black mamba

The first car shown is a special production 1963 Corvette Grand Sport. Only 5 of these cars were made. Chevrolet wanted to get after the Cobras that were being brought to top-level racing by the Shelby bunch. Taken to the Nassau Speed Weeks races and driven by Roger Penske, Dick Thompson, and Jim Hall, these Corvettes demolished all of the cars in the top division, including all of the Cobras that were entered . The Grand Sport Corvettes were powered by a 377 C.I. engine making 485 H.P.

After the Speed Weeks event, Chevy ,and all the other U.S. manufacturers, withdrew from racing at the factory level and 2 of the Grand Sports were sold to independent racing groups. I don't know what happened to the other 3.

The second car shown is the Corvette Bondine. This is the only one made and it was put on display at the 1963 Paris Auto Show. Chevrolet contracted with the Italian design firm, Pininfarina, to build the all-metal body. Pininfarina also contributed some special interior appointments. After the show was over, the car was kept in Pininfarina's factory museum for 40 years until it was sold to a private collector.

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Ava'sPapa Loc: Cheshire, Ct.

They'd be in big trouble if any thing happened to the rear window in that "Italian" Corvette. I don't know if I've seen anything like that. I'm referring to the window, but the car's pretty nice looking too. I've heard of this Corvette over the years, Tom. Thanks for bringing it to me.

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Nice set Tom.

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

I think it's the greatest gift you can give to people in general to share a couple of your vehicles from your stable so freely - and to take such gorgeous shots of them as well 💙💙🌟💙💙

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

You find the coolest shots, Tom!

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

The blue sparkling dress is the perfect accent for the car.

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

Both beautiful cars, that is until the I saw the rear of the Bondine. To me it looks like they lost track of the smooth, curved, flowing lines of the body. The abrupt change to sharp angles and folded appearance seems inconsistent from the front and out of place. The Grand Sport has a relatively continuous line surrounding the body and it is not disruptive to the lines of it.

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

That's two fine Vettes Tom. Well captured.

Don

black mamba

You're welcome, buddy.

I, too, had heard of it. Imagine my surprise when I just walked up on it. It was surrounded by 7 or 8 of the
" tanker " Corvettes....the ones that had the 36 gallon tank option.

black mamba

Thanks, Jack.

I hope Santa is good to you.

black mamba

I'll admit, Joe, that I try and keep them all penned up. But when this big show comes around, they disappear from the corral. At least I know where they are. When the show is gone and the fun ends, they come slinking back home. I make them beg for forgiveness before I'll put another drop of gas in their tank.

black mamba

I appreciate your support, Mike.

Fortunately, I'm often in a field of plenty of some really fantastic cars. I feed off of such experiences, I know when I have been exposed to too many great finds... my wife says that I'm putting on weight, time to back off of these experiences that turn me into a glutenous pig. Imagine being talked to in such a fashion.

black mamba

Well, they were a matched pair She was the car's appointed guard. Almost all of the really rare and expensive cars have these special guards.

black mamba

Well, you know those crazy Italians. They do love their vino.

I do appreciate you taking the time to drop by and for commenting. Thanks.

black mamba

Thanks, don. I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year.