A Corvette prototype not seen by the public for 60 years before being unveiled at a 2017 Florida show is up for sale again.
The 1957 Corvette Super Sport was first offered on our sister site, VetteFinders, a couple of years ago for $2.8 million or best offer but failed to change hands at that time.
This time, the SS will cross the block on the last day of Mecum’s 2022 Kissimmee Auction on Saturday, January 15.
After running the ’57 show circuit, the car was sold to Ron Wilsie of Wilsie/Kelley Chevrolet in Cato, Michigan. The current owner, John Baldwin, restored the SS to original condition after purchasing it in 1997. It won the Presentation of Significant Cars Award at the 2017 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.
The Corvette SS made its debut in early 1957 as part of GM’s legendary Motorama shows of the 1950s – first at the New York Waldorf Astoria Auto Show and then at the Chicago Auto Show, only to disappear from public eyes for six decades before resurfacing at Amelia Island Concours in 2017.
The Super Sport is notable for its racing-style twin curved windshields, unique air scoops on the doors, and blue stripe that runs the full length of the car. Under the hood rests the first fuel-injected 283/283 hp small-block V8 with a one-piece louvered chrome air cleaner and factory-original chromed aluminum valve covers.
Legendary Corvette engineer Zara Arkus-Duntov was part of a team that developed the Ramjet mechanical fuel injection unit said to result in increased power and accelerator response, faster cold starts, smoother engine warm-ups, and better gas mileage.
The car, finished in Pearlescent White with blue stripe, has its original close ratio three-speed transmission and also features a one-off solid-spoke wood-rimmed steering wheel, unique door panels with armrests, tail lamps with unique divider trim, and one-off gas, clutch, and brake pedals.
Another interesting note: the SS’s original U.S. Royal XP-140 whitewall tires with Corvette crossed flags on the sidewalks are believed to be the only set of five still to exist.
Hagerty’s manager of valuation analytics, John Wiley, says it’s difficult to estimate what the car will bring in its first auction appearance but notes the record for a 1957 Corvette is $605,000 for serial #1 at Barrett-Jackson’s 2016 Scottsdale Auction
Source:
Mecum via hagerty.com
Related:
1957 Corvette Super Sport Concept to be Shown at Ameila island
Corvettes for Sale: This Million-Dollar 1957 Corvette Was Part of Zora’s Fuelie Test Fleet
Corvettes for Sale: Go Vintage Racing in a 1957 Corvette
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Cupholders??? The ’57 Corvette Super Sport had cupholders???
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