1976 Chevrolet Corvette Widebody
At the1974 Detroit Auto Show the public got their first glimpse of the wide-body Chevrolet Corvette. It was immediately given the nickname 'Batmobile' by the press. The vehicle, based on the third-generation Corvette, had been constructed for SCCA and IMSA road racing competition.
The wide-body, also known as slab-side, was constructed in such a way to comply with racing regulations, improve aerodynamics, reduce lift, add extra down-force, and improve ventilation. The nose sat very low to the ground because the body was dropped around the frame.
The car made its racing debut at Road Atlanta after two years of development and testing. Bobby Allison's big-block Camaro provided stiff competition in the ten lap race but in the end it was the Corvette that took top honors. That was the beginning of a successful season and an impressive racing career.
In 1972 John Greenwood raced a Corvette in one of the worlds most famous, prestigious, and grueling races – the 24 Hours of LeMans. He was teamed with comedian Dick Smothers and together they qualified 38th. After 10 hours of the race the team was forced to retire, however, they had managed to last an hour longer than the team car driven by Alain Cudini and Bernard Darniche.
The following year Greenwood returned to LeMans with the famous Chevrolet dealer Don Yenko in a two-car effort. Unfortunately, both vehicles were unable to achieve the desired success.
Three years later Greenwood returned to LeMans, this time with his wide-body Corvettes. With over 700 horsepower of fuel-injected big-block muscle, the cars were reported to have a top speed of 240 mph. Adorned with an American flag paint scheme, the Greenwood Corvette qualified 9th. Unfortunately the car was DNF'd due to a failed fuel-cell after just five hours of racing.
Though the desired success was not achieved at LeMans, the car did prove its potential state-side by dominating many of the races it entered. While at LeMans it achieved 228 mph, a true testament to its potent engine and excellent aerodynamics.
The cars have been featured in magazines such as Hot Rod Magazine and Road & Track. It was even hailed by many as the 'fastest Corvette in the world.'
by Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2007
Vehicle Profiles
Chassis Num: GMGarcia76
This 1976 GM-Garcia Corvette was built for the Garcia Brothers by General Motors in 1976. Its first race was at the 12-Hours of Sebring in 1976, driven by Javier Garcia, Jack Baldwin, and George Garcia.....[continue reading]
Chassis Num: CC007
In 1976, John Greenwood built this car for Chicago dealer Rick Mancuso. The widebody Corvette was built to run the 1976 IMSA Road Racing series. Mancuso debuted the car at the 1976 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, then went on to run the 12 Hours of Sebr....[continue reading]
This 1976 Greenwood GT Corvette is one of 22 cars modified for street use in 1976 by legendary racer/car builder John Greenwood. While originally delivered with the L-48 automatic drivetrain, the car was later fitted with a 'Fast Burn 385' coupled to....[continue reading]
Chassis Num: 194678S419076
In 1974, John Greenwood - along with GM and their wind tunnel facilities - developed a new aerodynamic wide body for the Chevy Corvette. The wide body design would later evolve into the fast back design which this Corvette displays. The new aero desi....[continue reading]
Chassis Num: 12
This is the sister car to the famous 'Spirit of Le Mans' Corvette. The car was built by John Greenwood for Albert Deleo for the 1977 Sebring 12 Hour race. It was never run in that race, in fact, it was never raced. It was parked at the owner's Connec....[continue reading]
The Spirit of Sebring Widebody Greenwood Corvette race car is the first of the Greenwood Corvette customer cars built by John Greenwood. This car was sold in 1975 to businessmen Jim Levitt of Levittown, Pennsylvania. Although Jim never drove the car,....[continue reading]
Coupe
Chassis #: GMGarcia76
Coupe
Chassis #: 194678S419076
