1962 Chevrolet Corvette

Description

Hard not to love a vintage Corvette, throw in some very tasteful upgrades and you've got a very desirable car that can be driven and enjoyed. Add in the classic look that was completely unaltered, a stylish cockpit, and excellent build quality and you end up with a car that gets better and better the more you look at it.

Roman Red on a Corvette is never a mistake, and while the '62s were the last of the "solid axle" cars, they're also among the most attractive. None of the modifications made to this car change the awesome look, from the quad headlights and wide-mouth grille up front to the gently tapering deck lid that was a preview of the Sting Ray to come. Finish quality is great thanks to a professional freshening that involved a lot of sanding on the fiberglass substrate and high-quality urethane paint that has a miles-deep finish. There are a few signs of use, because there's just no way to resist sliding behind the wheel of this 2-seater, but the flaws are extremely minor and the quality of the work shines through brightly. Good gaps, no ripples or waves, and crisp details are all evidence of professionals at work. All the brightwork was likewise restored, including the cool inserts in the side coves and all the stainless trim, which is a big part of any early '60s car, even a Corvette.

The red interior is very correctly restored and from behind the wheel you'd be hard-pressed to spot the modifications. Seat belts were added, but they have a period look so that's not an issue, but the rest is pure 1962 Chevy. The skinny 3-spoke steering wheel, the rounded gauges with the tach in the center, and the dash-mounted rear-view mirror all give it that vintage feel that makes old cars so appealing. Heck, they even kept the original shifter for the PowerGlide automatic transmission, although there's now a TH350 3-speed automatic underneath. Everything is in excellent condition, so obviously the work is quite recent, making this a car that perfectly blends the past and today. The only real giveaways that something is different here are the AM/FM stereo radio in the dash and a discreetly-mounted temperature gauge on the side of the console. For weather protection, there's a nicely-fitted black canvas top and the trunk is fully finished with a reproduction mat and proper cardboard bulkhead.

The ZZ4 350 cubic inch V8 is an easy installation in the vintage 'Vette engine bay, but with aluminum heads, a 4-barrel carburetor, Crane ignition system, and long-tube headers, it's got about double the horsepower of the original 283. For reliability, there's a big aluminum radiator up front with two electric fans moving the air, plus a big alternator to keep them happy. A TH350 3-speed automatic transmission is a smart choice and it drives what appears to be the original rear end, so the spirit of the car is unchanged. A custom dual exhaust system has an awesome V8 burble that's perfect for a Corvette and the suspension and brakes appear to be stock, so that part of the driving experience is undiluted. Gorgeous 17-inch Intro wheels make a bolt statement and are wrapped in sensibly-sized 225/45/17 Nitto performance radials.

This Corvette is not radical and with a change to the rolling stock, it would be almost impossible to spot the upgrades, which is the very best way to build a resto-mod. Reliable where it counts and gorgeous everywhere else. Call today!