GEO STORM MODIFICATIONS BODY MODIFICATIONS Body Work Removed Roof Reinforcement of the Floor and Frame Custom Rear Cover with Integrated Spoiler Custom Two Hoop Roll Over Bar Windshield Shortenned Windshield Wheels and Tires 15x7 Five Point Twist Star Wheels 205-50-15 Goodyear VR50 Tires Lighting Pace Car Light Bar Strobe Lamps in Front and Rear Turn Signals Smoke Tinted Front Turn Signal Lenses INTERIOR MODIFICATIONS Seating Custom Racing Seats Upholstered in Red and Black TRW Five Point Racing Harness in Red Rear Seats Removed Dash, Console, Door Panels Red Painted Instrument Cluster and Center Console Red Leather Shift Boot, Emergency Brake Boot Red Leather Door Panel Inlays Carpet Custom Red CarpetingAdapted from the display information:
This 1991 Geo Storm Roadster was built in the 1991-92 school year by Explorer Post 1870 by 30 students who were enrolled in a joint program between the Boy Scouts/Explorer Scouts of America and the GM Tech Center in Warren, Michigan. The students were given the opportunity to transform a standard Geo Storm Coupe into "their own dream machine".
Technical support was given to the students by Chevrolet-Pontiac-GM of Canada (CPC) and the United Auto Workers Local 160. The project was supervised by Tom Ellis, GM Technical Center and Exploring Coordinator. The Explorers worked with engineers and skilled trades people through this hands on project which provided direct experience in all areas of automobile design and construction, including drafting, machine shop, and metal fabrication. Design drawings were based on the student's concepts and were created by Denny Hall, Chief Engineer and Assistant Group Manager for Geo Group; Wes Yokum and Jon Moss of Chevrolet-Geo Special Vehicles; and Lief Chapman, Ron Smith, and Mark Beuregard of the GM Design Center.
Features of the vehicle include:
The Storm Roadster served as official pace car for two Geo Storm Celebrity Races which were held at the SCCA Trans Am race in DesMoines, Iowa on July 13, 1991 and the CART race in Denver, Colorado on August 24, 1991.
At the 1991 Detroit Autorama held in Detroit, Michigan the Storm Roadster won first place in it's class; Radical Custom Post-war Convertibles.
The vehicle has been featured in several magazines, including Motor Trend and Sport Compact Car.
The Storm Roadster was displayed at the GM Powertrain Lobby at the GM Technical Center in Warren, Michigan. It is currently on display at the National Scouting Museum in Murray, Kentucky.Ownership of the Storm Roadster is still officially held by General Motors. The vehicle is on loan to the Boy Scouts of America. The Storm Roadster has never been title or registered. As a project vehicle, it is classified as "scrap" and can not be purchased, sold, or used on public roads, and must be destroyed (crushed) after its display use has concluded.
I would like to thank the staff of the National Scouting Museum for
allowing me to photograph this fine vehicle. Without their help and
cooperation, this would not have happenned.
I highly recommend a visit to the National Scouting Museum to anyone
who is interested in this vehicle. It is a very impressive piece of
work, especially considering that it was built by high school aged
students. This, and its awards are a testament to the hard work and
perserverence of Explorer Post 1870.
Flash Photography is prohibitted inside the Museum to prevent damage
to the paintings. You will note in the background of several of the
images there are a number of noted Norman Rockwell paintings on display.
I was not allowed to touch or open the hood of the Storm Roadster, and
there was no mention of engine or suspension modifications having been
done to the vehicle. It is unclear if the Explorers' work included a
mechanical aspect.
As part of the display, behind the wheel of the vehicle is a manequin
dressed in a Boy Scout uniform and GM cap.
