The C2 generation Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is one of the most popular and loved American performance cars ever. Now, Retro Designs of North Carolina has taken the C2 Corvette and brought it into the 21st century with a series of significant improvements and modifications.
The first thing to note about the C2 Corvette is that while it may look like most other cars you’ll see on the road, it actually has a custom-built frame using Vette-generation C7 struts and suspension components. Not only does this new chassis promise to transform the way the car drives and handles, but it also allowed Retro Designs to install a 430-horsepower LS3 6.2-liter V8 paired to a six-speed manual transmission that drives the rear wheels.
A host of other significant mechanical changes were made. For example, the C2 Corvette from Retro Designs has an independent rear suspension and upgraded Wilwood brakes on all four corners, ensuring it can brake as well as accelerate thanks to a modern V8 engine. A 3-inch stainless steel exhaust was also installed.
When viewed from the outside, some aspects of the car immediately catch the eye. Most notable are the chrome Beyern Spartan wheels, Nitto Motivo tires and the aforementioned rear brake calipers.
Retro Designs didn’t call it a stop there. According to the company, it has also spent hundreds of hours restoring and redesigning the car’s interior, trimming it with new black leather and revising the shape of the seats to make them more comfortable. A more modern center console is also on display, and the classic muscle car rocks an upgraded audio system with Bluetooth connectivity. We’d rather listen to V8 than any kind of music but hey, it’s definitely nice to have.
“Our goal at Retro Designs is to bring classic cars back to life and allow customers to enjoy them safely without any of the issues that might arise from driving a classic restoration,” said Daniel Valjevac, General Manager, Retro Designs. “Our new 1965 C2 Sting Ray is a vehicle that came to us from a client who wanted customization with all the beautiful C2 styling in a vehicle that can be driven in modern conditions.”
The company’s restoration and rebuilding projects start at $100,000.
