T.W. Chevrolet Corvette Skycar:

The Chevrolet Corvette is one of the best known sports cars in history and in many ways represents the classic American sports car. Stylish yet comparatively affordable. Many kids dreamed of this car. The vehicle has been built in a variety of different styles. Many found their way into museums and many were highly prized by collectors. Even before the coming of the Rifts, some collectors were already experimenting with magic and their cars. Along with fighter pilots, they came some of the first techno-wizards on Rifts Earth. As well, many of their cars were protected and survived onto Rifts Earth.

There are several different conversions for Pre-Rifts vehicles which one of the most spectacular designs is called the "Skycar." The most popular body designs for the conversion are the Seventies "Mako Shark" style and the Eighties and Nineties "C4" design. Many techno-wizards do not seem to like the designs later in the Twentieth century which lack the folding lights.

In many places on Rifts Earth, roads simply do not exist and hovercraft and other VTOL designs are the means of travel for most. The only other means of travel are all terrain designs including tracked vehicles. The "Skycar" is designed to act as a hovercraft and light aircraft. Under the main body of the vehicle are a pair of retracting wings which extend for flight. Along with them, the vehicle has powerful thrusters under where the engine compartment and rear of the vehicle where the fuel tank was original mounted. The wheels also fold and there are hover thrusters in them as well. These help keep the vehicle stabilized. Finally, the rear lights fold down for an additional group of thrusters.

The flight system uses extremely powerful electric fans which are powered by a techno-wizard power system. It has a top speed of two-hundred miles per hour when in flight and a maximum range of around one thousand miles before needing to be recharged. Recharging the flight system is done by the casting of “Call Lightning” into the battery. This power system also propels the car when it is land bound. Top speed on land is around one hundred and sixty miles per hour. It can only drive this speed on extremely smooth and level roads. Finally, the vehicle has a ley line flight system which enables it to fly along ley lines with a virtually unlimited range. Along Ley Lines, the top speed is also around two hundred miles per hour.

Electronics are added to the car and are in most cases equal to those carried on most power armors including radar systems. Some cars have their displays are converted to digital displays which can be converted to a wide variety of displays while others retain the original displays and have limits to what can be displayed. Some also have HUDs made part of the wind shield to display the data as well. Many owners put incredible sound systems in their Skycars and put huge collects of music from the later part of the Twentieth Century.

One major change is the replacement of the original body with high tech armor alloys. It is generally less expensive than using enchantment materials. The vehicle is also armored under the body to prevent the vehicle from being destroyed by strikes from below. An enchanted “Armor of Ithan” force gives the ability to withstand greater damage and can be activated up to three times per day. The Corvettes are usually equipped with several additional enchantments including invisibility, impervious to energy, and sustain. Full life support is extremely difficult to be fitted into the design.

The cars do not have any location which would be able to be concealed yet be a fairly large mounting for a weapon system. Instead, a set of two Northern Gun NG-45LP “Long Pistol”weapons are mounted under the edge of the nose of the car where running lights were originally mounted. They are conventional weapons, not techno-wizard versions and use a high capacity battery which gives a total of two-hundred double shots before needing to recharge. In addition, the car has a pair of retractable mini-missile launchers in the hood. With the electrical propulsion system powered by magic, there is a large amount of space remaining in the engine compartment and a total of twelve mini-missiles, six for each launcher.

Model Number: T.W. Converted Chevrolet Corvette
Vehicle Type: Ground and Air Car
Crew: One (Can carry one additional comfortably and can carry two passengers extremely cramped)

M.D.C. by Location:

	[1] Light Particle Beam Cannons (2):	20 each
	[1] Headlight (2)	8 each
	[1] Retractable Mini-Missile Launchers (2, Hood):	40 each
	[2] Wheel / Secondary Thrusters (4 ):	25 each
	[2] Hover Thruster Units (2):	100 each
	[2] Rear Thruster Units (4):	20 each
	[3] Retractable Wings (2):	60 each
	Crew Compartment	80
	[4] Main Body:	200
	Magical “Armor of Ithan” Force Field (3 times per day):	100

Notes:
[1] These are small and difficult targets to strike, requiring the attacker to make “Called Shot;” but even then the attacker is -4 to strike.
[2] Destruction of a primary hover unit will cause the car to crash. Destruction of a secondary hover unit (Wheel unit) will cause a -20% to piloting skill roll per unit destroyed while in flight. On the ground, the vehicle will be unable to be driven. Destruction of a rear thruster unit will reduce top speed by one quarter per thruster destroyed. Destruction of none of these have any effect on the flight of the car on Ley-Line flight.
[3] Destroying a wing will cause the Skycar to crash.
[4] Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body will shut the unit down completely, making it useless.

Speed:
Ground: Top speed on roads of 160 mph (258 kph) with a normal cruise speed of 60 to 80 mph (97 to 129 kph.) The car is not really designed for off road travel, top speed is 20 mph (32 kph)
Hover / Flight Speed: Can hover at ground level at from a hover to up to 200 mph (320 kph) over both land and water. Minimum hover height is 2 feet (0.6 meters) and maximum altitude is 1,000 feet (91.4 meters). 200 mph (320 kph) on Telekinetic flight system but Corvette must remain on a ley line for flight system to operate.
Maximum Effective Range: 1,000 miles (1,610 km) on conventional hover flight or on wheeled travel. Can be recharged with a“Call Lightning” spell (15 P.P.E.) Which gives another 1,000 miles (1,610 km) of flight or wheeled travel. Effective unlimited on Telekinetic flight system (While on Ley Lines).

Statistical Data:
Height: 4.0 feet (1.22 meters)
Width: 5.75 feet (1.75 meters)
Length: 15.21 feet (4.64 meters)
Weight: 3,420 lbs (1,551.3 kilograms)
Power Source: Dual Flight / Drive System, Techno-Wizard Electrical Engine Conversion (Powered by “Call Lightning” spell) and Telekinetic flight system for flight on ley lines.
Cargo Capacity: Tiny Trunk only (Approximately 10 cubic feet). In addition to the trunk, the vehicle has additional storage ability in side passenger seat.
Black Market Cost: 8.8 million credits

Weapon Systems:

Twin Light Particle Beam Cannons: Mounted under the nose of the car, these particle beam cannons are fairly powerful but have a fairly short range. They can be fired together to inflict greater damage and controls are mounted as part of the steering wheel. These weapons are copies of the Northern Gun NG-45LP “Long Pistol” fitted into the vehicle. Power is provided by a pair of high capacity power cells.
Maximum Effective Range: 1200 feet (365 meters)
Mega-damage: One particle beam: 5D6. Both particle beams: 1D6x10
Rate of Fire: Equal to number of combined hand to hand attacks (usually 4-6).
Payload: 200 shots per particle beam.
Mini-Missile Launchers (2): Added to the car when converted, the Corvette has a a pair of concealed mini-missile launchers in the hood of the car. Both launchers hold six (6) mini-missiles for twelve (12) total.
Maximum Effective Range: Varies with mini missile types (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)
Mega-Damage: Varies with mini missile types (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)
Rate of Fire: One at a time or in volleys of 2. Can be fired equal to the pilots combined hand to hand (usually 5 or 6).
Payload: Six (6) Mini-Missiles each launcher for a total of twelve (12) mini-missiles.
Techno-Wizard Modifications: The techno-wizard Corvette has the following techno-wizard modifications built into the vehicle. These require P.P.E. or I.S.P. from the pilot.
Special Features:

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Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

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