I initially met Mitch Herlihy back in 2008. He and my then-roommate (Pat) were big Honda guys back in the day. Both of them drove EK hatchbacks they’d modified to suit their own unique tastes. Over the years, Mitch and I grew to become friends, often attending various local car shows together. I also enlisted his expert paint & bodywork services on several of my personal cars. And since Mitch recently finished-up the latest makeover on his C5 Corvette, I knew this would be the perfect time to finally showcase it. But first, let’s rewind a bit and talk about how Mitch made the jump from FWD four-banger imports… over to a RWD LS-powered American platform.
This C5 Corvette was originally a Millenium Yellow example…
His father purchased it brand spankin’ new at the turn of the century. *It’s worth noting that Mitch’s dad is (and has always been) a bit of a Corvette aficionado. Mitch was probably about in 5th/6th grade at the time, but as any kid would, he grew to have an affinity for his dad’s car. I mean – what kid wouldn’t be obsessed with their dad’s bright yellow Corvette? So his dad struck a deal with him. He told Mitch that once he was old enough and had proven himself deserving/responsible… that he’d toss him the C5 keys to continue on as the car’s caretaker. Young Mitch took this proposition very seriously, and at the age of 20, shortly after purchasing his first home, his dad made true on his word and gifted him the car.
Mitch was initially pretty conservative modifying the C5 Corvette…
He added a set of reverse-mounted BBS LM’s, featuring white faces with polished lips. And he fabbed-up a custom exhaust that exited behind the wheels on the rear bumper. This would tide him over for a few years, but he eventually had the urge to take the C5 Corvette to the next level. Working in the auto paint & body industry – Mitch has the resources & knowledge-base to carry-out the makeover himself. For the first time around – he resprayed the exterior of the C5 in Jeep Anvil Gray, and the wheels were disassembled and repainted gunmetal with gloss black lips. But after finishing the Corvette’s makeover, he still felt like something was missing.
Little known factoid: RAYS/Volk once offered a C6 Z06 Corvette-specific spec for their legendary TE37 wheel. And Mitch – originally being a JDM Honda-head – always yearned for a set of these wheels for his C5. But they’re hard to find… and Mitch had all but given up. That is – until one fateful night at 2AM when he stumbled across a set on a Corvette forum. Even better – the seller was LOCAL! The only downside (arguably) was that they were bright red, but this could be easily remedied given Mitch’s talents. He refinished them in Magnesium Gray Metallic before wrapping them in rubber and throwing them on the Vette. These Corvette-spec Volk TE37 wheels measure 18×9.5 in the front, and 19×12 in the rear. And they sit perfectly within the Corvette’s swanky fender arches… courtesy of a set of Stance GR+ adjustable coilovers.
The Corvette would be driven this way for a number of years…
But eventually, Mitch decided (once again) to tear his C5 down for another makeover. This time, he decided to repaint it Toyota Calvary Blue, and added a newly released Highway Game Industries hex-pattern carbon fiber front lip splitter, which sits the nose of the car mere inches from the pavement.
Other noteworthy modifications on this C5 Corvette include…
Texas Speed long-tube headers, and an SLP carbon fiber intake. For the interior, Mitch added some JDM-influenced style, courtesy of Recaro Pole Positions seats paired with Crow 4-point harnesses, a Personal Neo Grinta blue suede steering wheel, and a set of P2M checkered floor mats in the driver & passenger footwells.
Mitch assures me that his C5 Corvette is “done”…
At least of the foreseeable future. And it serves as a spirited weekend cruiser for now. However, Mitch said he plans to follow in his dad’s footsteps, and one day pass the car down to his oldest son, Jameson, to carry on the tradition/legacy.
“I want to thank my wife, Ashley, because without her motivating me & keeping me on my toes, I probably would’ve never been successful enough to get the car to where it is today. And also a big thank you to my parents as well!” -Mitch Herlihy
So you see kids, hard work does pay off. Jameson – if you’re reading this, keep those grades up, keep working hard, always listen to your parents… and one day this Vette will be yours to rip!
Photos by Andy Wiest – Lethal Shutter Photography
Words by Josh Guillot
2000 C5 Corvette
Engine/Transmission
Texas Speed long tube headers
Custom 3” exhaust (side/bumper exit)
SLP carbon fiber intake
RPM Stage VI built auto transmission
Wheels/Tires
RAYS Volk TE37 18×9.5 F / 19×12 R (C6 Z06 spec, custom painted Magnesium Gray Metallic)
Nitto NT05 rubber
Suspension
Stance GR+ adjustable coilovers
Exterior
Toyota Calvary Blue full exterior respray
Highwaygame Industries hex pattern carbon fiber front lip splitter
Black housing bumper lights
Interior
Recaro Pole Position seats
Crow 4-point harnesses
Personal Neo Grinta blue suede steering wheel w/ quick release
P2M checkered floor mats
