Von Hunter's 1960 Chevrolet

Once completed, Hunter's Corvette was featured on the cover of Car Craft September 1963. According to the story, Von Hunter put forth two years of his spare time efforts in creating the violent violet custom with metalflake paint. George Barris snapped the photos that were used in the story.

A photo of Von Hunter with the Corvette from the Car Craft September 1963 story. Photo by George Barris, courtesy of Car Craft Magazine.

A photo of Von Hunter's Corvette from Spotlite Book 540 Custom Corvettes.

1960 Chevrolet Corvette owned and restyled by Von Hunter of Portland, Oregon.

Wrecked

Hunter began the build by buying a totally wrecked Corvette. According to a featured story in Car Craft September 1963, it emerged from 50 pieces, five boxes of parts, and a body cut in two from door to door. The work was done by Hunter and his employees Bob Holbert and Phil Shaffer. The grille opening was modified and fitted with a reworked and extended Corvette grille. Expanded metal mesh was used behind the grille and on concave sculptured sides. 1960 Buick headlights were installed over the wide mouth.It ran rolled pans front and rear. Broad scoops in the hood had 1958 Pontiac stars for details. A 1947 Buick rear reflector housing held the radio antenna in the right rear quarter panel. The doors and deck lid were electrically operated. The rear license plate was mounted in a Corvair box. It was bracketed by four 1960 Cadillac taillights that were butted in pairs at the bottom. Hunter made the rolled and pleated black Naugahyde interior for the car himself.

Bob Jolin Automotive

Bob Jolin Automotive built a 301 cubic inch engine for the car. The engine was hopped up featuring JE Pistons, a Crower 4 OR cam, Grant rings and ported and polished heads with 11:1 c.r. It ran dual four-throat carburetors, a Mallory ignition, Hedman headers., a Weber clutch, and a Weber flywheel. It was dynoed to 310 horsepowers.

Cover Car

Once completed, Hunter's Corvette was featured on the cover of Car Craft September 1963. According to the story, Von Hunter put forth two years of his spare time efforts in creating the violent violet custom with metalflake paint. George Barris snapped the photos that were used in the story. This version of the car featured subtle pinstriping, chromes reverse wheels, baldy caps and narrow white wall tires.

Magazine Features and Appearances

Car Craft September 1963
Spotlite Book 540 Custom Corvettes