Is this 1962 Chevrolet Corvette the ultimate restomod C1? Beneath the classic plastic are the usual suspects, including a GM Performance LS3 V8, 4L65 automatic transmission, and an Art Morrison GT Sport chassis. It might appear tasteful and tame at first glance, yet it is a brutal build, and that’s where this old ‘Vette shines.
Clean Slate
It was built by classic Corvette gurus Loomis Automotive. Located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Loomis has been in business since 1900 – you read that right – and has known about this car for many years. A local resident owned it, and it rolled off the St. Louis assembly line with a white exterior and a black interior that remained in its transformation.
Extensive documentation of this Corvette’s history from 1983 through 2012 is included with the car. It was a product of a four-year build that began in 2017 and was completed in 2021. Since then, it has only seen 300 validation miles. The vision of this build was to design a C1 that would be easy on the eyes and user-friendly, but go like a scalded moose.
With a money-no-object starting point, the guys at Loomis hit the bullseye. Everything on this car was restored or replaced with great attention to detail. The exterior was tastefully customized with a toothy 1958 grille and chrome side spears. The body looks die-cut with excellent gap lines from stem to stern.
Photo Finish
When the body was scuffed and smoothed, it was sprayed in its original white color. Two tops are included, a new black Stayfast cloth top and an original hardtop with a stand. The exterior finish was performed to extremely high standards.
The path forward is illuminated with modern Octane Lighting LED Red Halo parking lights, Oracle headlight bulbs, and LED tail lights. The car rolls on an OEM-esque set of EVOD custom 18-inch wheels with spinner center caps that cost almost $10,000. The car touches down on the pavement with a set of Diamond Back Classic Redline tires.
Classy Cockpit
The interior was tastefully updated, keeping the original factory appearance with clever modifications. The gorgeous Al Knoch black leather interior includes the hard top molded headliner, visors, dash pad, grab bar, kick panels, door panels, armrests, and embossed bucket seats.
Dakota Digital VHX black face gauges, an Antique Automotive radio with AM/FM/Bluetooth, and an Alpine amplifier. Ididit provides the tilt steering column, topped with a three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel while Lokar pedals and Daytona carpeting complete the interior. The trunk compartment was upholstered to compliment the interior as well.
Underneath the hood, in a highly detailed engine compartment, lives a GM Performance 6.2L LS3 rated with 430 horsepower, with a new American Autowire wiring harness. The engine features a Hooker black textured oil pan, black and red valve covers, and a silver air intake tube. At the front of the engine, a Billet Specialties Tru Trac pulley system and power steering reservoir, chrome alternator, and Powermaster Performance starter complete the look.
The LS3 is cooled by a Dewitts aluminum radiator with a chrome fan shroud and a SPAL electric fan. The engine exhales through Ultimate headers and a completely polished dual exhaust system with Magnaflow mufflers. The exhaust was fabricated to go over the chassis and bend downward so it’s unseen from the street.
All that power is mated to a GM Performance 4L65 automatic transmission with a Lokar shifter. Power is transferred to a powder-coated 9-inch rearend housing with 31 spline Strange axles, a Dana 1350 yoke, and 3.70:1 gears. The undercarriage is also highly detailed and impeccable throughout.
The car rides on a state-of-the-art Art Morrison GT Sport chassis that is powder-coated silver. It’s equipped with a power rack and pinion steering, polished suspension components with coilovers, PAC Racing springs, and Wilwood four-wheel disc brakes.
Epilogue
To many eyes, this car might seem a bit tame. No, it doesn’t have 1,000 horsepower or lope and rumble at idle. It doesn’t have scoops, fender flares, or 24-inch rims. It is a 1962 Corvette restomod updated for today’s roads with all of its classic Chevrolet DNA left intact.
It will never be stricken with the “Miami Vice Syndrome.” You know, a cool old car that is tremendously passe after only a few years due to either too many modifications or too many bad modifications. When building a custom classic car there is a risk that its integrity can be squandered and severely handicapped later down the road. However, this Corvette will be cool until the end of time and retain its value as well. By the way, if all this has captured your interest, this Corvette is for sale. Go here for more details.
