Extremely Rare 'Vette

**ANDY M** · #1 12-01-2014, 01:48 AM

So here's the story...I went to visit my car in the storage facility where it will spend the winter.
There, parked next to my car, is what was described to me as one of the rarest 'vettes on the planet.

And, as if that weren't enough to take in, add insult to injury...

The manager of the storage place told me that back in the day, some company made 20 conversion kits, of which 16 are known to exist, this being one of them. The guy who owns this piece of, umm, history has stored this car with all of its fluids drained, so he has to push it into and out of the building. I believe he is waiting for the value to increase enough to make a full restoration feasible. This may take some time. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif[/img]
As can be seen from even these crummy cell phone pictures, the interior is priceless. Unless you have a time machine, quilted velour upholstery fabric is going to be hard to find. I also question why you would want to extend the roof without being able to open the back window. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif[/img]
Thankfully, you will not see this rare car on the road anytime soon.

**markjohnson** · #2 12-01-2014, 02:24 AM

I looked at one of these in Survivor-ish condition about 20 years ago that looked to be built onto a real deal '68 L88 car! The car wasn't for sale and the owner was more proud of the station wagon part than the L88 part. Go figure.

**Tommy** · #3 12-01-2014, 08:39 AM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ANDY M</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I also question why you would want to extend the roof without being able to open the back window. </div></div>

How do they add fuel?

Tommy

Postsedan · #4 12-01-2014, 12:09 PM

I remember these Corvettes, seen a few at the SCCA Shows in the '70`s

Dan

68l30 · #5 12-01-2014, 01:09 PM

Makes me think of the Rare Vs. Desirable discussions......interesting Custom, wonder what it started life as?

BIG

ORIGLS6 · #6 12-01-2014, 01:48 PM

Another "Rare doesn't necessarily equate to valuable" scenario. I saw quite a few of these back in the day. One particular car was called the "Drum Buggy" and was owned by a drummer. He said he used it to haul his drums to their gigs. (I'm guessing he played bongos!)
Dick Ferrando of D&A Corvettes here in Illinois built one in the mid/late 70s. Designed to increase cargo capacity, the access to that space was poor at best.
And if I recall correctly, the stock fuel tank was replaced with a smaller unit and relocated to the spare tire area.

**ANDY M** · #7 12-01-2014, 02:22 PM

"How do they add fuel?"
My guess would be that the licence plate bracket is hinged like the Camaro's. Lots of other GM cars had the filler cap behind the plate, but I don't know how that would work on a 'vette. Maybe that would explain why they have to push it. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif[/img]
Also, I don't know if GM had rectangular headlights when that car was built. I think it was 1976 when they made the switch from round to rectangle. I think this car started as a '71, but I could be wrong. Since it has chrome bumpers, and the opening behind the front wheels is square, without looking at the vin I don't know. (Don't care, either).
The very definition of "fugly". [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/sick.gif[/img]

**earntaz** · #8 12-01-2014, 02:55 PM

What an abortion ...

**WILMASBOYL78** · #9 12-01-2014, 03:26 PM

Didn't Cumby used to own that car...seems like his kind of ride [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif[/img]

ORIGLS6 · #10 12-01-2014, 06:08 PM

That headlight set up was never on a production line Corvette, but it was a popular ( [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif[/img] ) conversion during the days of Peace, Love <span style="font-style: italic">and Drugs</span>. Eckler's and Greenwood, among others, offered both the conversion packages shown on this car.

If you have a truly strong stomach, search "Corvette Sport Wagon" and get an idea of just how badly a human being can screw up a Corvette.