Modern technology and classic style have been married together by Munich-based Pogea Racing in this 1959 Chevrolet Corvette, rebuilt and updated for a private customer.
"Within the space of only one year we developed, produced and adapted current technology to fit in an American Old timer," says company boss Eduard Pogea. "Our objective was to marry contemporary driving characteristics, a terrifically powerful engine, dependable brakes and a refined vehicle interior with classic bodywork."
The Corvette was given a new tube frame chassis designed in conjunction with Foose Design in the USA, which is said to significantly improve torsional stiffness and provide a solid base for the height adjustable coil-over suspension.
Pogea has fitted a Chevrolet LS3 V8 engine, as used in the 2011 model year Corvette. LS7 fuel injectors, aggressive camshafts and a direct, open intake with tip cone filter have been added, along with 45mm Edelbrock exhaust manifolds and a twin-silencer stainless steel exhaust system. As a result the 6.2-litre V8 generates 485PS (357kW) at 6200rpm and 585Nm at 4400 rpm. Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a ceramic clutch, five-speed manual gearbox and Dana 44 differential.
Braking is by 330mm ventilated discs with six-pot calipers at the front and 300mm discs with four-pot calipers at the rear, taken from the Corvette LS5. Specially developed three-piece Pogea Racing wheels, 9.5Jx18 at the front and 12Jx19 at the rear, carry Bridgestone Potenza 265/40R18 and 304/30R19 tyres respectively.
To cover the massive rear tyres Pogea has doubled up the rear fenders, increasing the overall width by 37cm (14.5in). The wider rear end now carries four LED light clusters.
The Corvette's interior is retrimmed in red leather and has a modern Vallelunga steering wheel and Alpine entertainment and satnav system, air conditioning, and power steering. Pogea reworked the electrical system to ensure the new equipment would perform reliably.
Pogea Racing can supply rebuilt Corvettes to the same specification for around €225,000 (£187,000).
Pogea's previous projects include detailed restoration and updating on Audi RS2 and TT models, and the company has also restored or built replicas of 1950s Porsche Spyder, Speedster and 356 models with modern engines.
