1959 Chevy Corvette Convertible - Vairy-Y Interesting

Chevrolet's promotional army was in full stride when it cranked out this description of the Corvair for the '54 Motorama souvenir program: "Here in this experimental two-passenger model with its glass fiber reinforced plastic body, Chevrolet brings new aerodynamic design to the closed sports car. The ultra streamlined top sweeps back to a jet exhaust type rear opening." Unfortunately, the show-stopper of '54 was a scrap-yard casualty in '55, when no one at what was then the world's largest corporation saw any need to preserve dream cars after their moment in the spotlight.

But images of that fastback hardtop survived, and in later years would inspire others. Particularly, one Central Illinois Vette Rod builder, who fashioned a removable C1 top using that design-and built a stunning '59 Vette Rod to show it off. "I just wanted to do something different," says builder, owner, and Street Rods Only proprietor Mike Walker from his Macon, Illinois shop. "Building Corvettes is what I do. We drew a picture of it, and A-1 Fiberglass-that's my sister company-built the top for me." As you see in Jerry Heasley's photos, the top isn't a permanent part of the body. "The top does come off, then you can put on the original trunk lid and it's a roadster," says Mike.

But there's a lot more to this Vette Rod than its body. "It has a custom chassis with a frame that we built here at Street Rods Only," says Mike."It has a C4 front end, and a C4 rear suspension with a Dana 44 independent rearend. The suspension pieces are all chromed." Big Baer brakes, a Flaming River steering system, and one-off Evod wheels are also highlights of this C1's chassis.

How about power to spin that Dana 44? "It has an LS2 engine with a Magnuson blower, that's good for about 550 horsepower, and a Tremec six-speed," Mike says about the engine/transmission combo, which-like the chassis-is loaded with polished aluminum and chrome.

Inside, the seats are restored '59 Corvette buckets, but there's one big surprise if you look up while you're inside-a '67 Stinger-style scoop like the one on the '59's hood. "We flipped that scoop up underneath the roof of the car, too," Mike says. Among the other interior surprises: Snakeskin accents on the leather buckets, steering wheel, console, and door panels; AutoMeter gauges in the factory dash openings; and a top-end Cadence sound system.

Mike took about a year to build the Vette Rod seen here, debuting it at the SEMA Show in 2007. The following January, it made its first public show appearance at the world-famous Grand National Roadster Show at the L.A. Fairplex in Pomona, California, where it won First Place in the very-competitive Semi Custom Sports-Pre-'63 class. One show-goer who was impressed by Mike's '59 was legendary rodder/showman/character Blackie Gejeian, who picked it to be in his all-invitational Fresno Autorama a couple months after the GNRS, and it was also a trophy winner in Fresno.

Thanks to the building skills at Mike's shop, you can have a Vette Rod just like it-or one built to your specifications. Take a look online at www.streetrodsonly.com.

Data File ::: '59 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible w/removable Fastback Hardtop

Owned by Mike Walker, Macon, Illinois Built by Street Rods Only, Macon, Illinois