Custom Audio System for Chesterfield Chevrolet Corvette

A client recently called Extreme Audio to let us know he’d finally purchased the 1961 Chevrolet Corvette of his dreams. He described the car as his unicorn, since he’d been looking for a clean example to add to his collection for years. Based on his enjoyment of the audio system we installed in his ’55 Bel Air, he let us know he’d be bringing the car by our Midlothian location to start a new system design.

Carte Blanche Car Audio System

The client had some general guidelines for the audio system project. First, he wanted to listen to music while cruising on the freeway, so the system had to be loud and crystal-clear. Second, he wanted the bass to be solid but not overpowering. Finally, and most interestingly, he wanted people to say Wow! when he opened the trunk. 

Armed with that information, we took a few days to design the system and give the client a price and a delivery date for the project. He agreed to let us keep the car for a few months to work on it a few days a week, rather than take up one of our technician’s schedules for two weeks.

Corvette Speakers and Source Unit

The Alpine CD player fits perfectly in the dash of the vehicle.

The five-channel amplifier and wiring was tucked neatly on the right side of the trunk.

Our team custom fabricated a mounting plate for two 4-inch coaxial speakers to fit in the factor center speaker location.

Our technicians securely mounted the Audiofrog coaxial speakers.

The speaker grilles mimic the black and chrome cosmetics in the interior.

We assigned the project to Kevin, one of our lead technicians. He started by removing the speakers and radio that were already in the car. Next, Kevin created a mounting plate for a pair of Audiofrog GS42 4-inch coaxial speakers that would fit into the center speaker location in the dash. Next, he upgraded the 6.5-inch speaker location under the dash with a set of Audiofrog GS62 speakers. He added grilles and trim rings from a set of Audiofrog GB60 speakers to the trim panel to mimic the black and chrome cosmetics in the interior. The last step for the interior was to install an Alpine CDE-175BT CD player in the dash.

The output of the CD player feeds to an ARC Audio X2 1100.5 five-channel amplifier that is mounted on the right side of the trunk. Two channels of the amp power the 4-inch drivers in the center of the dash, while the second pair of channels power the 6.5-inch Audiofrog speakers in the kick panels. Each of the four main channels of this amp can produce as much as 150 watts of power, so there’s no concern about whether the system will play loudly. The 500 watt mono subwoofer channel will feed a pair of subs that Kevin planned to integrate into the trunk floor.

Custom Corvette Trunk Design

The trunk construction began with a hexagonal enclosure in the spare tire well.

Our installers added LED lighting to these accent pieces.

A final look at one of the trunk’s side trim pieces prior to being installed in the vehicle.

Our team stacked additional layers onto the main trim pieces and shaped them to look like Kevin envisioned.

The three air vent blades on the side of the car were replicated in these accent pieces.

The LED lighting brings out the accent design in these side trim pieces.

Our technicians installed the two JL Audio subwoofers in the spare tire well enclosure.

Even without the LED lighting, the custom design of this trunk build makes the vehicle shine.

More LED lighting illuminates the finished trim pieces in the trunk.

The LED lighting eloquently illuminates the entire trunk.

The flying flag badges and Corvette letters adorn the rearmost trim panel.

One more view of the custom subwoofer system fabricated in the trunk.

Another look at the final trunk build, perfectly accenting the vehicle’s beauty.

The final product looks stunning!

Trunk construction began with a hexagonal enclosure that fits into the spare tire well. The enclosure would be home to a pair of JL Audio 10TW3-D8 subwoofers. Kevin treated the trunk to a layer of SoundShield sound-deadening material before starting work on the side and rear trim panels. Rather than use a simple flat design, he stacked additional layers on the main trim pieces and shaped and contoured them to create the look he envisioned. 

The three blades in the air vents on the side of the car were replicated with modified accent pieces from a Mercedes SL hood. Kevin cut the chromed pieces down to mimic the Chevrolet parts perfectly. A local body shop painted the trim panels behind the chromed pieces and the area around the subwoofers to match the color on the car’s sides. Once elements were wrapped in black vinyl, Kevin trimmed everything in chrome edging and added LED lighting from XK Glow.

It took awhile to find one of the flying flag badges and Corvette letters that adorn the rearmost trim panel, but Kevin was persistent in his search. The carpeted floor mimics the cosmetics of the interior, making this bespoke trunk look like something that could have rolled off the production line in Bowling Green.

Richmond’s Custom Car Audio Installation Experts

In all, Kevin spent about a week and a half working on the Corvette, spread over a few months. The client returned to Extreme Audio to pick up the car and was completely speechless when we showed him the trunk. He proclaimed that this was the first time he’d ever had work done to one of his vehicles where the project was on time, on budget and the results dramatically exceeded his expectations. To say that he was thrilled would be an understatement. 

If you are interested in a custom audio system installation for your car or truck, visit Extreme Audio in Midlothian or Mechanicsville and speak with a member of our team, or use our online contact form to get started.
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