Kindig-It Design '53 CF1 . . . COUPE!

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Mar 4, 2024 | 11:34 AM

#21

Tom Austin

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Apr 2002

Posts: 3,088

Likes: 2,336

From: Allison Park, PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfain

While Kindig does have reusable molds for a 53 Corvette built in carbon fiber (https://www.motortrend.com/news/bitc...gn-kindig-cf1/), this car is hand-crafted in aluminum - an amazing feat! It took 5 years to build, and according to Ridler rules, no release of any of the construction details was allowed until the unveiling. The V12 uses LS technology, and the drive train is C7. It is so unique that even the front and back windows are formed out of glass - not a polycarbonate. I appreciate his passion for the '53 Corvette. I spent years building a very modified '56 road course track car, and if I could do it over today I would start with one of Kindig's CF bodies - 70 lbs.!!! Apologize for the grainy photo of the Ridler car in aluminum.

Thanks for that update and explanation of the build . . . an amazing feat for sure. However, I saw this video earlier last week that stated that the windshield (and all of the glass) is, in fact, polycarbonate!

UPDATED VIDEO

Tom

Last edited by Tom Austin; Mar 4, 2024 at 07:51 PM.

Mar 4, 2024 | 11:44 AM

#22

mfain

Drifting

Joined: Dec 2010

Posts: 1,759

Likes: 1,525

From: Las Vegas NV

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Austin

Thanks Tom. You could be correct on the glass - that was just the info I was given.

Ted, regarding it never to be driven on the street, here is a quote from the owner:

"Maxwell says TwelveAir is going to be a driver. “Dave Kindig knows, like with the truck he built me, and my wife’s Volkswagens, and stuff like that… they all think I’m crazy, but after we’re done showing it then it becomes a driver. We’ll change the wheels from show wheels. The disc brakes are [polished, rather than chromed] stainless steel, so we’re good.”

Last edited by mfain; Mar 4, 2024 at 11:52 AM.

Mar 4, 2024 | 12:04 PM

#23

dahogan

Enjoy while you can.

Joined: May 2008

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From: 10th District Court OHIO

Ohio Events Coordinator

2025 Corvette of the Year Winner - Unmodified

2024 C2 of the Year Winner - Unmodified

2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

2022 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

2019 C2 of Year Finalist (stock)

St. Jude Donor '14 thru '25

I like the Coupe design ........................................ ...................

Mar 4, 2024 | 01:32 PM

#24

SLWRNU

Safety Car

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 4,936

Likes: 516

From: Witness Protection Program Somewhere, USA

Shudda gone with a 30 inch wheel IMO.
In for a penny In for a pound.

Mar 4, 2024 | 01:46 PM

#25

leif.anderson93

Le Mans Master

Joined: Feb 2014

Posts: 8,690

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From: Richardson Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAlvarez

FWIW, the Motor Trend article says it's a hand built aluminum body. I'm pretty sure that his previous 53/54 convertible was a carbon fiber body.

Ted

Ted,
My apologies. I knew that all the previous CF1 car bodies were carbon fiber and assumed this one was, as well. Even more amazing craftsmanship.

Mar 4, 2024 | 02:50 PM

#26

TAlvarez

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Joined: Aug 2021

Posts: 1,282

Likes: 857

From: Sacramento, Ca

Quote:

Originally Posted by leif.anderson93

Ted,
My apologies. I knew that all the previous CF1 car bodies were carbon fiber and assumed this one was, as well. Even more amazing craftsmanship.

No apologies necessary Leif.

Ted

Mar 4, 2024 | 03:19 PM

#27

ChrisBlair

Safety Car

Joined: Jul 2022

Posts: 3,815

Likes: 1,583

From: Eastern MA

Quote:

Originally Posted by dahogan

I like the Coupe design ........................................ ...................

Know what, that needs to be said. Very Chevrolet of the era, very well done in my opinion.

Mar 4, 2024 | 04:50 PM

#28

Bluestripe67

Race Director

Joined: Jan 2002

Posts: 15,303

Likes: 2,670

From: Close to DC

C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020

I appreciate every aspect of the build, but driving something do delicate must cause severe anxiety. What do you do with it when you are tired of it. You can't capture your expense (not investment) when someone might want to buy it. It's far outside of my real world.

Dennis