1974 Chevrolet Corvette Ecklers Widebody Coupe

The third series of the Corvette was conceived when GM’s Chief of Design Bill Mitchell laid eyes on a shortfin mako shark and requested his team to sculpture its features into the body of a car. Out of all GM’s designers, the task would best be addressed by Larry Shinoda who aside from his advanced perceptual skills he would also engage the nostalgia of his childhood fishing memories. Through a pointy snout, flared arches, side gills and a notchback tail he successfully infused the animosity of an oceanic predator into a sports car. The car was rightfully named Mako II and became the basis for finalizing the shape of the C3 Corvette that went into production. During its development, the Corvette was under the watchful eye of GM’s Chief of Engineering Zora Akus-Duntov who since the mid-50s would always ensure that any new Vette would display a healthy number of its race-bred genes. In 1974 he met with GM’s chief racer John Greenwood to discuss the evolution of a racing version that would be able to reach the speeds required at speedways. Greenwood suggested that a widebody fiberglass kit would provide a greater downforce, cover the rear tires and allow for superior suspension geometry. Furthermore the Shinoda-penned predatorial presence would be further enhanced, hinting of its massive ZL1 unit powering the rear wheels. His idea was put to the test with immediate success as his widebody Corvette achieved a record-breaking 236mph at Daytona Speedway. Eleven more IMSA widebody Vettes were constructed raising the popularity and thereby demand of C3 road racers for a widebody kit. In 1976 Greenwood approached the finest custom coachbuilder and restorer of the era, Ralph Eckler and commissioned him to construct and supply the kit to C3 road racers. Eckler’s unparalleled prior experience and level of craftsmanship did set the standard for widebody road racing Corvettes for the years that followed.
The Corvette featured here was produced in 1974 and thereon fitted with Eckler’s widebody kit. The 350 ci V8 engine was upgraded with 3970014-cast block capped with Edelbrock aluminum cylinder heads and run by a 4-barrel Rochester Quadrajet carburetor raising the output to nearly 300 bhp. In 1988 it was sold to a collector in Germany who kept the car till 2017 when it was acquired by another Corvette enthusiast who had it serviced and certified by FIA. In 2018 the body received a hand polish preservation treatment in order to be displayed at a single local American Muscle Car event. It is now offered for sale in Athens, Greece and can be viewed by appointment only.

Specifications
Year: 1974
Make: Chevrolet
Model: Corvette
Series: C3
Type: Coupe
Assembly plant: St. Louis, Missouri
Chassis number: 1Z37JS410820
Body style: 2-door, T-top, notchback coupe
Engine number: 14N217267 T0530CMA
Production date and plant: May 30th, 1974, Tonawanda, New York
Engine type: 350 ci 5766 cc, small block, OHV, 8-cylinder in V configuration, Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel carburreted, estimated output over 285 bhp and 300 lb-ft
Engine block casting number: 3970014
Cylinder heads: Edelbrock Aluminum performance set
Manifold casting number: Intake 340261 GM6 Exhaust 3932461
Carburetor number: 17083226
Distributor: High Tech Innovation Delco-Remy HEI tach drive
Transmission Type: Turbo Hydra-Matic, 3sp automatic
Body color: Red metallic
Interior color: Black with red pipping

Options:
Power Windows
Power Steering
Vinyl-Covered Auxiliary Hardtop
Gymkhana suspension
Power Brakes

Odometer reading: 3917km

Documents:
- German registration, copy, dated 1988
- German MoT (TUV), mileage 3515km, copy, dated 2016
- Greek customs clearance invoice, dated 2017
- Federation Internationale de l’ Automobile Certificate of Authenticity, issued 2017
- Federation Internationale de l’ Automobile Registration, issued 2017

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