Story behind the rare Corvette C3 Sportwagon

Rare ONES We recently saw the Corvette appeared in such unique appearance of wagon version while surfing the internet. Well those unique styled Corvette was featured on the BarnFinds published in 2013. At that time this Corvette's wagon version (knew as 1976 Corvette Greenwood Sportwagon) was being on sale on a well-known e-commerce site, e-Bay, and is equipped with the L-82 engine option which was the high-performance version of Chevrolet’s 350, coupled with automatic transmission, power steering, power disc brakes and Air Conditioning to keep things cushy.

The Chevrolet Corvette Greenwood Sportwagon proved to be an immense improvement over the original Miller design, not only functionally, but aesthetically as well. (Picture from: MotorTrend)

Really, this unusual-shaped Corvette made our curiousity boiled up to know more about it. Indeed, from its manufacturer, the Corvette only has one default model of muscle car (both in coupe and roadster), but it turns out that later there are also those who have made its wagon version. Well in our opinion, maybe it was an attempt to show a Corvette that was different from the others, so that later gave an idea to many parties such John Greenwood to innovate by making its wagon conversion kit.

The Chevrolet Corvette Greenwood Sportwagon has the roofline was continued at the same slope and curvature as the T-tops, ending shorter and lower than the original. (Picture from: BarnFinds)

As quoted of CarThrottle, the idea of the first Corvette's Sportwagon version was sparked by Chuck Miller back in the 1970s, when he was commissioned to create the such first Sportwagon by a rock-band drummer who owned a Corvette C3 and needed some extra cargo room for his drum sets.

1969 Chevrolet Corvette Sportwagon that uses one of the rare original kits developed by Chuck Miller. (Picture from: Silodrome)

Unfortunately, the first design was considered less successful because it still has some shortcomings. Such as it didn't have a functional back hatch, so the process of loading and unloading cargo is difficult because it still has to go through the car's side doors. Meanwhile, in terms of aesthetics, the shape of this first Sportwagon looked awkward, because it didn't blend well.

The Chevrolet Corvette Greenwood Sportwagon, which transformed the sleek and swooping lines of the sports car into a proper unique two-door wagon. (Picture from: Road&Track)

And it wasn't until 1976, when John Greenwood thought that he could made better Sportwagon model than Miller. In short, he managed to design and make a prototype proved to be an immense improvement over the original Miller design, not only functionally, but aesthetically as well.

1969 Chevrolet Corvette Sportwagon that uses one of the rare original kits developed by Chuck Miller. (Picture from: Silodrome)

As you can see, the roofline was continued at the same slope and curvature as the T-tops, ending shorter and lower than the original. The slant of the rear coincided nicely with the angle of the bumper. Overall, it just looked better and smoother. Meanwhile the biggest improvement, it has the rear-opening 'hatch' that allowed access from the back of the car.

The roofline of the Chevrolet Corvette Greenwood Sportwagon is extended rearward, while new glass windows are added along the side. (Picture from: Road&Track)

Uniquely, the first prototype of the Sportwagon made by John Greenwood was built on his girlfriend’s Corvette C3. The car was originally white, then it was painted under brown metallic shortly before to shown off for the first time at the 1976 SEMA Show. Apparently its appearance at the auto expo was a huge hit, and John Greenwood came back with many orders.

The Chevrolet Corvette Greenwood Sportwagon has the rear-opening 'hatch' that allowed access from the back of the car. (Picture from: BarnFinds)

To fulfill all the incoming orders, John Greenwood then collaborated with several companies like American Custom Industries (ACI) and Eckler’s. It is estimated, in total (during its production periods of 1976 to 1982), approximately between 20 and 25 units built by ACI, Eckler’s, and over-the-counter kit Greenwood Sportwagons were produced, including a few Turbo Sportwagons.

Then this model is became best choices in the 1970s for those who want to keep driving a Corvette while bringing groceries or golf club, because both coupe and convertible at that time did not have space that could be used behind the chair. It wouldn’t be until the last years of the C3 when the Corvette finally got a bubble rear window with plenty of room for golf clubs, though only the 1982 Corvette Collector Edition had a real hatchback version.

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Monday, August 1, 2022

Story behind the rare Corvette C3 Sportwagon