HOT ROD MAGAZINE: Rothspeed Debuts All-Carbon-Fiber ‘Split Ray’ 1966 Corvette at Pebble Beach
Greg Emmerson – Writer
Chuck Vranas – Photographer Aug 27, 2024
From Motortrend
Rothspeed will be taking customer orders for custom 1966 Corvettes like this one unveiled at the Concours d’Elegance during Monterey Car Week 2024.
Unquestionably, one of the stars of the 2024 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance was the Rothspeed “Split Ray.” Developed over five years by Scott Roth and his team of engineers, this 2,800-pound carbon-fiber rocket ship came about as the result of the highly acclaimed 1966 Corvette Split Ray he debuted in 2017.
“It cost us $2 million to build the original Split Ray, but people kept trying to buy it!” Scott told us. “So, we decided to manufacture the car to allow people to own their own. It took five years to get everything right—interrupted by COVID—but we’ve manufactured everything from the carbon-fiber body to the chassis, machined suspension arms, billet IRS (which took three years alone), and more. We also teamed up with Emtron in Australia on its VC10M vehicle management system. Not only does it control the engine and transmission, but it can provide ABS, traction control, and even interior controls such as air conditioning, etc.”
The prototype on display at Pebble Beach was powered by an 800-hp Lingenfelter LT4. Stripped of mufflers and cats, the test mule drew a crowd when it was fired-up for event attendees. Upon returning their shop in Milton, Vermont, Rothspeed plans to install a 1,000-hp engine with a Sadev sequential six-speed transmission.
The carbon-fiber body has been manufactured by the team at Fiber Forged. “They molded our original car, and I worked with Zach [Ingram] on the design, fittings, etc. and it’s come out looking great,” Scott told us. “We made the cabin 6 inches wider for great comfort, allowing the C7 interior to be used, and even had DOT glass made for the car. We’re trying to leave no stone unturned.”
For reference, the demo car was fitted with 295/30 R19 front and 345/30 R20 rear tires. The body was designed to accept huge tires without fender flares to cope with the low weight and huge power potential. Rothspeed is now taking orders for the Split Ray, unveiled to the public at Pebble Beach, starting from $600,000. Customers can create their own specifications according to budget and preference. “We’re going to ramp up production in December. After that, it will take two to four months to build a car once the deposit is placed, depending on spec,” Scott explained. “We’re hoping to produce between five and ten cars a year initially but eventually ramp up to around 25 per year.”
Customers will receive a complete car minus the engine and transmission. Those parts will be supplied to a Rothspeed dealer by the customer. That shop will then finish the build and deliver the customer a turn-key car. And good news for overseas markets: Rothspeed will offer a right-hand-drive variant for countries like the UK, Australia, South Africa, and Japan. “The dash was designed to allow us to mount the instruments and steering wheel on either side,” Scott explained.
Rothspeed will also be selling the Emtron VC10M electronics package separately in 2025. It will be available as a universal kit for builders, racers, and manufacturers to provide vehicle control options. For more information on the Split Ray Corvette, visit Rothspeed’s website. You won’t be disappointed.
Contact Rothspeed to schedule a driving encounter near you and bring the ultimate ‘60s performance vibe into your future.
About Rothspeed Inc.
Rothspeed is an aftermarket performance chassis and custom vehicle manufacturer whose sole purpose is to push the envelope by setting new and higher standards while focusing on one thing; Quality. Rothspeed offers a balance between performance and price, giving consumers the most value by making their investment go further. A custom built vehicle or handcrafted chassis are a large investment and, at Rothspeed, your investments are very important to us. For more information visit us at www.rothspeed.com