Putting an unapologetically retro body on a new car that isn’t the same size or has the same proportions as the original can result in some pretty ghastly cars. That's not the case here with this 2001 Corvette C5, however. It was worked over by none other than Advanced Automotive Technologies (or ATT), and some might find its aesthetic quite pleasing.

2001 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 "C1" by Advanced Automotive Technologies

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2001 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 "C1" by Advanced Automotive Technologies
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What Makes the 2001 Chevy Corvette Z06 "C1" by ATT Special?

What ATT did is rebody the Corvette to make it look like the very first Corvette that was released in 1953 - the company called it “1953 Commemorative Corvette”. All the car’s interior and drivetrain components were retained, but unless you’re really into cars, you probably won’t know what this is when you happen to see it. And, you just might see one in public someday, as this isn’t a one-off - it is believed that some 200 examples may have been manufactured.

Plus it also has a Lingenfelter-modified engine and was actually part of Ken Lingenfelter’s collection. The 2001 model year car, with 9,400 miles on its odometer, is set to go to under the hammer at the 2019 Kissimmee auction that runs from January 3 to13.

Now whether or not the conversion is a visually successful one, is all in the eye of the beholder. It certainly has good angles and ones that just make it look awkward, but I will concede that from the back when viewed dead on, it does look good (as long as I don’t see the fins). It’ll definitely attract a lot of attention wherever its future owner takes it, and it’ll definitely be a conversation starter, but it most certainly won’t be unanimously admired.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2001 - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (C5).

Read our full review on the 1953 - 1962 Chevrolet Corvette C1.