The Corvette Grand Sport

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

In 1963, General Motors decided to start the car competition, with a goal to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans. For that purpose, its engineers designed a new model, the Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport. Five copies were made before the U.S. brand decided to leave the competition the following year. The first idea was to destroy, but these five cars eventually made the happiness of private owners.

On January 16 in Phoenix, Arizona, RM Auctions presents the number 002, in its original condition. This is one of only two to have been mounted as a roadster.

On August 15, the prototype of Jaguar E, on which I devoted an article in this group, was sold $ 4.5 million before fees by Bonhams and Butterfields. Jaguar had started this project in 1960, thus anticipating by three years the initiative of General Motors. The early 1960s marked the start of a race to technology, marked by the space challenge between the Americans and Soviets. The competition car went out of the mechanical prowess to become a technological feat. Other sectors, such as medicine and computers, will be the major beneficiaries of this industrial revolution.

Returning to our Corvette. In its press release, RM Auctions spoke of a multi-million price in dollars. It is usual with this auction house that the estimate is not communicated with the first ad.

As against, I am pleased to propose an image, by following this link to leblogauto, a very good site in French well aware of car news.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

The car market also has its difficulties. The Corvette remained unsold. At $ 4.9 million, it did not reach its reserve price.

In the same sale, I had also identified a Bugatti 57SC Atalante. It also remained unsold, at $ 4.5 million.