This concept-inspired kit, available for the C1 and C2 Corvette, is incredibly rare.
Corvette is arguably one of the most evocative names in American car history and, throughout the years, has continued to inspire a series of sports cars that have become legendary. But the Corvette you see before you today is quite unusual, wearing fiberglass bodywork constructed by Fiberfab.
Known as the Centurion, this rakishly styled beauty is said to have been inspired by the 1959 XP-87 Sting Ray prototype, a GM design study from the minds of Bill Mitchell, Larry Shinoda, and Pete Brock. This striking concept later found success in the 1960 SCCA Championship. It even inspired the styling of the original Corvette C2.
But few people were as enamored by the XP-87's styling as Warren Goodwin, the man behind Fiberfab. The unique styling was developed as a bolt-on fiberglass body for the C1 and C2 Corvette, using the same body fasteners as these models.
The kit comprised a one-piece bonnet, flooring, and the original Corvette windshield.
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It's an extraordinary-looking creation, with quad headlights hidden by a prominent radiator grille. Voluptuous fenders rise and fall, while the vehicle's profile features side-mounted exhaust pipes. With its elegantly styled buttresses, the rear lends the Centurion plenty of character. This model is reportedly the only one fitted with profiled driver and passenger headrests.
The Centurion also boasts styling cues first seen on the iconic Mako Shark, another early Corvette concept car. According to Fiberfab's marketing material, the Centurion bodywork was aimed at owners who wanted to give their 'Vettes “a more youthful appearance.”
Buyers had to fork out $795 for the kit, which was a lot of money then. With hopes of producing up to 12 Centurions, Goodwin's dreams were dashed when he found himself embroiled in a scandal.
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Everything ended when, one day in 1967, Goodwin discovered his wife had been conducting an extramarital affair with his chief mechanic. Enraged, Goodwin murdered his spouse and was sentenced to prison, ending his career. He would die of a heart attack in prison the following year.
Even if this hadn't happened, General Motors had reportedly started looking into legal action against Fiberfab, as the Centurion reportedly looked too similar to the XP-87. Despite this rather disturbing past, this little-known creation is a thing of beauty and will undoubtedly receive plenty of interest from the Corvette community.
Under the hood of this particular model is a 4.6-liter V8 engine that produces 279 horsepower, which is sent to the rear wheels via a manual transmission. This vehicle was based on a '58 Corvette and recently received a complete restoration. The frill-free cabin boasts six instruments, a sporty three-spoke steering wheel, and grey upholstery.
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The vehicle was sold at a 2018 Barrett-Jackson auction and promptly exported to Andorra, a small Principality favored by the rich. With very few in existence, auction house Artcurial believes it to be the only one in Europe. If you can get over its creator's penchant for murder, it would make a fine addition to any collection.
Estimated to sell for between $131,000 – $175,000 (pricier than a brand new Z06), it would be great to see this rare Corvette Centurion repatriated to its birth country, where it would cut a fine figure cruising along California's coastal roads or stealing the show at any number of automotive displays.
If you're interested, the Centurion will be sold off on June 30 at the Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans in France. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a unique vehicle, so we anticipate some spirited bidding.
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Keyword: Fiberfab Centurion Is An Outrageously-Styled Corvette With A Bizarre Past