If there’s one car that stirs up late-night garage debates, it’s the early Corvette. The C1 (1953–1962) and C2 “Sting Ray” (1963–1967) weren’t just fiberglass novelties; they defined what it meant for America to have a sports car of its own. The C1 was born out of postwar optimism, initially more boulevard cruiser than true sports machine, but by the time the C2 hit, with its split-window coupe and big-block firepower, the Corvette had arrived.
Now, more than half a century later, the choice for owners and enthusiasts is clear but not simple: do you restore these icons to bone-stock perfection, or do you restomod them into something sharper, faster, and easier to live with?
Let’s grease up our hands and dig in.
The Restoration Route: Returning to 1960-Spec Glory
Above and below: 1963 Corvette coupe - VP of Design at General Motors Bill Mitchell had a heated argument about the two-pane glass split-window rear windscreen of the 1963 Corvette coupe with Head of Corvette Engineering Zora Arkus-Duntov. Mitchell said that the spine of the coupe was a crucial design element of the C2. Duntov countered that the spine ruined rearward visibility and increased production costs. In the end, the two compromised. Mitchell relented and said that the split-window would only be a one-year feature. Initially, some new coupe owners in 1963 had the spine removed and an aftermarket plexiglass rear windshield installed. Due to its rarity and aesthetic appeal, as most Corvette enthusiasts are aware, this one-year design element plays a huge part in what makes the 1963 Corvette coupe so valuable and collectible today. Sometimes function follows form - with the advantage of hindsight. The lead photo is of a 1963 Corvette split-window coupe restomod that is equipped thusly (red coupe above photo courtesy of GM Archives, '63 restomod photos courtesy of Mecum auctions):
- C7 chassis from Street Shop Inc.
- 6.2L/791 HP LS3 V-8 engine
- Magnusson supercharger
- Dyno sheet
- Tremec TKO 600 5-speed manual transmission--cryo treated extreme upgrade rated for 1,000 HP and 950 lb-ft of torque
- Tri-coat Metallic White exterior with Gunmetal Grey Metallic stripes
- Semi-gloss Black powder coated underbody
- Custom Saddle leather interior with Chocolate trim
- Vintage Air
- Classic Instruments Velocity Series gauges
Why Restore?
Above and below: 1967 Corvette convertible (photos courtesy of Mecum Auctions):
- NCRS Regional Top Flight award in 2021 with a score of 99, judging sheets included
- NCRS-validated tank sticker
- Warranty book and Protect-O-Plate
- Professional frame-off restoration completed by an NCRS team leader
- Original matching numbers 427/435 HP V-8 engine
- M21 4-speed manual transmission
- Positraction rear end
- Lynndale Blue with White stinger
- White interior and convertible top
- Transistorized ignition
- AM/FM radio
- Rally wheels
- White stripe tires
- Owner's manual
- AM/FM radio operating instructions
- Odometer reads 35,600 miles
Restoration is about reverence. It’s about putting yourself in the shoes of a Corvette buyer in 1957, staring at a showroom-fresh fuel-injected roadster. When you restore, you’re chasing authenticity and preserving history—not rewriting it.
- Collector Appeal: A numbers-matching 1967 427/435-hp Tri-Power convertible in Marlboro Maroon with side pipes? That’s blue-chip Corvette stock. Values for factory-original cars, especially documented ones with rare options, can easily cross six figures and beyond.
- Judging & Heritage: The NCRS (National Corvette Restorers Society) and Bloomington Gold crowd are serious about originality. Every hose clamp, chalk mark, and casting number matters. Winning a Top Flight award isn’t just bragging rights—it’s validation of your work.
- Experience the Era: A restored C1 or C2 doesn’t just look the part; it feels the part. The smell of a carb’d small-block at cold start, the mechanical heft of unassisted steering, the way a four-speed Muncie wants to be rowed—these are tactile connections to the past.
Above and below: 1957 Corvette fuel-injected convertible (photos courtesy of Mecum Auctions):
- 35,552 miles
- 1 of 745 built
- 283/290 HP fuel injected V-8 engine
- 4-speed manual transmission
- Tuxedo Black exterior with Silver coves
- White convertible top
- Red interior
- Heater/defroster
- AM radio
- Tachometer
- Clock
- Full wheel covers
- Wide Whitewall tires
The Challenges
Restoration is not for the faint of wallet or patience:
- Parts Hunting: Need a correct 1961 “ducktail” rear bumper or a set of 1963-only split-window trim? Be prepared to scour swap meets, classifieds, and specialist vendors—or pay dearly.
- Driving Compromises: A restored ’57 with drum brakes, bias-ply tires, and manual steering feels period correct—which is a polite way of saying “sketchy” by today’s standards. That’s part of the charm, but not for everyone.
- Cost vs. Use: A concours-level restoration can easily exceed six figures. And once you’ve invested that, are you really going to daily it, or even risk a spirited canyon run?
Video: Driving a Restored 1962 Corvette 327 ci V8 Fuelie
The Restomod Route: Old School Looks, New School Muscle
Above and below : 1962 Corvette restomod (photos courtesy of Mecum Auctions):
- Roadster Shop Chassis
- Updated with a 6.2L LS3 V-8 engine
- Custom 8-stack intake
- Hotrod Dynamics custom valve covers
- Be Cool aluminum radiator
- Tremec 5-speed manual transmission from American Power
- Silver exterior
- Original-style Red interior featuring custom seats that are lowered and back 2.5 inches
- Vintage Air
- Wilwood disc brakes
- Custom 3-piece forged U.S. Mags wheels
- Redline tires
Why Restomod?
Restomodding is about driving—taking the gorgeous lines of a C1 or C2 and infusing them with modern performance and comfort.
- Powertrain Upgrades: Ditch the finicky carb setup for an LS3, LT1, or even a supercharged LT4. Suddenly your 1962 “fuelie” is pushing 500+ hp with EFI reliability. Crank it on a winter morning, no choke fiddling required.
- Chassis Reinforcements: Many builders retrofit C4/C5 independent suspensions or go with complete aftermarket frames (Art Morrison, Roadster Shop). Pair that with coilovers, rack-and-pinion steering, and sticky modern tires, and your classic Vette now handles like a modern Z06.
- Braking Confidence: Gone are the days of praying to the brake gods. Wilwood or Baer big-brake kits make panic stops survivable.
- Creature Comforts: Hidden A/C, power windows, modern wiring harnesses, LED lighting, and Bluetooth audio all tucked behind stock-looking trim let you enjoy road trips without sacrificing style.
Video: Jay Leno's Garage - Driving Joe Rogan's 1965 C2 Corvette Restomod
The Culture of Restomods
There’s no judging sheet or gold award here—this is about expression. Every restomod reflects its builder:
- Want a Pro-Touring stance with wide meats and tucked side pipes? Go for it.
- Prefer sleeper subtlety—stock hubcaps hiding a 6.2-liter LS and Tremec six-speed? That’s cool too.
- The only rule is build it the way you want.
Above and below: 1967 Corvette convertible restomod (photos courtesy of Mecum Auctions):
- Professional build completed by Jeff Hayes of American Speed Shop in Bloomington, Indiana
- Less than 400 miles since completion
- GM LS3 6.2L V-8 with hot cam
- Tremec 5-speed manual transmission
- Vintage Air
- Power steering
- Power hood lift
- Power windows
- Custom fabricated chassis C5 front and C6 rear suspension
- Z06 power disc brakes, drilled and slotted rotors 6-piston calipers
- Billet Specialties steering wheel
- Ididit steering column
- Finished in Platinum Pearl with Red leather upholstery
- Bluetooth capable stereo
- 18 and 19 inch alloy wheels
- Redline tires
The Downsides
- Resale Value: A heavily modified C1 will almost never bring the same auction money as a numbers-matching restored car. Purists will shake their heads.
- Build Complexity: Restomods often involve significant fabrication, and the cost can equal—or exceed—a restoration. Think $100k–$200k for a properly done pro shop build.
- “Purist Guilt”: Some gearheads feel pangs of conscience cutting up a rare ’63 split window for a coilover chassis. (Though the argument goes: it’s your car, not theirs.)
Which Way Do You Lean?
If You Restore:
You’re the historian. You love the idea of driving exactly what Zora Arkus-Duntov engineered, quirks and all. Every part number matters; every decal is in the right spot. You’re preserving a national treasure.
If You Restomod:
You’re the driver. You want to carve canyons, pull strong in every gear, and enjoy modern reliability without sacrificing style. You love the Corvette legacy, but you’re not afraid to add your own chapter to it.
Sidebar: Five Restoration Challenges
- Finding correct date-coded parts (especially carburetors, alternators, and fuel-injection units).
- Re-creating factory paint overspray and chalk marks for judging accuracy.
- Sourcing rare trim (’53–’55 parts are notoriously scarce).
- Getting fiberglass repairs invisible.
- Balancing originality with usability (do you upgrade to radial tires or stay with bias-ply for points?).
Above: 1957 Corvette with 283 cubic inch Rochester mechanical fuel-injected V8 and backed with a four-speed Muncie manual transmission (photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions)
Sidebar: Five Killer Restomod Mods for C2s
- LS/LT engine swap with Holley accessory drive system.
- Tremec TKO or Magnum 6-speed transmission.
- Art Morrison chassis with independent rear suspension.
- Wilwood 6-piston brakes.
- Vintage Air A/C with stock-appearing controls.
Above: 1961 Corvette restomod (photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions)
Or Go the Full-on Replica Route?
Above: 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport replica (photos courtesy of Mecum Auctions):
- 1963 Corvette Grand Sport Replica
- Built by Alan Sevadjian at Duntov Motor Company under an exclusive GM license
- Serial no. 15
- Chassis and suspension were built to the original Grand Sport blueprints
- Body was built from molds taken from only original Grand Sports that was never wrecked
- Cadillac CTS-V supercharged 6.2L/560 HP LSA V-8 engine
- Tremec 6060 6-speed manual transmission
- This car’s rolling chassis and body were shipped from Duntov Motor Company to Superformance’s South African supplier, Hi-Tech, where the chassis, body, and interior were completed
- Subsequently sent to General Motors where it received its engine and transmission
- A walkaround video can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/hRAtJz1Dhis
Final Lap
Whether you restore or restomod, one thing’s for sure: the C1 and C2 Corvettes remain some of the most iconic shapes ever to roll on four wheels. A properly restored ’57 or a slammed, LS-powered ’65 restomod both turn heads, both tell stories, and both keep the Corvette legend alive.
The real question isn’t whether restoration or restomodding is “better”—it’s which one makes you want to spend sleepless nights in the garage, grease under your nails, chasing the dream.
Because whether you’re chasing NCRS points or tire smoke, it’s still America’s sports car—and that means it’s still one hell of a ride.
Classic Industries Sells C1-C6 Corvette Parts
Whether you have a C1 through a C6 Corvette that's restored, restomodded, a replica - or on the way to any of these three great results, there's a great chance that Classic Industries has the parts that you need to complete your Corvette and keep it on the road, at the shows, or on the track for years to come, with miles upon miles of smiles in the process. Simply shop online for those must have parts. Or you can click on the link below: