Vehicle Description
OK, first of all, this isn't a car for purists, so save your
e-mails telling us what you think of this rather amazing 1966
Chevrolet Corvette Restomod. It isn't stock and isn't intended to
be. Instead, it's a distillation of all that's great about the
Corvette legend: a powerful V8, a lively transmission, comfortable
interior, and the incomparable looks of the Mid-Year Corvette. It
takes guts to turn an icon into a resto-mod, but this car gets it
exactly right.
They weren't sneaking around when they painted this one Rally Red,
but when you're driving one of the most fantastic shapes of all
time, why not draw a crowd? Finish work is quite good, not like a
concourse car with its "perfectly imperfect" flaws, but straight
and shiny. It's a driver for sure, but when you stuff a powerful
modern Z06 motor under the hood, isn't that exactly what you're
shooting for? All the original C2 design elements are still there,
from the slightly aggressive Stinger hood to the ribbed rocker
panels to the beautifully sculpted rear end, a look that has
defined Corvettes for five generations. Gaps are very good and
nothing was shaved or removed during the build, so they did respect
the original design and it still looks like a vintage 'Vette.
Two-stage urethane red paint has a brilliant shine that's
appropriate for a valuable icon like this, and all the chrome has
been restored to sparkle against that classic finish. It's not
perfect, but if you want attention, there are few better ways to
get it than this gorgeous droptop.
The matching red interior definitely has a correct look to it, with
sculpted bucket seats wearing super-clean leather reproduction seat
covers. In addition to the seat covers, the carpets and door panels
all look new, too, and they all stick to the original formula
because looking at those door panels, what else are you going to do
to make them look better? The factory gauges were replaced with
white-faced Classic Instruments gauges specifically calibrated to
work with the LS6 V8 up front, and by using a wood-rimmed
three-spoke steering wheel, they've given this car a sophisticated
flair that's often lost in old Corvettes with upgraded hardware. An
AM/FM radio in the dash works with the unusual vertical orientation
so they could keep the stock dashboard intact and you'll be
thrilled to know that black-and-chrome shifter is for the upgraded
4L60E 4-speed automatic transmission that makes it a ton of fun to
drive on today's roads. There's also a matching tan convertible top
and a red hardtop that comes with the car, although the latter
could use a restoration.
Mechanically, the old small block is long gone, replaced by a
modern tech LS6 from a late-model C5 Z06 (reportedly a 2002 model).
It's a neat fit in the C2 engine bay, and still carries all its
original equipment, including the red coil covers that make the Z06
stand out. The powerful motor is pretty much the way GM built it,
although a cold air intake system and cone filter assembly were
added for a little extra airflow and power into the block. That's
good news, because the C5 LS motors have proven to be virtually
indestructible yet still deliver big performance and surprising
economy. Power steering, power 4-wheel disc brakes, upgraded A-arms
up front, and Bilstein shocks all-around means it rides and handles
like a much more modern piece. With only 6,695 miles on the build,
it's just getting broken in, and the throaty dual exhaust system is
the perfect companion to the potent drivetrain. It rides on a
classic set of Cragar S/S wheels wrapped in 215/70/15 BFGoodrich
T/As that finish off the look perfectly.
Preserving everything that's cool about a mid-year Corvette and
adding select parts to enhance the performance, this Corvette gets
everything right. For non-purists, this Sting Ray represents the
pinnacle of C2 evolution. Call today!
