Gas Monkey Garage’s ‘Midas Monkey’ C3 Corvette Sparkles at SEMA

One look at this blown ’68 Corvette and you can see why Richard Rawlings had to buy back his life-sized Hot Wheels.

Walking the booths of SEMA 2019, we couldn’t help but stop to look at this sparkling gold ’68 Corvette. Fast N’ Loud fans and Hot Wheels collectors surely know this custom car. Dubbed the “Midas Monkey,” not only was its construction documented on the hit Discovery Channel TV show, but Mattel released a 1:64 scale Hot Wheels back in 2017.

For anyone who hasn’t seen the episodes featuring this car, Richard Rawlings and his team of Monkeys started with a clean ’68 Corvette that left the factory with a 427 big block and 4-speed. The Monkeys reworked the 427, adding a massive Weiand 871 blower and dual Holley 750 carburetors. A custom exhaust flows out the C3’s side fender louvers.

In addition to a new suspension, brakes, and steering, the Monkeys added L88 rear flares before sending the Vette off to House of Kolor for its gold metal flake paint.

Putting power to the ground is always a challenge with a beast like the “Midas Monkey.” To help with traction, Rawlings and crew fitted custom 20×12-inch US Mags wheels to the rears and 18×8-inch US mags in the front. All for corners are wrapped in one-off custom Mickey Thompson Sportsman tires. (Based on the flamed tread pattern, they appear to be Sportsman S/R radials.)

In addition to being a gorgeous car — sunlight literally dances off the metal flake when you see it in person — you can’t help but appreciate the car’s story as well. After Mattel commissioned the “Midas Monkey,” Rawlings look it to Barrett Jackson in 2016 and sold the car for $132,000. The ‘Vette ended up in the hands of a car collector in the Fort Worth area. It even appeared on Fast N’ Loud a couple more times.

Rawlings instantly regretted selling the “Midas Monkey” and tried to buy it back a few times. He finally succeeded in March of this year. (And just in time for the Hot Wheels Legends Tour.) See? At the end of the day, Rawlings is a car guy just like the rest of us.

If you ever get the chance, find a way to see the “Midas Monkey” in person. It’s the only way to truly appreciate this custom build. That said, don’t worry if you can’t make it. You can still buy the Hot Wheels 1:64 scale versions on Amazon for $12-20. (Blown 427 not included.)

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