Few can argue the greatness of modern cars—they’re quick, reliable, comfortable and able to handle the rigors of heavy traffic effortlessly. But, there’s a certain sameness to them that make vintage cars so appealing. While using a vintage car can bring a litany of issues ranging from no cup holders to lackluster brakes, making the whole experience a little disconcerting, Classic Reflection Coachworks, or CRC, of Lakewood, Washington, has been installing custom, retro Corvette bodies to modern Corvette chassis since about 2013, blending the best of both worlds. This 1962 retrospective is presented in elegantly cool gold with white coves and a beige interior, all rolling on modern Goodyear Eagle F1 tires with gold-colored 5-spoke wheels that match the body very well. While the doors and windshield frame remain C5, the rest of the exterior is CRC first generation, complete with the correctly styled nose and tail, chrome appointments and badges, all blending with subtle nuances indicating it’s not a truly vintage Corvette. Centrally-located exhaust pipes, the door handles, the aforementioned wheel-tire combination and a few bits more are carried over from the modern Corvette, but overall—what a fun car. Under the skin is a C5 chassis, running gear, technology and interior. Powered by a 5.7L LS1 V-8 engine dressed to reflect the first-generation Corvette with vintage Corvette-scripted valve covers and a 6-speed manual transmission, these CRC Corvettes are packed with subtle and not-so-subtle details. Passengers will adore the stylish “1962” C5, thanks to supportive, power-operated bucket seats, power windows, power locks, power steering, power brakes, dual-zone climate control, an AM/FM/CD stereo system with Bose speakers—you know, all the modern amenities we love. Interestingly, the C5’s factory upholstery gently mimics that of the original 1962 pattern, but CRC has added a custom touch to the top of the door panels. This 2003 Chevrolet Corvette CRC Conversion is great way to enjoy a 1962 Corvette as a daily driver.
