Since I seem to like playing devil's advocate... To the first point of there being no knock-off's available on
any 1963... If they were available in '64, then they were 'around' in '63. Think along the lines of a 1983 vette... We all know now it exists, however, for a time, it didn't. At least not in the hands of the general public. At some point in time, John Q. Public
will own that car. It's only a matter of time.
Rob said:
Purchasing a "big tank" Corvette typically required the approval of General Motors executives and was an opportunity that was limited to Corvette racers. Consequently, the big tanks are seldom found on cars that do not also feature the Z06 or race package options.... ....In addition to the vehicle itself, ProTeam acquired a copy of the original title, license
registration dating to 1980, dealer delivery packet with '63 owner protection plan, original operating instructions for the air conditioner and AM/FM radio, and the original keys on the delivering dealer key chain.
As time passes, we are finding more and more cars that left the factory under not-so-usual conditions. As quoted, just getting a 36 gallon tank required knowing someone that knows someone that knows someone. If someone was good enough to secure only 1 of 2 produced, it's not unreasonable to believe that knowing someone who knows someone can also procure a set of those knock-off for a few more bucks in the greasy palm. Just because GM or the Corvette Blackbook says it never left the factory, that doesn't make it 100% fact. You won't see the blackbook listing a 1958 Retractable Hardtop Corvette dubbed "Scotty" either. But it exists as a product of GM insiders.
As for the comments about "Who would want 36 gallons of gasoline sloshing around behind them...potential bomb...blah blah blah..."
Well, it doesn't take much gasoline to make a car go
boom. 10 gallons, 16, 36??? Who cares? It's going to require impact to the tank or some other 'major malfunction' to cause the disaster. Granted, if I had to choose, I'm much rather only have 4 gallons leaking than 36 gallons. But nonetheless... back in the 60's when you only had so many gas stations dotting long stretches of road, a 36 gallon tank sure sounds accomodating. (Another drawback however is that gas is heavy, so it hurts mileage somewhat).
Anyways, whereas I can certainly respect the opinion of not wanting all that gas back there, the rationale to me seems the same as thinking, "I only wear my seatbelt after I pass 100mph, because at 150mph I'm more likely to die than if it's at 99mph..." Either way, if you bite it at that speed, you're nothing but pieces parts and the seat belt ain't gonna do much to save you... no seat belt @ 99mph, seat belt at 150mph...16 gallon bomb, 36 gallon bomb... take your pick. The outcome ain't gonna be very different...
...
Now someone help me down off this box, would ya??? :L
