Corvette Sting Ray Roadster Pro Touring 427 V8 5 Speed

If anyone tries to tell you only numbers-matching Corvettes are worthy of investment and ownership, just point them our RK Motors Charlotte website. They'll find figures like "140":http://www.rkmotorscharlotte.com/sales/inventory/sold#!/1958-Chevrolet-Corvette/132639 "150":http://www.rkmotorscharlotte.com/sales/inventory/sold#!/1960-Chevrolet-Corvette/133365 "130":http://www.rkmotorscharlotte.com/sales/inventory/sold#!/1967-Chevrolet-Corvette-Sting-Ray/132976 and "190":http://www.rkmotorscharlotte.com/sales/inventory/sold#!/1959-Chevrolet-Corvette/133123 which are the transaction prices of our last four Corvette pro-tourer sales. And then they'll see this top notch C2 roadster, a no compromises trophy winner, which is guaranteed to continue that trend. It's really no secret why people love these cars so much; they're some of the meanest, most exclusive and most enjoyable muscle on the planet. And despite its exceptional modifications, which include a Bill Mitchell Racing V8, a strip-ready driveline and a massaged fiberglass body, none of this Sting Ray's beloved design or vintage goodness has been compromised. If you're an enlightened enthusiast who enjoys being at the pinnacle of style, the top of the leader board and the front of the car show, this world class Vette is the car of your dreams!

With only sunny summer miles on a complete, body-off reboot, this mean C2 drop-top is a super clean show car that puts the p, r and o in “trophy”. During its professional restoration, the car's solid, fiberglass body was thoroughly massaged to correct all the typical waves and ripples that came standard from GM's St. Louis manufacturing facility. With those cosmetic semantics complete, a customization phase commenced with a flaring of that body's sinuous fenders. And finally, everything was layered in a smooth red basecoat, sealed in a glossy clearcoat shell and buffed to a fantastic, wet-look shine.

One of the coolest things about a first class pro-tourer is: you're taking an already impressive car, stripping its design to pure form, and adding cool styling tricks that serve to elevate both personality and appeal. And while this slick red roadster is certainly a functional piece, there's no fussing about usability or ease of ownership in a build that's meant to honor pure aesthetics. At the front of the car, a stainless, body-width grille is caged between two chrome-trimmed parking lamps and a traditional 'razor blade' bumper. Above that grille, a red, white and black Corvette cross-flag emblem is affixed in front of a correct hood that's detailed with small chrome louvers and a bright “Corvette STING RAY” script. Behind that hood, mirrored stainless wipers and fresh chrome trim combine with a chrome bowtie mirror and a new black top to frame lightly tinted glass. At the base of that mirror, simple heat extractors ride between correct chrome door handles, ornate cross-flag emblems and polished stainless side pipes. And behind those pipes, a chrome-trimmed Corvette fuel filler is perfectly centered above a second “Corvette STING RAY” script, four traditional tail lights, a chrome-trimmed tag mount and two more 'razor blade' bumpers.

In the auto enthusiast world, there are few bigger faux pas than a car that promises performance but doesn't deliver. “It looks fast” just doesn't cut it with real car guys, so the old school Chevrolet iron block that used to power this Corvette has been put out to pasture. In its place you'll find a fully detailed Bill Mitchell Racing Hardcore 427 that pushes roughly 500 horsepower to the car's big rear wheels. At the top of that light aluminum block, a giant Holley carburetor utilizes a mirror-like air cleaner, braided fuel lines and polished stainless hardware to send a perfect air/fuel mixture into a coated Edelbrock Victor Jr. intake. That intake, which is cinched to a polished thermostat housing and braided radiator hose, rides between custom valve covers and aluminum, Motown Hardcore heads. Those heads make good use of hot sparks provided by a high quality MSD Pro-Billet distributor and high performance MSD Super Conductor plug wires. Resultant high compression combustion is jettisoned through long-tube, ceramic coated headers to polished, great sounding side pipes. The hot engine's cooling is provided by a polished aluminum radiator which utilizes a polished Weiand pump to circulate water past a quick-spinning puller fan and a polished Harrison overflow tank. And charging is provided by a chrome alternator that, along with a chrome Vintage Air compressor and polished power steering pump, hangs between fresh V-belts, billet pulleys and billet brackets. Visually, the handsome engine bay carries the same lightly customized theme as the car's sinuous exterior. Glossy black fenders are perfectly complemented by chrome hood hardware and black, hi temp block paint. And a full array of details, such as a polished power steering reservoir and a top notch Wilwood master cylinder, increase performance and reliability.

With that kind of power on tap, it should come as no surprise that the bottom of this Corvette features a host of noteworthy upgrades. Behind the raucous engine, a stout Richmond 5-speed spins power through a fresh driveshaft that's married to a completely rebuilt rear end. That rear end, like the car's engine, rides on a beefy monospring assembly that's fitted with QA1 adjustable shocks. Stops are provided by red Wilwood calipers, 6-piston units up front and 4-piston units out back, which squeeze 14 inch drilled and slotted rotors. Turns come courtesy of a fresh power rack and pinion system that, when combined with the car's upgraded control arms and serious disc brakes, provides a modern feel and great performance. And power flows to the pavement through aggressive Schott Mod 5 eXLs that spin 245/35ZR18 BF Goodrich G-Force T/As in front of 285/35ZR19 BF Goodrich G-Force T/As. Aesthetically, this Chevy's satin black undercarriage is virtually spotless, with bright red chassis and drivetrain components its only disturbance. And everything, from the car's beefy sway bar to its polished half shafts, is expertly finished, superbly detailed and ready for action.

Pop this Vette's light, red doors and you'll find a comfy leather interior that's complete, tasteful and classic. Front and center is a pair of pleated bucket seats that were fully rebuilt during the car's restoration, and currently have just the right amount of break-in time to be both comfortable and supportive. At the base of the windshield, a traditional dual-cowl dash hangs a brushed accent panel next to a continuous motion clock and stylish, aircraft-inspired gauges. At the sides of the car, clean black door panels center correct chrome hardware on straight stainless trim. At the floor, stain-free carpet still features deep black shading thanks to “CORVETTE” branded mats. At the center of the cockpit, a traditional C2 console anchors a beefy Long shifter behind a correct AM/FM radio. In front of the driver, a gorgeous Corvette Rally wheel spins a pristine horn button around a polished tilt steering column. And below the car's retracted top, a fully carpeted storage compartment shows virtually no signs of use at all.

During its short time on the show circuit this conspicuous Corvette has collected very impressive accolades. The car's lucky new owner will receive the following trophies:

* Caro-Vettes 2010 Concours d'Elegance Dealer's Choice
* Caro-Vettes Concours d'Elegance First Place
* Caro-Vettes 2012 Concours d'Elegance First Place

No matter how much of a purist you might be, you have to admit this Sting Ray is one seriously cool ride! It's exceptionally built, incredibly appealing and, thanks to tasteful upgrades and a spectacular restoration, can show with the nicest cars on the planet! If you're looking for the perfect opportunity to own a car that has it all, your search is officially over!