N2A was careful to ensure that its design didn't compromise any of the electronic or safety systems GM spent so much time perfecting in the C6 Corvette. Gene tells PHR, "GM spent tons of money on impact tests, rollover tests, and other safety systems. We wanted to make sure all of these stayed in place with the 789. For example, our design keeps the Corvette windshield and frame, which was designed by GM to hold up to a rollover. The 789 also retains all of the Corvette electronics, like traction control, ABS, and the heads-up display. Even the slick electronic pads to open the doors are still there, they've just been cleverly hidden under the fins. The 789 also retains its trunk volume. If it fits in a Vette, it'll fit in the 789."
The heart of the 789 is the chassis, suspension, and driveline of a C6 Corvette. Once all the C6 body panels are off, N2A turns it into the sleek, sexy 789. By only changing the skin on the Vette, Kanter's 789 retains all the high-tech safety and performance systems of the donor car.
The cost of this transformation is $75,000-not including the donor car, which the customer can provide or N2A can source. The 789 also comes in three flavors: the 789SR, 789SC, and 789Z. The SR variant is the one featured here, and is based on the drop-top Vette. The SC model is a coupe version, and the Z is built on a C6 Z06. Yep, N2A can attach its curvaceous body panels to the hottest sports car around-the 500-plus horsepower Z06. The base price includes a Borla exhaust system, larger PST sway bars, and a $2,000 allowance for custom wheels. From there, the option list can incorporate whatever the customer wants, from a Magna Charger blower to upgraded brakes. Since each 789 is built to order, paint and interior colors are totally customizable. Build time is 12 weeks, and given how long most of our project cars take, that's nearly instant gratification.
Kanter Concepts and N2A Motors have managed to nail down exactly what they were looking to do: meld modern technology with yesterday's style. They're also currently working on several other designs, all based on the C6 Corvette. We've already seen renderings of a '55 Nomad wagon and a classic Buick, so be on the lookout for more cool creations.
The engine powering the 789 is the 400hp LS2. By the time you see this, Chevy will have upped the power ante to 430 hp on next year's base LS3 Corvette engine, and thus all production 789s. Due to the prototype nature of this 789, N2A declined to let us photograph the engine compartment, citing its "rough" appearance. Mechanically, it's all factory C6, though. | 
The 789 is a mere 6 inches wider, 6 inches longer, and a scant 50 pounds heavier than a stock C6. Many of the 789's parts are reproduction items from Danchuk, including the headlight bezels and hood bullets. | 
This sketch of the 789 shows what the hardtop version will look like. From the rear, the proportions conjure up an alternate world where the '63 Corvette was built in '59, fusing the one-year-only '59 Chevy fins with the wraparound glass of the mid-year Corvette. |