SEMA 2016 has proven to hold many delights. Although there were scads of cool ‘Vettes at the show, this 1963 split-window coupe was outstanding and is an incredible snapshot of the current state of Corvette resto-modding.

Created by Browns Classic Autos, we talked with builder Charlie Sullens and he gave us the lowdown on the project and how he breathed new life into an already running and driving 1963 ‘Vette.

Edelbrock supercharger makes itself perfectly at home in the C2 engine bay.

The original plan was to build a “spec” C2 Corvette that could be sold at Barrett-Jackson. The build sheet included an LT1 crate motor, tube chassis, C4 front suspension, and a solid axle rear suspension all wrapped up with modern wheels, a killer stance and perfect fiberglass dipped in a coat of Twizzler red paint.

So far, so good. Then a local football player from the Phoenix area saw the car and said he was interested with one caveat: the car needed some alterations to be just right.

Interior was treated to the Italian treatment and in a common move, the cabin was altered so the new big guy owner could get in and out.

“We added an Edelbrock supercharger on top of the LT1, ditched the manual for a automatic transmission and cut down the seat so the big guy football player could fit,” Sullens recounted. The transmission swap was a major alteration but the guys at Browns Classic Autos pulled it off.

Most all of the other good stuff remained including the custom exterior vents, C6 exhaust,19s  up front and 20-inch wheels out back, a black stinger stripe and super sanitary build quality.

The car was holding court at the Edelbrock display and was quite the crowd pleaser. Sullens said, “All the work was done in house including the fabrication of all the stainless steel mesh trim and custom touches like the front vents and molded rear valance that surrounds the four trumpet C6 exhaust pipes.

The interior is an exercise in suede and black leather with Ferrari-esque touches incorporated into the seats and door panels. Although extravagant in materials and execution, the interior is pared down with a tidied up instrument panel and no center console.

Sullens says “This car is one of the fastest, tightest cars I’ve ever driven.”

Makes the rest of us regret not turning out for football.

The black stinger is a nice punctuation to the red paint.