Restomod is a combination of two words, restoration and modification. It usually means restoring an old classical car but while modifying it with new technology and high performance. This basically means getting the body from a classic car and the engine and other modern technology from a new car.
But what this Hungarian team has done and called a restomod, is in reality something else. They restored the classic 1976 corvette C3 and modified it using the old 2000 Corvette C6!
How did this thing happened, and what was the final result? Let’s find out.
Corvette Beginning
1954 Corvette convertible
In its eight design versions and over 60 years of production, Chevrolet has produced and sold the Corvette, also known as the ‘Vette, a two-door, two-seat premium sports car. It was front-engined from 1953 until 2019, and from 2020 onward, it is mid-engined.
1974 Corvette C3 Stingray coupe
The third generation C3 of the Corvette was released in 1968 and lasted until 1982 when it was discontinued. There were some reused C2 parts, such as the engines and chassis, but the body and interior were all new.
For the C6 Corvette, GM planned to focus more on improving the C5 rather than attempting a complete redesign. The C6 was defined as an “evolution of the C5, instead of a complete redo” by Motor Trend.
The C3 – C6 Fusion
This 1976 C3-generation Chevrolet Corvette goes a step further than any other restomod by combining classic styling with modern performance hardware. The reason for this is that behind its fiberglass covering lies a C6 Corvette from the early 2000s.
Hardcore Engine Builders (HEB) in Hungary is the originator of this generation-bending. A C6 Corvette chassis and running gear are combined with a C3 Corvette’s body.
Six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters drives the rear wheels powered by a 6.2-liter V-8 engine under the hood. As in the conventional C6, the gearbox is housed in the back as part of a transaxle.
Other features include anti-lock brakes, traction control, C6 steering components, C6 Z06 brakes, and a stainless-steel long-tube header exhaust system.
What was the result?
HEB upgraded the C3 body to match the C6 chassis for a more up-to-date appearance. Hidden below the grille is a set of high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights, and the Corvette has custom-lettered wheels. Thinking of how terrible things like this might go, it’s worth noting that the C3 body and C6 chassis were absolutely a great combination.
Unlike many other restomods, this fusion of two Corvette generations is more spectacular than simply swapping out the engine of a high-priced car. Compared to the most valuable historic Corvettes, the basic C6 Corvette is still a used car, not a collector one.
The following are the specs of the C3 – C6 combination:
- LS3 V8 engine in the C6 Corvette chassis (with some improvements).
- V8 engine with 430 hp and 575 Nm (424 lb-ft) torque.
- 6-speed automatic.
- Modern-day chassis.
- Traction control and ABS.
- Drive without a key.
- A manifold made of stainless steel.
- The exhaust system is made of stainless steel.
This fusion was actually a surprise to man car enthusiasts and especially Chevrolet Corvette fans. Do you think restomods are something that is providing life for old classic cars that we love? Or is it completely killing that classical feel? Please share your thoughts with us in the below comments section.
Here is a video showing the restomod:
