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The Guanci SSJ was the ambitious creation of Chicago businessman John Guanci, who aimed to establish an American supercar. Development began in 1977, with the aluminum monocoque chassis crafted by Bob McKee, a well-regarded Can-Am race car builder. Former Chrysler designer Mike Williams was responsible for the car’s sleek fiberglass bodywork. Power initially came from Chevrolet’s 270 hp L82 V8, mounted amidships, giving the car impressive performance credentials for its era.
Two Guanci SSJs were completed in time for the 1979 Chicago Auto Show, where they were showcased with an intended price of $54,000 and a proposed production cap of 50 cars per year. Unfortunately, the project encountered financial difficulties when one of Guanci’s key investors passed away, cutting the development funds needed to move forward. In 1982, an attempt was made to revive the SSJ, this time with a Buick 185 hp turbo V6, but no additional funding could be secured, and the project was ultimately abandoned.
The third and final prototype later received an Oldsmobile Aurora V8, adding to its unique place in American automotive history as an innovative, though short-lived, supercar endeavor.