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The Top 7 Most Impressive Custom & Restomod Corvettes From Barrett-Jackson’s Fall Scottsdale Auction

CorvSport visits the king of no-reserve auctions, Barrett-Jackson, and finds the most impressive Custom and Restomod Corvettes that hammered off to new owners

Check out this beautiful Jeff Hayes Custom 1963! Photo Credit: Barrett-Jackson

The king of no-reserve big tent auctions is at it again, and Barrett-Jackson’s Fall Scottsdale auction did not disappoint for the iconic Corvette. Whether you’re a passionate bidder or a curious spectator, Barrett-Jackson is the ultimate destination for car lovers, offering unforgettable experiences and the chance to own a piece of automotive history. Now that the dust has settled at WestWorld, CorvSport has compiled our list of the most impressive Custom and Restomod Corvettes to hammer at this year’s Fall extravaganza.

Why do Custom and Restomod Corvettes matter? This segment has gained immense popularity in recent years, appealing to enthusiasts who crave a blend of classic design and modern performance. These modified Corvettes preserve the iconic aesthetic of vintage generations while incorporating contemporary upgrades, such as powerful engines and advanced technology, offering a unique driving experience. It’s also worth noting that you can often buy them at a collector car auction like Barrett-Jackson for considerably less money than if you commissioned the build yourself.

CorvSport’s What To Look For:

  • The top three most expensive Corvettes to hammer were all Custom/Restomod. How much did they fetch?
  • How did legendary Custom Corvette builder Jeff Hayes’ creation perform?
  • The bigger picture: how many total Corvettes were sold at the top no-reserve collector car auction?

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The Top 7 Most Impressive Custom & Restomod Corvettes

[Ranked from least to most expensive]

#7

Hammer Price: $110,000

  • “This custom 1968 Chevrolet Corvette convertible was designed and built by James Bridges and Retro Designs, with the frame modified and reinforced following Chevrolet racing specifications before being powder-coated gray. It is powered by a BluePrint 427ci LS3 engine that produced 634.9hp on the factory dyno and was further upgraded with a Harrop Hurricane ITB intake, catch can, upgraded coil system, large tube Ultimate headers, 3-inch stainless-steel exhaust, a high-performance harness and custom tuning to achieve an estimated 700hp. Power is delivered through a Tremec 6-speed transmission connected to a 3-inch carbon-fiber driveshaft, a rebuilt race differential with 3.73 gears, 30-spline axles, spider gears, a 1350 pinion flange and HD carrier cap, further transferring power through 3-inch carbon-fiber half shafts and 30-spline axle kits mounted in HD 2-inch offset trailing arms turning 325/25/20 wheels. Suspension consists of a full Ridetech setup with coilovers on all four corners, front and rear splined sway bars, HD adjustable strut rods and tubular front control arms, complemented by a Borgeson steering unit, Aeromotive fuel system, Rad Rides electronic brake booster, hydraulic clutch and a DeWitts dual electric fan radiator…” Continue Reading And View More Pictures

#6

Hammer Price: $132,000

  • “This 1958 Chevrolet Corvette custom convertible is powered by a tuned-port 350ci engine sourced from a C4 Corvette, paired with a 4L60E automatic transmission. The chassis features extensive suspension upgrades, including a Martz front end with upper and lower tubular A-arms, Alden coilovers and a 1-inch sway bar, complemented by a Ridetech tri-link rear with additional coilovers. Braking is handled by an ABS system with Wilwood slotted and drilled rotors at all four corners paired with Wilwood calipers. Cooling is managed by a Griffin aluminum radiator with electric fan, and the drivetrain is supported by a March belt system. Comfort and convenience upgrades include Vintage Air, upgraded analog gauges with white faces and an electrically operated center vent. The Camel interior features a custom stereo with 6.5-inch speakers and amplifier, while the trunk is fully finished with side compartments. The exterior is finished in Hugger Orange paint accented with tan coves, and the car is riding on Foose wheels for both style and performance…” Continue Reading And View More Pictures

#5

Hammer Price: $143,000

  • “Beginning with an original 1967 big-block 427/390hp Corvette with factory air conditioning (one of 229 built), power steering, power windows and power brakes (documented with the original Tank Sticker), this Corvette received a no-expense-spared body-off Resto-Mod build by the master craftsmen at Springfield Motorsports in British Columbia and has been driven less than 500 miles since completion. The car rides on a custom hand-built TIG-welded tube chassis tailor-made for this specific car, which has been powder-coated in red to match the exterior. All the underpinnings of the car are modern components, including aluminum A-arms, power rack & pinion steering, adjustable Aldan coilover suspension, Wilwood disc brakes and a one-off set of polished three-piece Fikse Aero wheels. In order to retain the original DNA of the car, the power comes from a pro-built 496ci big-block Chevrolet V8 engine by K&S Machine in Kelowna, British Columbia, producing a dyno-proven 617hp at 6,000 rpm and 591 ft/lbs of torque at 5,000 rpm (dyno sheet included)…” Continue Reading And View More Pictures

#4

Hammer Price: $165,000

  • “This 1961 Chevrolet Corvette custom topless roadster is powered by a GM Performance 6.2-liter LS3 V8 crate engine backed by a 4L65E automatic transmission. The engine is built with L92 aluminum hypereutectic pistons and forged 4340 steel I-beam rods, managed by a Holley Dominator EFI vehicle management system, and features a custom-fabricated intake and Vintage Air front-runner accessory drive system with Billet Specialties valve and coil covers. Exhaust gases exit through Art Morrison ceramic-coated headers and 2.5-inch pipes with MagnaFlow Performance mufflers. It underwent an 18-month build and rides on an Art Morrison chassis with AME Sport independent front suspension, power rack & pinion steering with Lokar column, and a 4-link rear suspension using a Strange Engineering Ford 9-inch S-Series third member with 3.70 gears and 31-spline axles. Braking is handled by Wilwood SL6 front and SL4 rear calipers with 14-inch drilled and slotted discs. The exterior is finished in custom Starfire Pearl White and features a custom hood peak, cut and tucked bumpers, painted brass trim, custom grille and a fully polished exhaust. It rides on HRE custom wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero tires. The gray leather interior features a leather-wrapped dash and steering wheel, blown-glass knobs, Vintage Air system, JL audio with Bluetooth and Dakota Digital gauges. From the Bryan Frank Collection…” Continue Reading And View More Pictures

#3

Hammer Price: $198,000

  • “This 1962 Chevrolet Corvette custom convertible is powered by an upgraded LS376/480 hot-cammed 6.2-liter LS3 V8 engine producing 495hp, mated to a Magnum T56 6-speed manual transmission. It is equipped with a heavy-duty Dana 44 C4 rear end with 4.11 gears, along with Viking double-adjustable coilovers all around. It also features suspension from a 1984-87 C4 Corvette, as well as power windows, power brakes, power steering and air conditioning. **TITLED AS 1962 CHEVROLET SPECON/RECON** **SOLD ON BONDED TITLE** **TITLE IN TRANSIT**” Continue Reading And View More Pictures

#2

Hammer Price: $291,500

  • “This 1957 Chevrolet Corvette convertible Resto-Mod underwent a body-off restoration and is powered by a GM LS1 all-aluminum 5.7-liter V8 engine with fuel injection. The powerplant is backed by a 4-speed 4L60E automatic transmission and a Dutchman 9-inch Ford rear end with 31-spline. Suspension components include a four-link with adjustable coilover shocks, Jim Meyer suspension, tubular A-arms and sway bar. Braking is handled by Wilwood 6-piston big brakes, cross-drilled and slotted rotors and a Wilwood master cylinder. Other features include rack & pinion steering, braided fuel lines, new gas tank, headers, aluminum radiator, Classic Instruments gauges, Lokar shifter and pedals, billet steering wheel, Borgeson steering joints, black custom leather interior, finished trunk, new glass, new wiring harness, custom Autosound radio, new lights and lenses, H4 headlights, new weatherstripping and new body mounts. The car is finished in a Tuxedo Black basecoat/clearcoat with chromed grille and bumpers and polished stainless trim, and rides on Boyd Coddington wheels (17×7 in front and 18×8 in the rear) wrapped in BFGoodrich G-Force TA tires…” Continue Reading And View More Pictures

#1

Hammer Price: $330,000

  • “This 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split-Window Coupe was custom-built by Jeff Hayes and completed in 2017. It rides on a custom-built chassis and is powered by a new GM LS3 Hot Cam V8 engine producing 500hp, equipped with Eddie Motorsports components and paired with an automatic transmission. The car is finished in silver over a custom red interior. Features include AutoMeter gauges, tilt steering column, power windows, Vintage Air climate control, AM/FM radio and a power hood. It rides on Z06 Corvette wheels measuring 8.5 inches in the front and 12 inches in the rear. It has had one owner since the build was completed. The sale includes a built-in battery tender and car cover. The car has been driven 673 miles since the build completion…” Continue Reading And View More Pictures

All photos and information are fully credited to Barrett-Jackson.

The CorvSport Takeaway:

The Custom and Restomod Corvette market is as strong as ever, with notable and renowned builder Jeff Hayes once again taking the crown. For context, Jeff faced significant criticism for his work when he began in the early 2000s, with classic Corvette purists viewing Jeff’s Restomods as bastardizations of the original models. It has even been reported that they often voiced their disapproval directly to him. Despite this, Jeff remained determined and built a thriving business through his impressive Custom and Restomod Corvettes, gradually boosting his confidence in his creations.

For Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale Fall auction, a total of 49 Corvettes were sold. While that is an impressive number, when compared to the 190 that hammered at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale opener in January, it illustrates how much bigger their season kickoff is.

Nevertheless, with our top 7 Custom and Restomod Corvettes topping $1,369,000 in sales, it is safe to say that the niche restoration market, once criticized, is alive and well.


Thanks for joining us today on this Corvette journey. Do you have a favorite Custom or Restomod Corvette from today? Join the CorvSport movement!