C7 Clamshell Conversion?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jun 9, 2025 | 10:24 AM

Xavaire57

Thread Starter

2nd Gear

Joined: Apr 2024

Posts: 2

Likes: 0

C7 Clamshell Conversion?

Has anyone ever considered/done or does anyone offer a Clamshell Conversion Kit for your C7 like the C4 has?
Asking for a friend who loves his C4 Clamshell for ease of cleaning and its killer looks you get at shows and cruise ins
that would like to consider doing his C7 the same way.

Jun 9, 2025 | 10:27 AM

Macleod52

Drifting

Joined: Jun 2013

Posts: 1,294

Likes: 367

From: Iowa

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xavaire57

No clue what a Clamshell Conversion Kit is. Have a picture or link to what you're talking about?

Jun 9, 2025 | 11:16 AM

Xavaire57

Thread Starter

2nd Gear

Joined: Apr 2024

Posts: 2

Likes: 0

C4 Clamshell

The C4 Clamshell, as it is commonly known is the front hood that opens the entire hood section from the windshield side
and reveals the entire front section of the C4. It is killer and shows all of the workings from engine to suspension.

VIDEO FOR EXAMPLE ONLY

Jun 9, 2025 | 08:36 PM

kodpkd

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jun 2019

Posts: 5,485

Likes: 2,193

From: Loveland

What is the point, it looks good only when open?

Jun 9, 2025 | 09:34 PM

Vetteman Jack

Administrator

Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 368,415

Likes: 24,798

From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.

C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021

MO Events Coordinator

St. Jude Co-Organizer

St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26

NCM Sinkhole Donor

CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran

No, have not heard of nor seen any clamshell conversion kits. While I enjoyed having that much room to work on the car on the C4s I had, I do not think it would look as good on a C7.

Jun 16, 2025 | 11:55 AM

GetShifty_Vette

Intermediate

Joined: Oct 2012

Posts: 28

Likes: 8

From: Phoenix, AZ

You can buy a one piece front end made for drag racing, but it's not really for car show types lol
https://ljrc1.com/item/6511363-c7-ve...ategory=101967

Jun 16, 2025 | 05:55 PM

calvins

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jun 2002

Posts: 5,037

Likes: 846

From: Rotonda West, FL 2015 Z51 M7 3LT

Oldtimer

Quote:

Originally Posted by kodpkd

What is the point, it looks good only when open?

The point is the same as ANY mod. The car owner likes it. Their $, their car.... Everyone's different, it be awfully boring if we weren't

To the OP - nope, never seen any conversions for that.

Jun 17, 2025 | 07:00 AM

449er

CF Community Team

Joined: Apr 2016

Posts: 14,162

Likes: 7,439

From: Pittsburgh

2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

Not my cup of tea, but your car, your rules

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Joe Kucinski

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

Brett Foote

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Michael S. Palmer

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Pouria Savadkouei

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Joe Kucinski

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Joe Kucinski

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Michael S. Palmer

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Joe Kucinski

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Joe Kucinski

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Verdad Gallardo

Jun 17, 2025 | 02:20 PM

^&right

Drifting

Joined: Mar 2022

Posts: 1,398

Likes: 801

From: Indiana

The fender lines of a C7 do not lend themselves to this design. But like posted earlier, your car, your rules.

Jun 17, 2025 | 08:35 PM

#10

Avanti

Race Director

Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 19,965

Likes: 6,770

From: Bonneville Salt Flats

Looks to me like you'll likely have to make your own... then, will actually be unique, I'm pretty sure.

Jun 17, 2025 | 08:39 PM

#11

Kel15

Racer

Joined: May 2023

Posts: 337

Likes: 198

From: Niagara, Ontario, Canada

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xavaire57

If your friend does it, I'd like to see it.

Jul 8, 2025 | 06:33 PM

#12

Vette Jockey

Roadster Madness. 😠

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 6,292

Likes: 2,362

From: Ventura Co Ca

SoCal Regional Events Coordinator

St. Jude Donor '13, '20-'21

A lot of people are not familiar with the raised hood on a C4. It does make working on the car and detailing the engine much easier. I happened to be at my computer and will add some images for those that are not familiar with the C4 "Clamshell" I believe the engine had about 75,000+ miles at this time period.

Jul 8, 2025 | 11:15 PM

#13

96GS#007

Race Director

Joined: Apr 2000

Posts: 15,344

Likes: 4,009

From: Texas

You can see in the pics of mine the inner structure since the fender was off for access to the dry sump tank during my 416 build.

You'd have to chop the inner fender panel....which is bonded to the frame so cut carefully
The lower rear portion of the fender has nothing supporting it so structure would need to be added
The upper portion of the fenders need to be bonded to the hood
You'd have to figure out the headlights, including how to ensure access in case of maintenance (ie bulb change)
Not shown in the pic, the cowl likely needs some integration work
A hinge system would need to be designed as well as a way to support the clamshell when it's open

Basically....a big pain in the ***. Like anything, with enough time and money...mostly money, lots of it...it could be done