The 1967 Corvette Custom Widebody is a stunning car that’s coming up for auction at the Mecum Indy show.
UPDATE: 1967 Corvette Custom Widebody bid to $250,000, and The Bid Goes On…
This 1967 Corvette Custom Widebody from B Rods in Knoxville, Tennessee, is one of the most impressive cars from the SEMA 2019 Show. It’s coming up for auction at the Mecum Indy show starting May 13 through 21, 2022, and is Lot 242. Beginning with a ’67 Corvette, B Rods transformed it into a modern-day ’67 C2 Corvette Stingray with a widebody.
Article Table of Contents
- Why was this modification done to a Classic C2 Corvette?
- What is the difference between a Custom and a RestoMod?
- Who did the customization on this 1967 Corvette Custom Widebody?
- What are the C2 Corvette’s modifications?
- This 1967 Corvette Custom Widebody Debuted at the 2019 SEMA Show – Photos
- 1967 Corvette Custom Widebody SEMA 2019 Magazine Feature
- Is this 1967 Corvette Custom Widebody for Sale?
Why was this modification done to a Classic C2 Corvette?
It’s no secret that the C2 Corvette has always been one of the most revered generations of this iconic American sports car, and every enthusiast will tell you that seeing one in its original form is always a thrill.
But what if the car is not structurally sound? You could spend thousands of dollars trying to restore it to its original glory, but would the cost be more than its value when done? What are the options?
In some cases, an owner who is doing a Corvette restoration decides to do a custom or resto-mod with modern-day comforts and safety.
When taking this 1967 Corvette Sting Ray coupe down to its skeletal steel-frame structure, it was found that every part of the car, including the welds on the cage which supports the body, was incredibly rough.
Without a strong birdcage for protection, the 1967 Corvette Sting Ray wouldn’t be safe. So, instead of restoring it to its original condition, they decided to build something special: A 1967 Corvette custom widebody that’s ready for anything you can throw at it. The resulting custom build is nothing short of stunning and is sure to turn heads wherever you go.
What is the difference between a Custom and a RestoMod?
Ever wonder what the difference is between a custom and a restomod?
While the two concepts certainly share a lot of elements and can be seen together, there’s a distinct difference between a custom car and a Resto-Mod.
With a custom Corvette, style comes first, but that doesn’t mean performance isn’t important.
Customizers believe that how the car looks is most important. Custom cars began in the 1950s, with their most notable feature being modifications like lowered roofs, louvered hoods, and frenched headlights. As time went on, custom cars advanced in tandem with the developments in the automotive industry. The inside of the vehicle is an important element, offering a mix of custom seats, handmade consoles, and expensive stereos. You’ll notice hints of special touches, such as the variety of stitch styles, such as the Diamond Quilt, Tuck and Roll, or French Seams, in addition to an accent thread of a contrasting color.
Philosophies tend to differ under the hood. It might just get a basic clean-up and repaint and will be shown with the hood closed so as to show off the body lines. In some cases, car owners approach the engine bay as another detail to personalize. Adding details to the engine with custom engine covers and airbrushing, making it look like jewelry in a display case. There is not one consensus, and it all comes down to personal taste.
The Resto-Mod’s emphasis is on performance. Often retaining a stock appearance, these Corvettes occasionally have slight body changes made to improve their performance and make them more aesthetically pleasing. The trend is linked to a pro-street build style that would focus on a muscle car and transforming it into a drag-race-inspired machine. Notable aspects included wider rear tires, high-powered engines with hood scoops, side exhausts, wheelie bars, and roll cages. Sometimes the Corvette gets a custom paint job done, but it usually never was the main focal point of the car. Eventually, this type of machine became what is now known as the Resto-Mod, which offers today’s performance machine combined with a classical appearance and tremendous capability in every form of racing.
The most popular candidates for a Resto-Mod are the Muscle cars. The list of upgrades includes modern fuel-injected, supercharged engines, Coilover suspensions, disc brakes, rack & pinion steering, and even full chassis swaps.
The Resto-mod style changes might include lightweight custom wheels, carbon-fiber body panels, and lowered stances, but they all emphasize performance first – designed to provide the highest speed.
Sometimes, the goal is to have the car appear as stock as possible, to hide the modifications, and to try to put the car into sleeper status.
However, what might get confusing is when elements of both approaches exist together in a single machine, but the results are often things of beauty that may rival some of the most expensive supercars.
Individuals with different preferences for the restoration and customization of classic cars may have different reasons for what appeals to them. Some like the way they look, while others like the idea of owning a classic that is like a modern car. No matter which styling elements appeal to you, the idea of personalizing your car will never go out of style.
Who did the customization on this 1967 Corvette Custom Widebody?
This restoration was done by B Rod or Custom in Knoxville, Tennessee. It is owned and operated by Larry Burchett, who originally launched in 2003 and formed his company with the purpose of designing, building, and marketing a new line of component cars; the company has since evolved into a one-stop destination for all things automotive.
Along with his son and fellow gearhead PJ, Larry provides an extensive list of services to fulfill clients’ automotive fantasies. B Rod or Custom does complete restoration projects, customization of existing designs, and concept-to-completion custom builds.
The 1967 Corvette Sting Ray (two words for ’67 Corvettes – not Stingray) we are looking at was done by B Rod or Custom and debuted at the 2019 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Larry created a one-off, custom C2 Corvette widebody with all the latest demon tweaks. The rendering was done by Erick Brockmeyer Design, who is known for his Hot Rod design and Illustrations.
What are the C2 Corvette’s modifications?
Chassis
This unique custom starts with a mandrel-bent 2×4 steel tube chassis that was widened by 3 inches, complete with C7 suspension components, 1.75-inch rear sway bars, and Flaming River power rack-and-pinion steering.
Engine and Engine Bay
With a custom 2018 LS7 427 CI V-8 crate motor with Brian Tooley racing camshaft, Lokar LS Classic twin throttle bodies, and one-off fuel rails and breather cover by Dan Baker’s Alumicraft Grilles, this power is passed to a TCI 6X 6-speed automatic transmission with steering-mounted paddle shifters. It has a Vintage Air, pulley system.
1967 Corvette Custom Widebody
It has a unique one-off 1967 Corvette Custom Widebody designed 3 inches wider than stock. The design necessitated a custom chassis, new press-molded fiberglass roof deck, hood surround, hood, firewall, exhaust panel, and taillight panel by Lee Bumb Composites. Plus new front and rear floor, quarter panels, doorjambs and skins, body jambs and rocker covers, fenders, park light, lower valance, inner fenders, and spoiler/splitter by B Rod or Custom.
Paint
A paint job by Axalta Hot Hues with the new exterior package and a custom Vanguard Candy Green Pearl color scheme is stunning, to say the least.
Interior
Inside the widebody received a custom tan leather interior by Steve Holcomb’s Pro Auto Interiors. Additional features on this one-of-a-kind Corvette include an Ididit tilt steering column with cruise control and Billet Specialties steering wheel, Rockford Fosgate speakers, and an amplifier
Wheels
The 1967 widebody Corvette was treated to knock-off style wheels designed by B Rod and built by Forgeline.
Miscellaneous
Vanguardsbadge from Motor Head Jewelry did the badging.
1967 Corvette Custom Widebody Highlights
- One-off custom Widebody, 3 inches wider than stock
- Designed and built by B Rod or Custom in Knoxville, Tennessee
- Rendering by Erick Brockmeyer Design
- Debuted at the 2019 SEMA show
- 2018 LS7 427 CI engine
- Brian Tooley racing camshaft
- Lokar LS Classic twin throttle bodies
- TCI 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters
- One-off fuel rails and breather cover by Dan Baker’s Alumicraft Grilles
- DeWitts radiator
- Street Shop mandrel-bent 2×4 steel tube chassis with C7 suspension components
- Z51 brakes
- 1 3/4 inch rear sway bars
- Flaming River power rack and pinion steering
- Vintage Air front runner pulley system
- Custom coil covers by B Rod
- Custom leather interior by Steve Holcomb’s Pro Auto Interiors
- Ididit tilt steering column with cruise control
- Billet Specialties steering wheel
- Dynamat insulation
- Radio with Bluetooth
- Rockford Fosgate speakers and amplifier
- Custom 36-spoke knock-off style wheels, designed by B Rod and built by Forgeline
- Diamondback Nitto Invo Redline tires
- Axalta Hot Hues custom Vanguard Candy Green Pearl paint
- Custom Vanguard badging by Motor Head Jewelry
Contact information:
B Rod or Custom Inc.
865-281-8821
www.b-rodorcustom.com
This 1967 Corvette Custom Widebody Debuted at the 2019 SEMA Show – Photos
1967 Corvette Custom Widebody SEMA 2019 Magazine Feature
We covered the SEMA 2019 Corvettes in a two-part series in the February and March 2020 issue of Vette Vues Magazine.
Here is what Wayne wrote:
This 1967 Corvette Sting Ray was built by “B Rod or Custom” in Knoxville (TN) and made its debut at the 2019 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. There are over 300 builders competing in the “Battle of the Builders,” and this was one of the top finalists. Interestingly, B Rod’s 1967 Corvette widebody project didn’t start out with the intention to be a prototype to launch a line of 1963-67 Corvette C2 replacement bodies; it just turned out that way.
After stripping the 1967 Corvette Sting Ray coupe down to the bare body, it was discovered everything about the car was very rough, including the inner steel structure known as the birdcage that supports the body. Without a strong birdcage, a Corvette Sting Ray takes on the characteristics of a jellyfish. Larry and the guys at B Rod or Custom took on restoring the 67 Vette by manufacturing a new Birdcage and body panels. The results were that the company now offers a complete replacement body and Birdcage for 1963-1967 C2 Corvettes.
B Rod’s 1967 C2 Corvette Coupe widebody features all-new, press-molded fiberglass panels, including the roof deck, hood surround, hood, firewall, exhaust panel, and taillight panel. These are manufactured by Lee Bumb Composites, formally Sermersheim. The front and rear floor, quarter panels, doorjambs and skins, body jambs and rocker covers, fenders, park light, lower valance, inner fenders, and spoiler/splitter by B Rod or Custom Inc.
New frame with C7 suspension components, Flaming River rack and pinion steering, QA1 double adjustable shocks w/ Hyper Coil springs. Designed and fabricated by Street Shop Inc., Athens Alabama
The powertrain comprises a Chevrolet Performance crate LS7, twin throttle body assembly by LS Classics, Billet fuel rails, and breather CNC milled by Dan Baker with Alumicraft grilles.
Is this 1967 Corvette Custom Widebody for Sale?
Yes! This Custom C2 Corvette is for Sale!
It is Lot S242 C2 1967 Corvette Custom Widebody and will be for sale at the Mecum Auction in Indy on May 13 through 21, 2022. This Professional Build’s estimated value is $500,000 – $600,000.
Good luck with your bid!
You can also see a complete list of the 275 Corvettes that will be crossing the auction blog at the Mecum Indy Auction on our blog. We have divided them up into generations to help you find that special Corvette.
Want to learn more about this iconic line of American cars? Vette Vue Magazine is packed with information. Pick up some Corvette gear from our shop and get a magazine subscription today.
You might also enjoy these other articles on Restomods:
Hot New 1959 Resto-Mod Corvette Unveiled By Kevin Hart
Check out red 1963 Split Window Corvette Resto-Mod by Jeff Hayes Customs
Retro Designs from North Carolina unveiled their beautiful custom 1965 C2 Sting Ray.
Dave Kindig 1953 Corvette Concept that Debut at SEMA 2021
Are you looking to have work done on your Corvette or want to customize your Vette? We have created a Directory of Corvette Custom and Restoration Shops by State. Check out our directory.
