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 Topic  |
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JonB112
67 Posts |
 Posted - July 08 2003 : 5:50:20 PM
Does anyone in the forum know of any Kit Manufactures producing Classic Corvettes? Any Websites would be a great start.
These are the particular models of interest...CORVETTE
1953-54
1959-62 ...Thanks In Advance... |
mantacars
127 Posts |
Posted - July 08 2003 : 9:35:01 PM
Checkout Lone Star Classics.
http://www.lonestarclassics.com
Ph #: 1-877-572-2277
This company advertises on this site with a direct link that can be used to their website. Lonestar offers their "LS53" kit which is a replica of 1953 Corvette.
Mike
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mantacars
127 Posts |
Posted - July 08 2003 : 9:59:00 PM
B-I-G stretch from Lamborghini Diablo to classic Corvette. What's it going to be?
Mike
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JonB112
67 Posts |
Posted - July 12 2003 : 10:07:13 AM
I'm a big fan of vintage and classic autos. Especially the 50's model T-Birds and Vettes. My father is interested in all information regarding the Corvette. He wants to build one w/in the next year or buy a turnkey. He might just be better of buying an original and restoring it himself for the amount he'll have to invest in a replica. At least it'll hold it's value better. I'm still going with the Diablo Roadster. I've decided to go with D&R, since SHELBY is no longer in existance and IFG seems to be disorganized with ditribution and shipping. I don't need the headache that others complain about. Not to mention, RKS has a factory that's not very far from me. I'll probably outsource a portion of the build with them and have my father complete the project unless RKS has a reasonable price offering. I'm always open for input or feedback from others b/c I want to avoid as many pitfalls as possible... Actually, last night I was able to locate LoneStar Classics on here. The 53 model they produce looks VERY nice. Which leads me to this question... ARE THERE DESIGN PATENT'S GOVERNING THE OLD CLASSIC CORVETTE MODELS AFTER 1953? Is this the reason why the late 50's early 60's model Vettes are virtually imposible to find? Mike(MantaCars), you've been very helpful in answering all of my questions. Do you work with or represent a particular company? Thanks Again
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mantacars
127 Posts |
Posted - July 12 2003 : 3:49:48 PM
No company - I'm just an eclectic builder/collector of kitcars and street rods who spent much of my free time in younger years as a
"shade tree" mechanic or racing stock/sports cars.
Concerning your question about design patent, to my knowledge U.S. patents expire in 17 years; therefore, replicating any American car from the 50's - 60's most likely not subject to patent infringement.
Other aspects of a car, such as name, may have copyright or registered
trademark with longer expiration period that patent and, I think, are
renewable.
Reason you don't see many original 50's - 60's Corvettes is that production output was very low compared to recent history and over the years of attrition few of these classics remain in existence.
Mike
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mantacars
127 Posts |
Posted - July 12 2003 : 3:55:54 PM
Forgot to mention, over the years, I (personally) am responsible for the demise of a few 50's - 60's Corvettes.
Sorry,
Mike
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meat
USA
992 Posts |
Posted - July 12 2003 : 11:01:46 PM
Body designs can be registered. ******* does this all the time (now). If the body is unique enough, the company that originally designed the car can successfully sue the replica manufacturer if that manufacturer did copyright/trade dress the original shape.Corvettes are part of GM and GM does trademark/trade dress/patent and protect themselves pretty fully. Also, the original cars really aren't that old or that expensive in most cases. The replicas your will see are only going to be of the rarest of the rare (like the 53). Most of the other cars are plentiful and easily found for reasonable prices. Your pal,
Meat.
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mantacars
127 Posts |
Posted - July 13 2003 : 12:35:30 PM
Another rare 50's - 60's Corvette with a kit car history:
'63 - '66 Corvette Grand Sport
To my knowledge, currently there are no companies still producing this kit.
Mike
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meat
USA
992 Posts |
Posted - July 13 2003 : 6:56:36 PM
Here's another company that makes the 53:encorekits.com The GSR was made, could be made, and may again be made. I know there are places offering body kits, and there's even a convertible that's supposed to fit on a C4 chassis (I have never seen this car). I liked the GSR, and thought it was an interesting competitor for the Cobra. In fact, I've recommended on a number of occasions (and even in person to the Smith brothers of FFR) that if they were to simply stretch their chassis a bit and come up with a GRS body, they could - conceivably - have a single donor GSR based on the Camaro/Firebird F-body. I guess that will have to wait until I finish the Single-Donor GT40, the single-donor Cobra, the single-donor 57 Testarossa replicas I'm quing up. Your pal,
Meat.
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Corvette Classic Kits?
