This Restomod C1 Corvette Has Over 400 HP Under the Hood

The German tuner Pogea Racing is best known for souping up cars like a McLaren 570S and an Alfa Romeo 4C for more generally, including power. Now, it’s turned its attention to a Vette.

Unveiled recently, the Pogea Corvette C1 has a 6.3-liter V-8 engine under the hood making 422 horsepower, significantly more than the original. The car is painted “Rosso Corsa” in a hue typically associated with Ferrari. Elsewhere, there is a white called “Ibis White” that was inspired by Audi, and, inside, there is a shade of leather inspired by Lamborghini and another shade of leather inspired by Rolls-Royce.

And while the engine is a new GM LS3, other parts of the Pogea Corvette C1 are taken from other generations of Corvettes, like the rear brakes, which are from the C6 generation, and the front brakes, which are from the C5 generation, according to Top Gear. The car’s chassis also had to be reinforced because of the increased output of the engine.

The car itself is half from 1959 and half from 1958, with two versions of the car originally bolted together to create an automobile that, pre-restoration, had doors that wouldn’t open or close right and panel gaps. The central tub, meanwhile, “had been crudely severed and poorly fused,” Pogea said.

That meant a lot of work for Pogea and a resulting car that may not even warrant the term “restoration,” since it’s more so a whole new creation—and a confusing mix of colors, inspirations, and ideas. Pogea’s own parts are present in the 19-inch wheels, the exhaust, roof, doors, rear lights, and other components. This was all made by order from a customer, according to Top Gear, who is perhaps in the middle of realizing a long-held dream.

For purists who insist that everything should remain stock or restored to stock it might be a long-held nightmare, and they should avert their eyes and take a nap. But German tuners have a fondness for this sort of thing, Mansory being the most prominent.

The Pogea Corvette C1 is undoubtedly unique, and its owner will likely have a nice time at car shows explaining just what the hell it is, even if, after a while, some of those listening will shake their heads in disbelief.

Click here for more photos of the Pogea Corvette C1.

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