COOL BLUE: Another Spectacular Jeff Hayes Creation Is Headed To Auction
August 9, 2022
Posted by Barrett-Jackson
Written by Nicole Ellan James
2022 HOUSTON AUCTION – 1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CUSTOM CONVERTIBLE – NO RESERVE
Jeff Hayes has always had a passion for cars. In his 20s, he became a big fan of the Chevrolet Corvette and gained some experience restoring original Corvettes while owning many newer models. As Resto-Mods started to become popular, Hayes felt that combining modern performance with classic styling would be a challenge for which he was well-suited. As a result, Hayes completed his first Resto-Mod Corvette in 2007. Since then, over 70 Corvettes have passed through his hands.
Hayes specializes in the second-generation C2 Corvette, particularly the 1963 Split-Window coupe, which is a one-year-only body style, and the 1967 convertible, which is the last year of the C2 Corvette.
Early in his career building Resto-Mod Corvettes, Hayes stayed true to a “hot rod” look. “I had three or four combinations that I would do,” he said. “Typically silver with red interior, black with red interior or red with saddle interior, I had certain tire and wheel combinations to give the car a specific stance.”
After 14 years of building Resto-Mod Corvettes with hot rod vibes, Hayes was ready to do something different. “I wanted to go with a more of a classy flair. I wanted it to be something a little more unusual. And that’s what I did with the Silver Blue car I sold in January,” Hayes said.
The Silver Blue custom, a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette convertible that sold for $715,000 during the 2022 Scottsdale Auction, is an exact twin to the Resto-Mod Hayes is offering at the 2022 Houston Auction, October 20-22 at NRG Center.
“I typically stay around my cars when they’re at the auction so I can answer questions and help people become educated about them,” Hayes said, adding that during the 2022 January event he got a lot of compliments on the car.
According to Hayes, the ‘67 ‘Vette sold in Scottsdale now resides in Holland. The winning bidder shared with Hayes that he passed by the car on Friday morning of the auction and became captivated by it. He returned to look at the car six more times before the day was over and when he couldn’t sleep that night, he decided to buy the car — no matter what it took. “Hearing that made me feel good about the direction I went with the car,” Hayes said.
Like its twin, the car offered in Houston rides on an Art Morrison sport chassis. The chassis used is made specifically for C2 Corvettes and increases the car’s overall structural rigidity, allowing it to drive better, ride better and handle better than the original chassis. The chassis also comes equipped with Wilwood vented disc brakes on all four corners.
Hayes said the LS engine is a very proven, dependable and successful engine platform, which is why he likes to use a 540-horsepower Hot Cam LS3 small-block V8 engine under the hood of his Corvettes. The aluminum block and heads are topped by Hayes’ very own signature valve covers that feature the old Corvette script, which helps make the engine look period-correct.
Backing the engine is a 4L70E 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission. “The overdrive transmission essentially simulates that it has five speeds,” Hayes said.
Given Hayes’ established methods, he says the easiest part of building any of his cars is letting it go. “The fun in it for me is building the car,” Hayes said. He added, “Once they’re done and completed and everything’s as good as it can be, I’m ready for them to go to the new owner and move on to another project.” The only challenge Hayes said he faces with his builds is getting parts due to the recent global supply chain issues.
The Corvette offered in Houston comes equipped with a Vintage Air system for heat and air conditioning, an AM/FM/Bluetooth stereo system, power steering, power windows and even a power hood.
According to Hayes, one of the parts that determines a lot about the look of the finished car is the wheels. The car for Houston rides on a set of custom forged aluminum rolling stock by Schott, which also highlight the unique Whiteline tires on the Corvette.
The car is finished in the same eye-catching Silver Blue paint complemented by oyster-colored seats and interior panels, which provide the car with that extra special elegant look. Inside the driver can enjoy a sophisticated dark-wood steering wheel with a set of modern gauges in the original dash arrangement.
Stop by to see the twin of Hayes’ sleek Corvette convertible from Scottsdale and register to bid on this beauty, selling for No Reserve at the 2022 Houston Auction.
Those interested in registering to bid for the 2022 Houston Auction may do so here.
Barrett-Jackson is accepting consignments for the 2022 Houston Auction, October 20-22, at NRG Center. Those interested in being a part of the auction may consign their collector vehicle here.