The Chevrolet Corvette has inspired countless custom builds over the past seven decades, ranging from subtle restorations to outrageous performance machines. However, few have taken the original sports car’s design quite as far as this remarkable creation from Kindig-It Design.
Known as the TwelveAir, this extraordinary machine looks like a futuristic interpretation of a first-generation Corvette. Its flowing bodywork, dramatic fastback roofline, and enormous engine make it immediately clear that this is no ordinary classic Chevrolet.
The car was created by renowned custom builder Dave Kindig and his team for Dave and Tracey Maxwell, with development and construction taking an astonishing 54 months. Rather than modifying an existing Corvette, the builders started from scratch to create an entirely bespoke automobile.
After winning the Don Ridler Memorial Award, one of the custom-car industry’s most prestigious awards, in 2024, the TwelveAir is now preparing for another major moment. Richmond Auctions is offering the one-off creation during its Fall Spectacular sale, giving collectors an opportunity to acquire a genuinely unusual piece of American coachbuilding.
Inspired By A Forgotten Corvette Concept
The TwelveAir takes its inspiration from Chevrolet’s Corvette-based Corvair fastback concept, displayed during GM’s early Motorama era. That experimental design explored what a closed-roof version of the original Corvette might look like.
Kindig-It developed the idea into a much lower, wider, and more dramatic vehicle, complete with sweeping aluminum bodywork. According to Richmond Auctions, the car uses a hand-formed aluminum monocoque structure and contains no original Corvette body panels.
Its distinctive finish combines Modern Classikk Infrared paint with satin-bronze accents. Custom EVOD center-lock wheels and carefully integrated brightwork complete an exterior that blends 1950s inspiration with contemporary craftsmanship.
A Massive V12 Hides Under The Hood
The TwelveAir’s most extraordinary mechanical feature is its bespoke 9.2-liter V12 engine, supplied by Race Cast Engineering. Known as the V12LS, the all-aluminum powerplant produces approximately 650 horsepower, according to the auction listing.
For perspective, its displacement exceeds even the Dodge Viper’s famously enormous 8.4-liter V10. Power is delivered through a seven-speed transmission derived from a 2017 Chevrolet Corvette unit and converted for automatic operation.
The custom engineering continues underneath with a Wilwood braking system and bespoke chassis components. Every major element was developed specifically for this project rather than borrowed wholesale from a production Corvette.
The Interior Is Just As Elaborate
Inside, the TwelveAir features rich Sienna leather upholstery, a substantial central tunnel and a uniquely shaped aluminum steering wheel. Numerous custom 3D-printed components contribute to a cabin that feels distinctly different from a conventional restored classic.
Perhaps the most extravagant detail is the instrument cluster, which incorporates white gold and diamond inlays. It’s the sort of finishing touch that illustrates just how extensively the builders approached this project.
A Ridler Award Winner Looking For A New Owner
The TwelveAir debuted at the 2024 Detroit Autorama, where it captured the prestigious Don Ridler Memorial Award. It subsequently collected more than 20 major honors, including recognition at SEMA, Goodguys events, and Hot August Nights.
Richmond Auctions has listed the car as part of its inaugural Fall Spectacular at the Savoy Automobile Museum, with bidding scheduled to continue through October 17. The listing showed a current bid of $170,000, although that figure is not the final sale price.
With its award-winning pedigree, completely bespoke construction and enormous V12, the TwelveAir occupies a category of its own. Its eventual auction result should offer an interesting indication of how collectors value one of Kindig-It’s most ambitious creations.