![ACP ACP department heading](/assets/2021/11/acp-logo-red.png)
![Overhead look of Corvette that is see through](https://digital.allchevyperformance.com/assets/2022/07/acp-jul-22-corvette-feature.jpg)
![Beauty Really is More Than Skin Deep Title](https://digital.allchevyperformance.com/assets/2022/07/acp-jul-22-corvette-title.png)
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ugene, Oregon, is noteworthy for a variety of reasons: it’s home to the University of Oregon, Animal House was filmed there, but more importantly for us, it’s where you’ll find MetalWorks, one of the premier restoration and hot rod shops in the country. In the 20 years since Jon Mannila founded the company, he and his crew have gained a reputation for turning out quality vehicles that are not only prizewinning caliber in appearance, but are solid, reliable drivers as well.
Along with MetalWorks’ expertise in fabrication, body- and paintwork, Mannila and his team have the knowledge to guide customers in selecting components that work together. They pride themselves on coordinating components when updating vintage vehicles to Pro Touring status; a case in point is Sam Dommer’s ’63 Corvette.
When the C2 Corvette series that ran from 1963-67 was introduced it was hailed as revolutionary. The styling was striking and under the sexy new fiberglass body was a new chassis. Over the five-year run C2 Corvettes received minor styling changes (most notably the removal of the split in the rear window due to safety concerns) and the chassis remained relatively unchanged, the biggest improvement was the switch from four-wheel drum brakes to discs at all four corners in 1965. But while the new C2 front suspension and steering and the innovative independent rear suspension were certainly considered an exotic combination in their day, that was then and this is now.
The truth is the C2 front suspension wasn’t anything special, it was basically the same as what was under a Chevrolet passenger car. And while the IRS was unique it had a host of handling peccadillos, including poor toe, camber, and antisquat control. Of course, rolling on skinny bias-ply rubber (6.70×15 in 1963 and 1964, 7.75×15 in 1965, 1966, 1967) didn’t help. But the fact remains for a C2 to have performance commensurate with its visual impact a modern chassis is in order, and that’s where Art Morrison Enterprises enters into our story. MetalWorks slid a complete new AME GT Sport chassis under Dommer’s split window.
Up front the AME GT Sport chassis features a specially engineered IFS with tubular control arms, coilovers, antiroll bar, and rack-and-pinion steering with Ackerman geometry similar to high-end European sports cars to improve cornering grip and stability. In the rear is AME’s sophisticated multi-link rear suspension that is far superior to the C2’s original IRS.
With this project, MetalWorks combined beauty and brawn, the stunning styling of a vintage Corvette with the contemporary performance offered by an AME chassis and modern running gear. The end result really is the best of both worlds.
![black vintage ’63 Corvette](https://digital.allchevyperformance.com/assets/2022/07/acp-jul-22-corvette-1.jpg)
![vintage ’63 Corvette coupe](https://digital.allchevyperformance.com/assets/2022/07/acp-jul-22-corvette-2.jpg)
![the ’63 Corvettes spilt rear window](https://digital.allchevyperformance.com/assets/2022/07/acp-jul-22-corvette-3.jpg)
![a 340hp 327ci small-block](https://digital.allchevyperformance.com/assets/2022/07/acp-jul-22-corvette-4.jpg)
![separating the body and frame](https://digital.allchevyperformance.com/assets/2022/07/acp-jul-22-corvette-5.jpg)
![AME’s C2 chassi](https://digital.allchevyperformance.com/assets/2022/07/acp-jul-22-corvette-6.jpg)
![The front track of the AME chassi](https://digital.allchevyperformance.com/assets/2022/07/acp-jul-22-corvette-7.jpg)
![the cradle that mounts the AME four-link IRS](https://digital.allchevyperformance.com/assets/2022/07/acp-jul-22-corvette-8.jpg)
![The design of the AME IRS reduces unspring weight by roughly 100 pounds](https://digital.allchevyperformance.com/assets/2022/07/acp-jul-22-corvette-9.jpg)
![the chassis has been preassembled to ensure everything fits as it should](https://digital.allchevyperformance.com/assets/2022/07/acp-jul-22-corvette-10.jpg)
![paint all the suspension components gloss black and powdercoat the frame](https://digital.allchevyperformance.com/assets/2022/07/acp-jul-22-corvette-11.jpg)
![AME’s front suspension uses tubular control arms, coilover shocks, and rack-and-pinion steering; 14-inch Wilwood brakes will be added.](https://digital.allchevyperformance.com/assets/2022/07/acp-jul-22-corvette-12.jpg)
![The completed frame rolls on C7 Schott Wheels wrapped with Hankook tires. The LT1 crate engine has been equipped with a Holley front drive kit.](https://digital.allchevyperformance.com/assets/2022/07/acp-jul-22-corvette-13.jpg)
![Fuel will be supplied by a Rick’s stainless steel gas tank with an internal pump.](https://digital.allchevyperformance.com/assets/2022/07/acp-jul-22-corvette-14.jpg)
![In stock form there is a bulkhead behind the seats and a removable panel covering a storage compartment](https://digital.allchevyperformance.com/assets/2022/07/acp-jul-22-corvette-15.jpg)
![With the cover removed, the storage compartments can be seen. This is where the factory jack and handle were stored.](https://digital.allchevyperformance.com/assets/2022/07/acp-jul-22-corvette-16.jpg)
![With the mounting cradle the AME four-link takes up more space than the original IRS, so the rear floor must be modified.](https://digital.allchevyperformance.com/assets/2022/07/acp-jul-22-corvette-17.jpg)
![This is the section of the floor aft of the passenger seats that MetalWorks removed. Other than this modification, the frame bolts in place.](https://digital.allchevyperformance.com/assets/2022/07/acp-jul-22-corvette-18.jpg)
![With the body on the frame the need for the floor modification is obvious. There are also two notches to the inside of the wheelwells to accommodate the coilovers.](https://digital.allchevyperformance.com/assets/2022/07/acp-jul-22-corvette-19.jpg)
![MetalWorks fabricated a new rear floor section that looks like it came from the factory. Reinforcement ribs were added for strength and covers for the coilover mounts were made and bonded in place.](https://digital.allchevyperformance.com/assets/2022/07/acp-jul-22-corvette-20.jpg)
![the LT1 cool is a Ron Davis aluminum radiator](https://digital.allchevyperformance.com/assets/2022/07/acp-jul-22-corvette-21.jpg)
![Side pipes were an available option on ’65-67 C2s but are often added to earlier models. These reproductions are from Eckler’s.](https://digital.allchevyperformance.com/assets/2022/07/acp-jul-22-corvette-22.jpg)
![MetalWorks hooked the chambered side pipes to the stock LT1 exhaust manifolds. Installing these pipes does require some trimming of the body.](https://digital.allchevyperformance.com/assets/2022/07/acp-jul-22-corvette-23.jpg)
![Finished side profile view of the Corvette](https://digital.allchevyperformance.com/assets/2022/07/acp-jul-22-corvette-24.jpg)
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