1963 Corvette Stingray RC Mini Car Packs Real V8 (Torque Tuesday Presented by Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus)

There is nothing little in the detail and passion that went into this 1963 Corvette Stingray build; a small wonder on the road. 

Get us a shrink-ray, pronto. This 1963 Corvette Stingray is a RC (radio-controlled) quarter scale car build–named “Lil Red Corvette”–has it all. And that includes a real V8. We recently saw the C2 Stingray in action, and it is a marvel. The build stands out for how it captures the aesthetic of the iconic 1963 Corvette Stingray split window. But this is no model, it has the true Corvette spirit through and through. In other words, this baby comes alive in motion.

The man behind the masterful model is Edward Nunn, aka The Mini Car. Nunn is an auto enthusiast that went all-in on building a dream car. And he definitely succeeded with the ’63 Corvette Stingray.

It took over five years, and $30,000 total to perfect the quarter scale ‘Vette. And if you are reacting to those numbers, it is understandable. But Nunn was undeterred, and he kept going.

 

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Nunn has a killer collection of RC cars and models. But this marked his first time with the 1963 model, making this his running prototype. He started with a model set that had a chassis, hand laid fiberglass body, and mated floor pan. It was also white and sparse on capability.

So, Nunn rolled up his sleeves and got to work. One aspect he wanted to add to the Mini Car was more utility, Bluetooth function, and a thread of Prince magic throughout. Oh, and it was going to run a V8. Paisley Park power? We’re in.

“Each car has over 300 bolts and screws, 200+ custom milled parts, 180 printed parts, 100 plus off the shelf parts, four wiring harnesses, four batteries comprising 3 different voltages and a good bit of 3M automotive epoxy,” Nunn says.

Powering the C2 Corvette is a fully functional V8 nitro methane engine, which works incredibly well.

Nunn made this a fully functioning car throughout. Doors open and close, the seatbelts work, seats move, working lights, windshield wipers, and a very sleek, very-Prince appropriate interior.

The amount of work is all the more impressive when the scale is considered. Having to do the work at 1/4 the size is a challenge. But The Mini Car nails it.

Check it out in action.

To see more details on the build, check out Mini Car online and on YouTube.

Ultimately, the RC model is an exceptional tribute to the split rear window 1963 Stingray–easily one of the most beautiful cars ever built. And this is easily one of the most beautiful and completely badass RCs ever built.

But it is more that just a tribute. Lil Red is a balancing act that uses modern tech to enrich the classic car, and allows Nunn to add his personal stamp without sacrificing its inspiration. In the skilled execution Nunn takes the Corvette to another level of performance and personalization. With the right car, the inspiration is limitless.

Photos: The Mini Car; Edward Nunn

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Sherry Bryan

Longtime automotive journalist S.J. Bryan has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is an editor with Ford Truck Enthusiasts and regular contributor to F-150 Online, Harley-Davidson Forums, and The Mustang Source, among other popular auto sites.

Bryan first discovered her passion for all things automotive while riding in her parent's 1968 Ford Mustang. The automotive expert cut her teeth growing up riding on Harleys, and her first car was a Chevy Nova. Despite her lead foot, Bryan has yet to receive a speeding ticket.

The award-winning former playwright was first published at age 18. She has worked extensively as a writer and editor for a number of lifestyle and pop culture publications. The diehard gearhead is a big fan of American muscle cars, sixth-gen Ford trucks, and Oxford commas.

S.J. can be reached at sherryjbry@gmail.com.