Today we are looking at four of Dave Kindig’s 1953 CF1 Corvettes at the SEMA 2022 event. The 1953 CF1 series of Corvettes was Dave Kindig’s first venture into a “series-built” car.
Dave wanted to make his version of the 1953 Corvette, which would have more internal space to accommodate the evolving (larger) driver and would also have up-to-the-minute vehicle dynamics. His car would capture the essence of the 1953 Corvette, but it would look better and drive better. And it had to have his signature wheels and stance. Read on to learn more.
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Article and photos by Wayne Ellwood
Table of Contents: Dave Kindig’s CF1 1953 Corvettes at SEMA 2022
Dave Kindig Autograph Session
Dave Kindig conducted autograph sessions twice per day at the SEMA 2022 event in Las Vegas, Nevada. He also featured four CF1 Corvettes. (For more information on Dave Kindig, president, owner, and designer visit kindigit.com )
What is a CF 1 car?
The Kindig CF1 Corvette is a custom build 1953 that was featured on the Bitchin’ Rides show. This classic car has been upgraded with a Lingenfelter LS V-8 engine. Once the molds were completed, fabrication of the complete bodies, in bulk, was contracted out to Doug’s Performance Corvette (formerly Classic Reflection Coachworks. The actual assembly and finishing are done in-house.
Dave Kindig’s 1953 CF1 Corvette at SEMA 2022 Exterior
The first step was to develop a styling buck and take molds for actual production.
If you watched the Kindig TV series, you would have seen this whole process as it unfolded, including the difficulties one can encounter when dealing with large molds…especially in carbon fiber. Once the molds were completed, fabrication of the complete bodies, in bulk, was contracted out to Doug’s Performance Corvette (formerly Classic Reflection Coachworks. The actual assembly and finishing are done in-house.
Chassis
The Kindig group contracted the Roadster Shop for its Spec 7 chassis. The Kindig chassis would be based on the C7 attachment points but shrunk to fit a first-gen Corvette’s wheelbase and track width. As Dave and his crew assembled, additional updates were identified.
Cross members and chassis rails were adjusted to allow for the expanded passenger area and an appropriate floor pan. Wherever possible, the changes were designed to maintain or improve chassis rigidity.
Mechanically
Mechanically, the Kindig CF series use a C7’s transaxle versus the more common IRS Dana 60-style differential. The CF series use a four-speed automatic and a Lingenfelter LS V-8 with Borla eight-stack throttle body injection. The Lingenfelter engine is a naturally aspirated combination of LS3 and LS7 parts, good for a minimum of 650 hp.
Dave Kindig of Kindig-it Design returned to the 2022 SEMA Show with four additional Custom 1953 Corvettes.
We all saw the first two CF series cars as introduced at the 2021 SEMA. This year Dave returned with four more CF series cars.
- Car # 004 was dark blue with a white (hint of gray) interior. The owners are Shawn and Ann Vasicek.
- Car # 003 was red with a beige pack and drive motors imported from an existing model. The owners are Dave and Charity Kindig.
- Car # 005 is a silver version with a deep (possibly MB) deep red interior. The owners were Don & Terry Reeves. These three were on display at the Kindig trailer.
- A fourth car (# 006) was displayed indoors at the Dynamat booth. I didn’t see this one, but I captured some photos from Facebook. This car was painted dark blue but carried no interior…just the Dynamat sound-deadening material, exposed for advertising purposes.
Photos of the Four Dave Kindig 1953 CF1 Corvettes at SEMA 2022
Dave Kindig and his Kindig-it Design team made a grand entrance at the 2022 SEMA Show, showcasing four of his stunning custom 1953 CF1 Corvettes. One of the four Kindig Corvettes showcased at SEMA 2022 included the red electric car that was featured in the Bitchin’ Rides show. Check out Vette Vues’ extended photo coverage of Dave Kindig’s 1953 CF1 Corvettes at SEMA 2022.
David Kindig Red Electric Car at SEMA 2022 – CF 003
First, let’s look at CF1 # 003, which is red with a beige pack and drive motors imported from an existing model. The owners are Dave and Charity Kindig. KINDIG-It Design debuted its Electric Corvette Roadster model, shown here!
1953 Corvette by Kindig in Navy Blue – CF 004
Next is Car # 004, a dark blue with a white (hint of gray) interior. The owners are Shawn and Ann Vasicek.
Silver 1953 Corvette by David Kindig – CF 005
Car # 005 is a silver version with a deep (possibly MB) deep red interior. The owners were Don & Terry Reeves.
Navy Blue David Kindig’s 1953 CF1 Corvette at SEMA 2022 # 006
A fourth car and our last one that was displayed indoors at the Dynamat booth is CF1 # 006. This car was painted dark blue but carried no interior…just the sound-deadening Dynamat insulation material exposed for advertising purposes.
Here are some other articles from the SEMA 2022 Corvettes Featured here on our blog:
1959 Resto-Mod Corvette that Kevin Hart Unveiled at the SEMA 2022 Show in Las Vegas, Nevada
Stunning LT4 1964 Corvette Restomod by Rick Moore featured at SEMA 2022
Green Gold 1963 Corvette by Eddie’s Rod & Custom at the 2022 SEMA Show
Here are some other articles about Resto Mods you might enjoy:
1967 Corvette Custom Widebody that Blew Us Away
Check out the 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
Get the inside scoop on the SEMA 2013 Corvettes, from custom builds to vendors, with an in-depth overview from Vette Vues Magazine.
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