It’s easy to toss a crate of parts at car and call it a “restomod.” This C1 Chevy Corvette, however, is different, with each piece thoughtfully applied to create something beautiful, yet simple.
Once again coming to us from the folks at AutotopiaLA, this restomod C1 Corvette was built by Timeless Kustoms in Camarillo, California. The Vette hails from the 1962 model year, and was originally handed over to the shop in pieces after a front-end collision.
First things first, Timeless Kustoms installed an Art Morrison chassis under the body, with C6 Corvette suspension components up front and a Watt’s three-link setup in the rear to make sure the thing rode and handled as desired. This C1 Corvette is also running mammoth carbon ceramic brakes with manual operation.
Making the sports car move is the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 LT1 gasoline engine, the same Chevy Small Block found under the hood of the more modern C7-generation Corvette Stingray and Grand Sport, not to mention the Chevy Camaro. Output is measured at 470 horsepower at the tires, with a Tremec six-speed manual, 9-inch Ford rear end, and Eaton Trutrac routing the muscle where it’s needed. Spent gasses exit via 2-and-a-half-inch Magnaflow pipes.
As for the styling, this restomod Corvette is rolling on a set of five-spoke Forgeline wheels with a chrome-plated finish, wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rubber. Wheel sizing is set at 19 inches by 9 inches in the front, while the rears are 19 inches by 12 inches. The body itself is more or less factory, although the shop did remove the side trim and left the panels a single color rather than paint them, lending the two-door a more streamlined appearance. The headlights are new, while the fascia was simplified a bit too. The body also sits low over the large wheels, enhancing that look even further.
The interior keeps the simple theme going with red upholstery, as well as a pair of subwoofers hidden behind the seats. A modern infotainment screen is tucked into the center console, while the driver grips a 14-inch steering wheel. Dakota Digital gauges keep the look appropriately old school.
All in all, this C1 Corvette was made to look good and put a smile on your face. Check out the full feature right here:
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Comments
Another classic destoryed
Kit car gone bad…
I think it’s a good looking Vette. It is a restomod and if that’s what they enjoy building so be it. It’s not for everyone but I enjoy seeing the older body style retro’s. Alot of work regardless. I’d much rather see stuff like this running around on the streets than some of the stuff we have today. The stance is awesome.
Some people don’t get this industry at all. It doesn’t follow normal stereotypes. Most cars like this Vette are high-dollar builds with very talented people doing the work. They spend many years developing their skills and to put them down is OK because all that does is confirm our automotive individualism. Whether it’s a vintage Corvette or a new Escalade being individualized our hobby/industry depends on cars like this that provoke a reaction. My family has been in the business since the 1800s and there has not ever been a time when someone did not gripe about what we do to common cars (and carriages) driven by 99% of the population. Even Rolls Royce’s bespoke business is growing like crazy. It’s a multi-billion dollar love affair so we will continue to build vehicles that defy those who are going the “right way.”
I guess you could say that it’s his car so he can do what he wants. Here’s my opinion. I’ve owned 3 C1 Corvettes in the past so certainly the drivability has been greatly improved. However, in the looks department I think it’s a failure. It’s too low and the wheels and tires are not only ugly, but just don’t look right on the car. By leaving off the side cove grills, nose emblems, and rocker moldings it just looks like there is something missing. Speaking of something missing-where’s the horn button? Builders like this tend to brag about their “attention to detail.” Yet I see the coves behind the front bumpers painted red, not satin black like they should be. Red also appears behind the grill on the right side. Is there no one there to stand back and say “does that look right?” They seem to know little about these cars. To expand on Barry’s comment below-the video also mentions the coves not being painted a contrasting color. ’62 Corvettes were not available with different colored side coves. One more attention to detail: the inside rear view mirror is upside down. Looks silly like that.
1962 Corvettes had no side trim like 56 to 61 except for the cove so there would have been none to remove,
I have no problem with restomods , as long as we do not destroy something that is worth more in original condition.
Taking something that is beyond restoration, is a great start for a restomod.
Having said all that, I was doing okay with this article about using a Chevy engine.
And I know why we use Ford 9 inch rear ends. But it seems to me, several versions of Corvette rear
end could have worked. Then we would have a sweet little Chevy.
The 1960 I built for my mom used the ZL1 rear end. Handles 800whp stock. Ford rears in these C1 restos is embarrassing.
Beautiful Corvette. B1tchin stance. I would have kept the Corvette logo. The Dakota digital gauge cluster is cool.
Good looking Resto. I would have installed C4,5,6 or 7 suspension and independent rear end. Was there any consideration on stretching the interior room as the C1 is very cramped. Is there a hardtop? Like the 6-spd. Did you install A/C. Not crazy about the wheels. The Red on Red looks very good. The intakes below the headlights ought to be functional with flat-black or chrome x-mesh grills. I’d prefer the Factory grill pieces but many have messed with the layout and I understand the builders approach to be different. What is the red device behind the grill?
I spent 3000 hours building one for my mom using the roadster shop Spec 7 chassis and Gen V LT1 motor. C7 suspension and braking are amazing and the body was UNMODIFIED. ZL1 rear end has it handling like a go kart and if tires could stick it would destroy my dad’s C8 without issue. I’d never put my 79 year old mom in a stock C1 with merely a brake upgrade. Plus if she wants to sell it she can fetch up to $300,000…roughly $120-150,000 more than a restored original. Auctions have proven that. This 1962 is amazing but lost me on the grill and headlights.