Vehicle Description
SUMMARY
The beneficiary of a body-off, nut-and-bolt restoration
5.7 liter GM LT1 V8
Borg Warner 6-speed manual transmission
Customized leather interior / Modern air conditioning / Modern
audio
17-inch Coys wheels
Power rack-and-pinion steering / 4-wheel power disc brakes
Heavily upgraded suspension
Sale includes restoration photos and restoration receipts
Victory Red paint / White top
10-bolt rear axle
If you're a Chevrolet aficionado, it doesn't get much better than
owning a first-generation Corvette. That's because, regardless of
year, every C1 shares a connection to the car that started a now
legendary brand. To this very day, 1953-62 Corvettes are highly
desirable collectables that continue to be some of the most sought
after cars on the planet. And this sweet roadster, the beneficiary
of a fresh, body-off restoration, is a perfect example of why. With
a hot LT1/6-speed drivetrain and stunning red on red aesthetics,
it's an excellent tribute to the golden age of Americana. And, if
you're looking for a unique classic that you can drive, show off
and watch appreciate, it's the fully sorted head turner you've been
patiently waiting for!
BODYWORK/TRIM
Stripped all the way down to glass, this contoured roadster's
curvaceous body was massaged back to life during a body-off,
nut-and-bolt restoration. 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 59 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 vivid
Victory Red 2-stage, the car rolls as one spectacular classic
that's superbly detailed.
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 toothy grille rides between chrome-trimmed headlights,
a translucent header roundel and chrome-trimmed parking lamps. At
the sides of that grille, intricate bumpers bend around
chrome-trimmed fenders that are detailed with small cross-flags and
finned cove inserts. Between those fenders, a '58-exclusive hood
leads the eye to polished wipers, tinted glass and a fresh white
roof that's stretched across a fresh frame. At the back of that
hood, traditional mirrors reflect traditional door handles. And at
the back of the car, a flowing decklid hangs a second Corvette
roundel and '58-exclusive trunk spears between chrome bumpers and
flush, chrome-trimmed taillights.
ENGINE
If you think the exterior of this classic is impressive, you're
going to LOVE what's under its hood! Sourced from a Formula
Firebird, the car's high performance LT1 is widely regarded as one
of the best small blocks ever produced. At the front of the
Corvette-branded mill, a polished serpentine drive spins a polished
alternator and fresh AC compressor opposite quality KRC power
steering. Opposite that steering, a polished, "LT-1" branded air
cleaner caps a proven Street & Performance throttle body. Once air
enters that body, it flows in to a factory intake, which feeds
aluminum heads and GM-spec internals. High-octane fossils are
provided by modern fuel injection. Fire is sourced through familiar
Taylor plug wires. Spent gases exit through coated shorty headers.
And cooling comes courtesy of a red-trimmed Be Cool radiator that's
backed by a large SPAL puller fan. Visually, not a detail was
missed under this Chevy's body-matched bonnet. Niceties such as
polished breathers, polished valve covers, a polished master
cylinder and a smoothed firewall provide just the right amount of
flash to give the engine a clean, finished look. And the vicious
small block fires right up, idles perfectly and accelerates like a
modern sports car.
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
Flip this C1 upside down and you'll find a sturdy, road-ready
X-frame that, after being blasted bare during the car's
restoration, has been fully finished and bolted to glossy,
over-restored floor tubs. Behind the motor, a tough Borg Warner
6-speed twists torque through a rebuilt 10-bolt axle. At the ends
of the floors, a trick Jim Meyer Racing Products front-clip leads a
solid axle rear-clip that's been completely rebuilt to factory
specifications. At the front of that chassis, power rack-and-pinion
steering makes quick work of sharp turns. At the corners of that
chassis, color-keyed calipers utilize pressure from a color-keyed
booster to squeeze a quartet of drilled and slotted rotors. Exhaust
is managed by big, true-dual pipes, which bark through 2-chamber
Flowmasters and polished stainless tips. Power meets the pavement
via chrome Coys wheels, which spin 215/55R17 Arizonian Silver
Edition radials in front of 215/60R17 Arizonian Silver Edition
radials. And everything, from this Corvette's stainless fluid lines
to its small proportioning valve, is fully sorted and ready to log
miles.
INTERIOR
In keeping with this roadster's high performance theme, interior
outfitting remains tasteful and minimal. The car's leather-lined
seats are much more substantial than old school vinyl. There's
bright carpet that's protected by piped and color-keyed floor mats.
Front and center, stylish Auto Meter telemetry joins modern climate
control and a Sony Xplod CD player to decorate a leather-wrapped
dual-cowl dash. At the middle of the floor, a thin console frames a
leather-wrapped shifter. In front of the driver, a speed-drilled
steering wheel spins a thick red rim around an aftermarket column.
At the sides of the passengers, flowing door panels center long
armrests in polished stainless trim. And, behind the retracted top,
a custom upholstered trunk shows virtually no signs of usage.
OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION AND ACCESSORIES
Restoration photos
Restoration receipts
Component literature
A tag frame
Extra paint materials
A highly desirable drop-top that wraps a fresh, body-off
restoration around a hot V8 and modern 6-speed, this slick Corvette
has a little something for everyone. And what's better: it's
exactly the kind of classic that provides endless fun on the
highway and celebrity status in the parking lot. Where else can you
get such an excellent combination of style, performance and
investment potential? Don't miss this opportunity to experience a
stellar piece of American history!