LS3-Powered '78 Corvette has a Cool Back Story
Slideshow: Have you ever sold a car and wanted to buy it back 30 years later? That's what the owner of this pretty C3 did, before giving it a complete refresh.
Way Back in High School
Jeff Monchilov purchased his 1972 Corvette way back in 1985 when he was in high school. And being the teenage car nut that he was, he went on to add on a couple of mods to it before deciding to sell it a year later to a woman who lived a few miles from his home in Michigan and moving on to his next project.
Full story and images: Super Chevy
Found After 30 Years
Jeff never stopped having his first Corvette in the back of his mind, wondering from time to time if it still lived. Thirty years later, he decided to do a VIN search for the car, and lo and behold, the car was still owned by the same woman, in the same town, though it had not been driven for 20 years.
>>Join the conversation about this restomod C3 right here in the LS1 Forum!
Second Time Around
After some talks, he reached an agreement with the owner of the 'Vette to purchase the car back, and while the body needed a full redo, Jeff lucked out with the frame as it was in very good shape. From there, he decided to go the restomod route, using his expertise in modifying Corvettes.
>>Join the conversation about this restomod C3 right here in the LS1 Forum!
Keeping the C3 Look
Interestingly, though, Monchilov's idea behind this restomod involved a number of subtle upgrades, while keeping the overall beautiful look of the C3 roadster intact. The only area where the changes are glaring is the interior, where elements of the C6 and C5 Corvettes can be seen everywhere.
>>Join the conversation about this restomod C3 right here in the LS1 Forum!
Subtle but Effective
On the exterior, the car is full of subtle but effective modifications that add to the look of the 'Vette without stealing attention away from its classic aesthetic. These changes are barely noticeable until you take a closer look. Jeff modified the hood to add the LT-1 hoodscoop, added 2-inch fender flares at the rear, and added the double fairings behind the seats reminiscent of the C6.
>>Join the conversation about this restomod C3 right here in the LS1 Forum!
Modern Features
A whole host of other small upgrades and creature comforts add a modern touch to this Super Blue beauty. The interior updates are less low-key, as it is hard to mistake that C6 instrument panel with the original C3 dash. The seats are taken from a C5 and modified to fit within the cabin.
>>Join the conversation about this restomod C3 right here in the LS1 Forum!
LS Power
Under the hood, you will find an LS376/525 crate motor (an LS3 equipped with the ASA camshaft.) The V8 is paired with a 4L70E automatic gearbox to transfer all 525 HP to the rear axle. Although the car possessed its original numbers-matching powertrain, the LS swap was too attractive to resist. Monchilov made sure to utilize the best cooling, exhaust, and drivetrain parts to ensure the most efficient power delivery to the wheels.
>>Join the conversation about this restomod C3 right here in the LS1 Forum!
Well Worth the Effort
Overall, Jeff is thrilled with how everything came out. He recalls the difficulty of fabricating all the custom parts, but in the end, the high was worth the pain. The restomod C3 has been given a second life and since the completion of the build, it has been grabbing eyeballs and collecting awards at car shows all around.
>>Join the conversation about this restomod C3 right here in the LS1 Forum!
For help with mods or service on your car, check out the how-to section of LS1Tech.com