I Got No Body! - Chevy C4 Corvette Project

For those familiar with the non-stock aspects of '70s Stingrays, the name John Greenwood will be unquestionably familiar. Race-proven results are one metric by which to gauge John's immeasurable achievements for the Corvette. Other descriptive words were usually uttered by competitors who lost to John and his uniquely rebranded Corvettes-words we're pretty sure we can't print. Like him or lost to him, no one can deny the Greenwood name is as synonymous with Corvette racing of yesteryear as the C6.R moniker is with today's on-track efforts.

But the story doesn't stop there. Greenwood Corvettes, now a family owned-and-operated business (John has since retired), is still at it. With kits available for the C4, C5, and C6, Greenwood has continued its dedication to the hobby by bringing its products from the past into the present.

After the C3 era, Greenwood seamlessly made the switch to building C4 pieces, culminating into the often-imitated-but-never-equaled Greenwood styling kit seen throughout the '80s and '90s. The development of this kit has never ceased, and the results of this continued refinement can be seen on the company's Web site, www.greenwoodcorvettes.com. It was the C4 kit that caught Team VETTE's eye on a recent hunt for a unique look for our project car, "Son of Zombie." Why Greenwood? Given the choice between proven pieces and cheap knock-offs, there isn't really a choice at all.

Not quite ready to run the full gamut, we chose some of the simpler modifications that would yield the real-world results we were looking for with a minimal investment. After a quick discussion with Mike Guyette, Greenwood Corvettes' director of sales and marketing, we decided to go with the company's high-rise hood and hood louvers. For an extra advantage, we also chose a windshield fairing, which we'll cover in an upcoming article.

The reasoning? Not long from now our C4's engine bay will be upgraded with the help of a ZZ4 crate engine, an ACCEL Super Ram intake, as well as numerous other high-performance bits. While not required, the Greenwood pieces will complement these mods in several areas. The high-rise hood will deliver additional air where it's needed most, while a set of baffle-equipped hood louvers will help dissipate heat and direct any wayward water out of the bay. The windshield fairing? By smoothing out an aerodynamically "sticky" point on the front of our C4, turbulence and wind noise will be reduced. In addition, side driprails are included and will catch any rain that falls into our lap as we exit.

With the "whats" and "whys" out of the way, we concentrated on the "hows." For our installation, which isn't for the faint of heart, Strictly Vettes of Denver was chosen. When it came time to start, Tim Gutierrez expertly blended the pieces into the hood. Thanks to the craftsmanship and descriptive instructions included in the kit, the Greenwood Corvette pieces went on in no time. How did it look in the end? Well, if you were at Mid America's Funfest, chances are you saw us next to the Primedia subscription booth. If not, look no further than the accompanying photos to see how you, too, can achieve this unique and functional look.