Coachbuilt: C1-Style 2009 Corvette Convertible Selling for New 2024 Corvette Z06 Money

With its small-block V8 under the hood, the Corvette was quickly redesigned for the 1956 model year, featuring a new body with real glass roll-up windows, plus a more substantial convertible top. Of course, when most people think ‘C1 Vette’, they usually imagine the quad-headlight models, which weren’t unveiled until 1958.

Those babies also came with larger grilles and updated interiors and remain some of the most desirable classic Corvettes to this day. Collectors certainly love them.

Now, let’s entertain the notion that maybe you own a relatively modern Corvette, and you’d like to turn it into a C1 lookalike. That’s actually possible with the help of aftermarket specialists such as CRC (Classic Reflection Coachworks), who built this so-called ‘RetroVette’ using a 2009 Corvette Convertible C6 as a foundation piece.

As it stands right now, the vehicle is getting auctioned off to the highest bidder with 15,000 miles on the clock. We should point out that interesting parties should really hurry up with their bids, because there are only four or so hours to go in the auction – the highest bid currently stands at $126,000. That’s pretty much in the ballpark of what you’d pay for a brand-new 2024 Corvette Z06.

In terms of what’s new on this car, it starts with the carbon fiber bodywork, which replaces the car’s factory fiberglass panels. CRC also painted the car red with white coves, while additional equipment includes the likes of the power-retractable black soft top, xenon headlights, fog lights, chrome bumpers and trim, C1-style badging, dual exhaust outlets and staggered-diameter wheels with red calipers and Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season 4 tires.

Meanwhile, interior highlights include black and red leather upholstery elements (bucket seats, steering wheel, center console, shifter boot), sat-nav, a Bose sound system, Keyless Access, cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, plus the 3LT Preferred Equipment Group, which adds the six-disc CD stereo, a head-up display, auto-dimming mirrors, side airbags, and a power-adjustable steering column.

As for the engine, it’s GM’s 6.2-liter LS3 V8 unit, factory rated at 430 horsepower and 424 lb-ft of torque, with everything going to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic gearbox. The car also comes with a Billy Boat exhaust system.

Is this worth 2024 Corvette Z06 money?

I don’t know about all that, but it’s definitely worth more than some other C1 Vette conversions. Take this 2004 Corvette for example, rocking a similar (yet different) body kit. It too was built by CRC yet doesn’t look nearly as good as this 2009-based example.

For me, personally, any C1-style C6 Corvette can make for an interesting ride. But gun to my head, I’d rather have the new Z06.