There are some cars that are so rare, you’re lucky to see one, let alone own one. The Corvette Grand Sport of the 1960s is one such machine.
Only five of the lightweight-ed Corvette specials developed by Zora Arkus-Duntov to defeat Shelby Cobras on racetracks exist. Luckily, a company called Superformance makes it possible to own a car that looks similar to one of those legendary machines.
Autoweek recently tested a Superformance Corvette Grand Sport, which is technically a kit car. The manufacturer charges a $99,900 base price for everything – fiberglass body, “original-style” tube chassis, plenty of vents, side exhausts, nine-inch-wide tires, and rear differential cooler – except the drivetrain.
This particular tester had a 550-horsepower Katech LS3 under its hood, bringing the as-tested price to an estimated $125,000. That V8 was connected to a five-speed manual gearbox operated with a beast of a clutch pedal – and the Autoweek writer who conquered both was connected to 1963.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
