The chassis incorporates factory body mount locations, making the body-to-frame swap much more manageable. The engine bay is now larger, allowing for more engine room, a 3-inch exhaust is possible, and a removable tranny mount. The space needed for a Chevy LT4, a high-performance engine known for its power and reliability, is provided, and from here, Ultimate Headers 1-7/8-inch tubing exhaust that dumps into 3-inch stainless steel tubing and then out to a pair of MagnaFlow mufflers are all used. A SPAL electric fan is incorporated from here, and a trunk-mounted Optima YellowTop battery supplies the juice. Hooked to the LT4 is a TREMEC T56 Magnum six-speed run through its gears via its Hurst shifter.

Modified wheeltubs allow for 8.5-inch front wheels and 9.5- to 12-inch rear wheels when installed. In this build, 2-1/2-inch more expansive rear quarters were used; the wheel openings were reshaped and the fenderwell openings were tucked. A set of Forgeline wheels measuring 19×8 in front with 6.45 inches of backspace and 20×8 inches in the back with 5 inches of backspace are wrapped with Goodyear Eagle rubber. The tire sizes are Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 tires measuring P245/35ZR19 in front and 245/40ZR20 in back.

You can also see that the bumpers are tucked and lengthened; note the one-piece custom grille that blends into the custom bumpers. The trim has also been extended and finished in a matte gray. The fabricated two rear bumpers wrap around in their presentation, and they, too, have a gray matte finish. Note that the headlights, taillights, emblems, and exhaust ports are all flush-mounted and have a matte gray finish to complement the wheels, bumpers, and grille. Also, note the subtleness of the custom door covers accented with the custom spears and trim. The necessary body- and paintwork were handled at Indy Street Rods & Classics in an Axalta custom CraZ06 Red. Don thinks of this 1959 Corvette as a modern Z06 Corvette in upgraded 1959 clothing—hence a C1 Crazy Z06. These modifications not only enhance the car’s appearance but also reflect the owner’s personal style and vision for the car.

Inside, the comfy confines of a C1 Corvette have long been known. For those of us around when these cars were new or nearly new, we could bounce in and out with little thought. Nowadays, it takes more consideration. However, credit goes to Don, who worked with Steve Holcomb of Pro Auto Custom Interiors, and together they developed a functional and comfortable interior with all the vintage touches we have come to enjoy about these old-timey Corvettes. Replacing the stock steering column is an Ididit with a vintage-appearing downsized drilled three-spoke leather-wrapped wheel. Other interior appointments that lend well to performance and comfort are the Classic Instruments custom gauges (complete with 200-mph speedo and 7,000-rpm tach) displaying the Indy Street Rod & Classics logo and the Vintage Air A/C system. Look closely and you will see that while the dash looks surprisingly stock, there is a center console reminiscent of a modern-day Corvette, complete with dual “grab rails,” that houses the Hurst shifter, controls for the air suspension, and power window rocker switches. The vintage “waterfall” is still nestled between the seats but highly modified, yet the push button to release the deck area that would typically house the soft top on a stocker is present.

To wrap up the story, it should be mentioned that Denise received the 1959 Corvette as her birthday present—albeit a “few years” later than expected, but she received it nonetheless. Let the fun begin.