This 1967 Corvette Has a Split Window — and Purists Probably Won't Approve

Seeing a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette with a split rear window is enough to make any enthusiast do a double take. After all, the famous divided rear glass was exclusive to the 1963 Sting Ray. Yet somehow, this black C2 wears one—and that's just the beginning of the story.

If you're a numbers-matching purist, this probably isn't your dream Corvette. But if your idea of perfection involves modern power and old-school style, this one checks a lot of boxes.

Back in 1967, the Corvette lineup started with a 327-cubic-inch small-block V8 producing 300 horsepower and 360 lb-ft of torque. At the other end of the spectrum sat the legendary L88 427, officially rated at 430 horsepower and 460 lb-ft. In reality, enthusiasts later discovered that the engine was making something much closer to 560 horsepower.

General Motors intentionally kept the official output conservative. Lower advertised horsepower helped owners avoid steep insurance premiums and gave racers a significant advantage in stock-class competition. Technically, GM wasn't being dishonest—the company measured the engine at 5,200 rpm, where it did indeed produce 430 horsepower. Peak output simply arrived much higher in the rev range.

This particular Corvette has long since left its factory roots behind.

Under the hood sits a modern LS3 6.2-liter V8 that has been massaged to produce around 600 horsepower. A cold-air intake, headers, and a custom side-exit exhaust help extract the extra power. A Tremec Transzilla six-speed manual transmission sends it all to the rear wheels, preserving the classic Corvette formula.

The exterior is just as unconventional.

Finished in black, the car features a red Stinger hood with a raised center section and matching stripe. At first glance, you might assume there's a big-block 427 underneath, but appearances can be deceiving.

Inside, the cabin combines vintage looks with modern comfort. Custom C7 Z06 power seats trimmed in red leather, power windows, an electronic parking brake, a Billet Specialties steering wheel, and a Flaming River tilt column all make appearances. There's even a Vintage Air climate-control system.

But the biggest surprise is at the back.

Factory Hot Rods of Sharonville, Ohio, transformed the rear of the car with a flush-mounted split-window setup inspired by the 1963 Corvette. From behind, it looks like a completely different year. Some enthusiasts will love the tribute; others may see it as sacrilege.

Beneath the skin, the changes are even more extensive. The car rides on a full tube chassis and uses C7 Corvette suspension components paired with QA1 coilovers. A Winters quick-change rear end sits out back, while C7 Z06 disc brakes provide the stopping power needed to keep 600 horses under control.

The result is a machine that looks like a 1967 from the front and a 1963 from the rear—a combination guaranteed to spark debate wherever it goes.

Now part of Nyle Maxwell's Vehicle Unique Collection, the custom Corvette is headed to the inaugural Barrett-Jackson Columbus auction later this month. When it crossed the block at Mecum Indy in 2016, it brought $225,500. The current owner is likely hoping history repeats itself.

Still, it won't come close to the record-setting 1967 Corvette L88 that sold for $3.85 million in 2014.

Whoever ends up buying this unusual C2 won't just be getting another classic Corvette. They'll be taking home one of the most distinctive—and controversial—restomods ever built.

One thing is certain: nobody will mistake it for stock.