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STEVE TEMPLE . October 03, 2022 . All Feature Vehicles

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A Classic Corvette Gets Current

Experience can be a great teacher. Just ask Robert Egger who’s built more cars than he can remember, including several C1 Corvettes. He’s particularly fond of the quad-headlight models of the late-’50s and early-’60s. One thing he wasn’t fond of, though, was their handling and high-maintenance challenges.

“I began to seek an alternative,” he recalls asking himself, “Could I have the body and look of an original ’59 with the conveniences and safety a new car offered?” In other words, a C1 that looked older, but would drive like new.

The factory Corvette crossed flags emblem reveals the true identity of the car’s historic heritage.

The factory 283-ci fuel injection V-8 was replaced with a GM Performance 6.2L LS2 engine that produces 400 hp.

Factory steel wheels were painted body-matching PPG custom red then wrapped with Diamond Back rear 235/70R-15 and front 225/70R-15 whitewall tires. A set of factory wheel covers finishes off the rolling stock.

After a troubled false start with another shop, he came across Mike Filion of Pro Design, who has nearly two decades of experience. Filion began by reinforcing the frame with gussets in order to withstand the higher output of a 400-hp LS2. He kept the live-axle configuration,but beefed it up with a 3.73 Ford 9-inch Posi in a 4-link setup, damped by QA1 coil-overs. Under the nose, he fit in a narrowed Jim Meyers IFS with a Mustang rack and Camaro tubular suspension, along with disc brakes at all four corners.

The 6.2L mill expels exhaust through Sanderson headers and custom dual pipes by Mesa Muffler. Street and Performance provided the air cleaner and accessory pulleys, and ABS supplied a current setup for the brake system. An aluminum radiator from The Fan Man provides heat transfer, and fuel is stored in a custom stainless steel tank by Rock Valley.

The factory interior appearance was upgraded with Auto Meter black-face gauges. The oversize factory steering wheel was replaced with a smaller 15 ½-inch diameter half-wrapped leather steering wheel.

In the cockpit, the Budnik steering wheel was downsized to 15 ½ inches,and is mounted on a Flaming River column. A Lokar shifter engages the 4L65E tranny.

To appeal to authenticity, the upholstery and trim were restored to original style and a matching exterior paint combination, but with a few subtle exceptions: Auto Meter Classic gauges, air conditioning and power windows. The Wonder Bar radio looks old school but controls a remote CD changer and amp for the speakers.

When Egger eggs on other cars at the stoplight, he doesn’t have to worry about getting left behind, because he can snooker unsuspecting later-model cars with a contemporary classic. “That’s when the real fun begins,” he laughs.

The factory low-back seats were refurbished and covered in red leather with tuck ’n’ roll inserts.

The ’59 was set up with a slight forward rake, giving it a more aggressive look.

’59 Chevy Corvette

Owner: Robert Egger, Scottsdale, AZ.He is a member of SoCal Solid Axle Corvette Club.

Reason for building this particular car: Create an iconic classic with modern engine and running gear—the best of both worlds.

Builder: Pro Design Hot Rods, Mike Filion (714.436.1158)

Frame: Original, reinforced and gusseted engine and transmission mounts, powder-coated gloss black

Suspension: Front: Jim Meyers IFS, tubular control A-arms, Camaro spindles, QA-1 coil-overs and 1-inch sway bar, Mustang power rack-and-pinion; Rear: Ford 9-inch and QA-1 coil-overs

Brakes: 1970-81 Camaro with 11-inch vented rotors

Wheels: 15 x 7 and 15 x 8 Wheelsmith and stock hubcaps

Tires: Diamond Back, front 225/70R15, rear 235/70R15

Engine: GM 400 hp 6.2 LS2

Body and Paint Color: PPG custom red and white

Interior: Original style with Budnik wheel, Lokar shifter, Auto Meter Classic gauges, air conditioning and power windows

Audio: Traditional-look Wonder Bar radio with remote CD changer and amp for the speakers