1962 Chevy Corvette looks as good as new but comes with a twist
- This 1962 Chevy Corvette was restored to its former glory
- However, it has a fresh and modern twist
- These tweaks mean you get all the vintage charm of the 1960s with the comfort of a modern-day model
Published on Jun 18, 2024 at 2:12 PM (UTC+4)
by Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
Last updated on Jun 18, 2024 at 5:31 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Alessandro Renesis
It might look like it’s fresh off the production line, but this 1962 Chevy Corvette was restored to its former glory with a modern, and completely unexpected twist.
The barn find was gone beyond ‘America’s sports car’ as it was labeled in its heyday.
In fact, its ‘restomod’ has completely transformed the vintage car both aesthetically and under the hood.
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The 1962 Chevy Corvette engine
Under the hood, we have no information on what originally powered the C1 Corvette’s new engine.
What we do know is that the 14,531 produced in 1962 came with a small-block V8.
Its capacity had increased from 283 cubic inches (4.6 liters) to 327 cubic inches (5.4 liters).
That enabled it to pump out 250 horsepower (253 metric horsepower) in its base single four-barrel carburetor version.
Upper in the range, the engines with hydraulic valves churned out 300 horsepower, while the range-topping versions were fuel-injected for 360 horsepower.
Chevrolet had phased out the dual four-barrel carburetor engines.
1962 was also the last year the Corvette came with solid-rear-axle suspension.
This restomod has been rebuilt around a black powder-coated chassis concept frame.
Its most potent version comes with 430 horsepower.
The new and improved version wasn’t going to settle for the standard factory output.
This heart transplant allowed it to get all the way to 495 horsepower (502 metric horsepower).
The engine is mated to a Tremec five-speed manual transmission, putting the power all the way through the rear wheels.
It now boasts a C7 front adjustable coilover suspension, plus a C4 rear suspension, and a Dana independent positraction rear.
It sports a Lodestar rack and pinion power steering.
Meanwhile, Wilwood power brakes with power stop drilled and slotted rotors provide all the stopping power it needs.
The exterior restomod
The rust- and dust-covered barn find wasn’t running and was all but falling apart when it was rescued – and as we know, barn finds can hide some pretty unsavory secrets.
And the Chevy style is something sought after beyond just cars, as this unique watch reveals.
It was also treated to a custom exhaust and a DeWitts aluminum radiator.
Plus a CVF polished alternator and compressor and a Silky air intake were incoming.
The deep cherry shade of the 1962 Chevy Corvette might be the first thing that catches the eye.
The finish is named: Glasurit Tricot Pearl Maroon, and it sits alongside a Saddle Brown interior.
A new Stayfast top or the original black-painted hardtop offers protection.
Dakota HDX electronic digital gauges brought the dashboard right up to date.
The C1 also had its driving experience ramped up via an air conditioning system and Bluetooth connectivity.
Since the rebuild, the odometer has only racked up 257 km (160 miles).
Back in the early 1960s, the C1 Chevy Corvette home would have set you back a mere $4,038.
Want it? The restomod could be yours for an eye-watering $249,999.
Want more on Chevy Corvettee transformations? Hennessey gave the Chevy Corvette 1,000 hp and a massive wing.
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All Supercar Blondie contributors undergo editorial review and fact-checking to ensure accuracy and authority in automotive journalism. After gaining her BA Hons in French and English at the University of Nottingham, Amelia embarked on a vocational diploma from the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ). This led to numerous opportunities, from interning at Vogue to being on the small team that launched Women’s Health magazine in the UK, which was named the PPA Consumer magazine of the year for three years running. As Health, Beauty and Fitness editor, Amelia personally received a Johnson & Johnson Award and was shortlisted for both PPA and BSME titles. Since then, Amelia has created content for numerous titles and brands, including the Telegraph, 111 Skin, Waitrose, Red magazine, Stylist, and Elle, as well as being Head of Content at Vitality and Editor in Chief at INLondon magazine. “My superpower is translating technical jargon about the mechanical workings of a supercar into a relatable story you’ll want to share with your friends after you’ve read it.” After joining the SB Media family as a senior journalist in September of 2023, Amelia’s role has evolved to see her heading up the SEO output of the editorial team. From researching the most ‘Google-able’ key terms to producing evergreen content - it’s been a time of hard work, growth, and success for the editorial team and the Supercar Blondie website. “I like to think of myself as a ‘method journalist’. In other words: I live and breathe whatever I am writing about. When writing about fitness, I trained as a personal trainer, and as a beauty editor, I completed an ‘expert’ in scent diploma with the Fragrance Foundation. “During my tenure at Supercar Blondie, however, I did something I never thought possible: I passed my driving test at the age of 36. One day I’d love to train as a mechanic to better understand what happens under the hood, too. “My sweet spot is providing readers with a ‘takeaway’ (read: something new they didn’t know before) after reading every one of my stories. While I don’t claim to be an expert in the automotive world, I know the experts and bodies in the field to rely on to provide our readers with an informative and thought-provoking story every time they visit the site.”
