“Scar” – Greg Thurmond’s All-Purpose ’65 Corvette
If your goal is to build a ’65 Corvette to perform on the track as well as on the street, why not start with an empty shell rather than deconstruct a restored car. That’s what Greg Thurmond did when he decided to build a companion to a ’64 Corvette named Scarlett. Greg found the long-resting former drag racing ‘Vette in the California desert. No front clip. No drivetrain. And a junk frame. “Perfect!” Greg thought. And the price was right, too: just $5,000.
Greg owns GTS Customs in Simi Valley, California. The shop specializes in Corvettes of all kinds, so he knows his way around these iconic Chevrolets. When it was time to start on the project, Greg ordered the front body panels from J&D Corvette and began the process of widening the body to accommodate C4 Corvette suspension components. Greg widened the front by 2-inches per side and the rear by 3-inches on each side.
Working with sponsors for his ’64 Corvette and other industry friends, Greg was able to acquire what he needed to build the ‘Vette, which earned the name “Scar.” He hand-formed the carbon fiber air dam and rear diffuser. Once the body was completed Greg sprayed the car with a custom five-stage PPG Radiance candy tangerine paint.
Starting with a stock chassis, Greg worked with the team at Paul Newman Car Creations to adapt the C4 Corvette suspension components, RideTech coil-over shocks, and other aftermarket pieces to make the car perform on the street and at the track. A C4 Corvette rearend houses 3.53 gears, with Baer six-piston, 14-inch discs mounted on all four corners. Forgeline wheels measure 18×11.5-inches in front and 18×12.5-inches in the rear and are wrapped in Falken tires.
Scar’s power comes from a 427c.i. Lingenfelter-built LS7 that produces 630 horsepower. Hedman headers steer exhaust waste through Black Widow mufflers. A Tremec manual transmission lets Greg dictate gear changes.
The interior is all business. AutoMeter gauges reside in a carbon fiber and brushed aluminum dash, while the Corbeau seats are covered in Relicate leather. Painless Wiring components and a DJ Safety fire extinguisher system complete the interior.
In addition to a staring roll in a recent SEMA Show booth for Spectre, Greg’s ‘Vette received a Golden Ticket from Optima to compete in the Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational. The car is also a regular at West Coast Goodguys CPP AutoCross events.
Given the time this ’65 Corvette spends on the track, how bulletproof is the drivetrain after seven years of hard service? No problems, Greg says, just oil changes. Sounds like one tough muscle machine.
Photos by Terry Lysak
