Exclusive Interview with Andy Siradakis-Owner of Label Motorsports – Creator of “Vouno”
In the April 2022 issue of Vette Vues Magazine, we shared with you an exclusive interview with Andy Siradakis, owner of Label Motorsports! Andy made headlines recently when he unveiled his creation- the world’s first widebody C8 Corvette. As part of this interview, Wayne Ellwood took an in-depth look at everything that went into building this incredible vehicle, from the inspiration behind it to the manufacturing process, and everything in between! We want to share with you some more photos of his work. This 17-month journey culminated with what you see below.
Andy’s work with cars started out as an extension of his love for the automotive industry. Having read every book and manual he could find, Andy put everything he had learned from these sources into practice and became more experienced in modified automotive projects. His success soon came when people began to notice his work and requested him for assignments which then turned into a business. Two decades later, Andy finally made what has been considered one of his most challenging- yet rewarding- builds ever: his interpretation of a C8 Widebody. Named after its Greek origins, Vouno signifies how difficult it can be to overcome obstacles when striving toward achieving one’s goals.
By Wayne Ellwood
This C8 project named “Vouno” (Greek word for mountain) was the culmination of 20 years of modifying and restyling hundreds of vehicles for clients and personal vehicles.
This project spanned 17 months (through COVID) to the reveal at SEMA 2021. It began with several overlapping projects. First, Andy spent several months with a local CAD designer translating his ideas into digital format. Andy makes special reference to Nate Colvin, his first CAD designer, who utilized the Autodesk Alias programs to develop the first renderings based on the C8 scan data captured at Label Motorsports in early 2020.
For the actual scan data, Andy partnered with a local company called Diverse Dimensions to scan two new C8s. This had served to secure all of the data for mounting points and replacement panels in order to create full widebody fender replacement panels, utilizing all of the factory mounting points and hardware. Andy then had had all 29 pieces of the new kit 3D printed in order to mount to the vehicle, prove his concept, and fine-tune fitment.
Scanning a C8 body for precise dimensions
Trial fit pieces printed from scans
Project Vouno’: America’s newest Supercar that redefines what an American Sports Car can be
Stepping back in time, Andy noted that his very first step to the SEMA 2021 reveal was to reach out to GENTEX a year before building the car. Andy knew of GENTEX as a technology company and a tier 1 auto supplier that fits nearly 50% of the world’s vehicles with their tech and vision/mirror systems and is the manufacturer and supplier of the current C8 Corvette rearview mirror system.
Being located in West Michigan, GENTEX represented the perfect opportunity to partner with a complementary business to launch his build and support another local business by bringing awareness to the GENTEX brand and booth location. GENTEX also assisted in developing three unique components of the build. The OE-inspired clear taillamp package, an “LM” Label Motorsports, branded blind spot rear view exterior mirror package, and a forged carbon fiber interior rearview mirror with a custom bezel.
Label Motorsports’ Forged Carbon C8 Widebody in Gentex booth at SEMA 2021
We are proud to present this unique project, which we believe will be one of the best ever built.
The next step involved SCT Sankuer Composite Technologies in Detroit. They created the tooling and helped to develop a process for the hand-cut forged carbon fiber pattern … eventually named LMC (Label Moulding Compound).
Sankuer painstakingly created samples until they found a size and pattern that worked for the finishing layer of carbon. All chips are hand-cut and applied as the top layer on top of all of the traditional weave structural carbon fiber underneath.
It was clear that Andy was very proud of what was created with Patrick Sankuer and his company. This particular finish is one of the most unique elements in the whole project.
What is Forged Carbon Fiber?
At this point, it might be worthwhile to explain a bit about “forged” carbon fiber and why Andy chose this avenue. “Forged Carbon” was invented in 2012 and released first in the automotive world at Lamborghini.
This look immediately became synonymous with exotic cars and since has seen variations of it for different makes and models. The link to European exotics and the fact that Andy’s shop specializes in these models is the link to why this process is appealing to owners of the very exotic new C8 Corvettes.
But the Vuono C8 widebody is more than just a “materials” showpiece. It’s an “all-in” package designed from the ground up.
Some of the major undertakings on this build start with the stunning all-titanium exhaust exiting through the mid bumper. This was all prototyped and built here in West Michigan; RYFT provided him with the first all titanium C8 X pipe system they developed (they are one of the top titanium exhaust manufacturers in the world currently). Andy then had the titanium link pipes and exit pipes fabricated locally. Finally, everything was cerakoted for maximum heat dissipation and resistance.
The engineered air struts are a first of their kind, with details currently being withheld pending copyright.
The brakes are the world’s largest C8 brakes and feature an integrated E-brake that is a plug-and-play solution, the first to do so.
The brakes are the world’s largest C8 brakes and feature an integrated E-brake that is a plug-and-play solution, the first to do so. While many “big name” companies have yet to have an Ebrake solution in place at the time of SEMA, Label Motorsports had a fully functional integrated Ebrake system developed in late 2020 with our development and partnership with CEIKA brakes.
Photo of Wheels by Brixton Forged
The Aero Hood is Fully Functional
The aero hood is fully functional with a custom-built duct that connects through the custom pass-through in the center of the front bumper and connects to the sealed front trunk section creating airflow and downforce on the front like the C8R race car. This is integrated by creating a partition in the front truck and creating a full ducted channel that runs from the front trunk area to the inlet where the front license plate cover is located.
Clear Taillights
Custom Interior
The custom interior was all done in the factory, matching Alcantara suede with custom body-colored seat backs and bottoms and a custom seatbelt package.
In Conclusion
As Andy wrapped up our interview, he gave us a list of all of the partners in this project. Without support from partners, innovative projects like this Forged carbon C8 widebody would never come to a successful conclusion:
- Builder/Designer: Label Motorsports/Andy Siradakis Owner
- CAD Developers: Nate Colvin and Tyler Thompson-Love
- 3D Scanning: Diverse Dimensions/ Jeff Mass
- Carbon Fiber Manufacturer: Sankuer Composite Technologies
- Paint and Bodywork: CarStar 76/ Mark Vandenhout
- Exhaust Fabrication: Brant Higgins/ Higgins Marine metals
- Interior: Appearance Products
- High Temp Coatings: West Michigan Cerakoting/JET HOT Coatings
Manufacturer partners:
GENTEX, Ryft, Jet Hot Coatings, Squaretank, West Michigan Cerakote, Brixton Forged Wheels CEIKA, Avery Dennison Vinyl
Vouno on the Road
Envision yourself as the Owner of a Vouno Widebody C8 Project.
If you’re interested in learning more about the car, you can see some of Andy’s work on his website at www.labelmotorsports.com or call him at 616.288.7710.
Learn more about Chevrolet’s newest Corvette, the C8 Corvette, including its performance, reviews, and ratings, by visiting our Corvette C8 Information Category.
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