Written by Eric Becker

Headed to the 2020 Palm Beach Auction with No Reserve are a pair of Jeff Hayes-built Corvette Resto-Mods: a 1963 Split-Window (top) and a 1966 convertible.

The inaugural ad campaign slogan for the 1963 Corvette read, “Only a man with a heart of stone could withstand temptation like this.” Few still can today, particularly when master Corvette builder Jeff Hayes takes his fastidious approach to redefine an icon of American automotive performance history. Having built numerous award-winning custom Corvettes over the past decade, Hayes revisits the classic design and updates it with a modern context. The attention to detail is eye-watering; every component, whether cosmetic or mechanical, has been thoroughly gone over. The lines penned nearly half a lifetime ago by the Corvette’s skunkworks design team – Pete Brock, Larry Shinoda and Bill Mitchell – are just slightly breathed on, taking an icon of the 20th century into the 21st.

1963 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Split-Window Coupe.

At the 2020 Palm Beach Auction, Barrett-Jackson is delighted to present two iconic Corvettes reborn as a ferocious 1966 Corvette Convertible and a tantalizing 1963 Corvette Split-Window. Both cars epitomize the Resto-Mod/Pro-Touring ethos and take it to the highest level.

“What Jeff Hayes has done with these two Corvette Sting Rays is nothing short of remarkable,” says Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “Classic cars have a soul, an intangible feeling of connection between man and machine. What Jeff’s done is merge that soul with the performance of today, refining the car so that it can be considered better than the original in every way.”

Both Corvettes feature GM Hot Cam LS3 crate engines.

When introduced, the advertorial tagline for the Sting Ray convertible read, “Up with the sun every morning.” We couldn’t agree more. Though instead of the traditional crowing rooster on a crisp morning, it would surely be preferable to hear the thundering idle of a pushrod V8 – even Foghorn Leghorn would agree. Waking up the neighbors in the case of the 1966 convertible ’Vette is a GM Hot Cam LS3 crate engine sending power through a 4L70E 4-speed overdrive transmission. Drop the black Haartz top and it’ll outgun even the strongest shot of espresso, pinning the driver to the back of the seat with 540 horsepower and an ear-to-ear grin.

Interior of the 1963 Split-Window.

Wrest yourself from the French-stitched red saddle leather seats and gaze over that long Stinger hood, your eyes centered in the deep valley created by the high peaks of those front fenders. The sights and sounds match the unmistakable feel of a ’66 ’Vette, but the forward thrust and lateral grip is something only the modern era could provide.

Underneath, an Art Morrison chassis keeps the car glued to the road and allows form to follow function with a muscular stance. Mounted to the chassis are brakes and suspension components from a modern Corvette Z06, as well as 18-inch chrome C7 Z06 wheels up front and wide 20-inch wheels in the rear. Keeping with the period-correct aesthetic the wheels are clad in Toyo Proxes 4 Plus red line tires.

The iconic Split-Window.

The iconic ’63 Split-Window opts for the same powertrain, though differs with wheels and stopping power. Matching the stance, the Split-Window utilizes the same Toyo red line tires wrapping around custom Schott wheels. A set of Wilwood brakes at all four corners – 6-piston calipers up front and 4-piston in the rear – provide ample stopping power.

Inside, both cars feature an interior flush with red leather. The leather trim accentuates the iconic dashboard cowls of the C2. Inlays of carbon-fiber surround the Vintage Air climate control switchgear and AutoMeter gauge clusters. Carbon-fiber center consoles highlight polished Lokar shifters. Drivers take control via color-keyed Billet Specialties steering wheels.

1966 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Convertible

Rounding off the ’66 Sting Ray is the silver/gray metallic finish topped off with five coats of clear. Finished in April 2019, the convertible’s on-road presence is striking. The ’63 Split-Window exudes presence, gleaming in a beautiful white finish – a white shark ready to strike at any moment.

Both Corvettes are emblematic of the timeless Motor City aesthetic, a distinctly American design that looks at home cruising down Main Street or Wall Street. The second-generation Corvette, the Sting Ray, would change the way people viewed this all-American sports car. Come the 2020 Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction, not even a stone heart will be able to withstand the temptation when these two Corvettes cross the block with No Reserve.

To register to bid on these and other vehicles on the 2020 Palm Beach docket, click HERE. For tickets to the event, click HERE.