Tony from American Legends has a clear affection for his shop’s LS7-powered 1964 Corvette restomod, a car he views as an exceptional driving machine.

AutotopiaLA’s Shawn Davis recently got behind the wheel, and his experience confirmed that the split-window stunner, which originated from a ’64 body, truly comes alive on the road.

Under the hood, a Texas Speed-built LS7 V8 unleashes 645 horsepower. Tony calls it “really like the perfect amount of power” for this Corvette, giving it plenty of punch without making it undrivable.

That engine works with a TR6060 transmission and a full Roadster Shop Fast Track IRS chassis to give the car a solid foundation for modern athleticism and handling.

American Legends even crafted custom headers with a cross-pipe exhaust system, so the side-exit exhaust has a unique, richer sound than your average LS engine.

Naturally, the car’s appearance is just as impressive as its driveability. The team converted a 1964 Corvette body to the iconic ’63 split-window design — a specific request from the owner.

They also widened the fenders and, as AutotopiaLA‘s Shawn Davis noted, really “sharpened the hell out of all the lines on it.” Some carbon fiber bits accent the bumpers, mainly because, as Tony put it, “it looks badass.”

Inside, it’s a similar story: rebuilt factory seats offer better support, and modern C6 Corvette latches mix with custom touches to create a clean, functional cockpit.

This Corvette demands your attention behind the wheel. With manual Wilwood brakes, Tony explained, “That’s what’s about this car … there’s a lot of feel to it.”

Shawn was clearly hooked during his drive; he exclaimed while driving, “Dude … this is so good already!”

After the test drive, he also admitted, “This one? I just fell in love with it.” He praised American Legends for building good-looking, full-on show cars that are also totally drivable.

This LS7-powered 1964 Corvette, created by American Legends, really sets the standard for the classic car hobby. It’s handsome appearance is worthy of a magazine cover, and its exclusive LS7 delivers serious power.

But more than that, it’s a car that was built to be experienced on the road, logging miles, making smiles, and turning heads. Really, it’s the kind of machine that reminds you what loving cars is all about – just get in and go.