Frame Off Built Corvette Roadster Pro Touring Z06 LS6 405 HP 6 Speed A/C

SUMMARY

The beneficiary of a 2-year restoration
5.7 liter GM LS6 / 405 horsepower
Tremec 6-speed manual transmission
Leather interior / Air conditioning / Modern audio
Newman Car Creations frame / Fourth generation Corvette suspension
17-inch Billet Specialties Fast Lane wheels
Haartz cloth top
Power rack-and-pinion steering
4-wheel power disc brakes
Dana 44 differential

Many automotive purists believe restored Corvettes should preserve a specific era in history and, as a result, the word "custom" is often a point of contention. Most of the time that's a great philosophy, because it doesn't get much better than a showroom-fresh drop-top that feels like it was tuned by Duntov himself. However, when these cars are customized with clear vision and distinct purpose, it only serves to enhance their classic design and appeal to enthusiasts who would've never given factory fodder a second look. After all, how could any red-blooded car guy not love a great mix of timeless virtues and hand-picked technology? This stunning C1 is a fully sorted show stopper that, thanks to its modern Corvette engine, plush leather interior and fully massaged undercarriage, is worthy of either the backroads or the red ropes. Ever find yourself meandering through a show field drooling over first-class classics and wondering how you could get your hands on one? Here's your chance!

BODYWORK/TRIM

Sealed in slithery Burgundy 2-stage, this lust worthy Vette was carefully restored to better-than-new condition thanks to a 2-year reboot. As you can see from our professional photography, the car's body features excellent alignment, reflecting a razor-sharp finish that's been polished and wet-sanded to a stellar shine. That body's combination of form, fit and flash reinforces the fact that this Chevy was a solid driver before its detailed metamorphosis began. And today, it rolls as one fully sorted curve carver that's virtually guaranteed to captivate and impress!

Thanks to uniquely American aesthetics and an increasing focus on well-rounded performance, the '58-'62 Corvette presents a fluid yet detailed appearance. This striking drop-top makes the most of those details with completely refinished chrome and fully polished stainless. At the front of the car, a textured grille floats between bright halogen headlights, small, chrome-trimmed parking lamps and elaborate header ornamentation. At the sides of that grille, mirrored bumpers bend around chrome-trimmed fenders that follow V-ed Corvette emblems with finned cove inserts. Between those fenders, a sculpted hood leads the eye to polished wipers, curved glass and fresh Haartz cloth. At the back of that hood, traditional door handles reflect finned rocker guards. And at the back of those doors, Bill Mitchell's famous 'squatter' decklid hangs a muted Corvette roundel above chrome bumpers, a chrome tag frame and four familiar taillights.

ENGINE

This sweet-looking Chevy is powered by a smooth Gen III LS6 that provides plenty of solid, reliable motivation. Straight from the factory, the racy mill utilizes 346 cubic inches to twist buff 10.5 to 1 compression into 405 horsepower and 400 lb./ft. of Oak-shaking torque. And despite consistently delivering track-blistering, low-end performance, it can rev to 6,500 RPM and idle like a commuter car. At the front of the all-aluminum block, a GM serpentine drive spins a rebuilt alternator and Sanden AC compressor behind compact air tubes and reusable filter cones. Once air enters those cones, it flows through a factory throttle body to a painted factory intake that's bolted down over correct 243 heads and completely stock internals. High-octane fossils are provided by GM electronic fuel injection. Sparks are sequenced through a custom wiring harness and reliable AC Delco plug wires. Spent gases swirl through clean, long-tube headers. And cooling comes courtesy of a beefy aluminum radiator that's centered on a large electric puller fan. On the visual end of the spectrum, color-keyed, "LS3" branded rail covers perfectly contrast the block's various shades of silver. The conservative engine compartment seats Satin Black fenders beneath a glossy, fully finished hood. And niceties such as stainless fluid lines, a traditional expansion tank and a proven CPP brake booster add a tailored feel to quality assembly.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

As our regular readers know, this is the paragraph that separates the pristine pro-tourers from the well-done resto-mods. And this roadster's thoroughly updated underpinnings leave no doubt as to its affiliation with the former. A custom frame was the perfect foundation for the car's inspired resurrection. Behind the LS6, a fresh Tremec 6-speed twists power to a proven Dana 44 differential. That first-class drivetrain rolls on a fourth generation Corvette suspension, which trails adjustable QA-1 coil-overs with Vette Brake & Products control rods. Turns come courtesy of modern power rack-and-pinion steering. Smooth and solid stops are provided when power-assisted Corvette calipers squeeze four vented rotors. Spent gases roar through custom, stainless pipes and polished Magnaflow mufflers. And torque greets the pavement through Billet Specialties Fast Lanes, which spin 225/50R17 Michelin Primacy meats.

INTERIOR

In keeping with this Corvette's high performance theme, interior outfitting remains minimal. High quality restoration pieces provide long-term durability without sacrificing good looks. The car's textured leather seats are supple and fresh. There's fade-free carpet that's protected by texture-matched, Corvette-branded floor mats. Front and center, Dakota Digital VHX gauges, a Custom Autosound radio and modern air conditioning look perfectly natural inside Chevrolet's famous dual-cowl dash. At the center of the floors, a proven Hurst stick balances a cool, Z06-themed shift knob over a French-stitched boot. In front of the driver, a Billet Specialties steering wheel spins a half-wrapped rim. At the sides of the passengers, stylized door panels front traditional crank windows. And behind the retracted top, a carpeted trunk shows virtually no signs of usage.

No matter how much of a purist you might be, you have to admit that this C1 is one seriously cool ride! It's exceptionally built, incredibly appealing and thanks to tasteful upgrades and a spectacular restoration, it can hang with some of the nicest cars on the planet! If you're looking for the perfect opportunity to own a pristine piece of classic Americana, your search is officially over!