Description
The Millbrook Sale | Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire
Viewing: Tues 2nd December from 12pm
Auction: Wed 3rd December from 9am
Location: Millbrook Proving Ground, Station Lane, Bedford MK45 2JH
1962 Chevrolet Corvette C1 Competition Coupe
Le Mans Classic, Goodwood Revival and Silverstone Classic competitor
Estimate
£60, 000 - £70, 000
Registration No: 501 UYN
Chassis No: 20867 S 106281
MOT: Exempt
Previous competitor in the Goodwood Revival, Le Mans Classic and Silverstone Festival
Eligible for a multitude of prestigious historic motor racing events
Offered for sale with a valid FIA HTP until the end of 2026
Subject to significant recent maintenance, including new seat and belts, tyres and 120-litre ATL fuel tank complete with filters and lines
Surely one of the most cost-effective ways to gain entry to some of the world's most prestigious historic motor races
Now in its eighth generation, the 'Vette began life in 1953 with the C1 - a model that captivated a generation of American youngsters. It was the work of the legendary Harley Earl and inspired by the great European road/ race offerings of the day. It borrowed its name - of French origin - from centuries of small, fast warships. The newcomer was first seen in concept form at the New York Auto Show, and generated sufficient interest for General Motors to hand-build a batch of 300 Polo White Convertibles. Sales, slow at first, had built to no less than 14, 000 per annum by the introduction of the C2 10 years later. The C1 received multiple cosmetic updates along the way, the most significant of which came in 1958 when the nose was lengthened and dual headlights were introduced. The model was initially only available with a straight-six powerplant but soon progressed to V8 power units of varying horsepower with various transmission options.
The car offered here is a tribute to the only Corvette that ran at Le Mans in 1962, entered by the Scuderia Scirocco race team from Modena, Italy, and driven by American Tony Settember and Brit Jack Turner. Given the competitor number '1', the Corvette started at the front of the 1962 Le Mans grid as starting positions were determined by engine capacity and as a result briefly led the race at the drop of the flag.
This car was imported into the UK in 2011 and was restored and rebuilt over a five-year period to FIA-HTP competition specification by Adam Ruddle, a Tesla engineer, with assistance from Claremont Corvette of Kent. Exceptional attention to detail was employed to faithfully recreate the Scuderia Scirocco Le Mans car including sourcing a correct 1962-built car from the St Louis, Missouri, GM Assembly Plant with the powerful 327 engine specific to that year. Aside from general race preparation and full engine rebuild, detailed modifications from the original Le Mans car include: special brake cooling intakes in the front bumper; perspex bug deflector on the bonnet; additional tachometer and gauges on the dashboard; side-exit exhausts; extra Lucas driving lights flanking the grille, and, of course, the distinctive Scuderia Scirocco livery.
Since completion at the beginning of 2016, the car has raced at some of the most prestigious race meetings in Europe, including Le Mans Classic, Silverstone Classic and the Goodwood Revival, which was well-received at the Kinrara Trophy. Up against some of the finest GTs of the early 1960s, including Ferrari 250 GTOs and SWBs, Aston Martin DB4GTs, and Jaguar E-Types, the Corvette was a real crowd pleaser and was specifically featured in Goodwood's event coverage. The car continued to campaign around Europe with previous owners in historic racing series run by leading race organisers Peter Auto. Having been purchased by the vendor in 2022, this fascinating Corvette has been treated to a new, 120-Litre ATL fuel cell, complete with new fuel lines and filters, a new seat and belts, and a new set of Dunlop historic race tyres. This Corvette also has a valid FIA Historic Technical Passport (HTP) until the end of December 2026.
This Corvette is eligible for all the best race meetings, including the Goodwood Revival and Le Mans Classic, and offers a unique and comparatively cost-effective way of racing against some of the finest 1960s GT cars ever built. Indeed, due to its circa 350bhp, 5. 4-litre, V8 engine it also has the ability to challenge some rather more valuable and technologically advanced machinery in the process.
The car is offered with current FIA HTP papers and a UK V5C Registration Document, two exhaust systems (road and straight-through) plus an extensive selection of spare parts for the brakes, steering and brakes are included in the sale. The vendor has advised us that the fire extinguisher will need replacing along with a new roll cage.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.
Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people).
