Retrofitting Corvettes with bespoke Italian sheetmetal is a cherished trade in the coachbuilding industry, revived recently by cars like the Spada Codatronca and Castagna Aznom. But these rare machines owe their lineage to customs like this one: the 1963 Pininfarina Rondine Corvette.
The one-of-a-kind coachbuilt sportscar was shown at the '63 Paris auto show, and has remained in Pininfarina's collection since, recently re-appearing at the Concorso at Villa d'Este in 2005 in celebration of the famous design house's 75th birthday. Now it's headed for the auction block, scheduled to go under the hammer at the upcoming Barret-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Calling the classic "an American in an Italian suit", the organizers at Barret-Jackson haven't disclosed the estimated value, but it's sure to fetch a pretty penny or two.
[Source: Corvette Blogger]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
SPG @ Oct 3rd 2007 1:39PM
I love cars like this.
However, my first reaction to this car was "Nice Corvair" even though the best Corvair could not hold a candle to this car... Probably.
Chad @ Oct 3rd 2007 2:05PM
Me too, my first thought was Corvair.
CB2 @ Oct 3rd 2007 1:42PM
This car is beautiful. Simple understated with an interior that no corvette of any generation has matched.
Firley @ Oct 3rd 2007 3:09PM
Interior looks the same as any other 63-67 to me.
Poe @ Oct 3rd 2007 9:25PM
Sorry bud... that's a bone stock '63 Corvette interior! LOL!
Menice @ Oct 3rd 2007 1:47PM
damn, the nose on that couldnt look more like a sting ray. love it.
Carmelo Lisciotto @ Oct 3rd 2007 1:58PM
The car is art!
Carmelo Lisciotto
Aki @ Oct 3rd 2007 2:17PM
Such a beautiful design. The bumper and grill seem intentionally designed to look like a real stingray.
Keith Cornett @ Oct 3rd 2007 2:51PM
Here are some additional photos.
http://www.corvetteblogger.com/index.cfm/2007/10/2/Rare-Pininfarina-Corvette-Heading-for-BarrettJackson
The interior photo shows that it was only the body that was changed. Inside, you could be looking at the interior of any 1963 Corvette.
Jeremy Korzeniewski @ Oct 3rd 2007 7:23PM
Does anyone else see any Stud. Avanti in this design?
JK
davet @ Oct 4th 2007 4:52PM
I was thinking Iso Grifo
JZeke @ Oct 3rd 2007 8:22PM
Thats pretty sassy. I for one wouldnt mind seeing some limited edition rebodied 'Vettes from Italy. The Callaway is ugly, and so far the other rebodies I have seen (Antera I think is one) dont do the C6 chassis justice. Now a Pininfarina C6 with a new interior... *drool
^ _ ^
Victor @ Oct 3rd 2007 9:41PM
Stupidly looking thingy
big L @ Oct 3rd 2007 11:23PM
Beautiful. Would it be hard for chrysler to call up PininFarina and say 'Help"!
tio @ Oct 4th 2007 11:36AM
sweet car. Pininfarina has done some beautifully artful designs.