This Ferrari-Like Corvette Is Actually a Real Thing
The Brillianté attempted to make the Corvette look like a Ferrari Testarossa.
Ferrari Like
We’ve certainly seen our fair share of bizarre and unusual Corvette-based vehicles over the years, many of which attempt to make GM’s iconic sports car look like something more expensive or exotic. That’s also the case with this 1989 model – better known as the Brillianté – which was redesigned to look like the also-iconic Ferrari Testarossa, and it recently crossed the block at Mecum’s Kissimmee auction.
Photos: Mecum Auctions
Pricey Conversion
The Brillianté isn’t just a one-off creation, however, but was readily available back in this era from a company called Classic International. As is the case with many tuners over the years, one could purchase a new Corvette, send it to them, pay them a whopping $37,000, and viola – now you’ve got a Corvette that looks like something far more expensive.
Photos: Mecum Auctions
Exterior Modifications
Those modifications were more than skin deep, though the exterior is what most will notice first. There, Classic International fitted the Corvette convertible with new front and rear fascias, those restyled Testarossa-like doors, wider fenders, and steel rocker panels, along with paint – which in this case is fittingly red.
Photos: Mecum Auctions
Luxurious Cabin
The interior is quite luxurious for this time as well, with big fuzzy seats and loads of wood grain trim that covers a good portion of the cabin. Other highlights include a Momo steering wheel, an alarm system, leather accents, and an upgraded stereo system with a CD player, amplifier, and six speakers.
Photos: Mecum Auctions
Upgraded Performance
Even the Corvette’s 5.7-liter V8 received some love in the form of a forged crankshaft and pistons, Carillo rods, reworked heads, a modified intake manifold, larger injectors, and a new plenum, all of which resulted in outputs of 365 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque, which flows to the rear wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission with a torque converter.
Photos: Mecum Auctions
Fortified Suspension
Underneath, Classic International gave the Ferrari-like Corvette poly control arm bushings, Monroe Formula GP shocks, modified springs, a camber control kit, and a rear roll steer control kit, all of which shored things up in the handling department. The finishing touch is a set of 17-inch wheels wrapped with 275/40 tires up front and 315/35 rubber in the rear.
Photos: Mecum Auctions
Selling for Cheap
Love it or hate it, Classic International’s Brillianté was, at least, a pretty comprehensive package that offered a ton of upgrades for its lofty price tag. However, the car only managed to sell for $19,800 at auction, which is but a fraction of its original cost. This isn’t surprising, but the new owner did manage to pick up a real head-turner for very little money, at least.
Photos: Mecum Auctions
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