C3 turbo vette

[justinj]

There is a guy across town from who says to have a 1979-81 turbo vette. I've driven by, the car is half way covered up, but the colors and graphics look like the pictures I've seen of the prototypes. If I got the vin # could someone tell me if this is true and did any of the prototypes or test cars get sold the general public?

 

[70 LS1]

There was a company called American Custom Industries that produced around 100 turbo vettes in 1980 and 81. It was called the Duntov Turbo and could be ordered from the dealer. These were commissioned by Zora Arkus Duntov himself and each carried a serial number. Here is a site that has some pics.

http://www.proteamcorvettesales.com/cars/295J.htm

hope this helps.

 

[justinj]

It kind of looks like this. I am going to sneak by tomorrow and see if can get a closer look and maybe a vin#.

http://www.vettefinders.com/79registry/turbovette01.htm?fuseaction=79part1

 

[JohnZ]

ACI is still in business in Toledo, Ohio - if you get a VIN they can probably confirm whether it's one of theirs or an aftermarket conversion.

 

[justinj]

Thanks I'll give them a call. I wonder if it's worth anything. It's just sitting in this guys backyard half covered up probably hasn't run in years. Not in one of the best areas of town, but way back in the woods so maybe no one knows about it.

 

[Eddie 70]

There was a guy in town here where I live that had an earlier model vette with the turbo on it. His had turbovette on the side where it says stingray. The forced air was piped into the top of the carb with a funky looking hose kind of like dryer hose.

 

[Tom73]

Here is a Duntov Corvette for sale at Rogers Corvette:

http://www.corvettes-for-sale.com/spots/feb99/spot.htm

tom...

 

[justinj]

Here is the vin# 1z8749s417762
It's a 79 cause of the 140mph speedo and it has L-82 badges.
Can anyone decode the vin?

 

[Tom73]

Here is the vin# 1z8749s417762
It's a 79 cause of the 140mph speedo and it has L-82 badges.
Can anyone decode the vin?

1=Chevy
Z=Corvette
87=Coupe body
4=L82 engine (8 would be L48)
9=1979
S=St Louis plant
417762=build sequence starting at 400001. Thus the 17,762 Vette built in '79.

tom...

 

[justinj]

Thanks, at least I know it's a 79 L-82. Now to work on the turbo question.