Purists may wince at the long list of modifications on this 1955 Corvette, but in many ways, the spirit of the build feels right in line with the original mission of Chevrolet’s first sports car: bold, innovative, and unapologetically fun.
This particular ’55 — now a full blown restomod five years in the making — is currently up for bids on eBay through Feb. 24, where it has already climbed to $38,500. And once you see what’s been done to it, you understand why.
The car began life as a Pennant Blue V8/3 speed Corvette, one of just 700 built in 1955. Today, it sits on a professionally fabricated, powder coated chassis from VetteFrame, paired with a fully reconditioned C4 suspension, Eibach coil overs, and a rebuilt Dana 44 posi rear end. Every bushing, joint, and mount has been refreshed or replaced.
All the fiberglass work has been professionally restored, stripped to bare material and rebuilt correctly — a huge undertaking on any early C1. The chrome and brightwork are either show quality or close to it, and the car comes with both a new soft top and a solid hardtop.
In place of the original Blue Flame Six sits a Magnuson supercharged LS1 from a 2000 Corvette with just over 35,000 miles, backed by a brand new Tremec TKX 5 speed and a Tilton hydraulic clutch setup. Ceramic coated Schoenfeld long tube headers, a Fluidamper balancer, new sensors, and a fresh standalone harness round out the modern drivetrain.
Cooling is handled by a Be Cool aluminum radiator and a dedicated heat exchanger for the supercharger. The hood has already been modified for blower clearance.
Inside, the builder went for a period correct look with modern comfort. The seats are custom built original style frames designed for taller drivers, wrapped in leather and mounted lower for better ergonomics. Dakota Digital replica gauges, a solid state Wonderbar style radio, and a new wiring harness have been installed.
The car is also prepped for Vintage Air climate control, with an electric wiper system replacing the original vacuum setup.
The Corvette rides on polished 16 inch Salt Flat (Kidney Bean) wheels wrapped in Bridgestone and Falken performance tires, and while purists may decry this setup, we think it really makes this C1 much more sporty looking. Four wheel disc brakes, new hubs and bearings, braided lines, and red powder coated calipers ensure the stopping power matches the horsepower.
The seller includes an exhaustive list of new or NOS components:
• NOS taillights, headlight bezels, and license light assemblies
• New windshield with rechromed side posts and new trim
• Complete convertible top and hardware
• New steering column and Vintique 15″ wheel
• EFI fuel tank system
• C4 performance sway bars
• Door latches, hinges, weatherstrip, interior trim, and more
It’s the kind of build where nearly every nut and bolt has been touched.
This Corvette isn’t trying to be a Bloomington Gold time capsule. It’s a driver’s car — a modernized, supercharged reinterpretation of the first V8 Corvette, built to be enjoyed on the road rather than preserved behind velvet ropes.
And to us, that feels true to the soul of the original C1. Harley Earl and his team wanted a sports car that pushed boundaries. This restomod does exactly that.
With more than a week left in the auction and a mountain of high end parts already invested, it’ll be interesting to see where the bidding lands. But one thing’s certain: whoever ends up with this ’55 is getting a Corvette that honors the past while embracing the future — with a supercharger whine that purists will just have to get used to.
Source:
eBay Motors
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