Dateline: 10.10.11
Being the general manager of a GM division is hard work, but it sure had its perks!
(Slide show at the bottom of this post)
Back on October 2, 2011 we told you about what would have been Semon “Bunkie” Knudsen’s 99th birthday. I don’t know if the GM Design Center still does customs, but back in the glory days, one of the perks of being an executive was that you could get a GM car built just for you. I don’t know if the executives actually “designed” their cars or if the GM Design Center guys just “had at it.” (Okay Mr. Knudsen, what color would you like?”) It’s an interesting and very overlooked part of GM’s history. What’s not overlooked is when these cars go on the auction block or are on display at shows.
Kundsen’s GM-customized ‘64 Corvette coupe is now part of Mike Yeager’s Mid America Motorworks “MY Garage” collection of cars, and will be on display at the Mid America booth (#24297) at the 2011 SEMA Show, November 1-4, 2011, in Vas Vegas. (Yes, you can sing a little “Viva Las Vegas” if you have to) Mid America is showing the Knudsen Corvette to showcase their ability to expertly replicate parts for specialty cars through their Performance Choice services.
The Knudsen 1964 Corvette Sting Ray Coupe is just drop dead gorgeous and includes the following special custom features:
* Fire Frost Blue Cadillac paint (same as John Mecum’s grand Sport) over a specially prepared body.
* 327/365 hp engine and original drive train.
* Custom hood with deeper vents.
* Custom side-pipes.
* Custom front bumpers.
* Custom-painted Fire Frost Blue body-matching Knock-off wheels with ‘63 two-point knock-off spinners.
* Custom Goodyear Blue Streak HP whitewall tires with an additional thin Fire Frost Blue stripe.
* Custom high-back bucket seats with white leather trim.
* Custom blue Cadillac cut-pile carpeting.
* Custom Fire Frost Blue painted dash.
* Custom white console.
* Custom stainless steel toe board grates.
* Custom door panels with stainless steel trim, power windows, and power side vents.
So, if you are planning to attend the SEMA Show next month, stop by booth # 24297 and feast your eyes. The basic Sting Ray design is so good that it doesn’t matter if it’s a stocker, a custom, or a racer, it’s always a jaw dropper!
And if you happen to be in the Effingham, Illinois area, stop by and visit the Yeager family’s “MY Garage Museum. On any given day there are between 20 to 25 historical cars on display and the yeager family changes out the cars regularly. So if you haven’t been there in a while, you’re likely to see something new that you haven’t seem before. Enjoy!- Scott
PS – The GM Design Center also did a pink Corvette for Mrs. Knudsen. More on that car soon!
Special “Thanks!” to Mid American for the beautiful photos!
PSS – And special thanks to our pal, Wayne Ellwood for turning us on the the Knudsen ’64 Corvette.
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