1980 Corvette Bonneville Car

[wheelrdealer]

Who knows or remembers this 1980 Corvette? What class did it run? No dog in the fight just curious.

Listing states:
This 1980 Chevrolet Corvette set a record in Bonneville with a 230.928 MPH average speed. The car is now in Italy and offered with no engine, but is a unique piece of design history.

BR

[SPDRACR]

I'm not sure what class ( maybe blown gas Modified sports) The Straubergs(sp?) ran it and it was designed by Lugi Colina, or something like that.
I remember the super charger was shaft drive and sat in the passenger foot well.
Their transport tractor trailer was more impressive.

[Stan Back]

What year did it run?

Does it really look like that ? or is the photo distorted?

[manta22]

No, not even "Modified Sports". Interesting, though.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Luigi-Colani-Custom-Bodied-Bonneville-Corvette-Vintage-Article-Dreams-of-Speed/223136736873?hash=item33f3fc6669:g:NPwAAOSwaRBblBTG:sc:USPSFirstClass!85629!US!-1

[4-barrel Mike]

@wheelerdealer - 2013 listing https://bringatrailer.com/2013/02/21/1980-chevrolet-colani-corvette-bonneville-racer/

@manta22 - that's a different "Corvette"  The guy "designed" many, many ugly lumps of clay 

Mike

[wheelrdealer]

Mike:

Exactly, that s where I found this when I was trolling the Speed By Spectre auction. I just canst see the class designation and wondered what class it landed in.

BR

[desotoman]

It ran back in 1991 under the old banner of the LSA. (land speed authority)
Which as I recall was for FIA records under SCTA sanction. FIA  "A" Group 1.
So the records it set were FIA records at the time. Not SCTA records.

Tom G. 

[ggl205]

I saw this car at Speed Week in the 1990's, I think. It used a very unusually placed supercharger, as I remember.

John

[tortoise]

So the records it set were FIA records at the time. Not SCTA records.

Tom G.

Can you confirm it set any record?

[Beef Stew]

Can you confirm it set any record?

Have fun    https://www.fia.com/fia-world-land-speed-records  Everything anyone would want to know about FIA land speed records and the rules, is just a click away. Fourteen Appendices of the Sporting Code and Four PDFs worth of Standing Start and Flying Start Records.

[aircap]

Italian designer Luigi Colani designed a number of vehicles which ran on the salt. There was a Ferrari, a tractor for a semi truck rig, and a bike or two. He was personally flamboyant and stylish, and his organic designs were no less unforgettable. Personally, I find them beautiful - they look fast, even if they weren't.

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/2019/10/22/collection-of-colani-prototypes-including-some-automorrow-racers-fails-to-sell-at-auction

https://www.designboom.com/design/luigi-colani-aerodynamic-race-cars/

[Stan Back]

Boy, I wish I could find it!

Dozens of years ago ? when he showed up with an unique Mercedes-based truck (hauler? Bus?), he had a 3-wheeled bike with a tinted, transparent body in the shape of a naked woman on her back.  (I did photograph that one, but can't find it for your enjoyment.)  When you rode on it, it gave you an intimate snatch-shot.

[salt27]

Boy, I wish I could find it!

Dozens of years ago ? when he showed up with an unique Mercedes-based truck (hauler? Bus?), he had a 3-wheeled bike with a tinted, transparent body in the shape of a naked woman on her back.  (I did photograph that one, but can't find it for your enjoyment.)  When you rode on it, it gave you an intimate snatch-shot.

If I remember correctly, he said he used his girlfriend for the mold.

[desotoman]

Can you confirm it set any record?

If you want confirmation on records it set, go to the source and ask. Contact Strasburg's.

Quote from Strasburg's webpage:

"Professor Luigi Colani (from Germany) commissioned the Strasburg brothers to run an array of aerodynamic cars at the Salt Flats, including two different Corvettes (yellow one, blue one) and a Ferrari. The team set five records with the cars, including two for the European market."

https://youtu.be/xEhm416KXYo

Tom G.

[wheelrdealer]

Can you confirm it set any record?

If you want confirmation on records it set, go to the source and ask. Contact Strasburg's.

Quote from Strasburg's webpage:

"Professor Luigi Colani (from Germany) commissioned the Strasburg brothers to run an array of aerodynamic cars at the Salt Flats, including two different Corvettes (yellow one, blue one) and a Ferrari. The team set five records with the cars, including two for the European market."

https://youtu.be/xEhm416KXYo

Tom G.

Tom: Questions answered, Thanks.