Frame Off Built Corvette Pro Touring LS1 V8 5 Speed

As owners of classic cars, we're all nostalgic people. But as unique as old cars are, and as romantic as past times seem to be, there's no denying the positive effects of technology. For instance, a modern smart phone that connects you to the world in the blink of an eye is much better than some old rotary phone that's cord-bound to the wall. And I know you'll agree that a sharp, highly interactive flat-screen TV is much more entertaining than a heavy tube that's made of shadows and ghostly figures. So what's a classic car lover to do when they're torn between the style of Detroit's golden era and the technology of Detroit's modern sport's cars? They take a good, long look at this killer Corvette custom! Combining classic Chevrolet form with a hot LS1, a purpose-built chassis and a leather-lined interior, this awesome C1 is a ground up build that mixes the best aspects of yesterday with today's best advancements. If you're in the market for a solid collector car that's comfortable, fast, reliable and absolutely stunning, this no-compromise Vette is your next car!

The product of an extensive professional restoration conducted by the seasoned experts at Impatient Creations in Alabaster, Alabama, this contoured roadster's solid fiberglass body was massaged to better-than-new condition, layered in a dynamic coat of three-stage Lexus White Gold Pearl and sealed in a glossy clearcoat shell. Like most C1 Corvettes, the car was originally assembled at GM's new-for-1954 St. Louis manufacturing facility; and like most C1 Corvettes, its fit and finish presents much better now than it did 52 years ago. In fact, judging by the looks of this roadster's smooth fuselage, there's no evidence it has ever seen any catastrophic damage or botched fix jobs. And today, the car is one fully-sorted classic that, thanks to its modern drivetrain, can be proudly shown and reliably driven day in and day out.

1958 to 1960 was a banner era for the Corvette as Chevrolet wanted to prove its new flagship could run with the best cars in the world and retain the classic style that created an American sensation. Interestingly enough that's exactly what the goal of this roadster's build was as well, mixing a platform that can school today's top sports cars with a form that is undeniably sexier. And the best part: this rag-top's builders used all-original chrome! At the front of the car an aggressively styled grille rides between round, chrome-trimmed parking lights and angled front bumpers that bend around dramatic front fenders. Below those bumpers a chrome, fang-like tag bracket snakes up the fascia to the middle of the grille; and above those bumpers chrome trimmed H4 headlights align perfectly between a centered C1 Corvette emblem and bright fender toppers. At the sides of the car, dent-free stainless combines with C1 cross-flag emblems and cleverly applied “Fuel Injection” scripts to decorate body-matched door coves. At the top of the car, a pristine wraparound windshield props a fresh tan convertible top, or a shiny white hardtop, above deleted wipers, a correct driver's mirror and traditional chrome door handles. And at the back of the car, chrome trimmed tail lights frame attractive trunk spears, a second C1 Corvette emblem and a second set of angled chrome bumpers which neatly incorporate stainless exhaust tips.

Tilt the car's pearly white hood and you'll find a completely custom engine bay that's tapered around 5.7 liters of modern Corvette power. Built for reliable driving and effortless speeding, this Corvette's LS1 Generation III small block has been tuned, polished and dressed to just north of 10 on the visual scale and just north of 400 on the power scale! At the front of the smooth engine, a modern serpentine system, complete with a full set of chrome pulleys, spins a body-matched alternator behind two chrome air tubes that are equipped with large, re-usable filter elements. Once air enters those cones, it flows through a bright LS1 throttle body into a body-matched LS1 intake which is bolted down over completely stock internals. High octane fossils are provided by a GM electronic fuel injection system. Sparks are sequenced through high performance plug wires. Spent gases are whisked away by a slick pair of Jet-Hot coated shorty headers. And cooling comes courtesy of a polished Griffin radiator that's complete with a polished cap, a chrome overflow tank and two quick-spinning electric puller fans. Aesthetically, body-matched and chrome-trimmed fuel rail covers combine with the LS1's clean white paint to provide a picture perfect powerplant which oozes performance appeal. Niceties such as braided hoses, nickel-plated hose connectors, a billet battery tie down and chrome hood hardware add just the right amount of flash and detail to make people stop and take notice. And the net result is a buttery smooth, muscle-bound V8 that, through its distinctive rumble, foretells this Corvette's true sports car nature.

Toss this roadster on a lift and you'll find a custom, powder-coated frame that's bolted to clean floor tubs, a Rock Valley stainless fuel tank and a fully independent suspension. Behind the stout LS1 a reliable Tremec TKO500 5-speed, which has been equipped with a hydraulic clutch and a shatterproof Lakewood bellhousing, sends power to the ground through a rugged Dana 36 differential. Holding that drivetrain off the pavement is a Corvette C4 double A-arm front and transverse leaf rear suspension which has been rebuilt to include power rack and pinion steering, chrome oil over shocks and aluminum control arms. Smooth and solid stops come courtesy of heavy duty Corvette Grand Sport power disc brakes which clamp factory calipers around large rotors that measure 13 inches up front and 12 inches out back. Exhaust is handled by welded, large diameter pipes that are bent around awesome Hooker Super Competition mufflers. And at the corners, stunning 17 inch Billet Specialties Vintec wheels spin fresh 215/50 Kumho Ecsta KH11 tires around matching spinner caps.

Inside this white-hot drop-top, a clean leather interior is built around custom covered seats which have just enough break-in time to be exceptionally comfortable. Below those seats, custom-tailored wool carpet is stretched over Lizard Skin ceramic, thermal insulation and Dynamat sound deadening material, and runs from the bottom of the dash to the back of the cockpit. At the sides of those seats, custom-covered door panels combine with pristine chrome hardware, bright stainless trim and large Alpine speakers to highlight small, simple doors. And at the front of those seats, a glossy black dash holds a full array of original gauges between a small rearview mirror, an MP3 compatible, satellite capable Pioneer CD player, and controls and vents for the car's Hot Rod Air climate system. A big steering wheel, clearly inspired by race cars of the period, spins drilled spokes and a carefully matched horn button around an aftermarket steering column. Between the passengers a custom console rides behind a custom-booted shifter that has been carefully positioned in the car's original shifter location. And behind the cockpit, the car's custom upholstered trunk centers a 12 inch MTX subwoofer between a chrome fire extinguisher and a high quality MTX amplifier.

The sale of this slick C1 roadster includes a pile of build receipts, a few component manuals, a complete build book, and a copy of the car's Makes and Models feature spread.

This hot little roadster offers a ton of style and performance for very reasonable money. It's a highly desirable first generation Corvette which features custom pearl paint, a world class V8, a classic leather interior and a completely custom drivetrain for about half the price of a build-it-yourself project. If you're in the market for a reliable classic that you can show on Saturday and drive on Sunday, this is your next car!