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Corvette Auction Preview: Four More Corvettes to Make You Drool at Mecum Kissimmee 2022

Photo Credit: Mecum Auctions

Welcome back to our look at Mecum’s upcoming 2022 Kissimmee auction. The countdown to opening day is just about 14 days now. Perusing the Corvette docket, we currently see 360 Corvettes listed which is more than double the number of consignments from 2 weeks ago. Expect a few more to be added as the date draws nearer.

Past previews focused on the Corvette Super Sport, Gulf One, and the C2 Z06 equipped Corvettes from Mecum’s Once in a Lifetime Corvette Offering. This time we’re going to focus on a diverse quartet of first and second generation cars ranging from a pilot line 1966 L88 to an ultra-rare 1957 airbox fuelie.

Lot F158: 1960 Race Rat Tanker – When we think of big tank or “tanker” Corvettes, we generally think of C2’s. However, tankers were available to savvy buyers and racers on C1 Corvettes as well. In 1960, 10 big tank Corvettes were built. This 1960 fuelie was ordered through Nickey Chevrolet by George Reed to complete in the 1960 Sebring 12 hour race. In addition to the 315hp engine, Reed selected heavy duty suspension, heavy duty brakes, and a 4-speed transmission. Upon delivery to Sebring, Zora Arkus Duntov himself assisted with the final race prep. The car went on to win its class and finish 16th overall. Today the car is in excellent restored condition and has been displayed at top events such as the 2004 and 2014 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, the 2009 Los Angeles Concours d’Elegance, the 2010 NCRS 50th Anniversary display, and the 2013 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance. It’s also an NCRS American Heritage Award recipient.

Lot F164: 1957 Big Brake Airbox Fuelie – This well-known straight axle is one of 44 produced with RPO 579E, the fresh airbox intake. It’s also 1 of 54 with heavy duty brakes and suspension. Other options include a fuel injected engine, 4-speed transmission, and wider 5.5″ wheels. The car was raced in SCCA events across the country throughout its early life. Since that time, it’s been restored back to stock form and lays claimed to our hobby’s top awards including multiple NCRS Top Flights, Bloomington Gold, and 2 Bloomington Special Collections. It’s been featured in Vette Vues magazine and participated in the 75th anniversary Monterrey historics. It’s being offered from the John Justo collection with copious documentation, awards, and restoration photos.

Lot S113: 8,500-mile unrestored 1967 427/435 Coupe – We first saw the “Vault Find” 1967 Corvette at the 2017 Mecum Indy auction where it sold for $675,000 from the original owner’s family. The Marina Blue on blue 435hp coupe remains in unrestored, original condition with just 8,533 miles on the odometer. The option list includes the 435hp engine, M21 4-speed, F41 suspension, and 4.11 rear end. It’s never been shown or judged and comes documented with the window sticker, Protect-O-Plate, and car shipper.

Lot S237: 1966 Pilot Line L88 Coupe – This Sting Ray is one of the “Four Kings,” 1966 Corvette factory racers. It’s the first known Corvette factory-prepared for Luigi Chinetti’s NART team, the first built with shoulder harnesses, and the second to be fitted with the cowl-induction fresh air hood. The intent was to test aluminum cylinder heads and other racing bits in the 1966 Sebring 12 hours. Pedro Rodriguez and Mario Andretti were to be the drivers, but they ended up in one of Chinetti’s Ferrari’s instead. Future pilots included Harold Whims, Don Yenko, John Finger, and John “Sam” Henderson. They completed at many notable tracks such as Daytona, Talladega, Charlotte Motor Raceway, Virginia International Raceway, Marlboro Motor Raceway, and Road Atlanta among others. The L88 engine sports a 1965-dated intake manifold and January 1966 dated aluminum cylinder heads. Other track-spec options include heater and defroster delete, radio delete, F41 suspension, Positraction rear axle, heavy-duty brakes, transistor ignition, M22 4-speed, and a 36 gallon gas tank. It’s extensively documented and has been shown at numerous national events over the last decade including 2014 and 2020 Bloomington Gold Collections, 2016 MCACN Corvette Legends Invitational, and the 2014 Corvettes at Carlisle Race Car Reunion.

Mecum’s monster 2022 Kissimmee auction will take place January 6th-16th at the Osceola Heritage Park. MotorTrend TV, MotorTrend+, and Discovery will have live coverage Wednesday, January 12th – Saturday, January 15th. Approximately 3,500 cars are expected. Keep an eye here and on the Mecum website as new additions are being added daily.

Source:
Mecum Auctions

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[VIDEO] Building a Retro-Bodied C8 Corvette Project in the Driveway

We first told you back in June about a guy named Jack Wendel who is bravely going where no man has gone before as he began transforming his brand-new C8 Corvette Stingray into something … well, something definitely different than what left the Bowling Green factory a few months ago.

In his latest post on his YouTube channel called ShadeTree Supercar, Wendel gives a peek at all the progress he’s made over the past few months transforming his mid-engine Stingray convertible into his own creation inspired by the C2 Sting Ray.

“The problem is, people see it as a Corvette and I’m destroying something that they consider beautiful. So from that perspective, you know, I kind of understand it,” Wendel told The Drive back in June. “But they’re not seeing the other perspective: I’m building something and I needed a good platform to start with. What better platform is there than the C8 to start with?”

Indeed, once he’s completed his “masterpiece,” Wendel apparently hopes to offer a similar kit to other Stingray owners, even going so far as to buy two coach building companies to help him with the project.

Recent photos that have been shared recently to the /r/ShittyCarMods subreddit show a barely recognizable C8, with homemade fiberglass body panels, taillights, and cutouts for pop-up headlights, all inspired by the C2 Corvette.

According to GM Authority, the original poster says they’ve known Wendel for 20-plus years and that he’s already built two C5 Corvette convertibles with mods inspired by the C1 Corvette.

Some enthusiasts would argue that the C8 is close enough to perfection that it doesn’t need any such mods, but it’s Wendel’s money to burn. Still, we can’t help but be a little sad to see a beautiful C8 convertible chopped up in such a drastic fashion, and at least in our opinion, definitely not for the better.

We’ll give the guy credit for having the stones to undertake this project as it caused us to have fits of anxiety just to have the rear bumper removed from our 2020 Stingray to have a high wing spoiler installed!

Besides the retro-flavored body changes, we’re also concerned, like GM Authority, about how the engine is going to stay cool with all the side intake vents and head exchangers covered up with said body changes.

What’s your opinion of this one-of-a-kind C8?

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Source:
GM Authority

Our Three Favorite Corvettes for Sale from Corvette Mike in December

Photo Credit: Corvette Mike

If your New Year’s Resolutions include the addition of an investment-quality collector Corvette, or perhaps you’re looking for something fun to drive in 2022, our friends at Corvette Mike in Anaheim, California can help you find the perfect Corvette for the new year!

Corvette Mike is one of the top destinations for buying high-quality Corvettes! The knowledgeable staff is there to assist in finding just the right pre-owned or classic Corvette for you. Today we hit their website to check out the current online inventory and came up with these three Corvettes as our favorites for the month of December.

Maybe at this point, you’re more of a seller than a buyer? Corvette Mike skips the auto auctions and only buys premium cars from private enthusiasts and they purchase cars from across the nation so if you have a low-mileage or rare Corvette that you are ready to part with, reach out to Corvette Mike and let them know what you got.

1963 Corvette Split Window Coupe

For the collector who wants to own one of the most iconic Corvettes in the model’s 69-year run, the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray Sport Coupe is it. Chevrolet redesigned the Corvette in 1963 and for the first time, it came from the factory as a hardtop coupe. Zora Arkus-Duntov offered three different transmissions and four different engine performance options with the fuel injected 327/360hp L84 option reigning supreme. But what made the 1963 Coupe truly unique was the split rear window offered only in the inaugural year of the C2 before Zora successfully lobbied GM Design to change it to a single rear window in 1964.

The original owner of this 1963 Corvette Split Window Coupe must have been wanting to drive the ultimate street Corvette when he placed his order. Outfitted in Riverside Red and a Black interior, the original buyer made sure to check the box on the 327/360 Fuelie V8 as well as the four-speed manual transmission, while power windows, AM/FM radio, and whitewall tires rounded out the options. We can imagine it was quite at home cruising the boulevards back in the day.

This ’63 Fuelie Sting Ray has been meticulously detailed, undergone a frame-off restoration, and only 99 miles are showing on the odometer. This Corvette is still equipped with the original L84 engine as certified by Al Grenning’s C.C.A.S. service and the Trim Tag has also been verified. Further documentation includes the N.C.R.S. Shipping Data Report.

The Fuel Injected 1963 Corvette Sting Ray Sport Coupe would be the center point of any automotive collection. For details or more information, contact Tim at 714-630-0700.

1996 Corvette Grand Sport Convertible

When C4 production finally came to an end in ’96 after 12 years, Chevrolet knew they had to send it off with a bang, not a whimper. And since the ZR-1 was discontinued in ’95, there was definitely a void that needed to be filled!

The name “Grand Sport” had been used once before. It was for the fabled early ’60’s Corvette race cars helmed by legendary drivers such as Bob Bondurant, Roger Penske, A.J. Foyt, and Dr. Dick Thompson, among others. For this ’96 Special Edition, G.M. thought it fitting that the name should be brought back again!

We love the 1996 Corvette Grand Sport for what it offered to Corvette buyers – a limited edition Corvette with a unique engine to celebrate the end of a generation. Limited to 1,000 units overall, Chevrolet produced 810 coupes and 190 convertibles in Admiral Blue with a White full-length body stripe and Red hash marks on the front fenders. They also received a special black-painted version of the ZR-1 wheels with the coupes getting the import flares added to the body so the rear wheels would fit appropriately.

The Grand Sport’s LT-4 engine was rated at 330hp, which was 30 more than the standard LT-1 engine. However, the car’s performance feels considerably more powerful than the advertised increase would indicate!.

Corvette Mike acquired this ’96 Corvette Grand Sport Convertible by the original owner who only put 19,277 miles on the odometer. This GS is #117 in the series and is fully documented with all books, manuals, original window sticker, build sheet, and more. It also received a high score from the NCRS who awarded it Top Flight status. Celebrate the C4’s end of the line by adding this highly collectible Grand Sport to your stable.

This 1996 Corvette Grand Sport Convertible is offered for $52,900. Call Tim at 714-630-0700 for more information.

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2016 Corvette Z06 Coupe

This 2016 Corvette Z06 with a seven-speed manual transmission, Magnetic Selective Ride Control, and the Z07 Performance Package was originally ordered from Legacy Chevrolet in Columbus, Georgia before it was acquired from the original owner by Corvette Mike in the fall of 2021. Powered by the 6.2-liter supercharged LT4 V8 engine that was rated for 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque, this Z06 Coupe has just under 6K miles on the odometer and is documented with the original window sticker, manufacturer’s literature, and a clean CarFax report.

The Z06 is finished in Arctic White with Kalahari leather interior and features a full-length Black racing stripe across the hood, roof, and rear deck of the car. It’s outfitted with the level three visible carbon fiber aerodynamics package that includes the aggressive front splitter and rear wickerbill across the rear spoiler. It also includes a painted and transparent roof panel. Inside you’ll find the carbon fiber trim package surrounding the center stack and instrument cluster.

The Corvette Z06 sits on staggered setup of 19″/20″ Chrome-finished aluminum wheels with Corvette logo center caps. The rubber is currently mixed with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires up front and Continental Extreme Contact tires (non-runflats) in the rear. With the Z07 Performance Package comes Brembo’s carbon-ceramic brakes and red brake calipers.

Corvette Mike is offering this low-mileage one-owner 2016 Corvette Z06 for $89,900. Are you ready to be its next caretaker? Contact Tim at 714-630-0700 today.

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To learn more about these three highly collectible Corvettes for sale or to view the other collector Corvettes offered by Corvette Mike, visit them online at CorvetteMike.com or give Tim a call at 714-630-0700 and let them know you found these Corvettes on CorvetteBlogger.com!

Source:
CorvetteMike.com

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[VIDEO] Here are the Cars that Rick Treworgy of Muscle Car City Museum Decided to Keep

Ever since Rick Treworgy closed his Muscle Car City Museum in Florida and sold some 200 of the vehicles at a special Mecum Auction in January for a whopping $18 million, we’ve wondered which cars he just couldn’t bear to part with.

Thanks to Wade Kawasaki’s Car Guy Adventures on YouTube, we don’t have to wonder anymore.

If you’re an enthusiast, definitely set aside 22 minutes and watch this video that shows Rick’s remaining collection that still includes more than 20 big block C2 Corvettes, a 1970 Chevelle SS with an LS6 engine, a 1969 Camaro Z/28 with a cross ram DZ302, and many more interesting vehicles!

“This is a driver’s garage,” Wade explains. “No trailer queens. He’s gonna have a mechanic and detail guy to keep them running so he can drive and enjoy these cars the way they’re meant to be.”

Kawasaki, in case you’re not aware, is president and chief executive officer of Legendary Companies, formerly Coker Group. He oversees Legendary’s 14 brands and six operating companies, including Coker Tire, Universal Vintage Tire Co., Phoenix Race Tires, Wheel Vintiques, Roadster Wire Wheels, MOR – Münchner Oldtimer Reifen and The Great Race.

You know you’re in for a treat when the very first vehicle discussed in the video is a 2019 Arctic White Corvette ZR1. Rick explains that he gave up a 2020 Stingray because he believes in the long run, the ZR1 will be the best investment. He’s only driven the ZR1 some 300 miles because he’s been busy building a new house for the past year but says that odometer should be changing in the coming months.

That’s just the first of so many nice Corvettes he kept, including row after row of 1967 427s “stacked up like cordwood,” as Wade put it.

Rick says he’s trying to collect a big block in every color, and while he hasn’t achieved that goal yet, he doesn’t intend to quit trying.

He points out a blue ’67 with white stinger hood as one of his favorites. “Some cars, they’re just right,” he says. “They feel like they did back in the day after they’re restored. That’s one of ‘em. I can’t make myself part with it.”

He also couldn’t part with a black ’66 Corvette, the first car he ever restored and then showed all over the Southeast for 10 years before driving it for another decade. “It still looks about as good as the day we did it.”

Another sentimental favorite is the only ’55 Chevy coupe remaining in his collection, as he points out a ‘55 was his first car and “whenever I go back to a hot rod, it’s always a ’55 Chevy.”

Other interesting vehicles include a purple Blazer turned into a short pickup, a 1912 Durand (a predecessor to Chevrolet), a ’61 Pontiac Ventura, a ’39 Chevy hot rod, a first-year 1935 Suburban, the last L88 Corvette made (a ’69), and a 1935 Cadillac restomod.

“I have a toy or two,” Rick jokes.

Those toys also include vintage ZR1 motors from the C4 era, and he believes they’ll be worth some money in the future when restoration of the 1990-95 ZR1s begins in earnest someday.

While the museum became a victim of COVID, Rick’s love of collector cars isn’t going anywhere. In fact, while he says there “probably” won’t ever be a museum again, he is planning to build two or three hot rods a year for sale at auction.

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Source:
Wade Kawasaki’s Car Guy Adventures / YouTube

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Corvettes for Sale: Daytona Blue 1963 Corvette Split-Window with Rare Factory Air

This ’63 Corvette packed with “luxury” options was cool when such boulevard cruisers weren’t so cool … literally.

It’s hard to believe now, but 57 years ago, air conditioning wasn’t quite so ubiquitous as it is nowadays.

In fact, this Daytona Blue Split Window Coupe is one of just 278 Corvettes that left the St. Louis factory with A/C – out of a total of 10,594 coupes made. By the way, those ’63s were the first Corvette coupes ever produced – and the first Corvettes ever with A/C.

Obviously, the original owner of this “fully enclosed” Sting Ray not only wanted to be “cool” in his (or her) new car back then but also wanted to be comfortable as this Corvette is equipped with an automatic transmission and power steering / brakes / windows, not to mention AM/FM radio, tinted glass, and whitewall tires.

Riding in such a lap of luxury didn’t come cheaply back in the day, though, as all those options added up to a window sticker of nearly $5,500 for this Sting Ray – including a whopping $421.80 for the AC alone, along with $199.10 for the automatic.

Believe it or not, the 327/300 hp engine was just an extra $53.80 – not much more than the power brakes ($43.05) but cheaper than the power windows ($59.20) and power steering ($75.35).

Of course, nowadays, the Split Window Coupe remains one of the most sought-after Corvettes around, so it’s no surprise that this rare beauty is being offered by Corvette Mike for $199,000!

For that nearly $200 grand, though, you’re getting a Sting Ray that is obviously one of the best around – having undergone a factory-correct frame-off restoration that has enabled it to earn NCRS Top Flight honors and the prestigious Duntov Mark of Excellence Award, as well.

I’m torn about this car. While I truly appreciate the meticulous restoration back to original factory specs, I think I’d prefer to spend less than $200K and just get a restomod that has been upgraded with modern touches underneath that make it perform better. I’d also prefer non-factory wheels to give it a much sportier look, even though they wouldn’t be original.

It’s really a moot point because I can’t afford either version, but what’s your take – a Sting Ray restored to factory specs or a restomod outfitted with performance upgrades?

Source:
CorvetteMike.com via Motorious.com

Tag: C2 Corvette

Corvette Auction Preview: Four More Corvettes to Make You Drool at Mecum Kissimmee 2022

[VIDEO] Building a Retro-Bodied C8 Corvette Project in the Driveway

Our Three Favorite Corvettes for Sale from Corvette Mike in December

[VIDEO] Here are the Cars that Rick Treworgy of Muscle Car City Museum Decided to Keep

Corvettes for Sale: Daytona Blue 1963 Corvette Split-Window with Rare Factory Air

[GALLERY] Midyear Monday! (41 Corvette photos)