The 1967 Chevy Corvette was a force to be reckoned with. It was the final year of the breathtaking C2 Corvette Sting Rays, and Chevrolet offered these icons with a selection of powerful engines, such as the 396 and 427 cu in Big-Block V8s.
In the last couple of decades, a new breathtaking vehicle that utilizes the body of the ‘67 Chevy Corvette has made waves in the motor scene: the 1967 Corvette Restomod. While many have developed Restomods through the years, one car enthusiast stands apart and is known for expert quality. His name is Jeff Hayes, and his Restomod Corvettes are a sight to behold.
Recently, Classic Auto had the opportunity to speak with Les Acree, owner of one of these incredible 1967 Corvette Restomods. In this blog, you’ll learn about these custom 1967 Chevy Corvettes and what makes these Restomods great.
Les Acree’s Love for the 1967 Chevy Corvette
Les Acree was a Chevy enthusiast from an early age. When he was 12, he and his friends would often ride bikes to the local Chevrolet dealership to appreciate their new vehicles. He recalls the time when he first heard the 1967 Chevy Corvette with a 427/435 Big Block engine. Les instantly knew that he wanted to own one of these powerhouse vehicles someday.
Since then, Les has fulfilled his dream and owned several classic Corvettes as well as other head-turning vehicles. He’s also been fortunate enough to have owned five different Jeff Hayes Corvette Restomods in the last twelve years.
Although an enthusiastic admirer of Restomods, Les considers himself a car purist. He stated that if a vehicle is restorable, it shouldn’t be turned into a custom restomod but should instead be rejuvenated to be as authentic as possible. If restoration isn’t an option, a restomod is the next best thing.
Restomod Corvettes
Restomod creators upgrade necessary components while retaining what makes classic vehicles great. Many Restomods are made from vehicles from the late 1950s to mid-1960s, and these cars often lack important safety and comfort features.
Les’s restomod features its original Chevy body while boasting upgraded brakes, an Art Morrison chassis, Art Morrison suspension components, Tremec transmission, Bluetooth, AC, and electronic gauges. It still retains the car’s original styling with authentic body lines and the same shell. The car is essentially a “new” Corvette with a classic ‘67 body. It weighs around 2,700 pounds and sports 550 hp.
Jeff Hayes 1967 Chevy Corvette Restomods
Jeff Hayes constructed Les Acree’s 1967 Corvette Restomod after the pair met at an auction 12 years ago. Les has the utmost respect and appreciation for Jeff’s work and raved about his attention to detail and quality.
One essential element that sets Jeff’s work apart from others is his mastery of vehicle stance. Corvette Restomods need to sit low to the ground while also maintaining driveability. This requires a great deal of expertise in car geometry. If the vehicle sits too high or if the wheels don’t fit the fender wells properly, the car’s stance will suffer. Jeff has perfected the art of stance, enabling him to craft unparalleled Chevy Restomods. Les noted that stance is often what distinguishes high-selling Corvettes from standard ones.
In addition to stance, Jeff has mastered obtaining the best components for his Restomods, making his vehicles valuable and coveted. He personally constructs every car, and motorheads know they’re getting the best quality possible when investing.
It’s also worth noting that no one ever refers to Jeff Hayes’ vehicles as just “Restomod Corvettes.” Instead, they’re “Jeff Hayes Restomod Corvettes” because his name guarantees excellence and exceptional driveability.
Les noted that when car enthusiasts seek Restomods, they need to do extensive research and ensure they’re getting the best quality possible. Many gearheads have created Corvette Restomods, and, unfortunately, there are plenty of substandard restomods that aren’t worth the trouble. With Jeff Hayes vehicles, you can rest easy knowing you’re getting the best restomod possible.
Protect Your Corvette with Classic Auto Insurance
It’s essential to protect your classic vehicle with specialized insurance, as standard car insurance is often more expensive and doesn’t sufficiently protect older vehicles. Les Acree insures his 1967 Chevy Corvette Restomod through Classic Auto Insurance.
Here at Classic Auto, we work with our clients to craft robust policies based on agreed-upon values. Our policies also include great benefits for protecting your ride, like inflation guard, rollover miles, nationwide roadside assistance with flatbed towing, and more.
Get an instant quote online here, or call us today at 888-901-1338.
