Josh Michels’ ambition is to become a household name in specialty automotive building, and the Wisconsin native is well on his way after winning the prestigious Battle of the Builders Young Guns category at last fall’s SEMA Show in Las Vegas. His award-winning project is a 1966 Corvette Sting Ray, powered by an LT5 crate engine, and it’s set to shine again at the 2023 Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The blue C2 Corvette, which retains its classic style while boasting modern supercar capabilities, is a testament to Michels’ vision of merging the best of both worlds. “Everyone loves the drivability, performance, and reliability of new cars, but everybody loves the body styles of old cars,” the 22-year-old builder explains. His build started with a neglected 1966 Sting Ray, rescued from a yard in Wisconsin where it had been idle for nearly 30 years.
Josh and his father, Mike Michels, a seasoned automotive enthusiast and engineer, founded Michels Auto Design in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, in 2018. With the support of his parents, Josh transformed the Corvette into a show-quality build, featuring a supercharged 755-horsepower LT5 engine paired with a SuperMatic 8L90 eight-speed automatic transmission.
The car’s modernization includes a Roadster Shop SPEC 7 chassis, C7 ZR1 spindles and control arms, carbon-ceramic brakes, and a 2015 Camaro independent rear suspension. Custom touches abound, from the 2017 Corvette PPG Laguna Blue paint to the Lamborghini Italian leather interior crafted by StreetWorks Exotics.
Josh’s journey to the SEMA Show was unexpected but transformative. Winning the Young Guns category propelled him into the industry spotlight, setting his sights on becoming the youngest Battle of the Builders champion. With his LT5-powered Corvette as a shining example of his talent, Josh Michels is poised to make a lasting impact in the automotive world.
- Engine: Supercharged LT5 crate engine
- Horsepower: 755 hp
- Transmission: SuperMatic 8L90 eight-speed automatic
- Torque: 715 lb.-ft.
- Chassis: Roadster Shop SPEC 7
- Front Tires: 19 x 10 with Continental 275
- Rear Tires: 19 x 12 with Continental 335
- Brakes: C7 ZR1 15-inch carbon-ceramic brakes with yellow ZR1 Brembo calipers
- Rear Suspension: 2015 Camaro independent rear suspension with 3.73 gears
Source: Chevrolet/The-Block
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