An Amazing Hybrid: Chevrolet Corvette on a Truck Chassis
If you are looking for a vehicle that will truly stand out among everything that travels the roads, then this strange but wonderful lift truck based on a 1981 Chevrolet Corvette might be exactly what you need. It is the embodiment of the American auto industry in its boldest manifestation.
This unique car, found on the market in Queen Creek, Arizona, combines the body of the iconic C3 Corvette sports car with the chassis of a full-size Chevrolet C30 truck. It’s hard to say how much of the original Corvette remains in it. The outer contours match the C3, but the details reveal a deep rework.
Non-Standard Design and Practicality
The front end, for example, repeats the shape of an early 80s Corvette, but the fenders look clumsy and bloated. Thanks to the cargo platform, the car sits significantly higher than a standard Corvette of the same year, which does not help the proportions much.
However, where this creation loses in sporty style and dynamics compared to a standard C3, it gains in practicality. The photos show that while the front half resembles a Corvette, the rear is a full-fledged cargo platform with ramps, capable of transporting large ATVs without any problems. You can’t call this car restrained.
Technical Condition and Prospects
The seller notes that the car has an updated front suspension, new shock absorbers and brakes installed. The engine is a 400-cubic inch small-block V8 from Chevrolet, although the exact power is not specified. At least, thanks to the powerful bassy exhaust sound, it should sound very convincing.
However, a potential buyer should know that the car looks worn out. Not only is the interior in a pitiful state, but large areas of the ramps are rusted through. At a price of $7,000, it is not particularly cheap, especially since its service history remains unknown.
Someone built it, someone is selling it, and probably someone is already clearing space for it in their garage. It’s something between a Corvette cosplay and farm equipment, and perhaps that’s where its special appeal lies.
Similar projects often arise from a desire to combine the incompatible, creating a unique tool. In this case, the attempt to combine a legendary sports car with a work truck raises many questions about its expediency, but also demonstrates a considerable share of engineering ingenuity. The condition of the car indicates that it requires serious investment to bring it into proper shape, making it more of a project for an enthusiast than a vehicle ready for daily use. The price may seem high for such an experiment, but for a collector of unusual cars, it may be justified by the uniqueness of the specimen.