The project was kept under wraps because GM executives did not want Chevrolet to go into the race. And as soon as they found out, the program was shut down. Duntov only managed to build five cars, so the Grand Sport is now among the most coveted and valuable Corvettes ever made.

All five have survived to this day and are in private collections, so it’s nearly impossible to get your hands on one. As a result, some Corvette C2 owners have converted their standard sports cars to look like Grand Sports. This 1964 Vette is not one of them, but a few modifications bring it into Grand Sport territory.

To begin with, the owner removed the steel front bumper, leaving the car’s apron and grille exposed. The Grand Sport also lacked a front bumper, primarily for weight reduction purposes. It also had its retractable headlights replaced with transparent covers, which this 1964 tram did not have. However, some Grand Sports have run with painted covers, so I guess the look remains similar with the light hidden in the fascia.

The orange stripe also contributes to the Grand Sport-like appearance, since most cars were driven with stripes. The light blue car # 004 actually had a matching red stripe on the hood and top. Then there are the five-spoke wheels, again similar to those fitted to the Grand Sport, albeit in different colors.

Of course, being a convertible, this 1964 Corvette will never be mistaken for a Grand Sport, but it’s a nice tribute (albeit unintentional) to Duntov’s racing machines. And it could go further with a few round holes between the taillights and a roll bar. Yes, Duntov also built a roadster version.

Unintentional similarities aside and my love for Grand Sport aside, this 1964 Corvette is actually something of a restomod that doesn’t stray too far from its factory roots. It even has an identically numbered V8, which was rebuilt some 1,600 miles (2,575 km) ago.

The Mill is a 327 cubic inch (5.4 liter) V8 that develops 365 horsepower through a four-speed manual transmission. The Corvette also has rebuilt carbs, a new clutch, power steering and disc brakes on all four corners.

It was repainted 21 years ago in the current livery, which replaced the original Saddle Tan color. An aftermarket steering wheel, Hurst shifter and CD player seem to be the only notable changes to the interior. Aside from the sheepskin seat covers, of course. It comes with a soft top and hard top, both in excellent condition.

This Grand Sport lookalike is looking for a new owner on eBay, offered by “sierraclassics” for $ 49,990. There is no auction, but the seller accepts the bids.