This model took 4 years to research, design, build and finish in mega 1/12 scale.  

It was John Greenwood’s widebody customer car that inspired a young fan at Road America in 1975.

Greenwood himself got started in 1968 by winning an autocross, doing drivers’ school and going club racing at the time when the L88 Big Block Corvette was the rage.

John won the SCCA AP Runoffs at Road Atlanta in 1970 and again in 1971 with this Corvette roadster and novel stars & stripes paint job.

That led to professional endurance racing through which he attracted BFG sponsorship and the attention of GM engineers and designers like ZAD.

Greenwood introduced the widebody Corvette in August 1974 at Road Atlanta and set up a parts business.

His innovative design resembles a “front-engine version” of Bruce McLaren’s Chevy-powered monsters that cleaned up in Can Am.

John swapped the number 48 for the number 75 to promote the 1975 Sebring 12-hour race that was wiped out by the OPEC gas embargo the year earlier.

Now we have the world’s most accurately detailed model of that car thanks to Randy Derr.

Among the many connections along the way was a trip to inspect the actual car in France where it currently resides.

Folks who glossed over the Photo Gallery might want to click again.

Potential publishers, please be sure to credit Randy Derr.

The model goes on display at various shows this fall. For more info, please feel free to contact: jhydercrc@gmail.com

Photo Credits & sources: Randy Derr, Fred Cady, Louis Galanos, Martyn Schorr, Fred Lewis, Greenwood Archives, 

Jan Hyde jhydercrc@gmail.com