World Class Corvette Roadster LT1 700R4 Pro Touring

We see a lot of cars at RK Motors Charlotte. So many, in fact, that it takes something special to impress us. Every once in a while, a car comes through the doors that simply blows everyone away. This 1958 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster is one of those cars. This incredible Corvette, built at a cost of more than $200,000, combines modern technology and performance into one of the most timeless body styles ever conceived. And unlike so many “resto-mod” projects, this one treats the original Corvette with respect, giving it Corvette power, Corvette suspension, and a set of great looking rims that would be right at home on any classic Corvette. Gorgeous to look at and thrilling to drive, this roadster will be the star of any show it attends.

It took three years to turn this 1958 Corvette into a curve carving resto-modded street machine. During that process, the car was unbolted from its frame and sodium blasted to remove all factory defects and accrued damage from roughly 50 years of exposure to the elements. Once the body was silky smooth and had a better than factory appearance, it was re gel coated and bolted to a brand new custom fabricated round tube frame. Now free to shoot for perfection; the body shop applied a custom Spectrum Color developed turquoise from jam to jam and then added traditional white door coves which resulted in a car that amazes people wherever it goes. The custom turquoise is just dark enough to show off the shape of the car while honoring its classic 50s good looks. Panel gaps are exceptionally tight and the panels are like looking into a mirror thanks to the new, more rigid chassis underneath. The results of this intensive restoration speak for themselves. With outstanding body detailing and incredible finish, this Corvette is absolutely gorgeous in person and seems to always draw your eye even when its 20 cars deep in the car guy heaven that is our RK Motors Charlotte showroom.

Most of the 'mod' in this resto-modded Corvette applies to its custom frame and modern powertrain. There are no modifications to the original body of this car most likely because it's almost impossible to make a first generation Corvette more visually appealing than it already is. For the '58 design, excellent details abound; up front the aggressively styed and beautifully detailed chrome grille, bumpers and bumper bracket have all been restored to very high standards. Four perfect headlights surrounded in new chrome serve as visual pillars of the front end design while a multi-dimensional, reproduction three piece Corvette emblem features correct gold lettering. The hood of the car features exclusive to 1958 hood louvers and mirror like chrome trim runs the length of the front fenders to the new curved windshield. At the side of the car, the chrome around the white door coves has been restored to a show winning shine and is accentuated by Corvette cross flag emblems that look like they're fresh from the factory mold. Custom built 18 inch Intro wheels riding 245/45/18 low profile Dunlop radials complement the stainless trim and tie into the louvered hood. And stellar looking trim around the curved windshield and cockpit complements new stainless windshield wipers, chrome door handles and rearview mirrors on the driver's side door and dash. A custom color matched turquoise vinyl top with a glass window flows into a trunk that features 1958 specific chrome spears. Show quality rear bumpers feature factory correct exhaust tips and align with the trunk spears to highlight a second multi-dimensional gold lettered Corvette emblem at the rear of the car. New brake lights with chrome trim mounted on the ridge of the rear fenders duplicate the dual pillar look of the front of the car.

Although the subtly updated exterior would look just as natural in 1958 as it does now, under the hood this car begins to get a little more radical. A perfect fit in this early Corvettes engine bay, a modern Corvette LT1 Generation II 350 features a cast iron block, aluminum heads and electronic fuel injection for a solid 420 horsepower. The color matched plastic LT1 engine cover looks right at home featuring fourth generation Corvette logos and chrome Corvette lettering. Accessories in the clean engine bay include a Be Cool aluminum radiator complete with an electric cooling fan, a new black brake booster and master cylinder, a color coordinated alternator and AC compressor, new belts and hoses, a billet overflow tank, a chrome hood hinge and billet valve covers with a billet oil cap. The LT1 engine seems like a natural modernization of this classic Corvette. It starts instantly and idles perfectly, no matter what the temperature is, it gives this classic car the ability to cruise with great fuel economy and it has parts availability at any auto parts store in the country. Best of all, it gives the car the ability to be serviced with ease at your local GM dealer if you're in a pinch.

Put the car up on a lift and you'll realize that its traditional body and modern engine sit on a radical new frame and suspension. The car is spotless underneath where the Spectrum turquoise body meets a custom fabricated, gloss black SR3 Motorsports frame and is highlighted by silver suspension and axle pieces with stainless hardware. This frame was specifically designed to allow late-model running gear under vintage Corvettes and is reinforced to be vastly stiffer than the original Corvette X-frame. In the middle of those new round bones sits an aesthetically pleasing chrome oil pan and modern 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission that is cooled by a passenger floor mounted transmission cooler. Combined with the powerful LT1 350, this transmission makes highway cruising a relaxed affair while still being able to deliver amazing acceleration. At the front corners of the car, independent suspension with upper and lower control arms combines with a set of coil over shocks and a modern power steering system to make curves a lot more fun. Out back, the independent suspension with upper and lower control arms combines with coil over shocks and VBP suspension components to keep everything buttoned down and perfectly in line. True dual exhaust with aluminum tubing runs to stainless Aero Exhaust mufflers which flow into correct bumper housed stainless tips. Stopping is handled by four wheel power disc brakes with drilled and cross vented rotors that are clamped by new calipers fed by braided metal brake lines. Everything is superbly fabricated and beautifully finished, showing virtually no use since it was complete. All the hardware is new and this '58 Corvette is guaranteed to drive as well great as it looks.

The leather interior is so sumptuous it's hard to resist jumping in and taking this car for a spin. Like the rest of the car, it is a beautiful tribute to the original design with some thoughtful modern upgrades. And yes, it's leather, not vinyl. The original seats have fresh foam and new covers that have been custom color matched and embroidered by Kirik. The white dash features color matched inserts and appears as if it lays on the turquoise body with traditional '58 Corvette gauges behind the steering wheel and controls for the heat and Vintage Air system incorporated into the center stack. A smaller diameter aluminum Grant steering wheel is wrapped with a color matched turquoise rim and along with the Lokar transmission shifter, is the only blatantly aftermarket piece in the whole interior. The door panels are absolutely amazing pieces of period styling that feature power windows and original style door handles. The carpets are the correct texture and nap, and are a little darker than the body of the car in order to highlight the seats and dash. The trunk is just as well finished as the rest of the car carrying the tri tone appearance of the interior and matching new carpet, white leather and turquoise paint.

This amazing Corvette comes with a display board that lists all of its modifications during the 3 year restoration.

If you are ready to fall in love with a car that combines the best elements from the past and the present, this is your car. Beautifully built and incredibly functional, this Corvette roadster preserves the timeless design elements of the 1958 Corvette while providing a driving experience that allows you to enjoy a vintage Corvette on modern roads with no compromises. After the lucky new owner snatches this one up, we will be fielding calls for months asking when we will get another. The answer will be: “Not any time soon”. This is a special car-don't wait. Call now!