1969 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Restomod 715HP 8.8L V8 Build from Prague

Michal Vidurek

1969 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Restomod, 

Instagram: @L88_VETTE

Performance Stats:V8 8.8L, 715 HP

Performance Stats

V8 8.8L, 715 HP, 969 Nm @ 6,100 rpm
0–100 km/h in 2.9 seconds | Top speed 315 km/h (calculated estimate)

"What I value the most is what no one else can see. Many times we ran into technical problems that seemed unsolvable. Many times I wanted to abandon the entire project. But in the end, we always managed to find a way." – Michal Vidurek

From IT Professional to Award-Winning Builder

Michal Vidurek works in IT, and five years ago—before starting this build—he couldn't even change engine oil. Terms like compression ratio were completely foreign to him. "So I could only rely on what I knew and was good at: creativity, 3D modeling, and 3D printing," he explains.

He teamed up with a guy who runs a small workshop on the outskirts of Prague, where he repairs cars for himself and closest friends. "Neither of us had any experience with a project like this," Michal admits. "Still, over the course of five years—often through trial and error—we managed to reach our goal."

Instant Recognition: Award-Winning First Year

At its very first show, the Corvette C3 attracted enormous and completely unexpected attention. In 2025 alone, they received acclaim at major events including AMTS, Prague Car Festival, and others. They were invited to Essen Motor Show 2025, and the car was selected for Tuning World Bodensee, where it competed as one of 48 top projects in a very prestigious competition.

"People who see the car appreciate its design and craftsmanship," Michal says. "What I value the most, however, is what no one else can see."

Connecting Two Worlds: The Restomod Philosophy

"I've always had a soft spot for cars with large displacement engines—cars that evoke emotions and make you look forward to every moment behind the wheel," Michal explains. "Unfortunately, there are fewer and fewer new cars that can offer this today. That's why I decided to buy a car from an era when engineers built cars people truly wanted, and their only limitation was creativity."

However, he soon realized that while such a car offered what he expected, it didn't offer what he'd assumed. "Fifty years of automotive development really makes a difference. So I decided to try to connect these two worlds. That's when I discovered the word 'restomod,' which described exactly what I was looking for."

The Transformation: More Than Meets the Eye

Almost everything on the car has been modified. The car still uses the original frame, but it's been reinforced. The body has been widened by 20 cm (8 inches), and the hood was raised to make room for the massive engine. From the original bodywork, only the roof and doors remain.

The engine, transmission, and entire drivetrain were custom-built in the USA. "We aimed to use the highest-quality components available on the market, and many parts had to be fabricated by ourselves," Michal says.

Complete Build Specifications

Dimensions and Weight

• Length: 4636 mm
• Width: 2013 mm (widened by 20 cm)
• Height: 1190 mm
• Weight: 1490 kg

Frame and Body

• Perimeter frame, reinforced
• Composite body, widened by 20 cm
• Raised hood with engine clearance bulge
• Only roof and doors remain from original bodywork

Engine and Performance

• Competition V8 540 cui (8.85L)
• Naturally aspirated, fully forged
• Compression 10.5:1
• Electronic fuel injection - Holley Sniper XFlow
• 715 HP (533 kW), 969 Nm @ 6,100 rpm on RON 95 gasoline
• 0–100 km/h in 2.9 seconds
• Top speed 315 km/h (calculated estimate)
• Built by Schmidt Racing Engines (USA)

Exhaust and Cooling

• Hooker Super Competition exhaust
• STS spiral baffles
• Cobra heat shields
• Dewitts performance radiator with dual electric fans

Transmission and Drivetrain

• 5-speed manual Tremec TKX600 (reinforced)
• McLeod RSX hydraulic twin-disc ceramic clutch
• Quicktime bellhousing
• RWD with Limited-Slip Differential GM 12 bolt
• Reinforced using Cryogenic Treatment
• Custom-made rear 3.5" axle shafts
• Reinforced driveshaft
• IRS by Gary Ramadei (USA)
• Transmission by American Powertrain (USA)

Suspension and Steering

• Front: Original arms, fully adjustable QA1 coilover shocks
• Rear: Custom trailing arms, composite spring Vansteel with Bilstein shocks
• Quick-ratio power steering - Borgeson Performance

Brakes and Wheels

• Wilwood Superlite forged performance brakes: 6-piston front, 4-piston rear
• Custom 3-piece forged Forgeline GA3R wheels
• 19x11.5" front, 19x13" rear
• Michelin Pilot Sport tires: 305/30ZR19 front, 355/30ZR19 rear

Lighting and Interior

• Full LED Dapper headlights
• Full LED Fristom taillights
• Ford GT40 style seats
• Porsche car radio (Android)
• Dakota Digital gauges
• Interior by Intatrim (UK) + Womac Interior (CZ)

Body Modifications

• Widebody by Detroid Speed (USA)

Who Did the Work?

Built by: Streetmachines Prague (CZ) - September 2021 to November 2025

Collaborators:

• Widebody - Detroid Speed (USA)
• Engine - Schmidt Racing Engines (USA)
• Transmission - American Powertrain (USA)
• IRS - Gary Ramadei (USA)
• Wheels - Forgeline (USA)
• Interior - Intatrim (UK) + Womac Interior (CZ)

The Value of Persistence

"Many times we ran into technical problems that seemed unsolvable. Many times I wanted to abandon the entire project," Michal admits. "But in the end, we always managed to find a way. So what I value the most is simply that we managed to do it at all."

Future Plans

Michal and the team are currently building a 1971 Pontiac Firebird Formula. They also have another project prepared that will be unique in the sense that no one has attempted anything similar yet. "I would like to build a car that will be at the highest possible level," he says.

Final Thoughts

From an IT professional who couldn't change oil to building a restomod that competes at the highest European shows, Michal Vidurek's journey proves that passion, creativity, and persistence can overcome any technical challenge. His 1969 Corvette C3 with its 8.8L V8 and 20cm-widened body isn't just a car—it's proof that connecting classic emotions with modern performance creates something truly special.

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