Worlds Finest Corvette Roadster Pro Touring LS2 6 Speed

With over $200,000 worth of receipts and a complete build album, it's no wonder this might be the nicest 1958 Corvette pro-touring car we've ever seen. Aside from the body, which is original fiberglass, every single component on this car has been custom built or modified just for this application, and the result is simply stunning. Forget those cheesy rebodies of a new C6 Corvette, this one carries the classic looks that will never go out of style along with enough horsepower to make it run with the fastest of today's sports cars.

One thing about Corvette guys is that they're sticklers for detail, and the guys who built this one got it exactly right. Forget all that stuff about correct imperfections, the goal here was to build the flat-out finest early Corvette in the world, and it sure looks like they've succeeded. Heck, there's more than $60,000 just in the body and paint work, and it shows. That beautiful bright red body with the white side cove just screams Corvette, and the more you look, the more you'll find to fall in love with. The finish is virtually flawless, with hours and hours invested in getting the fiberglass straighter than it's ever been in its 50-plus years of existence. Panel gaps are exact, and thanks to the rigid fabricated frame underneath, they'll stay that way forever. Nobody took any liberties with the Corvette's lines as often happens with these sorts of projects, and if not for the lowered stance and giant wheels, it could probably pass for a concours contender at first glance.

An equally large number had to be spent on the chrome trim. The grille, bumpers, and those cool trim pieces fitted to the trunk lid to recall leather trunk straps have all been beautifully restored to better than new condition, and hand work like that doesn't come cheap. Stainless inserts in the side cove, along with proper (and accurate) Fuel Injection badges give it a performance attitude, and the flush-mounted tail lights look factory fresh. Other subtle details include a power antenna on the rear fender and freshly restored Corvette emblems on the nose and deck lid.

But it's what lives underneath that makes this car truly remarkable. Starting with a custom-fabricated tube frame, the entire car was rebuilt from the ground up to take advantage of 50 years of Corvette technology advancements. The engine is a 2006 Corvette LS2, which makes roughly twice the horsepower of the original powerplant. It has been dressed in matching red livery on the coil covers, with the instantly recognizable LS intake in satin black between them. Note how nicely restored the inner fender panels are, along with the firewall—someone clearly knew that people would be spending time looking under the hood of this one. Everything that could be polished or chromed has been, and there's a massive aluminum radiator up front that effortlessly keeps the LS2 cool and happy.

That tube chassis I mentioned earlier carries the T56 6-speed manual and a rugged Dana 44 rear end from a C4 Corvette. The front suspension is modern Corvette, complete with upper and lower aluminum A-arms and a fiberglass transverse leaf spring. In back, the C4 setup has been slightly modified using custom toe links and OEM aluminum suspension components and another composite leaf spring. Weapons-grade disc brakes from a C5 Corvette live at all four corners, giving this vintage 'Vette world-class stopping power. And whomever did the exhaust work was an artist, creating in stainless a sculpture that is not only functional, but that artfully emulates the center exhaust outlets of a modern C6 Corvette, a cool feature that must have been extremely challenging to create. Additional C6 connections are forged with a set of wheels stolen from a late-model Corvette, then chrome plated to match and wearing 245/45/17 Michelin Pilot Sport radials at all four corners.

Inside, the '58's cockpit style interior has been artfully reimagined by Todd Sullivan, again bringing modern Corvette design elements into the vintage fiberglass environment. Those gray and red buckets have pleated and perforated leather inserts, just like the new Corvettes, along with embroidery on the seatbacks and aggressive side bolsters that you'll appreciate when you find out how hard this car can corner. The door panels are beautiful works of 1950s art, and the center console continues the “waterfall” effect that Corvette designers have embraced since the C5 debuted. I don't know if the gauges were custom made for this car, but I wouldn't be surprised if they were, given how well they fit and seamlessly blend the line between old and new. The entire dash has been wrapped in gray leather with custom red fiberglass inserts that house the ductwork and vents for the Vintage Air A/C system. Power windows were added as well, with switches on the center stack, flanking the AM/FM/CD stereo system with speakers scattered throughout the car. The trunk has been upholstered to match, and includes goodies like built-in subwoofers and amplifiers behind a custom panel. A brilliant white convertible top finishes the car off in grand style, although if you're like most Corvette fans, you'll never see it again.

Documentation is extensive, as you would expect on a build of this magnitude. Photos, receipts, manuals, and other details regarding the construction of this amazing piece are included with the car so you can get an idea of what went into the build, and remain familiar with the car's various systems.

Dream cars like this are always about passion, because you just can't make economic sense out of them. With over $200,000 in receipts attached to it, this car is way out on the far side of amazing, and the guy who owns it will probably get tired of collecting trophies and answering questions at car shows. They simply don't get much nicer, and if you're a fan of the early Corvette shape, this one is simply remarkable. Add in modern reliability, performance, and ease of maintenance, and, well, this very well could be the ultimate Corvette. Call today!