1979 Corvette “America” (1 of 6 built)
California Custom Coach in Pasadena created an unusual four-door Corvette conversion in 1979, commissioned by Chevrolet with plans to produce 40 units annually. The project proved economically unfeasible and ended after building a prototype plus five additional examples.
Each car required cutting two Corvettes in half and mating them together, extending the wheelbase by 30 inches to accommodate four seats, four doors, and four T-tops.
The conversion included innovative features like electronic door latches operated by a keypad on the driver-side windshield A-pillar, eliminating exterior door handles. The rear opening hatchback design previewed styling elements that would appear on the 1982 Corvette.
The $35,000 asking price proved problematic when a base Corvette retailed for approximately $13,000. The substantial cost differential made the four-door conversion commercially impractical, contributing to the project’s cancellation after limited production.
The extensive fabrication required to join two vehicles while maintaining structural integrity added considerable overhead to manufacturing.
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