Frame Off Restored Corvette Pro Touring LS2 V8 4L65E AC

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 sports cars? They take a good, long look at this killer Corvette custom! Combining classic Chevrolet form with a hot LS2, a custom Corvette Correction 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 ride!

Restored by renowned Corvette builder Billy Dawson of Corvette Correction in Seguin, Texas, this contoured resto-mod's solid, fiberglass body has been massaged to better-than-new condition, layered in dynamic Viper Red paint and sealed in a glossy clearcoat shell. 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 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 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 the classic style that created an American sensation. Interestingly enough, that was also an essential goal of this roadster's restoration: to mix a platform that can school today's top sports cars with a form that is undeniably sexier. At the front of the car, a bright red grille rides between round, chrome-trimmed headlights, extravagant Corvette header ornamentation and small, chrome-trimmed parking lamps. In front of that grille, an intricate bumper bends around dramatic fenders which trace red, blue and silver Corvette emblems in pristine stainless trim. Between those fenders, a sculpted hood leads the eye to a classy wraparound windshield that's cleared by modern Rain Gear wipers, capped by a fresh Coffman top and flanked by stainless-trimmed doors. And at the base of that fresh black top, a sculpted 'ducktail' decklid hangs a translucent Corvette roundel above a chrome tag bracket, traditional Corvette tail lights and a second chrome bumper that bends around equally dramatic quarters.

Tilt the car's bright red hood and you'll find a fully detailed engine bay that's tapered around 6.0 liters of modern Corvette power! Built for reliable driving and effortless speeding, this roadster's GM-supplied LS2 crate motor has been tuned, polished and dressed to a solid 10 on the visual scale, and a solid 400 on the power scale. At the front of the smooth engine, a modern serpentine system, complete with a full set of Street & Performance pulleys, spins a chrome alternator behind a body-matched air tube that's equipped with a large, re-usable filter element. Once air enters that cone, it flows through a stock LS2 throttle body into a stock LS2 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 coated shorty headers. And cooling comes courtesy of a big Be Cool radiator that's complete with an inscribed cap and a quick-spinning electric puller fan. Aesthetically, factory fuel rail covers and a chrome intake shield combine with the LS1's clean silver casting to provide a picture perfect powerplant that oozes performance appeal. Niceties such as an American Autowire harness, an Optima gel cell battery, a chrome brake booster and fresh stainless fuel lines add the kind flash that makes this Vette perform as good as it looks. 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 Corvette Correction frame, number 78, that's been completely powder-coated, bolted to clean floor tubs and fitted with a Rick's Hot Rods stainless fuel tank. Behind the stout LS2, a reliable 4L65E 4-speed, which was rebuilt by A-One Transmissions in Pasadena, Pennsylvania, has been equipped with a TCI controller, an upgraded third gear disc and the ability to be paddle shifted. That technological gearbox sends power to the ground through a rugged Dana 36 differential that's complete with mild 3.07 gears. That world class drivetrain rolls on a Corvette C4 double A-arm front and transverse leaf rear suspension that's been rebuilt to include power rack and pinion steering and high quality Monroe Sensa-Trac shocks. Smooth and solid stops come courtesy of heavy duty ABS Power disc brakes that are highlighted by red calipers. Exhaust is handled by welded, large diameter pipes that are bent around an X-shaped crossover and awesome Magnaflow mufflers. And at the corners of the floor, stunning C6 Z06 wheels spin 245/45ZR17 front and 245/45ZR18 rear Riken Raptor tires.

Inside this red hot drop-top, a clean leather interior is built around new Wise Guys buckets that have experienced just enough break-in time to make their Al Knoch covers exceptionally comfortable. In front of those seats, a textured dash holds a full array of Classic Instruments All American gauges between a small rearview mirror, a Custom Autosound head unit and components for the car's Vintage Air Generation II climate system. At the base of that dash, high quality carpet, which is protected by color-keyed floor mats, serves as the perfect plane for a meaty, and equally vintage, floor shifter. At the sides of that carpet, slightly tweaked door panels combine with pristine chrome hardware, smooth stainless trim and low-mounted armrests to highlight small, simple doors. In front of the driver, a leather-wrapped steering wheel spins drilled spokes and a carefully matched horn button around a chrome Ididit steering column. And behind the passengers, the car's fully finished trunk centers an easily accessible fuse panel across from a Custom Autosound CD changer.

The sale of this slick C1 roadster includes an owner's manual, an original paint can, components for its TCI controller, and a small stack of specs, pictures and information from Billy Dawson's Corvette Correction.

This razor-sharp sports car offers vintage style and top notch performance for very reasonable money. It's a highly desirable first generation Corvette which features a world class V8, a comfy leather interior and a completely custom chassis 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!