AMAZING C4 (for sale)

[*89x2*]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevrolet-Corvette-Rare-1989-Chevrolet-Challenge-Series-Corvette-1-of-29_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6168QQitemZ4594867869QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW



AMAZING!!!!!!!!!! :cool

 

[1995 RedVette]

A friend of mine also has a black Challange Car. They are amazing cars to look over. I didn't even know the cars existed much less that he had one until he mentioned the racing series. I started asking some questions, and he took me to his ware house and pulled the cover off of his challange car.

Brett

 

[tyrel]

It certainly seems to be rare, but to be honest I don't see that much of a difference between a stock car. The wheels, roll cage, and graphics are unusual, but if there is anything else about it that sets it apart, maybe someone could enlighten me. According to the Corvette Black Book, they removed the stock engine and installed a special racing engine, which sounds really cool, but then after the racing was over they put the original engine back in again. Also, according to the Corvette Black Book, there were 29 cars though the auction says 30, even though the seller copied Michael Antonick's book word-for-word in some sentences.

 

[ON 7TH]

Seen 1 in Vineland NJ for sale a few years back. I 4got what no it was ,Red in color.

 

[Ted Krempa]

At the end of the day, all this car is or will be is a $25,000 time bomb. It is very impractical with all the roll bar, etc. You don't see these rolling across the stage at Barrett Jackson, so present or future value is at best a guess. As for looks, only the informed might know what it is. Your neighbor is gonna think you got a good deal on a box of decals at the local swap meet. The extra engine might make a nice coffee table, though...

 

[Vettelt193]

At the end of the day, all this car is or will be is a $25,000 time bomb. It is very impractical with all the roll bar, etc. You don't see these rolling across the stage at Barrett Jackson, so present or future value is at best a guess. As for looks, only the informed might know what it is. Your neighbor is gonna think you got a good deal on a box of decals at the local swap meet. The extra engine might make a nice coffee table, though...

This is sort of half car / half collector item. This car isn't really meant to be a daily driver, but for those that have a collection it is a nice 'vette to take out every once in a while and a great show piece.

I can't figure out why you call it a 'time bomb'... Corvette race cars from all generations pull a hefty premium if well documented.

 

[22229stingray81]

I think this is a really cool 'vette. Anyone have any more info on these cars? How much extra hp did the race engine put out? I especially like the rear quarter panel side exhuast.

-Tatortot

 

[Vettelt193]

from what I understand the race engine was designed more for 'fairness' than power, and the race engines wound up with less power than a regular production vette because of it.... this was to make all the cars 'exactly' the same

 

[Ted Krempa]

Vette, my point is that in this car you have a half man/half beast thing going on. If one was inclined to want to own one, what is the likelyhood of something in a 15+ yr race car going wrong? I'd say pretty good...(hence the word 'time bomb') Also, let's say you have $25k burning a hole in your pocket...what is this thing worth?

check this: http://www.barrett-jackson.com/auctionresults/default.asp

While I would agree that "Corvette race cars from all generations pull a hefty premium", that may apply to a real race car but I doubt it applies to this thing. There is no record of this kind of car at Barrett, at least in 2005. (my search was for 87 - 90 Corvette's by the way). I havn't seen one at the Historics the last 3 years either.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder they say. I just don't see this car in my driveway, especially at $25k. I'll bet lunch the car does not get a sale from E-Bay.

Here is another interesting thing: http://www.corvettemagazine.com/1999/sep99/Carlise/fridayp3.asp

So in 1999 35 of these things show up at Carlisle. Yet the Black Book says there were 29 made. Can you say 'Fake Challenge Car'?

 

[*89x2*]

I believe the number quoted of 56 cars for 1988 and 60 cars for 1989 is closer to, if not correct. It would not be the first time that a book had errounious information :ugh

1988's engine program and 1989's engine programs were VERY different - you would actually WANT the race engine in an 89 - which as the series ended, they (Chevy) gated off ALL race cars there and took the engines - some did not get theirs back. It was all part of the "deal".

This story was related to me over the summer by an owner who was fortunate enough to get the engine (race) back for his 89 Challenge car :cool

 

[Silveradojoe]

I notice that the Ship To address was a GM proving ground in Milford, MI. But at the bottom of the document we see Classic Chevy in Moorestown, NJ. This is just several miles from my home.
My question is who were the original owners of these special cars? Were they sold to the general public? Or purchased by racing clubs, racing teams, etc. Where have they been since their racing life ended?
Just curious.
Joe

 

[Vettelt193]

Vette, my point is that in this car you have a half man/half beast thing going on. If one was inclined to want to own one, what is the likelyhood of something in a 15+ yr race car going wrong? I'd say pretty good...(hence the word 'time bomb') Also, let's say you have $25k burning a hole in your pocket...what is this thing worth?

check this: http://www.barrett-jackson.com/auctionresults/default.asp

While I would agree that "Corvette race cars from all generations pull a hefty premium", that may apply to a real race car but I doubt it applies to this thing. There is no record of this kind of car at Barrett, at least in 2005. (my search was for 87 - 90 Corvette's by the way). I havn't seen one at the Historics the last 3 years either.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder they say. I just don't see this car in my driveway, especially at $25k. I'll bet lunch the car does not get a sale from E-Bay.

Here is another interesting thing: http://www.corvettemagazine.com/1999/sep99/Carlise/fridayp3.asp

So in 1999 35 of these things show up at Carlisle. Yet the Black Book says there were 29 made. Can you say 'Fake Challenge Car'?

Why don't you look at barrett jackson again but don't limit yourself for 2005, and select Chevrolet as the make. the 'year' in the search you linked to is the year of the car not the year of the auction.

There are only a handful of these cars built, it is hard to believe that every year one of these will go for sale at a single auction house anyway... on top of that barrett jackson has never been too fond of Corvettes. They sell just as many (if not more) Ferrari's and the production level of Ferrari is only a fraction of Corvette's.

I did a simple search for 1988 and 1989 chevrolet and found 4 challenge cars @ barrett jackson. 2 1988's had a high bid of 31k, the other 32,500. 2 1989's had high bid of 30k and 34k.

 

[C-4 Now]

Corvette race cars have never been fully appreciated by the majority of Corvette owners. The Challenge cars are definately not dual purpose street cars in their as raced condition. I for one am very appreciative of those who maintain these cars for the rest of us to look at and get a glimpse of Corvette racing history. I've looked at these cars several times just don't feel I have enough space to store and keep one properly!

 

[Vettefan87]

I believe the number quoted of 56 cars for 1988 and 60 cars for 1989 is closer to, if not correct. It would not be the first time that a book had errounious information :ugh

1988's engine program and 1989's engine programs were VERY different - you would actually WANT the race engine in an 89 - which as the series ended, they (Chevy) gated off ALL race cars there and took the engines - some did not get theirs back. It was all part of the "deal".

This story was related to me over the summer by an owner who was fortunate enough to get the engine (race) back for his 89 Challenge car :cool

What were the specs on this "race" engine? Was it a significant improvement over the stock L98?

 

[vee93]

25 + Gs..... I'm diggin' the car, but is it worth that price? Is that a "collector's rate" the seller is attaching to the car?

 

[Achilles]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder they say. I just don't see this car in my driveway, especially at $25k. I'll bet lunch the car does not get a sale from E-Bay.

I agree, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But just because you can't see this car in your driveway for $25k, does not make it a worthless timebomb. If the guy wants $50k for it and he gets it, it was worth $50k to the person that bought it.

If you really stop to think about it, is anything we buy worth the money we paid for it? Probably not, but it was worth the price to us or we wouldn't own it.

 

[*89x2*]

25 + Gs..... I'm diggin' the car, but is it worth that price? Is that a "collector's rate" the seller is attaching to the car?

It is qute possibly worth that price - or more :eek


Those cars will be worth $$$$$$$$$ one day - and they are not doing so bad today :cool

 

[C-4 Now]

I agree Chris. Looks like that car went to a very good home where it can be appreciated by all! Ike