different than other Halibrand wheels. The fronts are 15 by 8" with a 4" offsets and the rears are 15 by 10" with a 6" offset.The tires on this car are Mickey Thompson radials.

The engine is a 2002 era factory Chevrolet ZL-1/454ci., one of 200 built models that year. The serial number is #153 out of the 200 built. Originally called the Ram Jet ZL-1, as it came with factory EFI. The Hilborn EFI was installed by Mongoose and it has been set up by Andy Starr, the local EFI representative for Hilborn. Tuning is done by computer through a USB cable: According to Chevrolet specs 510HP and torque is 500. Included are factory build specs on a separate sheet. Hydraulic throw out bearing with a center force flywheel and clutch assembly.

The transmission is a 5-speed Tremec road race version with a .82 fifth gear. The engine oil cooler is a Harrison from the 1970's era, rebuilt and mounted in front of the radiator.

Exhausts are Hedman side pipe headers with custom elbows and side pipes built by Mongoose. The spiral mufflers are located in the side pipes. The fuel tank is a 16-gallon aluminum tank built by Mongoose and a Weldon fuel pump mounted on the rear cross member. The fuel fill is located on the right side roof pillar, as were the originals.

The dashboard is Classic Custom design, by Larry Witmer in Dallas, TX. He designed one for his Mongoose GS. equipped with a 200 MPH speedometer; as were the originals. It has a tilt steering column and the seats are fixed in place and lightweight. The working parking brake handle is located in the center console. Engine oil temperature, rear temperature and fuel gauges are located in the center dash area along with heat/defrost and fan controls.

The door hinges are lightweight aluminum billet versions built by Larry Witmer in Dallas, TX with the idea to save weight. They are 10 lbs. lighter than stock Chevy door hinges.

The body color is early pre-1970 Sunoco Blue. Interior is suede gray with a gray carpet. The goal was toreplicate the Penske Sunoco era GS convertible colors that he ran at Sebring in 1966. The hood is the 1964 Nassau version, with aluminum louvers. It was originally used when chassis number 3, 4 and 5 were equipped with 377ci. small blocks with side draft Webers and raced at Nassau in late 1963. Originally built with yellow wheel centers and yellow side pipes, but changedto charcoal wheel centers and silver pipes two years ago.

The headlights are fixed behind Lexan covers, as were the originals. The high/low beam switch is located on the floor next to the clutch pedal. The door handles are stock 1963 Chevy truck door handles inset for air flow; as were the originals. Windshield is a stock C2 replacement windshield. The side windows and rear window are aircraft specification Lexan. The side windows have strap pulls to pull them up to close, as did the originals. The vent windows are non-functional. The outside rear view mirrors are stock Chevy C2 Corvette mirrors. The battery is located in the rear trunk along with a battery kill switch. County Corvette has serviced and maintained this car since it was built for the original owner. It runs very strong and needs nothing. This car also was never tracked and used sparingly on the street with only 670 miles. It is title in Pennsylvania as a 1963 Corvette. It is turn key and ready to enjoy.