1968 Molzon Concept Corsa GT38
1968 Molzon CONCEPT CORSA GT38
Chassis no. MICH 70 254
2,678 CC Flat 6-Cylinder Engine
4 Carburetors
200HP at 6,500 RPM
5-Speed Manual Porsche Transaxle
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Weel Drum Brakes
*The one and only
*Designed and built by visionary GM designer William R. Molzon
*Under Molzon's care for nearly 50 years
*Jaw dropping design and performance – Featured in 1970 issue of Road & Track
*Extensively documented piece of automotive history
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
William "Bill" Molzon's illustrious career began at the General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan, immediately followed by a B.S. degree in Industrial Design at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles. During this time, Molzon became obsessed with the idea of creating a totally integrated design concept of engineering and styling that would create a car unlike any other. The idea was to create a vehicle that would have acceleration superior to that of the fastest corvette, while still remaining efficient, and possessing the handling capabilities of a Lotus.
Upon graduation, Molzon accepted a position with General Motors Styling where he would work under Larry Shinoda on some of Chevrolets most successful models. It was during his time at GM that Molzon began to bring his dream car to life. Molzon began building the concept in 1963 by creating models of the car's tubular space-frame chassis, suspension, interior, and body. The original design called for a wedge shaped roadster, but over the long development period, the design evolved into a smooth, slick coupe whose aerodynamic properties would help to increase the cars performance, while also creating a timeless design that would never go out of style.
The chassis was constructed mostly from one-inch steel tubing, providing the rigidity that a high performance sports car demands. Molzon ingeniously cut a series of vertical Styrofoam blocks to match sections of his full-scale surface development drawing, glued them together, and mounted them onto a frame. Once each piece was smoothly integrated, final surfacing was completed by applying a light coat of fine plaster to the Styrofoam model, sanding it to an absolutely smooth form and then sealing it. The sculpture like fiberglass body was completed in the summer of 1967.
When the coupe was ready for a powertrain, a highly modified Chevrolet flat-six corsa engine was sourced from noted Cheverolet Corvair racer Don Eichstaedt, who built the engine to the maximum performance specifications. The engine was good for a stout 200hp. Due to the orientation of the engines layout, a special transmission was needed. After much research, Molzon determined that the five-speed transaxle from Porsche's new 901 (soon to be 911) would work best for his application and a unit was secured. The final fitting of the running gear took place in September of 1968.
Once completed, the car measured just 136-inches from front to back, with a 90-inch wheelbase, and an overall height of only 38.5 inches (GT38). The car barley registered on the scales at just 1,100 pounds, making the race bred 200hp flat six's job extremely easy. In a 1970 Road & Track article featuring the car, it states "To say that the now complete car is quick and agile is an understatement – even the usually cool Molzon confesses to being a little un-nerved by the alacrity of its acceleration and directional responsiveness beyond expectation."
Molzon would keep the car in his personal collection for nearly 50 years. Over that time, the car would only travel 950 miles, a handful of which were accumulated at an autocross event in the 1970s where the car performed admirably at the hands of the rookie driver - Bill Molzon. In early 2017, at the age of 78, Molzon decided that it was time to let others enjoy his masterpiece of design and engineering and sold the concept car to the public for the first time.
Today, the car has only traveled 959 miles and is in beautifully preserved, time-capsule like condition. The one-off concept is sold with an immense history file which includes an original copy of the 1970 Road & Track Magazine featuring the car, hundreds of invoices for the parts used to create the car, and a hard cover brochure detailing each process of the build. The sale of the one and only Molzon Concept Corsa GT38 presents the incredible opportunity to acquire a piece of automotive history, a true marvel that melds art and engineering into one harmonious being.
View it on
Sale price
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
1968 Molzon CONCEPT CORSA GT38
Chassis no. MICH 70 254
2,678 CC Flat 6-Cylinder Engine
4 Carburetors
200HP at 6,500 RPM
5-Speed Manual Porsche Transaxle
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Weel Drum Brakes
*The one and only
*Designed and built by visionary GM designer William R. Molzon
*Under Molzon's care for nearly 50 years
*Jaw dropping design and performance – Featured in 1970 issue of Road & Track
*Extensively documented piece of automotive history
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
William "Bill" Molzon's illustrious career began at the General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan, immediately followed by a B.S. degree in Industrial Design at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles. During this time, Molzon became obsessed with the idea of creating a totally integrated design concept of engineering and styling that would create a car unlike any other. The idea was to create a vehicle that would have acceleration superior to that of the fastest corvette, while still remaining efficient, and possessing the handling capabilities of a Lotus.
Upon graduation, Molzon accepted a position with General Motors Styling where he would work under Larry Shinoda on some of Chevrolets most successful models. It was during his time at GM that Molzon began to bring his dream car to life. Molzon began building the concept in 1963 by creating models of the car's tubular space-frame chassis, suspension, interior, and body. The original design called for a wedge shaped roadster, but over the long development period, the design evolved into a smooth, slick coupe whose aerodynamic properties would help to increase the cars performance, while also creating a timeless design that would never go out of style.
The chassis was constructed mostly from one-inch steel tubing, providing the rigidity that a high performance sports car demands. Molzon ingeniously cut a series of vertical Styrofoam blocks to match sections of his full-scale surface development drawing, glued them together, and mounted them onto a frame. Once each piece was smoothly integrated, final surfacing was completed by applying a light coat of fine plaster to the Styrofoam model, sanding it to an absolutely smooth form and then sealing it. The sculpture like fiberglass body was completed in the summer of 1967.
When the coupe was ready for a powertrain, a highly modified Chevrolet flat-six corsa engine was sourced from noted Cheverolet Corvair racer Don Eichstaedt, who built the engine to the maximum performance specifications. The engine was good for a stout 200hp. Due to the orientation of the engines layout, a special transmission was needed. After much research, Molzon determined that the five-speed transaxle from Porsche's new 901 (soon to be 911) would work best for his application and a unit was secured. The final fitting of the running gear took place in September of 1968.
Once completed, the car measured just 136-inches from front to back, with a 90-inch wheelbase, and an overall height of only 38.5 inches (GT38). The car barley registered on the scales at just 1,100 pounds, making the race bred 200hp flat six's job extremely easy. In a 1970 Road & Track article featuring the car, it states "To say that the now complete car is quick and agile is an understatement – even the usually cool Molzon confesses to being a little un-nerved by the alacrity of its acceleration and directional responsiveness beyond expectation."
Molzon would keep the car in his personal collection for nearly 50 years. Over that time, the car would only travel 950 miles, a handful of which were accumulated at an autocross event in the 1970s where the car performed admirably at the hands of the rookie driver - Bill Molzon. In early 2017, at the age of 78, Molzon decided that it was time to let others enjoy his masterpiece of design and engineering and sold the concept car to the public for the first time.
Today, the car has only traveled 959 miles and is in beautifully preserved, time-capsule like condition. The one-off concept is sold with an immense history file which includes an original copy of the 1970 Road & Track Magazine featuring the car, hundreds of invoices for the parts used to create the car, and a hard cover brochure detailing each process of the build. The sale of the one and only Molzon Concept Corsa GT38 presents the incredible opportunity to acquire a piece of automotive history, a true marvel that melds art and engineering into one harmonious being.
Sale price
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
