Chevy Stingray Roadster Restomod w/Fuel Injected LS1 and T5 Trans

Do you want a 1965 visually original C2 Corvette, BUT a reliable daily driver with 20+mpg on 87 octane, power door locks, heated seats, awesome MP3 stereo, cold AC, heated defrost, and a 5-speed transmission? This is it!

Finally selling my daily driver C2 to start a family. My wife says we need a four-seater classic (or no classic). When I started in 2009, the goal with this car was to make a visually original 1965 Corvette roadster but a comfortable daily driver with reliability and great fuel mileage on 87 octane. Since the conversion was completed in 2012, that’s exactly what it has been and there are no major frame or body modifications on the car. With the MP3 player, Vintage AC system and brand new top, this car is a pleasure to drive in the summer. With the heated seats, fuel injected LS motor (no cold weather carb issues ever again!) this car is just as excellent in the winter.

Other than time spent apart, it’s been my daily driver since 2009 with 12k miles on the LS1 conversion and about 20k miles on the car since I’ve had it. I regularly get over 20mpg with the LS, it can easily chirp the tires going into first, second, or third gear, and it’s been the most reliable car I’ve owned since the conversion was completed. A lot of time and money was spent to not modify the original C2 appearance: e.g. five speed transmission but completed a lot of custom fabrication to keep the shifter offset like original Muncie; original gauges but electronic tach to function with LS motor; heated original seats; power door locks but hidden actuators. If you’re looking for a cheap Corvette C2 LS conversion with a “custom” cut up dash and console, this is not your car. If you’re looking for a visually original C2 but still capable daily driver with LS reliability/power, this may be it…

Here are some details on the conversion and upgrades:

-fully rebuilt iron block 5.3L LS1 / LSX V8 motor (over 300hp to rear wheels during dyno tuning—I went with the 5.3 because it’s already way more power than the car needs)

-Mid-range 5.3L Comp Cam: 218/220 duration; 114 degrees lobe separation

-Headers custom welded into original C2 side exhaust

-Cloyes timing gear set; Melling high pressure oil pump

-Royal Purple 5w30 fully synthetic oil

-Engine/car dyno tuned by Vengeance Racing, Cumming, GA (tuned for 87 octane pump gas)—I have some tuning videos and dyno results sheet to go with the car

-fully built T5 world class five speed transmission; 26 spline input; 27 spline output (no interior changes from original Muncie shifter) (this is the second transmission; the LS destroyed the first T5 because it was not a true “world class”—big difference)

-Hydraulic clutch system from Novak conversions

-built 2.73 rear end from a 1976 Vette; all new side yokes and dog-leg bushing (80mph is 1,900rpms in 5th gear)

-Brand new (fall 2015) Robbins Stayfast convertible top; convertible frame re-aligned and re-welded at weak points (all work by Ace Custom Upholstery)

-Viper alarm system with keyless entry (all hidden actuators work with remote)

-Interior motion sensor for alarm (to park with top off)

-New fuel tank; high pressure FI fuel pump; new tank level sending unit

-Vintage Air air-conditioning with heated AC-defrost system

-Heated seat elements mounted into original seats (hidden switches)

-Original C2 style Custom Autosound radio but fully electronic with MP3/phone connection, amps, hidden speakers in rear and under dash, baby sub in cargo rear (the radio is awesome)

-C2 retro power steering system connected into LS power steering pump

-Custom electronic conversion of original tach; Dakota Digital control box

-Highway 22 wiring harness; fuse box relocated to rear cargo area

-All new wheel bearings, fully rebuilt front and rear end components during conversion; fiberglass rear leaf

-411 LS1 ECM; blue-red harness; no third rear O2 sensor

-CFR Performance aluminum cross-flow radiator and cooling fan set

-Retro Corvette electronic C2 volt meter in dash (looks just like original amp meter)

-GM 11” Brake Booster; all new brake calipers and lines; brake proportioning valve added

-All new driveshaft and axle u-joints

-Custom center console arm rest with cup holder (1967 Vette style)

-Compass/thermometer display mounted in passenger foot-well area (but can be easily removed if you don’t like the appearance)

I bought the car in New Jersey from a guy that owned it for a couple years and I spoke with the previous owner he purchased it from too. According to the NJ owners, the car was originally a big block car purchased in Pennsylvania by a doctor who sold it to a PA state trooper who had it for many years. They bought it from the state trooper so I would be the fifth owner. The state trooper was supposedly the one who replaced the big block with a high compression stroked small block (the engine it had when I bought it, sold during conversion).

Here are some car-specific details mostly gathered from a local NCRS judge who went over the car with me two years ago (but I recommend anyone interested in the car to confirm all details themselves or pay for a third-party inspection):

-non-original engine and transmission; the motor was non-original when I bought the car and I sold the Muncie 4-speed when I bought the T5

-mostly 100% original lacquer M-M Milano Maroon paint (gray primer, dull door jams)

-likely driver’s side front fender repaired/re-painted at some point

-small re-paint on front nose

-likely original black vinyl interior

-likely built in Warren, Michigan according to NCRS guy (because AO Smith Corp. car) but the VIN has “S” in it which generally means St. Louis plant, so not 100% sure

-original GM side pipes (but potentially not installed at plant, likely at original dealer since Warren plant evidently did not do side pipes)

-original steering wheel and gas cap

-not a fuelie car (due to no special holes in side fenders)

-build code E17; likely December 64

-could be an original big block or 365hp small block (per tach)

-likely original trim and VIN tags on car

-non-original hood (obviously, 67 hood)

-front lower air dam likely non-original

-all bumpers likely re-chromed at some point

-original rear-end was 3.36 ratio, FA code

*I’m happy to provide VIN details and pictures of all car tags to seriously interested buyers (just don’t want to post in public ad)

Everything on the car functions fine—clock, windshield wipers work in both speeds, speedometer is accurate, headlight motors work fine, radio sounds great, etc. This has been my primary daily driver so I have kept it up accordingly. If you are very interested, I’m happy to put you in touch with the local shop that has done much of the final conversion work (Level Seven Motorsports) and cleaned up some loose ends in the last two years (new brake calipers, new hydraulic clutch system, replaced the transmission, etc.). I’m also happy to have the car inspected by a third party at your expense before you purchase (and I recommend this). Regarding condition, the paint is likely original lacquer and shows age with cracks in the fiberglass and chips, but certainly shines up nice and look fine for a driver. The frame looks excellent for being over 50 years old and has almost no signs of rust or repair—the main reason I bought this particular car. The interior has wear, but no tears or holes. The carpet is likely original, and faded in parts, but fine to drive. If you’re looking for a perfect car, this is not it, but if you’re looking for a driver, this may be the car for you.

I’d love to chat cars and LS conversion but I just don’t have the time. If you would like to schedule time to see the car or buy, give me a call on my cell (415-615-2789), but please do not call me to just chat cars. I’m firm on price at $89.9k so please don’t waste time with low-ball offers either.

The car is located in Marion, IL. See a map for details, but I’m about 3hrs north of Nashville, TN and 2hrs east of St. Louis, MO. The car is up for sale locally, so I reserve the right to pull the ad at any point and sell locally.

Potential eBay buyers must contact me first to arrange payment/escrow and shipping/pickup details before placing an offer to buy. Buyer is responsible for payment/escrow fees and pickup/delivery if local pickup and payment is not possible. The car is sold “as-is” with no warranty expressed or implied. Bidding/buying through eBay does not entitle you to come inspect the car and decide if you want to buy it; it obligates you to complete the purchase! A $1000.00 deposit via PayPal is due within 24 hours of the listing close.

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