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Wha ever happened to Corson? by War Hammer
Started on: 05-02-2008 08:23 PM
Replies: 10
Last post by: James Bond 007 on 05-06-2008 10:55 AM
War Hammer
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Report this Post05-02-2008 08:23 PM Click Here to See the Profile for War HammerSend a Private Message to War HammerDirect Link to This Post
Hi Guys and Gals,

What ever happened to the Corson kitcars?

Does anyone know who has kits/molds?

Thanks,
Paul

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1988 Fiero
3800SC Series 1 w/5spd
Coilovers
18's w/Pirellis
Corvette Dash Mod

1985 GT
1986 Notchie
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Doc John
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Report this Post05-02-2008 08:32 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Doc JohnSend a Private Message to Doc JohnDirect Link to This Post
That's a good question - I've wondered about it for a long time. They have to be somewhere, and they were top notch kits.

Dan Campbell, who used to own PISA, used to sell some of Corsons products. He might be a place to start.
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Dennis LaGrua
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Report this Post05-02-2008 09:04 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Dennis LaGruaSend a Private Message to Dennis LaGruaDirect Link to This Post
Randy Corson had many other interests and left the Fieros business quite a while ago. One of his main products was a V8 kit which was essentially a ripoff of the design manufactured originally for Pontaic Motorsports by Gary Zumalt pf St Louis. I knew a guy who installed a Corson kit and after finishing his V8 swap opened things up a few times and snapped an axle in half. The sad thing is that his V8 SBC wasn't all that powerful.
There were several other manufacturers of Fiero V8 kits ove the years like Ron's Mechanical, HiTech, and Shelby products. To my knowledge V8 Archie is the only remaining V8 Fiero kit manufacturer. This could be because Archies V8 kits worked the best or because more Fiero owners can acheive the performance levels that they wish for a lower cost by using some of the more powerful and modern V6's and fours or a combination of both factors. You can get most of the same type of products that Corson sold from V8 Archie so if a V8 is your thing, he's the man!

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87GT - 3.4L Turbocharged engine, modified TH125H
" I'M ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

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Doc John
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Report this Post05-02-2008 10:12 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Doc JohnSend a Private Message to Doc JohnDirect Link to This Post
I think War Hammer was referring to the Ferrari BBi replica kits that Corson used to make - I know I was!

[This message has been edited by Doc John (edited 05-02-2008).]

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Dennis LaGrua
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Report this Post05-02-2008 10:46 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Dennis LaGruaSend a Private Message to Dennis LaGruaDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by Doc John:

I think War Hammer was referring to the Ferrari BBi replica kits that Corson used to make - I know I was!




I believe that Ferrari took legal action against all kit car manufacturers that copied their designs. They were all forced to cease production and destroy the molds. Notice that you can't buy a Ferrari look alike kit anymore.

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87GT - with 3800SC Series III engine, 4T65eHD
87GT - 3.4L Turbocharged engine, modified TH125H
" I'M ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

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Amida
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Report this Post05-02-2008 10:49 PM Click Here to See the Profile for AmidaSend a Private Message to AmidaDirect Link to This Post
The Aldino is still available which is very similar.
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War Hammer
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Report this Post05-03-2008 01:37 AM Click Here to See the Profile for War HammerSend a Private Message to War HammerDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by Amida:

The Aldino is still available which is very similar.


The Aldino looks more like a Konig or Gemballa custom 512bbi. I am looking for the clean lines of the original.

Thanks,
Paul
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PaulJK
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Report this Post05-03-2008 03:28 AM Click Here to See the Profile for PaulJKSend a Private Message to PaulJKDirect Link to This Post
From what I've heard, Corson Motor Cars (in Phoenix) went out of business in the 1990's. There were a total of 98 units made - kits, cars, coupes and convertibles. It was an expensive body kit,( about $10k) but high quality as far as fiberglass body kits go. Randy's contact info was posted on a website dedicated to corson owners a while back, but people were cautioned against contacting him - he reportedly has No interest in the subject. The website was owned by a corson owner in NJ, but has since gone down. The cars show up on eBay once in a while and have been holding decent value, depending on engine and interior. There was no "standard" interior kit, only the exterior coupe or convertible body work. I'd expect a nicely done corson with interior and engine upgrades to go for $25k or more as a gross guess-timate.

PISA used to sell the targa top kit made by Corson, and that was a rare item.

If you don't wanna wait for one to show up, you might start with an Aldino and "work back" to get the look you want - it's only superfical bodywork mostly on the rear; the structure and mounting would not be affected. By the way, Rich at Aldino is a Very good guy to work with.

http://www.aldinokit.com/

[This message has been edited by PaulJK (edited 05-03-2008).]

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ricksmastermix
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Report this Post05-05-2008 10:14 PM Click Here to See the Profile for ricksmastermixClick Here to visit ricksmastermix's HomePageSend a Private Message to ricksmastermixDirect Link to This Post
My wife and I went to Scottsdale (From Atlanta) to meet Randy & Pat Corson back in the early '90's. They met us at their hanger at the Scottsdale airport in Randy's beautiful Spyder. It was breathtaking. My wife, who could have cared less about seeing this car, was overwhelmed by the car and became a big supporter of my dream to buy and build one. In the Summer of '94, I bought the #076 Corson Motorcar (A Spyder.) I spent three years building the car on an ''86, 2.8l, 4-speed. During that period Randy and Pat were very helpful and supportive. Eventually, the car got a 3.4 dohc, 5-speed, custom leather interior, custom dash with additional gauges (Including a dual gauge A-Pillar pod,) custom DVD/CD sound system, custom SS exhaust system, Held Motorsports wide-track, coil-over suspension with 11.3" rotors, 4-piston calipers, an '88 cradle with Held coil-over suspension, 17" wheels with 225x45 front and 245x40 rear z-rated tires.
A couple of years ago, I was thinking about doing a Corson registry. I managed to find several owners, but not enough to start the registry. I spoke with Pat at that time about their decision to close Corson Motorcars. She indicated that they got tired of answering phone calls from non-customers and non-qualified buyers. She, also, said that Ferrari had never tried to stop production of their cars.
Our experience with the Corson's was a very pleasant one. They were, always, helpful and professional.

See my Spyder at: http://community.carcrazyce...ile.aspx?UserID=2806
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tesmith66
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Report this Post05-06-2008 07:07 AM Click Here to See the Profile for tesmith66Send a Private Message to tesmith66Direct Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:There were several other manufacturers of Fiero V8 kits ove the years like Ron's Mechanical, HiTech, and Shelby products.


I'm one of the lucky Ron's Mechanical kit owners. Ask me about it sometime...

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1986 SE 350 V8

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James Bond 007
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Report this Post05-06-2008 10:55 AM Click Here to See the Profile for James Bond 007Send a Private Message to James Bond 007Direct Link to This Post
You might try looking for the 308 ,328 and the and the 348 Ferrari kits (most are only avalabe used).
http://www.rosneathengineer...k/images/308gtb4.jpg
http://image05.webshots.com...5752646hgSMxu_fs.jpg
http://www.heritageclassics...ri/95gry348spi/A.jpg
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