The debut of the all-new second-generation Corvette in 1963 was a watershed moment for Chevrolet’s sports car—not only for its jaw-dropping good looks, but also for its dynamic handling. While the 1967 Chevrolet Corvette “Silver Bullet” now listed on eBay retains the iconic Stingray silhouette, its performance capability has been taken to another level.
Zora Arkus-Duntov is considered the “father of the Corvette.” The GM engineer was the driving force behind the Corvette’s evolution from a sharp-looking cruiser in the 1950s into a world-class sports car by the early ‘60s. By the time the second-generation model (or C2) hit showrooms in 1963, Chevrolet had a sports car that could compete on the world stage.
Special high-performance versions of the 1963 C2 Corvette, like the Z06 and Grand Sport models, are coveted collector cars due to their potency on the track. But it’s been nearly five decades since the C2 Corvette went out of production. The ensuing years have seen the development of high-performance hardware that Arkus-Duntov, who passed away in 1996, would have been considered an engineer’s fantasy.
Modified Muscle
In hot rodding parlance, a car like the ’67 Silver Bullet Corvette is considered a “pro-touring build.” Restorations in the pro-touring style increased in popularity a couple decades ago when aftermarket companies started offering components for vintage cars. These were not merely replacement parts, but gear that far exceeded the capabilities of the original equipment. Hardware like the Silver Bullet’s Tremec 5-speed manual transmission and Wilwood four-piston disc brakes simply didn’t exist in 1967. The modern American Racing Torq Thrust II wheels allow this wild Corvette to maintain an old-school appearance, while utilizing modern high-performance tires.
That oversized rubber is a must, considering that a Dart 632ci V8 motor now lives under the hood. Its outrageous 815-horsepower output is double that of most Corvette engines available when this C2 was new. Perhaps more importantly, the C2’s modernization with a new engine and tubular chassis—at the hands of American Dream Machines—make it easier to maintain.
The Silver Bullet Corvette is now more of a drag racer than a corner carver, making it cool in a way that’s distinct from what Arkus-Duntov intended. For enthusiasts more interested in fun than faithful devotion to the original design, pro-touring builds like the Silver Bullet provide serious thrills. See other examples of pro-touring vehicles and pro-touring components on eBay.
