Vehicle Description
A concours restored first generation Corvette is a great classic to
admire. But, with whitewalls and all that chrome, it's easy to
forget that these cars were once feared track warriors. By ushering
in Chevrolet's legendary small block, they established the concept
of an American sports car, and single-handedly created the
foundation for a 65-year legacy of world-class performance. This
national award-winning C1 pays tribute to its heritage by seating a
cutting edge V8 in a roster of competent mechanicals and wrapping
everything in rich pigment that re-emphasizes already iconic lines.
If you're ready to see the USA in a well-rounded Chevrolet, take a
closer look at this sweet pro-tourer!
WORLD CLASS AESTHETICS
Stripped all the way down to glass, this contoured roadster's
curvaceous body was massaged back to life in the summer of 2011.
Like most C1s, the car was originally assembled at GM's
new-for-1954 St. Louis manufacturing facility. And, like most
restored C1s, its fit and finish presents much better now than it
did over 50 years ago. In fact, judging by the looks of this
Chevy's smooth fuselage, there's no evidence it has ever seen any
kind of catastrophic damage. And today, layered in dynamic Porsche
GT Silver, the car rolls as one very cool classic that, thanks to
its hot drivetrain, can be proudly shown and reliably driven day in
and day out.
1958 to 1962 was a banner era for the Corvette, as Chevrolet wanted
to prove its new flagship could run with the best cars in the world
while retaining classic style that would eventually bear an
American icon. At the front of this polished and refinished
drop-top, a blackened grille rides between chrome-trimmed
headlights, a de-lettered header and chrome-trimmed parking lamps.
In front of that grille, an intricate bumper bends around
cross-flag-branded fenders that are finished with finned cove
inserts. Between those fenders, a sculpted hood leads the eye to
polished RainGear wipers, classy wraparound glass and your choice
of either a contrasting cloth roof or a color-keyed hardtop. At the
back of that hood, mirrorless doors found traditional chrome
handles. And at the back of those doors, a sculpted 'boat tail'
decklid hangs a classy Corvette roundel above a chrome tag bracket,
familiar Corvette taillights, chrome bumpers and bold,
center-outlet exhaust.
WORLD CLASS POWER
The base model Vette has always been a highly competent, ready-made
package. In the mid-1960s, the car's go-to mill was GM's 327 cubic
inch L30 small block. And in the late-2000s, the car's go-to mill
was GM's 6.2 liter Generation IV V8. That said, it doesn't seem
unnatural that this roadster's classic hood veils a hot Chevrolet
Performance LS376. One of the most well rounded crate engines
Chevrolet offers, the generation IV LS376 utilizes aluminum
construction, high-flow heads and a racing-inspired Hot Cam to mix
hours of thrills with miles of impressive fuel economy. And,
churning stout 10.7 to 1 compression into 480 horsepower and 475
lb./ft. of broad torque, this Chevy's smooth-revving engine is
certainly no slouch in the performance department! The general's
familiar fuel rail covers sport clean "CORVETTE LS3" graphics,
which complement glossy faux carbon fiber finishing. Polished
serpentine components spin a polished alternator and Classic Auto
Air conditioning opposite modern power steering. Polished air tubes
terminate in big Spectre filter elements. There's a polished
aluminum radiator that's fitted with efficient puller fans. A full
outfit of stainless hardware combines with a trick dipstick, GM
plug wires and ceramic-coated Rewarder headers to detail an
otherwise purpose-built performer. And, as you would expect, the
car's tidy engine bay is an excellent mixture of glossy silver
pigment and factory matte hardware.
WORLD CLASS ATHLETICISM
With that kind of power on tap, it should come as no surprise that
the bottom of this Corvette features a host of noteworthy upgrades.
Behind the raucous engine, a proven Tremec TKO600 5-speed twists
torque to a familiar Dana 44 that's fitted with stout, 3.50 gears.
That rear end, like the car's engine, rides on a fourth generation
Corvette suspension, which is bolted to a high quality Street Shop
chassis. Stops are provided by fourth generation Corvette calipers,
which squeeze four drilled and slotted rotors. Turns come courtesy
of power rack-and-pinion steering that, when combined with the
car's upgraded chassis and serious disc brakes, provides modern
feel and great performance. Spent gases roar through 2.5-inch pipes
to polished Magnaflow mufflers. Power meets the pavement through
forged Boze Boosts, which spin 225/55R17 BF Goodrich Traction T/As
around highly polished spokes. And everything, from the car's
clean, Satin Black floors to its Rock Valley stainless fuel tank,
is expertly finished, well detailed and ready for action.
WORLD CLASS COMFORT
Inside this silky drop-top you'll find a red-hot Al Knoch interior.
Plump leather seats are comfortable and well formed. In front of
those seats, a color-keyed dash hangs rebuilt gauges between
controls for the aforementioned air conditioning, a vintage Wonder
Bar radio and a small rearview mirror. At the base of that dash,
high quality carpet makes a perfect plane for a factory-spec
shifter. Opposite that shifter, factory side panels front modern
power windows. And in front of the driver, a reduced diameter
steering wheel spins a wrapped rim around a stainless Flaming River
column and polished cross-flag horn button.
AWARDS
First In Class Award - Conservative Sports - Pre-1963
- Detroit Autorama
- 2018
Outstanding Award - Sports/Sport Compact
- Detroit Autorama
- 2018
VEHICLE SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION
Restoration photos
Restoration receipts
Component literature
Thanks to the Corvette's virtually unmatched popularity, the market
is full of great C1s. But this award-winning roadster manages a
near perfect balance of road-going prowess and show-stopping
aesthetics. Don't waste six figures and three years trying to build
a classic this nice. Call RK Motors Charlotte, sign the papers on
this killer Chevy and make 2019 a summer to remember!
HIGHLIGHTS
The beneficiary of a detailed, ground-up restoration
Awarded First In Class and Outstanding at the 2018 Detroit
Autorama
Chevrolet Performance LS376 crate engine / 480 horsepower
Tremec TKO600 5-speed manual transmission
Modern air conditioning
Dana 44 rear axle / 3.50 gears
Power rack-and-pinion steering
Fourth generation Corvette 4-wheel disc brakes
Street Shop chassis / Fourth generation Corvette suspension
Al Knoch leather interior
Forged Boze Boost wheels
Porsche GT Silver paint / Black cloth top
Sale includes a matching hardtop
Restoration photos
Restoration receipts
All RK Motors vehicles receive a comprehensive, multi-point
inspection
We can ship your new classic anywhere in the world
