This is one of the most successful and historically
significant Corvettes in IMSA history. This Greenwood “Supervette”
driven by John Paul Sr. was one of the fastest cars in the IMSA series
and always a threat to win. In 2003 the car was fully restored to period
correct specification both cosmetically and mechanically. Every component
was either rebuilt or replaced with new parts. Since the completion
of the restoration in 2004 it has only competed in five vintage events.
It is completely sorted and race ready.
In 1976, the IMSA sanctioning body changed
road racing rules to allow full tube frame cars to compete in the
premier North American Road Racing series. John Greenwood saw a major
opportunity to design and build the next generation of racing Corvette.
With the help of chassis designer Bob Riley, the first Greenwood tube
frame Corvette was built and rolled out for competition in 1977. This
car was the second of only two chassis built.
After racing a Porsche Carrera RSR John
Paul Sr. was looking for a major horsepower racecar and the
Greenwood Corvette was it. In the off-season between 1977 and 1978,
John Paul bought the second tube frame from Protofab Engineering.
The JLP Corvette was assembled by AVC engineering,
which included Charlie Selix, Bob Urban and Gary Pratt (later of Pratt
and Miller). In an effort to reduce drag and increase top speed the
design of 002 differed from the first car and was built with a narrower
track and more aerodynamic bodywork. There was even talk of running
the car for a land speed record.
John Paul drove the car in the 1978 IMSA
season competing for overall wins in the premier GTX catagory. There
was on going research and development with this car as the Porsche
935 were now the dominant car to beat. John Paul had many podium finishes
with a best finish of 2nd overall at Hallett. Finally
at the end of the 1978 season, John Paul retired the Greenwood Supervette
and began campaigning a Porsche 935.
John Paul sold the car to Tico Almeida
and Rene Rodriguez of T&D Racing. Tico and Rene raced the car
once in 1980 and then rebodied the car with the new Greenwood Daytona
body style for 1981. The car appeared in the 1981 Daytona 24 hours
with John Greenwood as the driver however engine failure prevented
the car from starting the race.
The 1982 IMSA season produced strong results
for the John Greenwood/T&R Racing Team. The car ran with the Daytona
Body style the entire season in IMSA’s GTO glass with impressive
results. However, Porsche competition was fierce and the team retired
the car at the end of the 1982 IMSA Season.
Tico and Rene then sold the car to Luis Burgos who was a club racer
from Puerto Rico. Luis raced the Supervette in club events in Puerto
Rico and later brought the car to Miami for the 1984 IMSA Grand Prix.
Burgos later sold the car to Paul Canary
who stored it for many years in California. The Supervette was purchased
by Goldin Brothers Racing in 2002 and restored for vintage racing.
The restoration was completed in January of 2004
600 cubic Inches, 950+ hp
Kinsler Cross Ram Fuel Injection
Race History
1978
Road Atlanta 5th. John Paul
Laguna Seca 8th. John Paul
Hallett 2nd. John Paul
Lime Rock 3rd. John Paul
Brainerd 34th. John Paul
Daytona 250 51st. John Paul, Michael Keyser
Sears Point 19th. John Paul
Portland 17th. John Paul
Road Atlanta 23rd. John Paul
1979
12 hr Sebring 53rd. Tico Almeida, Rene Rodriguez
1980
12 hr Sebring 68th. Tico Almeida, Rene Rodriguez, Gabriel Riano
1981
Daytona 24 hr, DNS John Greenwood
1982
Road Atlanta 14th OA, 9th in GTO, Rene Rodriguez
6 hr Riverside DNF John Greenwood
Laguna Seca 7th OA, 2nd in GTO, Rene Rodriguez
Charlotte DNF John Greenwood
Mid-Ohio 6th OA, 2nd in GTO Rene Rodriguez
Lime Rock 9th OA, 3rd in GTO, Rene Rodriguez
Daytona 250 DNF John Carusso, Rene Rodriguez
Brainerd DNF Rene Rodriguez
Portland DNF Rene Rodriguez
Road Atlanta 5th OA. 1st GTO, Rodriguez, Greenwood
Pocono DNF Rene Rodriguez, John Greenwood
3 hr Daytona DNF Rene Rodriguez, John Greenwood
