1979 CORVETTE 4 DOOR "AMERICA" RARE 1 OF 6 MADE

1979 Chevrolet Corvette AMERICA Description

Chevrolet had actually planned on making this family minded sports car at a rate of 40 per year, and to call it "Corvette America." It was designed by California Custom Coach in Pasadena. The one prototype and five production cars that were assembled were built by cutting two cars in half which, when mated together, extended the wheelbase of the vehicle by 30 inches.

Because of the economic climate of the time and the fact that a base-model Corvette sold for around $13,000, the $35,000 price tag of the four-door was deemed unaffordable. Only five production cars were built, each one custom designed for the buyer.

Because of the customized doors, there is no provision for exterior door latches. Opening the door was achieved by punching in a code on the keypad on the driver-side windshield by the A-pillar. All the door latches operated electronically. Also, the rear window opens hatchback-style, an idea that would make it to production, although not for another two years, in the '82 Corvette.

This is believed to be one of the only surviving four-door production Corvette in existence. The others were destroyed in accidents and by neglect.