Vehicle Description
This custom 1957 Chevrolet Corvette convertible is finished in the
color combinations of silver and chrome over an all-sport bright
red interior. Much effort was made to keep the original appearance
of the car authentic as possible despite numerous modern upgrades.
For instance, the door panels have kept the original armrests and
chrome trim, which is reconfigured, and pleats were added. The dash
retains its character yet is upgraded with a retro-look Bluetooth
radio, air-conditioning ducts and a tiny toggle unleashing the QTP
electric cutouts. The SPW power windows are unique by routing out
the door hinges to accommodate the wiring, thus negating the ugly,
noisy aftermarket springs in the door jams. Originality was
sacrificed in the cockpit to accommodate a modern upgrade console
in lieu of a very ugly carpeted transmission hump. Every exterior
chrome piece is retained and most are original. The trunk was
enlarged to fit the custom Billy Dawson frame, yet looks new with
factory retained indentations. There is a rear fabricated
bumper-to-frame metal mount incorporating the trunk latch,
eliminating S bars and rubber boots. The custom removable panel in
the trunk allows access to the Dana 44 rear end with 3.45 gear
ratios. It is mated to a T56 Magnum 6-speed manual transmission.
The power comes from a 2014 factory new LS3 Corvette 430hp engine.
This Corvette has an Ididit chrome steering column and aluminum Be
Cool radiator. The custom frame is a double H-box tube to fit the
C1 Corvette with C4 forged aluminum suspension and brakes. The
engine compartment is immaculate, with a hidden custom Watershed
computer cover. All wiring and rubber hose lines are routed through
the inner fenders to the wheel wells. The inner fenders have been
fabricated to match the new frame. All rivet lips seem to have been
removed from the firewall and reinforced with carbon fiber. Billy
Dawson new billet aluminum hood hinges, plus custom struts, allow
one-finger opening of the hood and are designed to open 25% wider
than the original hood. The air intake is a Billy Dawson
water-formed polished stainless-steel design. A Corvette Racing
Jake skull adorns under the hood. Many of the historically weak
fiberglass areas have been reinforced with carbon fiber. The
leading edge of the rear wheel wells has been re-radiused to match
the wheels. It is equipped with a gray fabric soft-top and Classic
Instruments gauges. The speedometer is original but not hooked up
and the Vintage Air system is there, but not working at this time.
