Have you seen the sexy new Callaway AeroWagen shooting brake conversion for the C7 Corvette? It adds striking style, greater cargo capacity, and improved aerodynamic efficiency to any new ‘Vette—but at a cost of $14,990 for the conversion, on top of the price of the car, which means that even appended to a stripper 2017 Stingray, the whole package would run you at least $71,435. For far less—and only a little more than the cost of the AeroWagen kit alone, which, let’s face it, is just a new hatch—you could be rolling in this even more unique 1974 Corvette sports wagon restomod, listed for $19,995 on craigslist in Lynn, Massachusetts. Thanks to Pat L for shooting (pun intended!) this one our way.
We don’t know when this conversion was completed, but its designer/builder must have had a crystal ball–not only did they predict the AeroWagen concept, they also knew that pop-up headlights were a thing of Corvettes past. In addition to its Camaro-esque exposed peepers, this Corvette has been upgraded to a 1980-82 front clip, with its integrated chin spoiler. I dig the subtle grey two-tone, which nods to the 25th anniversary 1978 Corvette.
Just like its swanky new descendent, this Corvette’s more practical posterior increases storage space significantly, and that Kammback combined with the integrated ducktail spoiler at the trailing edge of the roof must generate some hefty downforce. Plus, unlike every other C3 except for the final ’82s, this wagon actually has a hatch for external access to the cargo hold. Too bad about the massive blind spots created by the absence of rear quarter windows.
Propelling all of this sport wagon goodness is a 300-horse 350 crate motor with a still-fresh 1,100 miles mated to a Turbo-Hydramatic 400 three-speed automatic. Those 300 ponies, by the way, are 30 more than the claimed output of the top-dog 454 that emerged from the St. Louis plant in ’74.
Rounding out the package is a sharp looking, recently freshened interior. I wish we’d gotten some photos of the cargo area; we’re told it’s fully finished, but knowing whether or not there’s some period-correct shag carpet back there could make or break the deal—which way is up to you. This shooting brake conversion may not be to everyone’s taste, but C3s are plentiful enough (and not so highly revered), and this seems very nicely executed, so I’m pretty taken with it. Can’t argue with the savings over that new AeroWagen, either!
Yankee bread van.
Yes, I got it. Compared to the Italian one of 1964 (?) 250LM. Looks slightly better on the Corvette than on the Ferrari, methinks.
People keep trying to make the Corvette into a shooting brake, and it never works. The lines just don’t lend themselves to an extended roofline. I’ve never seen one that didn’t look awkward and forced.
Chevy did one in 54 on a show Vette that looked good to me.
RH, GM had a 1953 prototype ‘Vette that looked like a Nomad w/ Corvette front clip–look it up!
The 53 prototype was called the “Corvair”.
I dig it. That’s a really well executed integrated kit with the hatch. Baffle the purists..
Looks like a Lotus ran into the rear……….
Shooting-brake is a stupid term. Station wagon is better.
I vote we banish the term “shooting brake” along with “baby bump” from the English language.
And cray-cray!
and while we are at it, add vajajay and twerking.
I think the English, who originated the term “shooting brake,” not to mention the language itself, would object to its banishment. ;)
What’s your objection to “shooting brake”? I think it provides a useful distinction between this and, say, a Vista Cruiser, which is clearly a very different beast.
It’s an antiquated term even in England. If you look it up along with the description “Station Wagon” it says “Dated”. Since this is the U.S.A., why don’t we use the term “Depot Hack”?
Besides, a shooting break is when I go the the gun range.
Add “methinks” to the list.
Add to it “drive it like you stold it”.
Cool car, well executed.
I am sure there is an idiot or two who will bid on it and not even think of the blind spots.
Not a blind spot if you know how to use a mirror. It’s for “non-rubberneckers”…
Here’s the 1953 Corvair that @Clay Byant spoke of….!
http://www.route66hotrodhigh.com/54Corvair.html
Looking at this reminds me of the fiberglass parts that you could buy from Eckler’s back in the day.
I found this catalog, circa 1974. You can see some of the wagon add-ons they offered back then: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c3-general/3841518-eckler-s-catalog-circa-1974-a.html
The one for sale has been done to a high standard, and added the opening hatch, which is very cool.
Thanks for posting! Cool stuff, this one reminds me of the C7.
Oh, I forgot to mention, a luggage rack for only 58 bucks.
Oh, I forgot to mention, a luggage rack for only 58 bucks.
This car is all about the SB conversion – yet no photo included highlighting the advantage of that rear hatchback conversion.
Mr Seller please show me the space it created, if that was the intention?
Or is this one of things we do, just because.