Historic 1957 Corvette SS Commands $7.7 Million at Auction
Read the full story on Modern Car Collector
A groundbreaking piece of American racing history, the 1957 Corvette SS, sold for a staggering $7.7 million at RM Sotheby's Miami sale, marking a significant moment for collectors and Corvette enthusiasts.
This one-of-a-kind race car, developed under the guidance of legendary Corvette engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov, was Chevrolet's ambitious attempt to compete against European powerhouses at Le Mans. Known internally as Project XP-64, the Corvette SS was a revolutionary machine for its time, featuring a lightweight tubular frame and a magnesium body. Powering the car was a factory-tuned 283-cubic-inch V8 equipped with Ramjet fuel injection, paired with a four-speed manual transmission.
Despite its promising design, the car's debut at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1957 was short-lived. Piloted by John Fitch and Piero Taruffi, the Corvette SS faced multiple mechanical issues and was ultimately retired after just 23 laps, largely due to excessive heat generated by its magnesium body. Not long after its debut, Chevrolet's racing efforts were halted when the Automobile Manufacturers Association prohibited factory-backed motorsports participation.
Following its brief competitive stint, the Corvette SS remained a symbol of Chevrolet's racing aspirations, appearing in promotional events before being permanently housed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. Last year, the museum announced plans to part with 11 vehicles, including the Corvette SS, leading to its highly anticipated auction debut.
Bidding for the historic race car opened at $3 million and quickly surpassed the reserve price. A flurry of offers pushed the final hammer price to $7 million, with fees bringing the total to $7.7 million, solidifying its place as one of the most significant Corvette sales in history.
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