But here’s the true standout of the 2024 edition of the Grammys, and it’s not even in the music industry unless you consider its association with Steven Tyler. This stunning, completely blacked-out 1965 Corvette is known as Janie’s Black Knight, and it was auctioned off at Steven Tyler’s fifth annual Grammy viewing party.
Similar to Sir Elton John, Tyler has been hosting a viewing party for the awards show for the past few years, which also serves as a charitable event. The party, called Jam for Janie, benefits Tyler’s organization Janie’s Fund, which he established in 2015 in collaboration with the non-profit organization Youth Villages. The main goal of Janie’s Fund is to raise awareness about abuse and neglect issues and provide services and counseling to young girls and women who have experienced such hardships.
The name Janie’s Fund is a direct reference to Aerosmith’s Grammy-winning song “Janie’s Got a Gun.” It was only a matter of time before Janie herself got a fantastic new vehicle, and that’s where Black Knight comes into play. It is a completely customized, one-of-a-kind build by the specialist shop FantomWorks.
Black Knight originally started as a 1965 Corvette C2 Roadster that had been exposed to the elements for the past decade. The previous owner had previously taken it to FantomWorks for work, but now wanted it restored. However, due to financial constraints, he ended up selling the car to the shop. FantomWorks then took on the challenging task of covering the expensive build for Janie’s Fund over a period of four months.
The car’s name is inspired by Batman, as it aims to evoke a vehicle that appears ordinary but possesses extraordinary capabilities – just like its ability to attract wealthy celebrities to contribute to a worthy cause. Its sleek, all-black silhouette with a dark and menacing vibe perfectly aligns with Batman’s aesthetic.
Janie’s Black Knight is powered by a new LS3 fuel-injected engine that produces 435 horsepower and is paired with an automatic transmission. It rides on custom wheels with red caliper brakes. Notably, it is no longer a Roadster as Dan Short from FantomWorks disliked the open-top design. Instead, it features a patented 1963 Corvette split-window convertible top, exclusive to FantomWorks.
The interior of the car is completely black, adorned with leather and deerskin materials. It boasts custom bolstered seats, matching door panels, accent red stitching, and carbon fiber accents. Special touches include unique Dakota digital gauges with Janie’s Fund and FantomWorks logos, as well as the logos on the carbon fiber engine cover.
Prior to the viewing party, Janie’s Fund described this extraordinary Corvette as the ultimate rock’n’roll car, and they may have underestimated its true magnificence. They also referred to it as “sublime,” which perfectly captures its essence.
The recent sale of Black Knight took place at The Palladium, during the Jam for Janie event, and was facilitated by auction house Barrett-Jackson. Although the exact amount it was sold for remains undisclosed, it has been confirmed that the entire collection, including artwork, Steven Tyler memorabilia, and a set of Taylor Swift earrings, generated over $2.8 million in funds for Janie’s Fund. Updates suggest that Black Knight has already found a new owner.