WINNER of our January 2018 “Vette of the Month Photo Contest” – Mike Waal’s 1980 GT Corvette

Mike Waal from Maryland builds a Super Sano 1980 Corvette so that he and his wife Linda can “See the USA in their Chevrolet, CORVETTE!”

Dateline: 2-4-18, Photos by Mike Waal Mike Waal took a sensible approach to building a safe, dependable, reliable 1980 Corvette with the sole purpose of long distance travel. The car fits the “classic” definition of a GT “Grand Touring” car; a road going, lightweight, semi-luxurious coupe, built on a high performance chassis. By 1980 Corvettes had standard creature comforts never imagined in the early days of Grand Touring automobiles. Mike’s addition of the motorcycle trailer completes the package for a “grand tour”.

Mike and Linda have driven their GT Corvette to Portland, Oregon, Florida, New England, the deep south, and many times to one of their favorite places, Watkins Glen. Mike has even parked his GT Corvette in the very spot that Harley Earl parked his Le Sabre concept car and Continue reading


WINNER of our January 2018 “Vette of the Month Photo Contest” – Mike Waal’s 1980 GT Corvette”

1969 Baldwin-Motion Phase III GT Corvette – Part 2 of 3

Joel Rosen Builds A Grand Touring Corvette

The term “GT” is arguably one of the most misused automotive designations. The term is an abbreviation for “grand touring.” A GT car is a road-going, lightweight, semi-luxurious coupe built on a high-performance chassis, for long trips, you need a car with plenty of power, a strong chassis, and loads of creature comforts to make the journey pleasant. Most high-priced European car companies all offered GT cars for their affluent customers.

In the ‘60s, Detroit carmakers started to use the GT term on pony and mid-size cars. Many enthusiasts wanted more and sought the help of specialty shops to build a package car. The original Shelby Mustangs were turn-key supercars. But at a small shop in Baldwin, New York, Joel Rosen was making his own machines called the Baldwin-Motion SS and Phase III Supercars.

You can catch Part 1 HERE.

Part 3 is HERE.

Continue reading “1969 Baldwin-Motion Phase III GT Corvette – Part 2 of 3”