Jeff Hayes Built Corvette Coupe Restomod LS3/525hp V8 Automatic Leather A/C

The pro-touring movement, keenly summarized as mixing wicked performance with classic good looks, began gaining popularity about 25 years ago. And today, with technology that continuously blurs the lines between street beast and track king, transforming a storied classic into a technological tour de force has become one of America's favorite pastimes. A super slick showstopper that was built by Corvette artist Jeff Hayes, this awesome Sting Ray combines picture-perfect aesthetics with serious mechanical prowess. And whether you're looking for invigorating performance, a lust worthy parade queen or just a cool car to own and enjoy, it's a great candidate for your next classic!

PUTTING THE PRO IN PRO-TOURER

When it comes to appeal, modern society operates on a myriad of unspoken rules that ultimately determine the winners and the losers. On the surface, judgements might seem shallow or fickle. But a deeper look reveals a pattern or, 'algorithm' if you will, that highlights the value of basic attributes. Take the iPhone, for example: it's relatable, it's charmingly attractive and it's incredibly engaging. Or Facebook, a service that's easy to use, visually appealing and highly addictive. That 'just right' mindset feels like the perfect way to describe this Corvette's killer appearance. Simply put: the car is a winner. It's handsome without being too traditional. It's fresh without being too outlandish. And it manages to be unique while mastering the art of mass appeal.

The car's solid body, massaged to near perfection by Jeff Hayes's American Speed Shop, is covered in a glossy coat of Silver Pearl 2-stage. Not nearly as pastel as GM's original single-stage, that pigment looks absolutely rich under a Gunmetal Stinger Stripe. At the front of the silky accent, spotless bumpers bend around a tasteful billet grille, which floats between bright amber parking lamps. Behind that grille, a crisp header emblem leads an electric Stinger Hood, which fronts like-new glass that's seated behind polished frames and capped wipers. That greenhouse is reflected in a duo of bowtie-stamped mirrors, which complement black rockers, traditional door handles and throaty side-pipes. And at the back of the car, two more spotless bumpers reflect sporty taillights, a crisp Sting Ray emblem and a color-keyed fuel filler.

CHEVROLET PERFORMANCE POWER

Check between this Corvette's mesh-lined heat extractors and you'll find 6.2 liters of small block fury! Officially known as the Chevrolet Performance LS376/525, that hot crate engine twists respectable 10.7 to 1 compression into 525 horsepower and 486 lb./ft. of gravel pummeling torque. At the front of the block, a polished air cleaner bends wind in to a polished throttle body, which feeds a color-keyed GM intake. That air meets spark in rectangular-port L92-style heads, which ride under thick Holley fuel rails and attractive Corvette valve covers. A nodular crank, powdered connecting rods and hypereutectic pistons compress that volatile union. A hydraulic ASA camshaft maximizes intake efficiency through better breathing. Speaking of breathing, the smooth mill funnels spent gases through stainless block hugger headers. There's a serious Be Cool radiator that's slid in front of a chrome puller fan. Polished serpentine components spin a polished Powermaster alternator opposite a polished AC compressor. And braided lines and quality Taylor plug wires combine with polished reservoirs, a polished master cylinder and a polished battery brace to detail otherwise purpose-built performance.

NOT STOCK AT ALL

Park this Sting Ray on a lift and you'll find a custom, fully powder-coated chassis that mixes a spry fifth-generation Corvette front suspension with a steady sixth-generation Corvette rear suspension. At the middle of those professionally assembled bones, a smooth 4L65E 4-speed deals power to a spry Dana 44 differential that's been borrowed from a sixth-generation Corvette Z06. Turns come courtesy of power rack-and-pinion steering. Smooth and solid stops are provided by sixth-generation Corvette Z06 brakes, which squeeze 4 and 6-piston calipers around a quartet of drilled and slotted rotors. And torque meets the pavement through seventh-generation Corvette Z06-style blades, which spin 235/40R18 Toyo Proxes 4 Plus redlines in front of 275/35R19 Toyo Proxes 4 Plus redlines.

TAMING THE BEAST

Slip into this roadster's sublime, French-stitched cockpit and settle on bolstered bucket seats that wrap distressed leather around modern frames. A leather-trimmed dash fashions awesome carbon fiber dins around Vintage Air climate control, Bluetooth-capable, direct-fit audio and gorgeous Auto Meter American Muscle telemetry. At the base of that dash, a carbon fiber console frames a booted Lokar shifter. Custom, mesh-trimmed door panels bridge the gap between premium carpet, which contrasts billet foot pedals, and an ornate headliner, which shades modern power windows. And the driver commands presence through a color-keyed Billet Specialties steering wheel, which laps a polished, tilting column.

Plenty quick and plenty streetable, this pristine Corvette is an excellent combination of awesome pro-touring performance and timeless Motor City aesthetics. And thanks to its excellent build, this classy coupe is sure to provide an awesome ownership experience. Call your friends at RK Motors Charlotte and drive away in one bad bowtie!

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HIGHLIGHTS

* Incredible Sting Ray pro-tourer that was built by Corvette artist Jeff Hayes
* Chevrolet Performance LS376/525 V8 / 525 horsepower
* GM 4L65E 4-speed automatic transmission
* Sixth-generation Corvette Z06 Dana 44 differential
* Power rack-and-pinion steering
* Sixth-generation Corvette Z06 power disc brakes
* Modern air conditioning
* Custom chassis
* Fifth-generation Corvette front suspension / Sixth-generation Corvette rear suspension
* Custom leather interior / Modern audio
* 18 and 19-inch seventh-generation Corvette Z06-style wheels
* Silver Pearl paint / Gunmetal Stinger Stripe
* All RK Motors vehicles receive a comprehensive, multi-point inspection
* We can arrange shipment of your purchase anywhere in the world