Vehicle Description
Car builders, take note: this is how you build a resto-mod that
stands up to the test of time. There are so many hacked-up mid-year
Corvettes out there with misguided attempts at modernization that
this 1964 Corvette roadster stands out simply by virtue of its
attention to detail and value pricing. Of course, the thundering
496 cubic inch big block doesn't hurt, and it's got the performance
hardware to put all that horsepower to use without diminishing the
fantastic original C2 look.
The Corvette neatly fits into a number of categories: with the 496,
it's a seriously fast piece of hardware, and the red paint and
white stripes on the big block Stinger hood gives it a
high-visibility look that's just about right for a vintage 'Vette
with an aggressive powerplant. The restoration was done with that
in mind, giving it exacting fit and finish that makes this car look
great even at a glance, and although considerable time has passed
since the build, this C2 still has a great street presence. There
are a few signs of use here and there, but that's expected for a
roadster that was built with one sole purpose: to devour pavement.
The 1967 Stinger big block hood is arguably one of the best-looking
ever fitted to a Mid-Year Corvette and someone took the extra time
to make sure that it fit well, and the adorning white stripes
provide just the right amount of contrast to the red body. All the
chrome has a good shine, with correct emblems fitted all around,
side vents from a '67 were added as well for further ventilation,
and of course, those thundering side pipes that practically define
the car finish the look.
A quick peak inside and you'll note that the builders elected to
mostly stick with the factory script, and you can't blame really
them for that. The white vinyl buckets are as the factory intended
and in great shape (although a detail would go a long way to
eradicate some of the light staining) and there are matching door
panels and plush black carpets on the floor to complete the look.
Original instruments were swapped in favor of aftermarket AutoMeter
units and calibrated to work with the big motor under the hood and
the original Delco AM/FM radio remarkably still works inside the
'Vette's unique vertical slot. The chrome shifter looks great
inside the middle console, practically taunting the driver to bang
through some gears and open up all those horses under the hood.
Other goodies include a snug-fitting tan vinyl top that looks like
it's rarely been used, and it folds away neatly underneath the
fiberglass boot.
OK, OK, now we're getting to the good stuff. The horsepower comes
from a 496 V8 motor, built up from a Vortec 454 4-bolt main block,
so it really makes a statement. With all that horsepower on tap, it
makes even the nastiest factory engine from 1964 look tame, and
it's expertly built to be able to put it to good use. Dress-up
parts include the chrome Chevrolet valve covers and matching
K&N air cleaner, modern ignition accessories, and signs of
maintenance everywhere you look, giving the whole engine bay a
dialed-in look. A big radiator up front keeps things cool without
effort and long-tube headers feed those glorious side pipes a big
block symphony. A 4-speed manual gearbox feeds the stock rear-end
set-up out back, and 4-wheel disc brakes are a must-have to keep
things under control. Weld wheels offer a sporty look on the
aggressive rake with staggered 165/15 front and 255/60/15 rear
performance rubber for plenty of grip for this vintage 'Vette.
Very well built, easy to drive, and insanely fast, this 1964
Corvette restomod updates plenty without losing any of the things
that make mid-year Corvettes so wonderful. Call today!