Body Off Built Corvette Roadster EFI LT1 V8 6 Speed Manual PS A/C Power Discs

SUMMARY

The beneficiary of a body-off, nut-and-bolt restoration
5.7 liter GM LT1 V8
Borg Warner 6-speed manual transmission
Customized leather interior / Modern air conditioning / Modern audio
17-inch Coys wheels
Power rack-and-pinion steering / 4-wheel power disc brakes
Heavily upgraded suspension
Sale includes restoration photos and restoration receipts
Victory Red paint / White top
10-bolt rear axle

If you're a Chevrolet aficionado, it doesn't get much better than owning a first-generation Corvette. That's because, regardless of year, every C1 shares a connection to the car that started a now legendary brand. To this very day, 1953-62 Corvettes are highly desirable collectables that continue to be some of the most sought after cars on the planet. And this sweet roadster, the beneficiary of a fresh, body-off restoration, is a perfect example of why. With a hot LT1/6-speed drivetrain and stunning red on red aesthetics, it's an excellent tribute to the golden age of Americana. And, if you're looking for a unique classic that you can drive, show off and watch appreciate, it's the fully sorted head turner you've been patiently waiting for!

BODYWORK/TRIM

Stripped all the way down to glass, this contoured roadster's curvaceous body was massaged back to life during a body-off, nut-and-bolt restoration. 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 59 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 vivid Victory Red 2-stage, the car rolls as one spectacular classic that's superbly detailed.

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 toothy grille rides between chrome-trimmed headlights, a translucent header roundel and chrome-trimmed parking lamps. At the sides of that grille, intricate bumpers bend around chrome-trimmed fenders that are detailed with small cross-flags and finned cove inserts. Between those fenders, a '58-exclusive hood leads the eye to polished wipers, tinted glass and a fresh white roof that's stretched across a fresh frame. At the back of that hood, traditional mirrors reflect traditional door handles. And at the back of the car, a flowing decklid hangs a second Corvette roundel and '58-exclusive trunk spears between chrome bumpers and flush, chrome-trimmed taillights.

ENGINE

If you think the exterior of this classic is impressive, you're going to LOVE what's under its hood! Sourced from a Formula Firebird, the car's high performance LT1 is widely regarded as one of the best small blocks ever produced. At the front of the Corvette-branded mill, a polished serpentine drive spins a polished alternator and fresh AC compressor opposite quality KRC power steering. Opposite that steering, a polished, "LT-1" branded air cleaner caps a proven Street & Performance throttle body. Once air enters that body, it flows in to a factory intake, which feeds aluminum heads and GM-spec internals. High-octane fossils are provided by modern fuel injection. Fire is sourced through familiar Taylor plug wires. Spent gases exit through coated shorty headers. And cooling comes courtesy of a red-trimmed Be Cool radiator that's backed by a large SPAL puller fan. Visually, not a detail was missed under this Chevy's body-matched bonnet. Niceties such as polished breathers, polished valve covers, a polished master cylinder and a smoothed firewall provide just the right amount of flash to give the engine a clean, finished look. And the vicious small block fires right up, idles perfectly and accelerates like a modern sports car.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

Flip this C1 upside down and you'll find a sturdy, road-ready X-frame that, after being blasted bare during the car's restoration, has been fully finished and bolted to glossy, over-restored floor tubs. Behind the motor, a tough Borg Warner 6-speed twists torque through a rebuilt 10-bolt axle. At the ends of the floors, a trick Jim Meyer Racing Products front-clip leads a solid axle rear-clip that's been completely rebuilt to factory specifications. At the front of that chassis, power rack-and-pinion steering makes quick work of sharp turns. At the corners of that chassis, color-keyed calipers utilize pressure from a color-keyed booster to squeeze a quartet of drilled and slotted rotors. Exhaust is managed by big, true-dual pipes, which bark through 2-chamber Flowmasters and polished stainless tips. Power meets the pavement via chrome Coys wheels, which spin 215/55R17 Arizonian Silver Edition radials in front of 215/60R17 Arizonian Silver Edition radials. And everything, from this Corvette's stainless fluid lines to its small proportioning valve, is fully sorted and ready to log miles.

INTERIOR

In keeping with this roadster's high performance theme, interior outfitting remains tasteful and minimal. The car's leather-lined seats are much more substantial than old school vinyl. There's bright carpet that's protected by piped and color-keyed floor mats. Front and center, stylish Auto Meter telemetry joins modern climate control and a Sony Xplod CD player to decorate a leather-wrapped dual-cowl dash. At the middle of the floor, a thin console frames a leather-wrapped shifter. In front of the driver, a speed-drilled steering wheel spins a thick red rim around an aftermarket column. At the sides of the passengers, flowing door panels center long armrests in polished stainless trim. And, behind the retracted top, a custom upholstered trunk shows virtually no signs of usage.

OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION AND ACCESSORIES

Restoration photos
Restoration receipts
Component literature
A tag frame
Extra paint materials

A highly desirable drop-top that wraps a fresh, body-off restoration around a hot V8 and modern 6-speed, this slick Corvette has a little something for everyone. And what's better: it's exactly the kind of classic that provides endless fun on the highway and celebrity status in the parking lot. Where else can you get such an excellent combination of style, performance and investment potential? Don't miss this opportunity to experience a stellar piece of American history!