C2 Reimagined
A car is also considered a canvas on which any owner can create their own idea of what that car should be to them. It can go as far as performance, but most true self-expressions of cars come with enhancements to all aspects of the car; some people even take it further by reimagining the car in a wholly different light.
Somebody felt that the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split-Window could be something more than GM envisioned for it. This owner not only redid the looks, but went as far as changing the car’s layout as a whole, leading to a unique but weird build which sold on Bring-a-Trailer (BaT) for a surprisingly high number.
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Mid-Engine ’60s Vette
According to the listing, the car is a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split-Window Coupe “V7 Twin Turbo.” It is the brainchild of designer Mark Harlan as a “what if?” project. In Harlan’s mind, he saw that this 63 Corvette could take inspiration from Le Mans, specifically the mid-engined Ford GT race car. The transformation of this car was done through the expertise of Phil Sommers at American Supercar, based in Florida.
To accommodate the mid-engined layout, the wheelbase of the car was lengthened, while the body was shortened and widened. The cabin of the car was also moved forward so that the twin-turbocharged LS1 V8 paired with a Mendeola five-speed sequential transaxle would fit. It also features a power-lift hood and rear hatch along with popper-operated sliding door assemblies. Plus, the black fiberglass body is mounted on a custom ladder-frame chassis with front and rear independent control arms and Penske Racing adjustable shocks.
The V7 Twin Turbo’s interior now features Cobra black leather seats, AutoMeter gauges, a vintage climate control system, and power windows. It has also been upgraded with power rack-and-pinion steering, Baer six-piston disc brakes, and HRE billet wheels. The listing doesn’t include power figures, but we’re certain that it probably produces mega power. Apart from the twin turbos, the engine upgrades include a Lunati forged crankshaft, electronic fuel injection, and TiAL wastegates.
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Drawing Interest
A project like this is ambitious; even if it looks well-made, the fact is the original Corvette it’s based on is a high-ticket classic these days, which commands top dollar in stock configuration. This heavily modified version can’t realistically still be considered an original, which will surely divide people. Yet, it must be pointed out that when the car was completed in 2007, it took part in that year’s SEMA Show in Las Vegas, where it won the best GM vehicle award, giving it some status and serving as a testament to the build’s overall quality.
Whatever the opinions on this build may be, the proof that something this outlandish has a market is evident in the final sale price of $65,500.
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