Ground Up Built Corvette Restomod 6.2L LS3 V8 5-Speed Art Morrison Chassis A/C

Discovered in Beverly Hills after years of dormancy, this 1962 Chevrolet Corvette was reborn through a no-expense-spared commission by Carr's Corvettes & Customs of Plano, Texas. The current seller, a longtime enthusiast, wanted a car that retained the charm of the final-year C1 while performing with the precision and comfort of a modern luxury sports car. The result is a hand-built machine that blends heritage with high technology, featured in the October 2017 issue of Corvette Magazine and constructed to a standard worthy of any national stage.

The exterior presents as both art and engineering. Every panel was perfected before being finished in PPG Jazz Blue, a deep metallic tone originally used on later-model Dodge vehicles, then sealed in PPG Global Glamour clearcoat. To achieve a wider, more balanced stance, GTS Customs 1.5-inch rear quarter-panels were expertly integrated, while the original bumpers were reworked and triple-chrome plated for a flawless fit. The grille and brightwork remain faithful to the 1962 design, giving the car its unmistakable C1 identity. Modern rolling stock adds the perfect visual tension, with chrome 18x8.5 and 18x9.5 ZR1-style wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich g-Force Sport Comp-2 tires sized 255/35ZR18 front and 275/40ZR18 rear. The result is a sharper, more planted look that perfectly complements the car's timeless design.

Beneath the hood sits a Chevrolet Performance LS3 crate engine. Rated at 480 horsepower, it delivers the kind of performance that makes this car genuinely fast. The 6.2L V8 breathes through a 4-inch aluminum air intake with Spectre filter, while Street & Performance front drive accessories and a DeWitts aluminum radiator with SPAL electric fan keep everything cool. Ceramic-coated Art Morrison long-tube headers feed a hand-fabricated 2.5-inch stainless exhaust system with MagnaFlow mufflers. A set of custom Corvette-script valve covers conceal the LS coil packs, maintaining a vintage look. The engine's power is routed through a Silver Sport Transmissions TKO600 five-speed manual and hydraulic clutch, driving a Strange 9-inch rear with 3.70 gears and Detroit Truetrac limited-slip differential. The combination produces modern reliability, aggressive sound, and classic mechanical engagement.

The bones were replaced by an Art Morrison GT Sport chassis engineered for geometry and balance. That foundation brings fully independent C6 Corvette suspension up front with modern Corvette control arms, JRi coilovers, and power rack-and-pinion steering. Out back, a triangulated four-link supports the Strange 9-inch rear with 31-spline axles and JRi coilovers. Wilwood power disc brakes with six-piston calipers in front and four-piston units in the rear provide track-worthy stopping power. Underneath, the detailing is as refined as the exterior, with a House of Kolor Sunset Pearl–painted engine and transmission contrasting against the beige chassis, dark blue floor pans, and polished stainless exhaust.

Inside, the cabin preserves classic C1 design while integrating modern comfort. The cockpit was fully insulated with Dynamat before being finished in soft leather colored in Doeskin, a hue inspired by the 1978 Corvette interior palette, stitched and fitted over Al Knoch seats and custom door panels. The original-style dash was refinished and fitted with restored factory gauges adapted for electronic signals, while a leather-wrapped steering wheel and reproduction shifter preserve a period-correct look. The modern conveniences are discreet: a Bluetooth-capable RetroSound head unit, hidden amplifier, Infinity and Kenwood speakers, and modern air conditioning for year-round comfort. Attention to detail carries through every inch, including the stitched dash pad, sculpted console, and fully carpeted trunk with embossed Corvette emblem.

The result is a first-generation Corvette rebuilt without compromise, engineered to perform, finished to show, and designed to remind you why the name still matters. Every surface, sound, and sensation speaks to the precision of its build and the passion behind it.

Key Highlights

* Frame-off restoration by Carr's Corvettes and Customs
* 6.2L LS3/480hp crate engine
* Tremec TKO600 5-speed manual transmission
* Art Morrison GT Sport chassis
* GTS Customs 1.5" wider rear quarter-panels
* Strange 9" rear axle with 3.70 gearing
* Detroit Truetrac limted-slip differential
* PPG Jazz Blue clearcoat
* 18" ZR1-style wheels
* BFGoodrich g-Force Sport Comp-2 tires (255mm front/275mm rear)
* Ceramic-coated long-tube headers
* 2.5" stainless steel exhaust with MagnaFlow mufflers
* Independent front suspension
* JRi coilovers
* Wilwood four-wheel power disc brakes
* Power rack-and-pinion steering
* Modern air conditioning
* Custom leather interior by Al Knoch
* RetroSound headunit with Bluetooth capability
* Kenwood amplifier and Infinity speakers