Corvette Sting Ray Roadster Pro Touring LS7 5 Speed A/C

Watching investment grade Corvettes roll through our RK Motors Charlotte showroom never gets old. But when we get a custom that's constructed around a cohesive theme, we ALWAYS take the time to appreciate every aspect of its build. After all, it's not like we're talking about some horribly named, extravagantly colored paint and body package; we're talking about a car that was planned, researched, tweaked and detailed to be 100% true to concept. Quite possibly the ultimate culmination of six generations of America's sports car, this world class '64 Corvette is a great example of what happens when top-notch technique meets first-rate componentry. And if you're a discerning buyer who's ready to go big and drop jaws, it's just the classic you've been dreaming of!

Not completely devoid of character, like so many traditional, era-correct restorations, this road-ready roadster is an exhilarating combination of retro glitz and modern glam. Appearing both solemn and official, its Tuxedo Black paint reflects an excellent shine that literally glows when crouched under the sun. That modern two-stage covers a clean body, which displays no sign of botched repairs or historic damage. The body's razor-sharp fenders appear completely free of major sanding and harsh surface treatment. And the result is one stunning, arrow-straight showpiece that has no gremlins, suffers no thin spots and displays a level of finish that's worlds above assembly line fodder.

Chevrolet's second generation Corvette debuted a much more assertive demeanor thanks to GM's renewed dedication to motorsports. That newfound aggression is especially prevalent in this roadster's edgy detailing. The car opens with a low-slung, black grille that's tucked behind thin 'razor blade' bumpers and bright, bullet-style parking lamps. Above that grille, hidden headlights highlight a brilliant classic Stinger hood that looks downright evil. Behind those headlights, a slick profile hangs '64-exclusive heat extractors in front of chrome door handles and the black canvas top. Above those gills, well-maintained stainless frames like-new glass between painted black wipers. And the car's sloped decklid centers a cross-flag-branded fuel cap between two-tone taillights and two more 'razor blade' bumpers that sit above the single exhaust exit.

That slick combination of classy paint and shiny trim certainly is pretty, but now it's time to get to business. Twisting 505 SAE-certified horsepower into a massive 470 lb./ft. of tire-shredding torque, the lightweight LS7 rumbling beneath this car's hood is a technological testament to the old rule: more cubic inches equals more horsepower! Founded in GM's very successful Corvette racing program, the brutal mill utilizes a forged crank, titanium rods and hypereutectic pistons to flat out whip pretty much anything with four wheels. A perfect amount of oxygen flows from a custom Carbon Fiber style mass air inlet to a familiar GM throttle body. That wind mixes with fuel in a factory intake and progresses to CNC-ported cylinder heads that are built with lightweight titanium valves. Immediately following combustion, spent gases roar through stainless steel pipes via coated custom Hooks headers. As you would expect, the car's tidy engine bay is an excellent mixture of clean black paint, carbon fiber elements including the painted carbon fiber valve covers and flashy chrome hardware. The fresh motor fires up instantly and runs perfectly. And the sound of the LS7 growling will send chills right down your spine. Trust me, with this engine's sonorous note and neck-snapping acceleration, you'll want to bury the throttle every chance you get!

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 small block, a Keisler 5-speed manual transmission spins power through a fresh driveshaft to a Dana rear axle with 3.73 gears. That stout drivetrain rides on a beefy modern C5 front suspension and a rear C4 rear suspension. The suspension rides on a nicely painted SRIII Motorsports tube chassis. Stops are provided by 4-wheel power disc brakes that wear bright red calipers and the words Corvette, which squeeze large, vented rotors at all four corners. And power flows to the pavement through 18” ZR1 style chrome rims, which spin a set of Goodyear Eagle tires. Aesthetically, this Chevy's Black undercarriage is virtually spotless, and features like the dual stainless steel exhaust that funnels into a single exhaust exit really take it to the next level.

Open this C2's tossable doors and you'll find a luxurious black and grey interior that was completely replaced during the car's extensive restoration. Seating comes courtesy of firm leather thrones that are anchored between new seatbelts, and a small console that's centered on a carbon fiber shifter. The carbon fiber doesn't stop there however, the entire dash and front console is covered in a carbon fiber inspired design. From the driver's perch, you'll see the brand new Autometer gauges keeping tabs on the modern powerplant. To the right of the gauges you'll find the controls for the Vintage Air, analog clock, and backup camera built into the rearview mirror. Below that dash, like-new black carpet is protected by new black floor mats. Above the fresh chrome sills, custom leather door panels hang small armrests, traditional chrome handles and stylish accents in front of power-assisted windows. In front of the driver, a black three-spoked steering wheel spins on a tilt steering column. And behind the passengers, a fully carpeted storage compartment boasts enough room for two suitcases and a bag of detailing supplies.

The sale of this land rocket includes a small stack of component manuals.

This restored Vette is the kind of car that runs hard and wins trophies. Everyone loves topless Sting Rays, but some are A LOT nicer than others. If you've been searching for an awesome C2 to enjoy for years to come, you're looking at your next classic!