Make: Chevrolet

Model: Corvette

Type: Coupe

Seller Type: Private

Key Details

Seller : John57
Location : Hilton Head, SC 29925
Seller Type : Private

Build Sheet

VIN: 1Z37J4S417930
540ci Merlin big-block V8
634 rear-wheel horsepower
Tremec T56 6-speed manual
McLeod twin-disc clutch
Street Shop custom chassis
C4 independent suspension
Viking adjustable coilovers
Dana 44 rear differential
Hydroboost power brake system
Yellow Pearl paint by Roman Chariot
Molded bumper body modifications
20-inch Billet Specialties wheels
Nitto NT555 performance tires
Dakota Digital VHX gauges
Factory air conditioning

Wrench Report

By Chris Esparza

RestoMods Head Mechanic. 20 year classic car mechanic & builder.

To be featured in a magazine, build choices and details matter. The 540 Merlin integrated to the hood, Street Shop chassis, and general build details make this Corvette stand out even without the nicely finished yellow exterior. With low miles since a 2022 rebuild, this Corvette should be well sorted.

Description

This 1974 Chevrolet Corvette coupe is a high-end pro-touring restomod constructed by the marque specialists at Corvette Conspiracy in Cleveland, Ohio. Built as a body-off custom project over a multi-year period and completed around 15 years ago, the car later came into possession of the shop's founder before the business closed in 2022. It features an integrated custom exterior profile, a full aftermarket street-performance chassis, and a fuel-injected big-block V8 with a 6 speed manual. This C3 was featured in Corvette Magazine in September 2022 and is now offered by the private seller with a clean South Carolina title.

The body has been finished in a custom Yellow Pearl paint scheme executed by Roman Chariot of Cleveland. The vehicle's classic "coke-bottle" styling has been extensively streamlined by molding the front and rear bumpers seamlessly into the body panels. Additional exterior alterations include a custom hood with an integrated cold-air intake and a sculpted induction scoop, blacked-out trim moldings, Hella headlights, and power side mirrors. The solid rear cargo area houses the updated electronics, and the entire body structure is securely mounted to its high-end replacement frame.

The car stands with a low, modern profile on a set of 20-inch Billet Specialties alloy wheels. The wheels are wrapped in Nitto NT555 high-performance tires, sized 245/35ZR20 in the front and a wider 295/35ZR20 in the rear.

The cabin features a deluxe black leather interior anchored by upgraded bucket sport seats sourced from a 1982 Corvette. Premium black carpeting and matching door panels line the interior, and the vehicle retains its factory air conditioning system for cabin climate control. A modern Kenwood stereo system supplies updated audio functionality.

The interior is also presented with a polished walnut-rimmed steering wheel mounted to the factory tilting and telescoping steering column. The factory gauge cluster layout has been modernized with a set of carbon-fiber-style Dakota Digital VHX instruments, which accurately track vehicle speed, engine RPM, and all secondary system pressures and temperatures.

The engine compartment fits a 540ci Merlin big-block V8 engine that has been dyno-tested to produce 634 rear-wheel horsepower and 750 horsepower at the crank. The engine is built with Canfield aluminum cylinder heads, an Erson hydraulic roller camshaft, a custom Weiand eight-port single-plane EFI intake manifold, and a 1,000-cfm throttle body driven by a Holley HP electronic fuel injection system with a Dual Sync distributor. It is equipped with an Aeromotive fuel delivery system, stainless steel hard-lined fluid hoses, a March Performance serpentine accessory belt drive, and a Griffin aluminum radiator with dual Spal electric cooling fans. Power is sent through a McLeod twin-disc clutch with mechanical linkage, a Tremec T56 six-speed manual transmission, and a Dana 44 rear differential housing 3.55:1 performance cruising gears.

The entire body rides on a rigid, custom-engineered Street Shop chassis designed specifically for this application. The upgraded frame integrates a complete 1996 Corvette C4 independent front and rear suspension conversion managed by adjustable Viking coilover shocks at all four corners. Steering is updated via a power rack-and-pinion setup, while the power braking system is boosted by a Hydroboost hydraulic assist mechanism fitted with a Wilwood adjustable proportioning valve and all-stainless steel lines. Spent gases pass through ceramic-coated custom stainless steel headers into a fabricated 3-inch stainless steel dual exhaust system equipped with remote-controlled electronic cutouts. Also included with the sale are 2 sets of keys and 2 sets of FOBs.

Photo Gallery

Videos

Highest Bid

$50,000

Seller
John57
Highest Bidder
insuredude
Total Bids
19 Bids
Total Views
5,929 Views
Total Saves
38 Saves

Watch

Support Contact Support

Sold After Price

WITHHELD

SOLD AFTER

Buyer

insuredude

Seller
John57
Highest Bidder
insuredude
Total Bids
19 Bids
Date Ended
July 27, 2026 13:04 PDT

Comments & Bid History

Commenting on this auction is now closed.

BuyTheCar Staff • Aug 1, 1:32 pm PDT

1974 Chevrolet Corvette sold after the auction to @insuredude

Chevylovr62 • Jul 27, 1:06 pm PDT

It is a really nice build, but it is also a 1974 Corvette... not that collectable, also an older build. I wonder if it needs tires, could be out of date?

tomspeedsouth Jul 27, 1:09 pm PDT

This is not a collectable build. I wouldnt do any of this to a car thats collectable. The only real value in this is if you drive it. Otherwise, seems like a waste of money to me.

Chevylovr62 Jul 27, 1:10 pm PDT

I agree

John57 Seller Jul 27, 1:16 pm PDT

Wheels and tires were replaced last year

John57 Seller Jul 27, 1:19 pm PDT

That's what it's for to drive. All the cars we built were built to drive.

tomspeedsouth Jul 27, 1:31 pm PDT

Its very nicely done. GLWS

Chevylovr62 Jul 27, 1:34 pm PDT

well it's a really nice car

BuyTheCar Staff • Jul 27, 1:04 pm PDT

The reserve was not met. We'll reach out to the seller and the bidders to try to make a deal.

tomspeedsouth Bidder • Jul 27, 1:03 pm PDT

nah, I'm guessing their is a booster playing

tomspeedsouth Bidder • Jul 27, 1:02 pm PDT

its nowhere near reserve, but this is fun

insuredude Jul 27, 1:03 pm PDT

Let's go!

Chevylovr62 Jul 27, 1:03 pm PDT

I would say the reserve is 60k, well over 100k into it

tomspeedsouth Jul 27, 1:04 pm PDT

yea i was thinking more like 75. But frankly, I'd rather have an LS

tomspeedsouth Jul 27, 1:06 pm PDT

An I'm not big on this format. You should be able to put in your max bid, and let the software advance in increments, and then no extension of time at the end

Chevylovr62 Jul 27, 1:09 pm PDT

Even though it has a lot of money into the build...... doesn't mean it's worth that.

joeshmo Staff Jul 27, 1:11 pm PDT

@tomspeedsouth You are able to enter in any bid amount over the current high bid, you do not have to use the minimum increments if that is not your strategy. The 2 minute extensions always ensure that the person willing to pay the most gets a fair shake and a chance to respond to a bid, rather than being sniped out of the auction at the last second.

Chevylovr62 Jul 27, 1:13 pm PDT

Also, by extending it 2 minutes each time, you make more money.

tomspeedsouth Jul 27, 1:27 pm PDT

yes i know, but I would rather put in what I am willing to pay, and walk away. If i win, ok, but if not, i aint wasting my time

tomspeedsouth Jul 27, 1:29 pm PDT

also, why would your strategy be to bid more than what it takes to win the bid?

tomspeedsouth Jul 27, 1:45 pm PDT

It can also work against the seller. For instance, insuredude may have been willing to go higher, but why would he when he was already the high bid???

insuredude • Jul 27, 1:02 pm PDT Jul 27, 1:02 pm PDT

tomspeedsouth • Jul 27, 1:01 pm PDT Jul 27, 1:01 pm PDT

insuredude • Jul 27, 12:59 pm PDT Jul 27, 12:59 pm PDT

tomspeedsouth • Jul 27, 12:59 pm PDT Jul 27, 12:59 pm PDT

insuredude • Jul 27, 12:56 pm PDT Jul 27, 12:56 pm PDT

chapp82 • Jul 27, 12:53 pm PDT Jul 27, 12:53 pm PDT

tomspeedsouth • Jul 27, 12:51 pm PDT Jul 27, 12:51 pm PDT

chapp82 • Jul 27, 12:51 pm PDT Jul 27, 12:51 pm PDT

tomspeedsouth • Jul 27, 12:50 pm PDT Jul 27, 12:50 pm PDT

insuredude • Jul 27, 12:48 pm PDT Jul 27, 12:48 pm PDT

chapp82 • Jul 27, 12:46 pm PDT Jul 27, 12:46 pm PDT

insuredude • Jul 27, 12:43 pm PDT Jul 27, 12:43 pm PDT

chapp82 • Jul 27, 12:32 pm PDT Jul 27, 12:32 pm PDT

Videokam Bidder • Jul 27, 12:07 pm PDT

In the dash where the stereo is, there are 2 holes that look like missing screws. Is there something missing from there?

Chevylovr62 • Jul 27, 5:45 am PDT

One last question. Does the payment get made to the listing company? Or do we just pay the selling fee? And then do transaction between the two parties?

BuyTheCar Staff Jul 27, 7:00 am PDT

That's correct, if you win the auction we collect a buyer fee and the transaction is completed between the buyer and seller.

Chevylovr62 • Jul 26, 3:20 pm PDT

So, other than the winning bid, what else is the buyer paying in fees?

BuyTheCar Staff Jul 26, 3:43 pm PDT

https://community.buythecar.com/buyer-faq/

insuredude • Jul 26, 8:29 am PDT Jul 26, 8:29 am PDT

insuredude Bidder • Jul 26, 8:22 am PDT

How heavy does the clutch pedal feel? Fairly light and easy to hold in at a stop, or does it require noticeably more leg pressure than a modern manual car?

John57 Seller Jul 26, 8:30 am PDT

Not heave at all . You could actually depress it with your hand.

chapp82 Bidder • Jul 25, 3:10 pm PDT

Is it anywhere near reserve? No sense getting excited if reserve is 50+

Chevylovr62 Jul 26, 5:31 am PDT

I agree

John57 Seller Jul 26, 8:00 am PDT

I'm not at liberty to say. It's against platform rules.

chapp82 Jul 26, 8:14 am PDT

Understood. Sorry I just hate the reserve idea. Hope you get what you're looking for.

Chevylovr62 • Jul 25, 8:33 am PDT

Hi, how was the nose and tail section bonded to the fiberglass, being rubber/different material?

John57 Seller Jul 25, 8:45 am PDT

They are both fiberglass replacements. That was done by Roman Chariot of Cleveland OH. The paint and body was completed more than twenty five years ago. No shrinkage.

Chevylovr62 Jul 25, 1:44 pm PDT

Thank you, beautiful car! would love to have in my garage

John57 Seller Jul 25, 2:33 pm PDT

It could be there.

Chevylovr62 Jul 26, 5:31 am PDT

It depends on the reserve. I will watch it

tomspeedsouth • Jul 25, 8:32 am PDT Jul 25, 8:32 am PDT

chapp82 • Jul 23, 12:42 pm PDT Jul 23, 12:42 pm PDT

briconok • Jul 23, 10:18 am PDT

•How many miles are on the actual build itself?
•How long ago or when was the build completed?
•In the video it seemed sluggish/slow to start. Is there some kind of an issue with this?

John57 Seller Jul 23, 2:26 pm PDT

Around 3000 mi since completion. Believe we completed the build in 08/09 but made upgrades like the Tremic, the gauges and the Holley engine management system. Seemed alittle slow because the tires weren't hooking.

briconok Jul 23, 5:26 pm PDT

Actually I was referring to the engine sounding like it was being rather sluggish or unusually slow to fire up. Does it always start like that and if I does, could there be an issue needing attention?
Thanks.

John57 Seller Jul 24, 6:13 am PDT

I noticed that too so I checked the battery and CCA was down about half of what it should be. Should have a new battery in it this weekend. This car sets a lot, like most, and I use a tender on it at times. It's a Delco battery but not sure how old. It will be changed.

insuredude Jul 24, 2:08 pm PDT

Will you be posting a fresh video of the cold start after installing a new battery?

John57 Seller Jul 25, 1:06 am PDT

I could but I won't have the battery until Tuesday morning. No one stocks ACDelco in my area. Had to get it shipped in . This auction is over Monday.

Videokam • Jul 23, 6:27 am PDT Jul 23, 6:27 am PDT

Stretch1949 • Jul 22, 9:26 pm PDT Jul 22, 9:26 pm PDT

insuredude Bidder • Jul 22, 10:47 am PDT

I would love some feedback from the owner about its handling and performance and drivability and 'fun factor' with that large motor/undercarriage set up.

John57 Seller Jul 22, 12:14 pm PDT

Handling is better than a '96 C4 with an adjustable Viking coil overs and 20" Notto rubber. As for performance with over 600 rwh it will set you back in the seat. Drivability is very comfortable. You can rollout form out from a dead stop with clutch only and the tip into the throttle.on low speed cruise you would want to keep the RPM's above 1800 and the motor is smooth. Just select the right gear.

insuredude Jul 23, 9:32 am PDT

Any wheel rub on bumps or turns? Any overheat issues with that motor, especially in hot weather or long trips? Any squeaks/rattles? Any steering 'wander' or 'darting' in road ruts?

John57 Seller Jul 23, 10:25 am PDT

No no and no. No tire interference at all. Car is in SC where it's hot. It will run 200* in traffic on a 95* day and cool down from that on the open road. No squeaks or rattles whatsoever . I wouldn't have that in any of our builds. The car drives where you point it, no wandering at all.

Videokam • Jul 20, 5:51 pm PDT Jul 20, 5:51 pm PDT

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