In basic terms, a ‘restomod’ typically refers to a classic car that has undergone both restoration and modification (hence the word ‘restomod’). It is a unique approach that seamlessly blends vintage aesthetics with modern performance and comfort, offering enthusiasts the best of both worlds.
Restomods are a big part of car culture, and their popularity has only increased in recent times. With its long and storied history of performance and design, the Chevrolet Corvette is unsurprisingly an incredibly popular platform for restomod projects. Take the iconic Stingray, for example; restorers can meticulously preserve the car’s classic lines while upgrading the engine and other mechanical components to meet the demands of modern-day performance driving.
Read on to check out some examples of Corvette restomods that showcase the best of the culture and the incredible artistry often involved in bringing these restomod projects to life.
High-performance Corvette Classic
At first glance, this looks like any stock ’58 Corvette. However, a closer inspection will quickly reveal a lot more going on, especially with its lowered stance and super-wide rear tires. The Corvette restomod is owned by enthusiast Frank Martorana and was worked on by New York-based Chris Tucci’s Corvettes & Customs.
It all started when Frank purchased a classic Corvette that had been sitting in a suburban backyard for 38 years. It was in terrible shape, and about the only usable part was the fibreglass shell. However, that did not deter Chris Tucci and his crew, who were able to breathe new life into the classic vehicle.
The work was extensive and involved building around a new C1-spec chassis and upgraded suspension bits. Under the hood was a formidable 427ci LSX engine, supported by a pair of Nelson Racing Engines turbochargers. The power mill fed power to the rear wheels via a Tremec 5-speed transmission. Stopping power is supplied by C6 Z06 brakes with 14-inch front and 13-inch rear rotors.
The interior was completely redone, with modern materials, while custom touches like the crossed-flag emblems in the front fenders and unique grille complete the look of the restomod.
Top Prize
This 1975 Chevrolet Corvette restomod was among the prizes awarded to Davis Riley, winner of the 2024 edition of the Charles Schwab Golf Challenge. Built by Pennsylvania-based County Corvette, the car immediately stands out with its distinctive Aston Martin Glacier Blue Metallic paint, with reduced metallic flake and added pearl effect.
The interior has been completely modernized, laid out with premium saddle leather complemented by the Colonial Golf Club’s signature Tartan Plaid. The car also boasts modern creature comforts like a modern infotainment system, air conditioning and reverse camera. Some of the changes are less visible, but they allowed County Corvette shed over 600 lbs (272 kg) from the factory Corvette’s 3500 lbs (1,588 kg).
At the restomod’s heart is a 6.2-litre LS3 V8 paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission that channels the power to 275mm Continental Extreme Sport tires for enhanced on-road performance. The engine generates 430 hp, more than double the power of a base ’75 Corvette.
Twin-turbo Corvette
The base engine for the ’69 Corvette was a 350ci V8 that made 300 hp, a very healthy number that typified the muscle car excesses of that era. However, this restomod demanded more power, and Florida-based S/S Motorsports responded.
The ’69 Chevrolet twin-turbo ‘Bomber Corvette’ was built by the auto machine shop exclusively for the 2008 SEMA show. The donor Corvette had been upgraded with a custom tube chassis, C5 Corvette front suspension, independent rear suspension and fully adjustable coil-over shocks.
The real drama was with the drivetrain that included a custom-built 9.0-litre Dart S/S engine with twin turbochargers. The powerplant is able to crank out a frankly ridiculous 1,200 hp running on 93-octane pump fuel. A paddle-shift 4L80E automatic transmission with Overdrive helps manage all that power.
The interior boasts several ‘nice-to-haves’ like a fully functioning air-conditioning system, digital display, navigation system, push-button start and black leather seats with black suede inserts.
1960 Corvette Restomod
The C1 Corvette was known for its elegant styling, with the use of fibreglass allowing the designers to incorporate clean, flowing lines and curves into the bodywork. This ’60 restomod has further enhanced the aesthetics of the original car with subtle touches and a striking red and white paint scheme.
The project started out as a 1960 model Corvette that had been parked up for about a decade before it was purchased by retired farmer Derek Eisenbeisz. The fibreglass bodywork was completely redone with enlarged fenders to accommodate the wider tires. A custom one-piece moulding also replaced the signature tiger-tooth grille.
There were also some significant changes beneath the skin. The chassis was a complete custom build from SRIIIMotorsports, beefed up with C4-style independent front and rear suspension. The drivetrain was also significantly updated, with a supercharged 650-hp LT4 engine supplying power to the rear wheels via a Tremec 6-speed transmission. The interior is the usual mix of modern and classic elements. The most striking feature is the bold application of Lipstick Red leather covering most of the cabin space.
‘Reverse’ Build
Instead of the usual approach of modernizing a classic car, this restomod takes an unconventional route, completely flipping the script. It begins as a contemporary C5 Corvette and then reimagines it with the iconic bodywork of a classic C2 Corvette.
The external design stays faithful to the original C2 Corvette, complete with sharp angular lines, short rear deck, C2-style taillights and the signature pop-up headlights. The interior is largely left untouched, providing a rather intriguing contrast to the exterior looks.
Under the skin lies the C5’s LS6 5.7-litre V8 that cranks out 405 hp and 400 lb-ft in stock form. However, the builders also added a Magnuson supercharger kit, estimated to add an additional 120 hp and 120 lb-ft of torque.
The European Restomod
This Corvette restomod is the work of Hungarian company Protourergarage. The outfit specializes in building pro-touring Corvettes for European markets. To create this car, Protourergarage paired the bodywork of a C3 Corvette with the innards of the more powerful C5 Corvette.
Underneath the fibreglass bodywork is a Protourergarage custom chassis, which incorporates C5 suspension components. The fenders are flared to accommodate the larger 18-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels from a C6 Corvette Centennial Edition.
The car’s transmission, a 6-speed manual transaxle, was also from a C6. It connects the rear wheels to the LS1 5.7-litre V8 engine under the hood. The interior upholds the ’70s look of the original car with a few modern touches. The factory dashboard now houses new Dakota gauges and a Retrosound radio, and the seats have been reupholstered in luxurious new leather.
A Clean Look
This Corvette restomod is the result of a 4-year build from 2017 to 2021. The project was undertaken by Oklahoma-based Loomis Automotive, an outfit that’s been in business for over 100 years. The C1 restomod sports a white exterior paintwork contrasted with a black interior, the same as the original combination on the original car when it rolled off the assembly line.
The intention was to create a car that combined the elegant looks of a classic with serious power underneath the hood. That was achieved in this case with a potent GM Performance LS3 V8 packed within the slender frame of the car. Other noteworthy upgrades incorporated into the build include a 4L65 transmission and an Art Morrison GT Sport chassis.
Upfront, modern LED lights sit on either side of a toothy 1958 grille. The car rides on a set of EVOD custom 18-inch wheels with spinner center caps that cost almost $10,000. The wheels are wrapped with a set of Diamond Back Classic Redline tires, completing the car’s exterior looks.
Hotwheels
How about recreating the look of your favourite toy, but on a 1:1 scale? That’s what happened with this Corvette restomod, faithfully recreated to mimic the paint of a tiny Hotwheels model.
The project’s core involved painting the Corvette to give it the appearance of a full-size Hotwheels car. That meant an initial coat of Ermine White over which a 3-color custom stripe pattern was applied.
In addition to the new paint coat, the Corvette also received several performance-enhancing upgrades. They included suspension components, new disc brakes, and a Holly Sniper fuel injection system install on the Edelbrock 350 crate engine.
