Frame Off Built Corvette Roadster EFI LS1 V8 4L60E 4 Speed Auto A/C PS Discs

SUMMARY

Street & Performance LS1 V8 / 345 horsepower
Street & Performance 4L60E 4-speed automatic transmission
Customized leather interior / Air conditioning / Modern audio
Corvette Correction frame / Fourth generation Corvette suspension
18-inch sixth generation Corvette Z06-style wheels
Power rack-and-pinion steering
4-wheel power disc brakes
Dana 44 differential

A concours-restored first generation Corvette is certainly something to admire. But, ith whitewalls and all that chrome, t's easy to forget that these classics were once feared track warriors. By ushering in Chevrolet's legendary small block, t was the C1 that established the concept of America's Sports Car and created the very foundation of the brand's 60-year legacy of world-class performance. This '59 Vette pays tribute to that legacy by seating a powerful, ightweight drivetrain in a rich combination of black and silver pigment that emphasizes timeless, conic lines. If you're ready to see the USA in a well-rounded Chevrolet, ake a closer look at this sweet pro-tourer!

BODYWORK/TRIM

The beneficiary of a recent, round-up pro-touring build, his slick Corvette's smooth and sinuous body is covered in a glossy coat of rich black 2-stage. That wet-looking pigment is accentuated by fresh silver coves that, n spite of the car's heavy modifications, aintain close ties to signature C1 aesthetics. Speaking of aesthetics, here appears to be no evidence that this Chevy's fiberglass has ever been hit or needed any significant repair. The car's fit and finish has been adjusted to better-than-factory tolerances, ith surfaces that are as clean as the day they pulled in to a Chevrolet showroom. And presently, his reborn roadster rolls as a timeless classic that always draws the eye.

Thanks to uniquely American style and an increasing focus on well-rounded performance, he '58-'62 Corvette presents a fluid yet detailed appearance. At the front of this polished and refinished drop-top, toothy grille floats between bright halogen headlights, mall, hrome-trimmed parking lamps and a translucent header roundel. At the sides of that grille, ntricate bumpers bend around chrome-trimmed fenders that follow traditional Corvette cross-flags with finned cove inserts. Between those fenders, sculpted hood leads the eye to polished wipers, urved glass and fresh Black canvas. At the back of that hood, raditional door handles reflect a stylish driver's mirror. And at the back of those doors, ightly modified bumpers frame retro taillights, olished exhaust tips and a second translucent roundel.

ENGINE

If you think the exterior of this classic is impressive, ou're going to LOVE what's under its hood! Cranking out 345 horsepower, his Corvette's lightweight, igh performance LS1 is widely regarded as one of the best small blocks ever produced. Built by Street & Performance, t combines a sturdy aluminum block with lightweight aluminum heads and aluminum flat-top pistons to turn razor-sharp throttle response into lightning quick acceleration. At the front of the mill, n ornate serpentine system spins a polished alternator and fresh AC compressor beneath a polished air tube, hich bridges the gap between a polished throttle body and a reusable filter element. Once air enters that body, t flows in to a polished Street & Performance intake, hich is bolted down over GM-spec internals. High-octane fossils are provided by modern electronic fuel injection. Sparks are sequenced through a Street & Performance computer, Street & Performance wiring harness, igh quality MSD coil packs and fresh MSD Super Conductor plug wires. Spent gases exit through coated Street & Performance shorties. And cooling comes courtesy of a beefy aluminum radiator that's backed by a large Tripac puller fan. Visually, ot a detail was missed under this Chevy's Satin Black bonnet. Niceties such as polished valve covers, polished brake booster and polished fuel lines provide just the right amount of flash to give the engine a clean, inished look. And the vicious small block fires right up, dles perfectly and accelerates like a modern sports car.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

Toss this roadster on a lift and you'll find a proven Corvette Correction frame that's been completely powdercoated and bolted to clean, atin Black floor tubs. Behind the stout LS1, Street & Performance-sourced 4L60E 4-speed twists power to a familiar Dana 44 differential. That top-notch drivetrain rolls on a fourth generation Corvette suspension that's fitted with aluminum control arms, djustable Vansteel coil-overs, Hyperco Street & Track spring and adjustable QA-1 shocks. Power rack-and-pinion steering greatly increases handling prowess. Smooth and solid stops come courtesy of 4-wheel power disc brakes, hich follow two C5 Z06-style calipers with two C4 calipers and four drilled and slotted rotors. Exhaust is handled by custom, tainless pipes, hich bend around an X-shaped crossover and awesome Magnaflow mufflers. And at the corners of the floor, hrome C6 Z06-style wheels spin 245/40ZR18 Nitto Motivo tires.

INTERIOR

In keeping with this Chevy's high performance theme, nterior outfitting remains minimal. High quality restoration pieces provide long-term durability without sacrificing good looks. The car's reclining Al Knoch seats, aced in tight leather hides, till have years of life left in them. There's bright red carpet that's protected by color-keyed Al Knoch floor mats. Front and center, lassic Instruments telemetry and MP3-compatible RetroSound audio look perfectly natural inside Chevrolet's famous dual-cowl dash. At the center of the floors, tall Lokar shifter shades small switches for the car's power windows. In front of the driver, speed-drilled steering wheel spins a leather-wrapped rim around billet foot pedals. At the sides of the passengers, l Knoch door panels continue the theme of customization. Behind the retracted top, clean trunk shows virtually no signs of usage. And behind the scenes, merican Auto Wire Highway 22 Series wiring keeps an arrangement of speakers bumping.

This clean Corvette manages a near perfect balance of road-going prowess and show-stopping aesthetics. So, hat are you waiting for? Call your friends at RK Motors Charlotte, ign the papers on this killer Chevy and make 2016 a summer to remember!