First-generation Corvettes aren’t a common sight at the Summer Nats, so even after a few laps around the Custom Shop’s Copper Topless 1962 C1 we couldn’t quite figure out where factory fiberglass ended and the custom work began. Initially we were struck by the big-block Chevy that was shoehorned into the car’s compact engine bay. As if a 596ci V8 weren’t enough, it’s force-fed with a Vortech supercharger to the tune of 1,048hp. John Wargo is in Bowling Green representing The Custom Shop, which is outside of Chicago, and he walked us through some of the modifications we’d missed.
There’s no top at all, so this is a full-time roadster. The glass has been chopped three inches and has custom pillars. The biggest modification we didn’t notice is that the body has been widened three inches in rear.Pro-Spray paint supplied the Mango Tango paint. The tucked in bumpers were sprayed satin silver and the fenders feature custom twin vents.Look for the dark spots in the custom windshield pillars, those are the custom sideview cameras.The Sony audio system is hidden under the hard tonneau.Custom leather interior includes door panels with backlit inserts that match the grille.The bulk of the 596ci big-block Chevy is hidden and you can’t spot much of the Vortec Supercharger either. Output is a dyno-tested 1,048 hp. Fuel management is by Holley EFI.C6 Corvette door handles are accessed by coves in the quarter panels.The fender trim is gone, the new peaks are built into the body.Brake ducts in the quarter panels are functional.TSW Wheels are mounted to C4 Corvette rear suspension, C5 in front.
