John Shope has never played it safe. Long respected as a creative force in the custom motorcycle world, his roots as an artist and sculptor have always driven how he builds. That foundation shaped a style that stood out early, earned him national attention through competitive build shows, and helped define the radical custom baggers that would later come out of Dirty Bird Concepts in Phoenix, Arizona. His career has been built on pushing form and function until they collide.
That evolution is on full display at this year’s 55th Anniversary Barrett-Jackson January 2026 Scottsdale Auction, where John Shope Designs will offer two no-reserve custom Corvettes. Leading the charge is a custom 1961 Corvette Widebody Convertible, Lot 1401. This ’61 widebody convertible showcases Shope’s flair for blending classic design with contemporary performance. Under the hood sits a Blueprint LS3 V8 engine, exhaling through a stainless-steel exhaust system. A Tremec six-speed manual transmission keeps the driving experience engaging, while a Roadster Shop cantilever chassis with independent rear suspension gives the car handling far beyond what its early-’60s body would imply. Modern stopping power comes from carbon-ceramic Brembo brakes, and the car rides on a set of one-off, three-piece custom wheels.
Its appearance is just as striking. The car is finished in an elegant Ferrari DiGrezio Silver, a color that highlights the crisp body lines and carefully executed widebody treatment. The widened stance allows the larger wheels to sit naturally beneath the car, giving it a balanced, proportional look.
Inside, Shope ensured the car offered comfort as well as style. The cabin was stretched to comfortably accommodate taller drivers, a thoughtful touch. Ron Mangus crafted the full custom leather interior, which includes a redesigned dash, upgraded instrumentation, and a Bluetooth stereo system to bring modern convenience into the classic cockpit. For all the custom craftsmanship involved in the build, the car still proudly retains its original VIN tag, maintaining a direct connection to its 1961 heritage.
Shope’s second offering, a 1963 Corvette Split-Window Widebody known as “Night Train,” Lot 1373, represents an even bolder vision. Finished in a deep, custom PPG Candy Blue, the car seems to glow from within, its paint shimmering across surfaces that have been completely reshaped. The build began with a 60,000-original-mile 1963 Corvette Split-Window body, which was removed from its chassis and transformed through an extensive fabrication process. A fully handcrafted widebody kit reshaped the iconic lines, and the body was worked inside and out before receiving its show-quality finish, polished to a near-liquid shine.
Carbon-fiber bumpers, flush-mounted glass, custom grille work, CNC-machined emblems, hood accents, and fender details elevate the exterior even further, giving “Night Train” a presence that is impossible to ignore.
Beneath the custom hood lies serious performance: a Texas Speed–built LT4 engine producing over 700 horsepower. It exhales through a switch-controlled stainless-steel exhaust system that can route its sound through the center rear or behind the front wheels at the push of a button. Power is delivered through GM’s eight-speed automatic transmission, and the entire build rides on a Roadster Shop chassis with every component finished in Burnt Silver powder coat. Brembo power disc brakes ensure confident stopping performance, while power steering adds everyday usability. A set of one-off Curtis Speed wheels, measuring 19 inches up front and 20 inches in the rear, completes the stance. Their design was inspired by the original 1963 hubcaps but reimagined for a wider, more aggressive footprint.
Inside, “Night Train” features modern luxury fused with vintage inspiration. Italian leather with octagon and diamond stitching wraps the cabin, complemented by an Alcantara headliner. Painted and polished surfaces throughout the interior echo the Candy Blue exterior, including the dash, inner rear fenders, and interior panels. Custom gauges, aircraft-style switches, power windows, air conditioning, and a Bluetooth stereo system create a refined, contemporary driving environment.
One of the build’s most memorable touches is found in the rear: a removable, custom-built suitcase that houses a display case complete with a rare bourbon, Versace glasses, and a signed metal display plate. It’s a detail that captures the spirit of the entire build—luxurious, daring, and unlike anything else on the road. Like the convertible, “Night Train” retains its original 1963 VIN tag, honoring the legacy of one of the most iconic Corvettes ever produced.
Together, these Corvettes show what happens when a master builder refuses to stay in one category. Shope’s move from motorcycles to cars feels natural, not forced. The same instincts that shaped his bikes now shape his cars, with the same focus on form, function, and attitude.
At Barrett-Jackson’s January 2026 Scottsdale Auction, these builds are not just crossing the auction block. They mark a moment where decades of craftsmanship, competition, and creative risk come together in metal, horsepower, and paint. For John Shope, it’s simply the next chapter in a career built on doing things his own way.
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