The C2-generation Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray is one of the most iconic and beloved American performance cars ever. Now, North Carolina’s Retro Designs has taken a C2 Corvette and brought it into the 21st century with a series of significant upgrades and modifications.

The first thing of note about this C2 Corvette is that while it may look like most others you will see out on the road, it actually has a custom-built frame using the underpinnings and suspension components from a C7-generation ‘Vette. This new chassis doesn’t just promise to transform the way in which the car drives and handles but it has also allowed Retro Designs to install a 6.2-liter naturally aspirated LS3 V7 with 430 hp coupled to a six-speed manual transmission driving the rear wheels.

Read Also: Forget European Supercars, This 1964 C2 Corvette Stingray Is The Icon You Want

A host of other significant mechanical changes have been made. For example, the C2 Corvette from Retro Designs has independent rear suspension and upgraded Wilwood brakes at all four corners, ensuring that it can brake just as well as it can accelerate thanks to that modern V8. A three-inch stainless steel exhaust has also been fitted.

Viewed from the outside, some aspects of the car immediately catch the eye. Most notable are the chrome Beyern Spartan wheels, Nitto Motivo tires, and the aforementioned rear brake calipers.

Retro Designs didn’t call it quits there. According to the company, it also spent hundreds of hours restoring and remodeling the car’s interior, trimming it in new black leather and revising the shape of the seats to make them more comfortable. A more modern center console is also featured and the classic muscle car rocks an upgraded sound system with Bluetooth connectivity. We’d rather listen to the V8 over any kind of music but hey, it’s certainly nice to have.

“Our goal at Retro Designs is to bring classic cars back to life and allow clients to enjoy them safely without any of the issues that can come up with driving a vintage restoration,” Retro Designs general manager Daniel Valjevac said. “Our new 1965 C2 Sting Ray is a car that came to us from a client that wanted a custom with all the beautiful styling of the C2 in a car that could be driven in modern conditions.”

The company’s restorations and restomod projects start at $100,000.

C2 Corvette Transformed With C7 Chassis And 430 HP LS3 V8
C2 Corvette Transformed With C7 Chassis And 430 HP LS3 V8
C2 Corvette Transformed With C7 Chassis And 430 HP LS3 V8
C2 Corvette Transformed With C7 Chassis And 430 HP LS3 V8
C2 Corvette Transformed With C7 Chassis And 430 HP LS3 V8
C2 Corvette Transformed With C7 Chassis And 430 HP LS3 V8
C2 Corvette Transformed With C7 Chassis And 430 HP LS3 V8
C2 Corvette Transformed With C7 Chassis And 430 HP LS3 V8
C2 Corvette Transformed With C7 Chassis And 430 HP LS3 V8
C2 Corvette Transformed With C7 Chassis And 430 HP LS3 V8
C2 Corvette Transformed With C7 Chassis And 430 HP LS3 V8
C2 Corvette Transformed With C7 Chassis And 430 HP LS3 V8
C2 Corvette Transformed With C7 Chassis And 430 HP LS3 V8
C2 Corvette Transformed With C7 Chassis And 430 HP LS3 V8
C2 Corvette Transformed With C7 Chassis And 430 HP LS3 V8
C2 Corvette Transformed With C7 Chassis And 430 HP LS3 V8
C2 Corvette Transformed With C7 Chassis And 430 HP LS3 V8
C2 Corvette Transformed With C7 Chassis And 430 HP LS3 V8
C2 Corvette Transformed With C7 Chassis And 430 HP LS3 V8
C2 Corvette Transformed With C7 Chassis And 430 HP LS3 V8
C2 Corvette Transformed With C7 Chassis And 430 HP LS3 V8
C2 Corvette Transformed With C7 Chassis And 430 HP LS3 V8
C2 Corvette Transformed With C7 Chassis And 430 HP LS3 V8
C2 Corvette Transformed With C7 Chassis And 430 HP LS3 V8