In my lifetime of playing with cars, I’ve driven just about everything, from Model Ts to the latest Ferrari supercars. I try to find reasons to love every one of them, with some talking to me and some seeming indifferent, which is what makes this hobby great. So please keep this in mind when I tell you that this 1963 Chevrolet Corvette convertible might be the most amazing car I’ve ever driven and it’s been a long, long time since anything has made me giggle and smile like the ‘Vette does.

It started the way most of these cars do: a tired old car that showed up at a shop for a freshening. This particular 1963 Corvette was definitely beat up, wearing an incorrect front clip, the frame was rotted, the original engine was long gone, and, well, it needed just about everything. As these things go, they started adding up the costs of putting it back to factory specs and the numbers got really big, really fast. So they changed course a bit and started looking at alternatives that would keep the spirit of the 1963 Sting Ray 100% intact but infuse the car with modern reliability, performance, and ease of use. And in that regard, it is a spectacular success.

Before we get to the show-quality bodywork, let’s talk about what truly makes this car special. The foundation is an all-new steel chassis from the experts at Street Shop, who specialize in C1-C2-C3 Corvette chassis replacement. They use state-of-the-art tools and jigging to create what are arguably the best platforms for your early fiberglass on the market. A complete rolling chassis was ordered up, including all the C4/C5 suspension components, giant disc brakes, and an incredible independent rear end that’s a work of billet aluminum art. Everything is brand new and the workmanship is really impressive, effectively bringing this vintage ‘Vette into the 21st century without changing its character.

So while they were waiting for their custom chassis to be fabricated and delivered, the fiberglass tub went over to the experts in the body shop to be reworked as well. At this point, there was already a sizeable investment in the Corvette, but that didn’t stop them from going all-out on the fiberglass as well. The nose was corrected, the gaps were fine-tuned until they were exactly even all around, and every square inch of bodywork was smoothed, sanded, and adjusted until it was as good as it could possibly be. No factory “flaws” like bonding strips or signs of fiberglass substrate, everything was turned up to 11 on this build. The two-stage Riverside Red paint went down over the fully prepped surface and it, too, was color sanded and buffed to an incredible shine that looks so wet that you feel like you’ll get some on your fingers if you touch it. The doors open and close easily, the hood presses closed with a gentle click, and even the headlights fit flush and pivot open instantly thanks to new electric motors. All the chrome and stainless trim was restored or replaced, from the delicate front bumpers to the ribbed rocker moldings to the flip-up gas cap on the rear deck. There are no alterations from stock, nothing was shaved or deleted, giving this roadster a very stock look. If a bright red Corvette convertible can be a sleeper, this might just be it.

The interior was also completely restored and again, the idea wasn’t to modernize but rather to integrate. The original bucket seats were treated to reproduction seat covers, correct red carpets went on the floors, and the most beautifully detailed door panels were installed, giving it a very OEM look. The original gauges were replaced by Auto Meter dials, but even those were carefully selected because they look so much like the originals. Note how similar they are to the clock in the center of the dash, which is original-issue and fully functional. There’s a tilt steering column but it looks just like a vintage ‘60s unit, and the wood-rimmed steering wheel is a close approximation of an original teak piece but with a smaller diameter and fatter rim. If you look closely at the center console, you’ll note that the shift diagram show shows five gears instead of four, thanks to a Tremec TKO600 5-speed manual gearbox, and a Vintage Air A/C system has been discreetly tucked under the dash. The radio is a neat digital unit hiding behind a vintage-looking face, and it includes AM/FM/iPod/Bluetooth integration with speakers stashed throughout the interior for great sound. The switchgear is all new, so the headlights, wipers, and floor vents all work smoothly and easily with a precise feel. Open the ashtray lid and you’ll find another power switch, which controls the exhaust cut outs in back, but we’ll get to those in a moment. Overhead there’s a black canvas top, not vinyl, and it fits beautifully and folds easier than any other C2 convertible top I’ve experienced. No wrestling or pushing, just a gentle toss to roll it back into the well. Nice! You’ll also note the deck is protected by a nearly invisible strip of helicopter tape to prevent the top from scuffing the paint. Details mattered to these guys!

OK, back to the good stuff. This Corvette still has 100% Corvette DNA running through its veins, including the 6.2 liter LS3 V8 under the hood. It’s a fresh GM crate motor, not a take-off from a wrecked car, and they left it completely stock for maximum reliability. Of course, with 430 horsepower on tap, stock is hardly a demerit and in this car, which weighs about 2800 pounds, performance is spectacular. All the OEM electronics were retained as well, so it starts instantly, idles perfectly even when it’s cold, and there’s an ALDL connector under the dash, so you can have it serviced at any Mr. Goodwrench in the world. Factory accessories like the power steering pump, alternator, and A/C compressor ensure reliability, while the braking system is a Hydratech setup that uses power steering pressure instead of vacuum for power assist. There’s a giant aluminum radiator up front with an equally massive electric fan, and the A/C system uses R134a refrigerant so it’s effective and easy to service in the future. Turn the key and it starts instantly, the idle is production car smooth, and there are no hitches or hiccups in the power delivery. You want no compromises? This is it.

The chassis, as I said, was professionally engineered and it’s a work of art. The original body dropped down onto it with zero modifications and it sits right, handles beautifully, and rides like a modern Corvette. The front suspension is C5 Corvette wishbones, spindles, and 13-inch brakes, while the rear end is a modified C4 setup with a beautiful billet aluminum carrier, billet trailing arms and custom-made driveshafts. Instead of the traditional leaf springs, there are QA1 adjustable coil-over shocks at all four corners and I have to admit that this sucker rides and handles beautifully. It’s taut, smooth, and comfortable with a ride that feels exactly like a brand new Corvette. The aforementioned Tremec TKO600 5-speed manual transmission is supported by a Wilwood hydraulic clutch and a custom-made driveshaft, and between the overdrive gear and 3.42 cogs in back, it’s a superlative high-speed cruiser. The exhaust system is custom-built in stainless steel with OEM style big block mufflers out back, so it’s quiet at speed, but hit the switch in the ashtray and a pair of electronic cut-outs from QTP open up and it transforms this car into a snarling full-tilt race car that sounds spectacular. You’ll note that the chassis is highly detailed with satin black powdercoating on the frame for an OEM look and every single nut and bolt was torqued and marked during assembly so you know it’s done right. Finally, it was fitted with one-off EVOD 17-inch wheels designed to emulate the original knock-offs (which were technically available in 1963 but never delivered). These gorgeous wheels cost more than $1600 EACH and give the car a look that will get more than a few double-takes at shows. They’re wrapped with brand new 245/45/17 Michelin Pilot radials that ride and handle great without being noisy or harsh.

This car’s resume is impressive as hell, but it all means nothing if it doesn’t work. Well, this car works beautifully. Why buy a garden-variety late-model Corvette when this gorgeous 1963 roadster is every bit the equal of a modern ‘Vette in terms of performance and comfort? The interior is snug, tight, quiet, and rattle-free, the steering is sharp, the brakes are powerful, and with just 2800 pounds to haul around, acceleration is borderline terrifying if you really run it hard. As I said, this might just be the most amazing car I’ve ever driven, because everything you expect from an old Corvette is still there, only in much greater quantities. This is a truly spectacular machine that will more than live up to your expectations. The best cars always do.