Authentic 1970s-80s SCCA Trans Am Wide Body Corvette

History

The Registry of Corvette Race Cars (“RCRC”) has officially acknowledged this ex-Jim Sanborn Corvette to be part of Corvette’s famed racing history. To learn more, please see the RCRC’s remarks and photos of the Corvette at 1976 T/A GT1 Corvette Registry of Corvette Race Cars. If this link does not work for you, you can access it by becoming a Member of the RCRC for just $30.00. That will give you access to a tremendous cache of Corvette racing information and history. 

As stated by the Registry, this Wide Body Corvette was constructed starting with a semi-tube frame modified 1976 C3 Corvette chassis. This is the same type of construction used in building the famous Greenwood Corvettes of the mid-1970s. Sanborn, who had already been racing a 1973 Corvette in the mid-late 1970’s was keen to have the performance John Greenwood was achieving with his Wide Body Corvettes. So the 1976 chassis was accordingly modified.

To see an excellent article on the restoration of one of the Greenwood Corvettes, including photos showing the original C3 chassis and tube frame modifications as well as some of the period SCCA and IMSA backstory, please see the Steve Holmes New Zealand Classic Car magazine article at Medina Racing. 

Once the chassis was completed, the Sanborn car was then fitted with the classic mid-70s Greenwood aero “Wide Body” treatment. Also incorporated at the time was the new 1978 fastback rear window design required by SCCA Trans Am specifications. The car also received the newer “shovel nose” front end for improved aerodynamics. 

Once the car was completed, Sanborn stepped into his new Corvette in August 1981, and went Trans Am racing.  

According to Ultimate Racing History, Sanborn competed in eight SCCA Trans Am races from 1981 through 1983 with his new Corvette, #35. He raced against the big pro teams including Paul Newman and Bob Sharp Racing; Bob Tulius and the Group 44 Jaguar team; Doc Bundy with Holbert Racing; Elliot Forbes-Robinson and Steve Saleen with Huffaker; Willy T. Ribbs and Tom Gloy with De Atley Motorsports; and many other notables. Facing an uphill battle against these major teams, pro drivers, and many well funded privateers, Sanborn achieved his best result, an amazing 5th place, at the 1982 Road Atlanta Trans Am race. He also scored a top 10 finish at Brainerd in August of 1982, behind winner Paul Newman, Tom Gloy, and EFR. In 1983, Sanborn’s best Trans Am finish in the Corvette was 11th out of 36 cars at Mid Ohio in July behind Ribbs, Gloy, Newman, and EFR. Sanborn’s last recorded Trans Am race result was 13th out of 32 cars at Brainerd in August of 1983. See also the Autocourse Trans Am race results for 1981-83 below.

Autocourse 1982 Trans Am race results

Autocourse 1983 Trans Am race results

Autocourse 1981 Trans Am race results

The Registry of Corvette Racing Cars goes on to state that the Corvette was retired from active racing in 1991.Presumably Sanborn continued to campaign the Corvette in SCCA Club Racing from 1984 through 1991. The car then sat in storage until 2019 when it was saved from the crusher by Doug Manista. See the entertaining Hagerty article “barn-find Corvette roars back to racing life.”

After the Manista mechanical restoration, and subsequent purchase by the current owner, the Corvette came to life again at the Rolex Monterey Reunion in 2022. There, the car finished second in class. See a  Rolex Monterey Pre-Reunion photo of the Corvette at the bottom of that page.

Since then the car has been gone through, professionally race prepped, and the front end resprayed to remove paint chips and blemishes. The car is ready to go for The Rolex, or historic racing worldwide. 

The Corvette is currently located in Arizona. We can assist with shipping both domestically and worldwide.

Description

There are three race weekends on the Corvette’s 355 cubic inch, dry sump, small block Chevy with aluminum heads. The engine produces approximatley 650 h.p.

The Chevy’s power is driven through a Jerico transmission with a quick change rear differential.

This is a bargain entry for the highly popular Hurley Haywood Trophy IMSA GTP/GTO and Trans Am class at the Rolex. Race it the rest of the season with your local clubs across the U.S.

This is an estate sale, so the Corvette will be sold. Make an offer and get it now so you are ready for all of the upcoming races.

All vehicle descriptions are accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing. Corrections, and supplemental information, are always welcome. Buyers are responsible for confirming vehicle histories, condition, and authenticity to their own satisfaction prior to purchase. Motorsports Market is not the owner of the vehicle and assumes no liability for errors and omissions.

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Photos

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