Frame Off Built Corvette Roadster Pro Touring 6.2L EFI LS3 5 Speed PS A/C

SUMMARY

* Ground-up restored in 2011
* GM Performance Parts LS376 V8 / 480 horsepower
* Tremec TKO600 5-speed manual transmission
* Street Shop chassis / C4 Corvette suspension
* Al Knoch leather interior / Classic Auto Air conditioning
* Our sale includes restoration photos and restoration receipts
* 17-inch Boze Boost forged wheels
* Porsche GT Silver paint
* Power rack-and-pinion steering / C4 Corvette disc brakes
* Dana 44 rear axle / 3.50 gears

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A concours restored first generation Corvette is a great classic to admire. But, with whitewalls and all that chrome, it's easy to forget that these cars were once feared track warriors. By ushering in Chevrolet's legendary small block they established the concept of an American sports car and single-handedly created the foundation for a 60-year legacy of world-class performance. This C1 pays tribute to its heritage by seating a cutting edge V8 in a roster of competent mechanicals and wrapping everything in rich pigment that re-emphasizes already iconic lines. If you're ready to see the USA in a well-rounded Chevrolet, take a closer look at this sweet pro-tourer!

BODYWORK/TRIM

Stripped all the way down to glass, this contoured roadster's curvaceous body was massaged back to life in the summer of 2011. 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 53 years ago. In fact, judging by the looks of this Chevy's smooth fuselage, there's no evidence it has ever seen any kind of catastrophic damage. And today, layered in dynamic Porsche GT Silver, the car rolls as one very cool classic that, thanks to its hot 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 classic style that would eventually bear an American icon. At the front of this polished and refinished drop-top, a blackened grille rides between chrome-trimmed headlights, a de-lettered header panel and chrome-trimmed parking lamps. In front of that grille, an intricate bumper bends around cross-flag-branded fenders that are detailed with finned cove inserts. Between those fenders, a sculpted hood leads the eye to polished RainGear wipers, classy wraparound glass and your choice of either a contrasting cloth roof or color-keyed hardtop. At the back of that hood, mirrorless doors found traditional chrome handles. And at the back of those doors, a sculpted 'boat tail' decklid hangs a classy Corvette roundel above a chrome tag bracket, familiar Corvette taillights, chrome bumpers and bold, center-outlet exhaust tips.

ENGINE

The base model Vette has always been a highly competent, ready-made package. In the mid-'60s, the car's go-to mill was GM's 327 cubic inch L30 small block. And in the late-2000s, the car's go-to mill was GM's 6.2 liter Generation IV V8. That said; it doesn't seem unnatural that this roadster's classic hood veils a hot GM Performance Parts LS376. One of the most well rounded conversions GMPP offers, the generation IV LS376 utilizes aluminum construction, high flow heads and a racing-inspired Hot Cam to mix hours of thrills with miles of impressive fuel economy. And, churning stout 10.7 to 1 compression into 480 horsepower and 475 lb./ft. of broad torque, this Chevy's smooth-revving engine is certainly no slouch in the performance department! The general's familiar fuel rail covers sport clean “CORVETTE LS3” graphics, which complement mirrored lettering with vivid red outlining stripes. Polished serpentine components spin a polished alternator and Classic Auto Air conditioning opposite modern power steering. Polished air tubes terminate in big Spectre filter elements. There's a polished aluminum radiator that's fitted with an efficient puller fan. A full outfit of stainless hardware combines with GM plug wires, a Delco yellow cap battery and ceramic-coated Rewarder headers to detail an otherwise purpose-built performer. And, as you would expect, the car's tidy engine bay is an excellent mixture of glossy silver pigment and factory matte hardware.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

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 proven Tremec TKO600 5-speed twists torque to a familiar Dana 44 that's fitted with stout 3.50 gears. That rear end, like the car's engine, rides on a fourth generation Corvette suspension, which is bolted to a high quality Street Shop chassis. Stops are provided by fourth generation Corvette calipers, which squeeze four drilled and slotted rotors. Turns come courtesy of power rack-and-pinion steering that, when combined with the car's upgraded chassis and serious disc brakes, provides modern feel and great performance. Spent gases roar through 2.5-inch pipes to polished Magnaflow mufflers. Power meets the pavement through forged Boze Boosts, which spin 225/55R17 BF Goodrich Traction T/As around highly polished spokes. And everything, from the car's clean, Satin Black floors to its Rock Valley stainless fuel tank, is expertly finished, well detailed and ready for action.

INTERIOR

Inside this silky drop-top you'll find a red-hot Al Knoch interior. Plump leather seats are comfortable and well formed. In front of those seats, a color-keyed dash hangs rebuilt gauges between controls for the aforementioned air conditioning, a vintage Wonder Bar radio and a small rearview mirror. At the base of that dash, high quality carpet makes a perfect plane for a factory-spec shifter. At the edge of that carpet, Al Knoch door panels hang fresh hardware and low-mounted armrests behind stainless-trimmed kick panels. In front of the driver, a reduced diameter steering wheel spins a wrapped rim around a stainless Flaming River column and polished cross-flag horn button. And behind the passengers, a fully finished trunk features matching leather and carpet.

OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION

* A few restoration photos
* Some build receipts
* A small stack of component paperwork

Thanks to the Corvette's virtually unmatched popularity the market is full of great C1s. But this roadster manages a near perfect balance of road-going prowess and show-stopping aesthetics. Don't waste six figures and three years trying to build a classic this nice. Call RK Motors Charlotte, sign the papers on this killer Chevy and make 2015 a summer to remember!