Red-Hot and Restomodded: the 1,004-HP Corvette C3 That Stole the Show at SEMA 2025

When most people think of the third-generation Chevrolet Corvette, they picture its classic Coke-bottle shape and the boulevard-cruising character of a 1970s sports car. At the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, GAP Industries completely redefined that image with a widebody 1972 Corvette restomod that looks like automotive royalty and performs like a thunderstorm.

Reimagining an American Icon

The vision behind the project was straightforward but ambitious: preserve the unmistakable silhouette of America’s sports car while giving it modern supercar performance, contemporary handling, and a level of luxury worthy of a show-stopping build.

To create its aggressive stance, GAP Industries widened the original fiberglass body and seamlessly integrated the enlarged wheel arches into a custom open-top speedster design. The body was then finished in a spectacular mirror-like Candy Apple Red paint that changes dramatically under different lighting conditions.

The car was sent to Classic Car Studio for its interior, where the craftsmen created a pristine white leather cabin. The bright upholstery provides a dramatic contrast to the red exterior and gives the Corvette a distinctly upscale character.

More Than 1,000 Naturally Aspirated Horsepower

The styling may be breathtaking, but the real drama lies beneath the hood. Rather than relying on a modern turbocharged or supercharged engine, the builders chose a traditional American big-block with a thoroughly modern approach to performance.

At the heart of the Corvette is a massive 582-cubic-inch, or 9.5-liter, big-block Chevrolet V8 built by Sonny Racing Engines. The naturally aspirated engine produces an astonishing 1,004 horsepower, making this C3 one of the most powerful Corvettes on display at SEMA.

Power is sent through a Tremec T56 Magnum six-speed manual transmission, giving the driver direct control over all that output.

A Modern Chassis for Classic Muscle

To ensure the Corvette could handle its power, GAP Industries fitted it with a Roadster Shop Fast Track chassis. The upgraded platform gives the classic C3 modern levels of rigidity, suspension performance, and control, transforming it from a traditional boulevard cruiser into a serious track-capable machine.

The build is completed with chrome side-exit exhaust pipes, a custom speedster windshield frame, and a range of bespoke body modifications that enhance both its presence and its performance.

Technical Specifications

• Year / Model: 1972 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Convertible
• Builder: GAP Industries
• Engine: 582-cubic-inch (9.5-liter) Sonny Racing Engines big-block V8
• Output: 1,004 hp
• Transmission: Tremec T56 Magnum six-speed manual
• Chassis: Roadster Shop Fast Track
• Interior: Custom white leather by Classic Car Studio
• Exterior: Candy Apple Red widebody
• Key features: Custom widebody, chrome side-exit exhaust, speedster windshield frame

This 1972 Corvette is far more than a trailer queen. It is a carefully engineered restomod that preserves the soul of America’s classic sports car while delivering the performance, handling, and craftsmanship of a modern supercar. With its 1,004-horsepower big-block, dramatic widebody design, and immaculate interior, this C3 proved that vintage Corvette style still has plenty of room to evolve.

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