Photography by THE AUTHORhen you’re a helicopter pilot who picks up astronauts after splashdown, it can be hard to find a new thrill. The adrenaline rush tends to fade when your daily job already provides excitement, but Rod Tinney of Burleson, Texas, discovered a fresh thrill with a one-of-a-kind 1968 Corvette monster called the ZRT. This five-year project involved extensive engineering and fabrication, resulting in a 200-mph-capable car packed with show car details both inside and out.
As with all B-Rod or Custom Corvette builds, the foundation begins with a Street Shop chassis featuring 2×4-inch mandrel-bent framerails and suspension from a C7 Corvette. The front suspension features QA1 coilovers, rack-and-pinion steering, and a 1-inch sway bar. Out back is an independent rear suspension, highlighted by an 8.8 centersection from a Mustang Cobra, and fitted with another pair of QA1 coilovers. Braking power comes from carbon ceramic rotors, calipers, and pads from a 2019 Corvette ZR1, fed by an ABS Power Brake Systems master cylinder. Traction comes from Michelin Pilot Sport tires, measuring 285/35ZR19 up front and 345/30ZR20 out back. The wheels were designed by B-Rod or Custom and built by Forgeline to fit the proportions of this radical Corvette. Coming in at 19×10 and 20×13, the wheels replicate 2019 ZR1 wheels but include the necessary backspacing to give this car the ultimate stance.
The roof and rear deck area are the only body parts that keep their original lines, but it might look like it has a lower roof profile because of the raised beltline to fit the wider body and more aggressive fender and quarter-panel profiles. The custom front splitter and rocker panels are left unpainted, showcasing the carbon-fiber construction. The grille panels are 3-D printed, and the projector headlights were sourced from Resto Mod Tech. After finalizing the body design, it was assembled, and the bodywork process began to prepare for paint. Larry and P.J., along with Randy Pratt, handled the bodywork, and then Pratt applied the PPG base/clear materials using Sebring Orange Tintcoat from, as you might guess, a 2019 Corvette ZR1.
Inside, the Corvette features beautiful leather upholstery by Steve Holcombs Pro Auto Custom Interiors. The original bucket seats were modified to include provisions for the Speedway Motors five-point harnesses. The tan leather resembles the original C3 Corvette color, but updated designs and custom stitching give the car a modern look. Rod grips a Billet Specialties steering wheel, attached to a Flaming River tilt steering column. The car offers many comfort features, including Vintage Air heat and A/C, Dakota Digital gauges, Nu-Relics power windows, a Kenwood stereo system, an XS Power battery, and an American Autowire harness to power these accessories.
Larry Burchett admits the most challenging part of the build was cramming the dry sump LT5 into the C3 chassis. The plumbing and wiring associated with the high-tech engine took up a lot of space, but Larry saved some space with a set of Street Shop headers. Flowing out of the headers is a pair of 3-inch stainless pipes, fit with ZR1 mufflers. The exhaust exits via four tailpipes that fit between the chrome rear bumpers inside a notched tail panel. Other custom details include a cowl induction system that runs through the coil cover at the rear of the engine and ZRT emblems on the engine cover. Behind the LT5 is a GM 8L90 eight-speed automatic transmission with a Lokar shifter. With a 0.65 overdrive ratio in Eighth gear and a 3.08:1 ring-and-pinion ratio, this Corvette is more than capable of extreme speed, and this pilot is ready to put it to the test.
With an impressive mix of custom body modifications, suspension upgrades, and massive horsepower, this car showcases show-winning details and proven competition performance. For Rod Tinney, it checks all the boxes and delivers the thrill he’s been after for years.
