Antique & Classic Cars Blog
7-8-9 Launch Off the Line
Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008Here’s one you may have missed: the Chevy 789, a drop-top from custom California builder n2a Motors, featuring–as all you classics fans can see–design elements from the ‘57, ‘58, and ‘59 Chevy lineup.
She runs a modern Corvette chassis and puts out about 400 ponies, good enough for a claimed 190 miles per hour.
Though he couldn’t go into specifics because it’s not out yet, company head Gene Langmesser says the car stars in a made-for-TV movie, something along the lines of Gone in 60 Seconds.
Naturally the car’s built with all modern performance and safety equipment and on those terms can leave its design progenitors sniffing radials’ dust and road debris.
What do you folks think?
(Photos used with permission from n2a Motors.)
Revised, Thursday:
Reader “ds” noted the 789 resembled the Batmobile. Here are two concept drawings in support of that view:
5 Responses to "7-8-9 Launch Off the Line"
Looks like a bat-mobile
I’ve seen this before. Still unsure what to make of it. Probably wouldn’t buy one, even if I could afford it. Unique to say the least. I think this will be one of those “I love it./It’s toad ugly!” deals. I see on their website they’re planning other similar types, one of them based on older Buick designs, and another that features design elements from ‘55 and ‘61 Chevys.
I watched the Barrett-Jackson auction on Speedvision, and noticed cars weren’t fetching nearly the money they previously did. That means the economic slow down has hit the collector car world. That may put a crimp in n2a’s business plan. I wish them all the luck in the world.
I agree, ds. I’ll edit the post to add two more concept photos that really look like the Batmobile.
I hear ya, Dave. I have mixed reactions too. As a classics lover, for looks alone I’d rather have an original ‘57, ‘58, of ‘59 Chevy. Thing is, this car takes nothing away from those–I’m sure n2a is using aftermarket or custom made panels, not hacking up original cars. A person can have his original and one of these too (a person with a fat wallet, that is).
It’s also hard to judge from two dimensions alone. Sitting in it, hearing it, riding in it, might win over some skeptics–the thing moves. I prefer the original T-Bird to the modern iteration, but the new one is certainly nice. I gained new appreciation for it seeing it in the metal at the auto show and checking out how comfortable yet well styled the interior was. It’s the difference between a cool drive-occasionally classic and something different you can put miles on every (non-winter) day.
Agreed: I’ll wait to see one in real life before passing judgement.
I did see it on the back cover, and mentioned in, of Hot Rod magazine about a year ago IIRC.
Based on a C6 Corvette, adding significant width, length, and weight, a stunning answer to a question that no one was asking. After looking at the pics for a while, and trying to find the 58 hidden here, I did a search, and the 58 element incorporated is the tri-color interior. Pleeeease!
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MotorMouth Kris Palmer, freelance auto writer and editor, blogs about vintage cars, the collectible auto scene and just about anything else that goes vroom.
1975 BUICK LESABRE Coupe, red w/white Lando top, mint, Oklahoma car, 26,600 m...
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