Gary And Sue Kuck
Lincoln, Nebraska '60 Corvette
Chassis
There's more to this custom Corvette than meets the eye. The handling that helped this thing move through the cones is the result of a completely new chassis built around a full-tube frame, with '96 Corvette IFS and IRS parts. In addition, the ride is controlled by ShockWaves air shocks from Air Ride Technologies.
Drivetrain
The LS1 Chevy engine came out of a '00 Camaro, with a Lingenfelter aluminum intake added to the stock fuel injection setup. The custom air cleaner was built from 3-inch U-bend tubing and draws fresh air through K&N filters from vents in the radiator support. The very limited-edition (three sets) valve covers came from Hunters Automotive. Boesch fabricated the metal shroud for the 16-inch Vintage Air electric fan, and built a custom exhaust system connecting Street & Performance headers to Edelbrock mufflers. Since "everything should have a clutch," according to Gary, his Vette runs the six-speed that came with the LS1. Rear gears are 4.10s with limited-slip.
Wheels & Tires
Dale Boesch designed the unique billet five-spokes, measuring 18x8 and 19x9, which were built by Victor and Jose at Intro Wheels. The 225/40R18 and 275/40R19 low-profile rubber is from Michelin's Pilot Sport line.
Body & Paint
During the course of the many body modifications, the Corvette was transformed into a true custom as well as a true roadster. The door tops were reworked to mold into the dash, and the frame was removed from the stock windshield, which was lowered 3 inches into the corners of the cowl. The body was stripped of all trim, and the door handles were replaced with painted '98 model pieces. The stock grille was retained with one extra tooth added. Smaller bumpers replace the stock items, and the openings below the headlights were eliminated. Quad blue-dot headlights from RB's Obsolete were frenched and the stock taillight lenses were fitted flush to the body and tinted to disappear. The paint is DuPont single-stage Diamond Black. Contrasting bronze pearl with silver and lime green 'striping was used to finish the engine and suspension.
Interior
When it was time to build the interior, the Corvette went to the Recovery Room in Plattsmouth, Nebraska, where Tracy Weever designed and created the custom seats, door panels, and dash inserts, covering them all in beautiful saddle-toned Ultraleather. The center console and dash were hand-fabricated from foam and fiberglass, following closely, but not exactly, the style of the original. Boesch built custom bezels for the rebuilt Classic Instruments gauges. The center dash emblem is from a C5 decklid. A Kugel clutch and brake pedal assembly was installed, and the leather panel at the top of the dash is removable for access to the brake booster and master cylinder.