Custom 1953 Corvette with a LSx V12

Dave and Tracy Maxwell are owners of a custom 1953 Corvette and a 2024 Detroit Autorama Ridler Award thanks to Kindig-It Design. The company spent five years building the custom Corvette called “TwelveAir” using experience gained from their CF1 Roadster design.

A car this unique requires a special motor. Kindig-It Design chose a 9.2 L LSx-based V12 built by Race Cast Engineering in Australia. The naturally aspirated motor runs on a Haltech Nexus ECU and produces 800 horsepower. That is transferred to an 8L90E eight-speed automatic transaxle from a C7 Corvette in the back.

The Corvette’s aluminum body sits on a custom chassis designed with a cantilever pushrod suspension. Braking is handled by Wilwood Aero6 R six-piston calipers in front and Aero4 four-piston calipers in back. Those are covered by custom EVOD wheels (20×8, 21×12) with Micheline Pilot Sport 4s tires.

JS Custom Interiors was tasked with covering the seats and 3D-printed dash and center console with Sienna brown leather. You can read more about the Corvette at Hagerty.

Source: Kindig-it Design FB page, Hagerty, and Hotrodshows FB page