Pogea Classics Transforms 1950s Corvette Into 427bhp German Restomod

When the car reached Pogea Racing’s workshop in Friedrichshafen, it was far from a turnkey classic. The front section belonged to a 1959 model bolted to the rear of a 1958, a classic cut-and-shut.

Doors wouldn’t align, panel gaps were irreparable, and Pogea described the central tub as "crudely severed and poorly fused."

This is Pogea’s third C1 restomod. The tuner replaced the original powertrain with a 6.3‑litre GM LS3 V8 rated at 427bhp, mated to a four‑speed automatic and a custom Pogea exhaust. To handle the power, they built a reinforced tubular chassis in partnership with SRIII Motorsports and the Technical University of Munich.

Suspension duties are handled by fully adjustable coilovers. Braking hardware is a deliberate mix: C6 front brakes, C5 rears, and a servo from a C4, a pragmatic blend to suit the bespoke rolling package.

Pogea manufactured several replacement panels in Germany, including the bonnet, doors, fabric roof, and bootlid. The car rolls on Pogea’s 19‑inch wheels and wears a two‑tone finish: Ferrari Rosso Corsa paired with Audi Ibis White for a modern take on a retro shape.

The customer specified LED rear lights from Pogea, while the exterior chrome trim is original GM trim that’s been refurbished and replated. Cabin trim blends high‑end leathers: red hides from Lamborghini matched with white Rolls‑Royce leather, plus in-house-made door cards and trim panels.

Modern tech rounds out the package. Digital instruments and a RetroSound head unit provide Apple CarPlay, giving the historic Corvette contemporary usability without erasing its character.

Why it matters

Pogea Classics’ rebuild shows how meticulous engineering and thoughtful parts selection can rescue an otherwise doomed classic. The project mixes American muscle with German precision to create a restomod that respects the car’s silhouette while delivering reliable, modern performance.