Combining a Late Model Corvette with a 1967 Stingray: How It's Done

Classic Reflections Coachworks is proud to announce the newest addition to their lineup: the legendary 1967 Corvette Stingray. Redesigned to provide the comfort and technology of today’s Corvette while maintaining the classic look from 1967, CRC has succeeded in making an authentic-looking masterpiece.

The first step in combining a C6 Corvette and a 1967 Corvette Stingray is the concept rendering. The original Stingray Corvette and a new C6 chassis’ are individually scanned into a 3D CAD program and morphed together.

Screen Shot 2013-04-26 at 3.35.33 PM

After the datasets are combined and morphed, a design is created. It’s then time to create a physical prototype to see the new “retro” Stingray in a physical 3-D form.

Starting with a 17″ x 4′ x 10′ block of Precision Board Plus PBLT-4, CRCoachworks machines the block with their 5-axis CNC router into a 1/2 scale prototype:

100MEDIA36IMAG0350

Precision Board Plus PBLT-4 is then coated with Duratec for a hard surface:

100MEDIA36IMAG0364

A coat of U-Pol Automotive Primer is sprayed over the Duratec:

100MEDIA36IMAG0366

Next comes a Spies Hecker Marina Blue base coat:

100MEDIA36IMAG0367

The finished prototype sports a Spies Hecker clearcoat. (It’s hard to believe this entire car, including the sidepipes and windshield, is made out of Precision Board Plus HDU!)

100MEDIA36IMAG0381

After completion, the final design is fine-tuned based on a visual inspection of the prototype.

According to Ron Marsden, General Manger at CRC, they chose Precision Board Plus HDU because our large block sizes and superior machining qualities offered a high-quality, cost-effective tooling solution.

Trinity Animation of Lee’s Summit, MO put together this C-6 to Corvette Stingray animation using and V-Ray software.

The first full-size CRC Corvette Stingray is currently 90% finished. Once complete, we will be posting pictures of what we are sure will turn out to be a beautiful car!

For the complete turnkey package, a 2013 CRC Corvette Stingray can be your very own for the grand price of $205,000. Have questions? Visit http://www.crcoachworks.com.

Previously, CRC specialized in turning late-model Corvettes into primarily 1958-1962 new “retro” Corvettes. Be sure to take a look at our previous blog if you would like to see the step-by-step transformation.

CRC currently produces 2 CRC Corvettes a month and is in process of moving to a larger location to increase production capability.

Coastal Enterprises would like to thank Ron Marsden for providing information, photos and insight into this innovative process.

Corvette Conversion: Bringing A Corvette Back To The Good Old Days!

Classic Reflections Coachworks specializes in completely transforming a new Corvette into a classic, retro Corvette. As you can imagine, this is quite a labor-intensive process (the first “retro” car took 6 years and 5000 hours). Working with our friend Ron Marsden, General Manager at CRC, we’re able to show you some insight into this innovative process.

So how are these unbelievable retro Corvette’s made?

Step 1: All fiberglass panels are removed. A computerized measuring system checks the understructure and frame alignment to make sure its within its factory specs.

Step 2: The composite shop handles the lay up process for each composite “retro” body panel. Each panel is vacuum bagged and cured at controlled temperature cycles. Precision Board Plus HDU is used as a master mold to manufacture composite tools, which are used to create the carbon fiber body panels.

Step 3: Individual panels are attached to backing structures using vacuum assisted gluing jigs to ensure accuracy.

Step 4: Each car is placed on its own cart and moved to the fitting room where all exterior panels are aligned and attached.

Step 5: The car is then moved to the paint room for a coating of special primer.

Step 6: Several blockings produce a quality surface, then its back to the paint room for the final color matched primer.

Step 7: Final sanding before painting.

Step 8: Finish painting. Each car is then hand sanded and buffed before delivery.

Step 9: Interior assembly. Carpet matched to interior color is added to trunk, new matching extensions are added to the top of the door panels and a new soft top is installed. CRC also offers custom seats and color trade-outs.

Screen Shot 2013-04-19 at 12.41.26 PM

Be sure to visit http://www.crcoachworks.com for more pictures and info.

Coming up next Wednesday we will offer an inside look at the newest addition to the CRC lineup, the infamous 1967 Stingray conversion. Be sure to check back in!

Some of the fabulous completed Corvette’s:

DSC_0544

DSC_0900

DSC_0556

7

Here are some pics of CNC machined Precision Board Plus  PBLT-4 prior to being used as a mold for body panels on a retro Corvette:

DSC_0975

 

Front.Buck1.20lb

 

photo.1.000

 

photo.3