When it comes to Chevrolets, nothing says speed like a Corvette. When it comes to a certain Baltimore-area 1969 Pro Street Corvette Stingray, speed is only one part of a total package 18 years in the making.
By day, Jimmy Grasso, whose moniker is “The Mover,” runs his own moving company. But most other times he’s moving his spiffed-up, 1280 horsepower, ’69 Corvette.
The Vette has gone through its share of upgrades through the three decades it’s belonged to Grasso. By 2002, Grasso wanted his car to gain a lot more power and style.
So he began a major overhaul that included enlarging the rear wheels’ wells to fit oversized tires (called tubbing) plus extensive body work by friend and local fabricator Ed McDonough of Essex.
Frank Morawski, of the Glass Shop in Bel Air, worked with the car to overcome various challenges, which included cropping the hood scoop to a more reasonable size and cutting the Vette’s spoiler, thus creating a detachable piece that would bolt into the body.
Turning to horsepower, Grasso ran his ideas past Bob Mock at Mock Performance in Bel Air. The result is a 432 ci small block engine which takes 110 Octane CAM2 racing fuel made for higher compression engines, which can cost as much as $8 a gallon.
Bringing it all together was Jim Hurley of H&H Muscle Cars and Street Rods in Joppa. Although problems with the rear differentials plagued the car to final completion because of the four-link being smaller than desired, by the close of 2002 all the major problems had been worked out.
In 2006, Grasso installed Lamborghini doors to add style to the car’s already menacing appearance.
Still, he has at least one more side project lined up — the addition of a reverse hood mechanized by actuators will raise and lower the hood by remote control. Added touches like these combined with maintenance and tweaks — at a cost of about $100,000 over the car’s 30-year life — keep the Corvette fresh.
What do you drive?
A 1969 Corvette Stingray.
And why do you drive it?
Oh, it’s just fun. I drive it all over the place. I’ve always wanted a Corvette and now it’s just a head turner. With that engine, when I pull into a show, everyone thinks it’s a big block. I said, “No, it’s a small block.”
What makes this car so special?
It stands out with the engine and the paint job. The paint job really doesn’t do it justice until it’s out in the sun. That paint jumps right out at you.
What is your most memorable driving experience?
Down at the cruise last year in Ocean City. I went down and I won the Hooters show. I won the Ice Cream Castle Top 10. I won at the Inlet. CAM II is like $8 a gallon so I tow it down to Ocean City. And on the track going 9 seconds at 137 mph É that’s awesome.
What was the first car you owned?
My first car was a 1958 Chevy station wagon. I paid $50 for it.
What is currently in your CD player?
Van Halen.
And your first ticket? What was it for?
I never got a ticket with this car. I use my head. I don’t drive like an idiot. If I want to go fast, I go to the track.
