Customized C6 Corvette Fulfills One Man's Childhood Dream
Most dream Corvettes are of the older variety, but Kevin O'Grady found himself enamored with one a little newer.
Dare to Dream
We all have different tastes and opinions when it comes to what constitutes a dream car. For many, it's a classic Corvette, perhaps a first or second-gen. But for Kevin O’Grady, obtaining his dream ride didn't require going back decades or dropping a ton of cash on some rare model. Rather, O'Grady fell in love with a 2006 model C6, as he explained to Hot Rod.
Photos: Hot Rod
Love at First Sight
O'Grady grew up loving Corvettes and admiring the C3s owned by his neighbors. But many years would pass before the Florida-based sales and marketing rep would finally add one to his own stable. That day finally came when he and his son paid a trip to the local Chevy dealership and test drove a black C6 sitting on the lot.
Photos: Hot Rod
Wheels in Motion
After securing the 'Vette and bringing it home, O'Grady attended the Space Coast Vettes show in Melbourne. It was there that he found inspiration in the many custom Corvettes he saw, which solidified the decision to mod his own car and make it his own. Soon, those wheels were in motion as well.
Photos: Hot Rod
Stock Is Boring
"My black C6 was in great shape but was way too plain for me," O'Grady explained to Hot Rod. "Everything was standard, from the stereo and interior to the body and wheels. Even the motor had a boring stock sound." It's a familiar feeling, of course, and one that many of us can relate to.
Photos: Hot Rod
Starting the Landslide
Instead of sitting down and deriving a careful plan to mod his Corvette, O'Grady just jumped right in. That started with something unusual - Lamborghini style doors. The inspiration for this change actually came from his son, shortly after watching a Transformers movie. And that was just the beginning of what was to come.
Photos: Hot Rod
Jazz It Up
To further jazz up the outside, O'Grady added a front and rear splitter, side skirts, an American Car Craft Blakk Stealth mesh grille, and a whole host of lighting from XK Glow. O'Grady then sourced a set of staggered 18 and 19" chrome Gumby wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires for some extra pizzazz.
Photos: Hot Rod
Spotting a Theme
From there, little custom touches really set this C6 apart. A black, red, and carbon fiber theme abounds, beginning with Torch Red brake calipers and matching wheel innards. Carbon-fiber Hydrodip is everywhere as well, including many places in the engine bay. With lots of custom lighting and paint/dip, it's easy to see why O'Grady loves to lift the hood any chance he gets.
Photos: Hot Rod
Here and There
Performance mods are few, but include a larger air-intake and Borla mufflers for some extra sound. O'Grady more than made up for that lack of extras with a custom interior that features all sorts of upgrades. They include a host of custom cashmere leather inserts and an impressive stereo system designed to offer up concert-quality sound.
Photos: Hot Rod
Truly Unique
O'Grady's goal with his dream Corvette was to build something that was unlike anything else on the planet. And so far, we'd say he's achieved that difficult task. After all, when was the last time you saw a show quality C6 with Lambo doors that wasn't some sort of poorly constructed abomination?
Photos: Hot Rod
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