Custom Fastback 1953 Corvette at SEMA

Disclaimer – No 1953 Corvette was harmed in this build! Cutting up old Corvettes is considered blasphemous by some, so let’s clear this up right away and not have anything spoil the fun of this outrageous fiberglass beauty.

With that out of the way, here’s a killer little C1 Corvette kit car that was rescued from oblivion by Corvette guru Mike Walker from Street Rods Only based out of Macon, Illinois.

A former customer had this car sitting around and when Mike asked what was in store for it, the owner said, “You can have it…” Au gratis, pro bono, free.

Now, that’s a price we can all agree on.

From there, the sky was the limit. No provenance or persnickety matching numbers hoo-haw was required, so Walker set out to create a custom, one-off C1 that would make Harley Earl blush.

 

The car was already atop a no-name tube frame that although serviceable, needed much massaging from Street Rods Only to get into shape. They added C4 front suspension components and a nine-inch Ford solid axle rearend. Front brakes from a C6 and drums in the rear completed the running gear.

The car is powered by a small-block Chevy lifted from a sprint car–of all things–with Hilborn electronic fuel injection and a 4L60E automatic transmission. Be sure and check out the old school, ribbed valvecovers, too.

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With the foundation sorted out, Walker turned his sights on the body and flared the wheel wells, added front fender louvers, shaved all the side trim and for the finishing touch, added a Street Rods Only exclusive removable top in the image of the old fastback Corvette Corvair concept from the early fifties. Neat touches are everywhere on the car like C7 side markers, C2 side exhaust tips and a sliding sunroof re-purposed as the rear window.

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Mike bought the molds for these hardtops a few years ago and has moved a lot of them. He recently showed an orange ’59 Corvette previously so this wasn’t unfamiliar territory. He also makes a “split window” version of the this top as well.

This ’53 in white with a red interior is impressive in person with great stance, slinky bodywork, and knee high ride height. If all of this turns you on, it’s for sale, too.

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About the author

Dave Cruikshank

Dave Cruikshank is a lifelong car enthusiast and an editor at Power Automedia. He digs all flavors of automobiles, from classic cars to modern EVs. Dave loves music, design, tech, current events, and fitness.
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