The winner of a Petersen Automotive Museum sweepstakes may be kicking themselves right about now.
Earlier this year, the lucky entrant chose a cash payout instead of claiming the museum’s resto modded 1963 Corvette split window coupe. Fast forward to today, and that “no thanks” prize is sitting at $220,000 on Bring a Trailer — with nine days still to go. Suddenly, that decision looks a whole lot less savvy.
The Petersen purchased the car as a partially finished project back in 2017, then spent the next seven years transforming it into a modernized, LS powered interpretation of the most iconic Corvette ever built. The heart of the build is a 6.2 liter LS3 V8 topped with Jenvey electronic fuel injection and paired with a Tremec six speed manual—a combination that gives the split window the kind of throttle response and drivability its original engineers led by Zora Arkus-Duntov could only dream about.
And that’s just the beginning.
The chassis was completely reworked with C5 style suspension, QA1 coilovers, Hyperco springs, and Wilwood six piston front and four piston rear brakes. Power steering makes the car surprisingly civilized, while polished 17 and 18 inch Schott wheels wrapped in Nittos give it a planted, modern stance.
Ahead of the auction, Bones Fab of Camarillo updated the electronics with a Holley Terminator X ECU, new wiring harnesses, Holley injectors, a MAF sensor, and fresh plugs. The cooling system was upgraded with dual electric fans and a new Hi Low control setup.
Inside, the car blends vintage cues with modern comfort: brown trimmed bucket seats, Simpson harnesses, a custom roll bar, and a center console with a bespoke armrest pad. Air conditioning, power windows, Bluetooth audio, and a Dakota Digital RTX gauge cluster round out the cabin.
The trim tag reveals the car began life as a Riverside Red over red coupe (923A/490L). Today, it’s something entirely different—a silver over black restomod that marries the most desirable Corvette body style with the reliability and punch of a modern LS powered performance car.
The seller notes the car has logged roughly 330 miles since completion. And while the build is museum grade, the finish is intentionally driver grade. The listing openly points out paint chips on the right front fender, cracks near the bumper mount and rear valance, and touch ups around the wheel arch. For many bidders, that honesty—and the freedom to actually drive the car—may be part of the appeal.
The Petersen certainly thinks so. A representative even chimed in on the listing:
“I have personally put a portion of the miles on this car and it’s a great driver. Starts up right away and loves to be driven.”
Another commenter suggested having Corvette legend Peter Brock sign the dash—a nod to the reverence the split window commands in the Corvette world.
With bidding already deep into six figure territory and plenty of time left on the clock, this LS3 powered ’63 is shaping up to be one of the more compelling restomods to hit BaT this year.
For the right bidder, it might just be the perfect fusion of Corvette history and modern performance.
Source:
Bring a Trailer
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