Found this for the 911 alternative thread but it's so cool it needs one of its own.
Quote:
The 1979 Guanci SJJ1 GT
This custom-built sports car is not a kit car or a replica. It is, instead, one of only two cars ever built by the automotive dream team that was Guanci Automobiles Inc. This automobile was scheduled for full production.
In 1977, Chicago-area businessman John Guanci dreamed of his ideal car … one that would rival the finest European sports cars. Although lacking in formal automotive engineering or design education, Guanci applied his business acumen to organize a team of America…trades top automotive talents to build the SJJ1. The team included:
- Bob McKee. McKee had designed, developed and built race car frames and chassis since 1961. His efforts included USAC champion Roger Ward…trade;s Group 7 car that led to the rear-engine design that dominated Can Am road racing. McKee also developed the Howmet Turbine cars that established numerous international records.
- Mike Williams. Williams, who had worked as an automotive design consultant and for both Chrysler and the Kaiser Jeep Corporation as Automotive Designer, was the body designer for the Guanci SJJ1.
- Steve Norcross. Norcross brought his racing and fiberglass construction and engineering expertise to the Guanci SJJ1. His role was to handcraft all body panels, fabricate all specialty hinges and latches and to engineer body and interior components.
- Dick Kleber. Guanci…trades Director of Engineering applied his knowledge and skills in automotive suspension systems. His work in transverse engine orientation, packaged mid-engine placement and rear suspension components was critical in the development of the SJJ1.
For power, the team chose the race-proven and highly dependable L82 Corvette engine. This was an engine that could be easily modified to produce huge amounts of horsepower while also being easy to service. A special differential was designed to allow the engine to be mounted crossways just behind the driver…trade;s seat adding greatly to the performance capabilities. The frame, aluminum-clad steel, was lightweight but extremely strong. This car was designed to exceed normal stress requirements by 3 times. An aerodynamically flat, stainless steel belly pan makes this performance machine very stable at high speeds. Four-wheel independent suspension using nickel-cadmium plated stress steel was also a feature incorporated from the race circuit. Four-wheel disk brakes gave it optimum stopping power. This automobile was designed to be a street-legal race car that was ready and willing to play with the top exotic European machines.
Over $875,000.00 (that…trades nearly $1.5 million in today…trades dollars) and thousands of manhours later, out rolled two (one red, one blue) exquisite Guanci SJJ1 GTs. The cars were put on display at the Chicago Automobile show, where they were a huge hit (see the attached pictures). The Guancis had a whopping $54,000 list price and were equal to the finest European cars in performance and price. (In 1979, Mustangs and Cameros retailed at about $4,000.)
Tragically, after the first two Guancis were built, the company…trades financier died. Unfortunately, unrest in the Middle East, the hostage crisis, interest rates in the double digits and an American recession, made other investors leery. Investors simply did not want to risk money on such a radical and expensive automobile at such an uncertain time in American history. The Guanci was to go, as so many other automobiles ahead of their time had already done… into history.
The Guanci SJJ1 GTs were production automobiles. The first of what was meant to be a long line of production automobiles. The Blue SJJ1 GT was sold before the company ran into trouble to a private individual for $49,000 (about $80,000 in today…trades dollars). This was the only Guanci produced and sold, making it one of, if not the rarest, automobile in the world! John Guanci himself kept the red one.
Quote:
The 1979 Guanci SJJ1 GT
This custom-built sports car is not a kit car or a replica. It is, instead, one of only two cars ever built by the automotive dream team that was Guanci Automobiles Inc. This automobile was scheduled for full production.
In 1977, Chicago-area businessman John Guanci dreamed of his ideal car … one that would rival the finest European sports cars. Although lacking in formal automotive engineering or design education, Guanci applied his business acumen to organize a team of America…trades top automotive talents to build the SJJ1. The team included:
- Bob McKee. McKee had designed, developed and built race car frames and chassis since 1961. His efforts included USAC champion Roger Ward…trade;s Group 7 car that led to the rear-engine design that dominated Can Am road racing. McKee also developed the Howmet Turbine cars that established numerous international records.
- Mike Williams. Williams, who had worked as an automotive design consultant and for both Chrysler and the Kaiser Jeep Corporation as Automotive Designer, was the body designer for the Guanci SJJ1.
- Steve Norcross. Norcross brought his racing and fiberglass construction and engineering expertise to the Guanci SJJ1. His role was to handcraft all body panels, fabricate all specialty hinges and latches and to engineer body and interior components.
- Dick Kleber. Guanci…trades Director of Engineering applied his knowledge and skills in automotive suspension systems. His work in transverse engine orientation, packaged mid-engine placement and rear suspension components was critical in the development of the SJJ1.
For power, the team chose the race-proven and highly dependable L82 Corvette engine. This was an engine that could be easily modified to produce huge amounts of horsepower while also being easy to service. A special differential was designed to allow the engine to be mounted crossways just behind the driver…trade;s seat adding greatly to the performance capabilities. The frame, aluminum-clad steel, was lightweight but extremely strong. This car was designed to exceed normal stress requirements by 3 times. An aerodynamically flat, stainless steel belly pan makes this performance machine very stable at high speeds. Four-wheel independent suspension using nickel-cadmium plated stress steel was also a feature incorporated from the race circuit. Four-wheel disk brakes gave it optimum stopping power. This automobile was designed to be a street-legal race car that was ready and willing to play with the top exotic European machines.
Over $875,000.00 (that…trades nearly $1.5 million in today…trades dollars) and thousands of manhours later, out rolled two (one red, one blue) exquisite Guanci SJJ1 GTs. The cars were put on display at the Chicago Automobile show, where they were a huge hit (see the attached pictures). The Guancis had a whopping $54,000 list price and were equal to the finest European cars in performance and price. (In 1979, Mustangs and Cameros retailed at about $4,000.)
Tragically, after the first two Guancis were built, the company…trades financier died. Unfortunately, unrest in the Middle East, the hostage crisis, interest rates in the double digits and an American recession, made other investors leery. Investors simply did not want to risk money on such a radical and expensive automobile at such an uncertain time in American history. The Guanci was to go, as so many other automobiles ahead of their time had already done… into history.
The Guanci SJJ1 GTs were production automobiles. The first of what was meant to be a long line of production automobiles. The Blue SJJ1 GT was sold before the company ran into trouble to a private individual for $49,000 (about $80,000 in today…trades dollars). This was the only Guanci produced and sold, making it one of, if not the rarest, automobile in the world! John Guanci himself kept the red one.
