Rusty-Looking Food Truck Is Really A C8 Corvette, And It's Going For A Crazy Record

LJ Koch's converted International-Harvester Metro van could turn up and do 30 mph on July 27 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway before the Brickyard 400 NASCAR Cup Series race, but Koch thinks it needs to hit 130 mph to set the bar and redefine the idea of "fast food." The not-so-secret weapon the van has to get over 100 mph? It's underpinned by a C8 generation Chevrolet Corvette.

According to NorthJersey.com, Koch came by the truck, paying $400 for it. While not the logical basis for a modern food truck, he started out wanting to restore it while keeping its worn patina and use it for his catering business. However, Koch has a history of buying and selling cars for fun, and during the COVID lockdown, he bought a 2021 C8 Corvette Stingray. It was later that he and some friends hit on the idea of what to do with the Corvette, and the world's fastest food truck was conceived. After a lot of work, the truck with its beautiful patina has a kitchen on one side, a bar on the other, and a Chevrolet 6.2-liter V8 in the middle. Koch calls it the Vettro, which is perfect. And, before the cynics get into the comments, it's a real food truck that serves real food.

This Is Where Commitment Comes In
Koch's catering service is called Luc's, named in honor of his best friend who died in a car accident. Luc's was born from Luc's Fajita Hut, but Koch sold the restaurant to fund the project. His hope is to make enough money from sponsorship to recoup the cost and create publicity for the Luc's food truck fleet and a new restaurant planned to open after the record attempt.

"Sometimes life presents itself with an opportunity that takes you over completely. It is the satisfaction of chasing your passion and your dreams to completion. That is partially what we are after, but I feel in my heart Luc's could be a possible household brand name."

Looking closer at the Vettro, the classic van part has been upgraded with LED headlights, flared wheel arches, custom-fabricated side skirts, and a rear spoiler. It's the five-spoke alloy wheels that let you know what's lurking underneath. A standard Corvette has a top speed of 194 mph, but the International-Harvester Metro van has all the aerodynamic qualities of a loaf of bread. A target of 130 mph doesn't seem unrealistic to us, although it will take some fortitude and perhaps a little skill to hold it there if it's a breezy day.