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The 1956 “Real McCoy” Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee

The 1956

We knew that the 1956 Corvette that some have dubbed “the Corvette that saved the brand” should go for big money when it was auctioned at Mecum Kissimmee and we were not disappointed.

The hammer fell on Saturday afternoon with “The Real McCoy” reaching a high bid of $2.3 Million, catapulting the little white roadster with the rumbling V8 engine into the top five list of Corvettes sold at auction.

In its fourth year of production, the Corvette was relatively untested in competition, with some saying the Corvette still lacked the credentials that other sports cars had earned on the track.

Zora took the criticism to heart.

Begun as an Engineering Project, the mule known originally as #6901 was assembled under the guidance of Corvette engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov. Under the hood was a 307 ci V8 engine hopped up with the first known version of the “Duntov Cam” and dual Carter four-barrel carbs.

Zora identified Daytona’s Flying Mile record which then stood at a two-way average of just over 127 MPH as beatable. In February 1956 the 6901 mule Corvette shattered that record with a two-way average of 150.583 MPH. And in doing so just days before the opening of the 1956 GM Motorama at the Waldorf Astoria, he created a buzz that generated new found respect for the car.

But Chevy wasn’t finished yet with #6901 yet. Ed Cole announced that the mule would join a factory-backed three car team of production Corvettes for an assault on Sebring’s 12 hour race. With John Fitch leading the team and driving 6901 as the #1 Corvette in the race with Walt Hansgen, the Corvette faced its share of issues but persevered to win the class and finish ninth overall.

Chevrolet celebrated the class win with an advertisement that called #6901 “The Real McCoy”. The Corvette was finally bonafied with a class win at one of the world’s biggest races and would continue to be a force in national and international sports car race for the next 56+ years.

Here are photos of the Real McCoy from Mecum’s Kissimmee auction:

The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee
The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee
The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee
The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee
The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee
The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee
The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee
The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee
The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee
The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee
The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee
The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee
The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee The 1956 Real McCoy Corvette Sells for $2.3 Million at Mecum Kissimmee

And we were also lucky to be behind the car as it moved from the expo hall to the main building for the auction:

Related:
[PIC] Throwback Thursday: The Real McCoy
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Edmunds.com Editor Recounts Harrowing Tale of Driving a 2014 Corvette Stingray in a Blizzard

Edmunds.com Editor Recounts Harrowing Tale of Driving a 2014 Corvette Stingray in a Blizzard

Last year Edmunds.com bought a 2014 Corvette Stingray Z51 Coupe to use as a long-term test vehicle and we’ve been following some of the car’s tests on their twitter feed. Recently, Edmunds staff drove the Corvette to Detroit for the North American International Auto Show and on the way encountered a huge snow storm in the Colorado mountains.

The guys at Edmunds knew that they may be seeing some winter weather which is why they outfitted the Corvette with Pirelli Sotto Zero Serie II winter tires before leaving California.

As the Corvette began the trek up the mountains, Edmunds.com Editor in Chief Scott Oldham utilized the Corvette’s Drive Mode Selector in “Weather” mode to keep the Corvette moving. But at one point, he was forced to stop and once stopped, there was no going forward.

So there he was, stuck and blocking a lane of travel on I70 in a blizzard. Things looked so desperate that a call was even placed to 911. So how did he break free get to a hotel room several miles down the road? By backing down the highway to where he could get some traction so he could move forward again.

We know some will say that he had no business driving a car like a Corvette though the Rocky Mountains in January, but others will appreciate the “Drive It Anywhere” attitude.

Edmunds.com Editor Recounts Harrowing Tale of Driving a 2014 Corvette Stingray in a Blizzard

Check out the full account of Scott’s epic journey in the Edmunds.com Lime Rock Green Z51 Stingray Coupe through a major snow storm.

Source:
Edmunds.com

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[PIC] Red 2014 Corvette Stingray Crashes in the Snow
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Supervettes Unveils SV8.R Conversion Kits for C6 and C7 Corvettes

Supervettes Unveils SV8.R Conversion Kits for C6 and C7 Corvettes

Don’t want to wait for the awe-inspiring 2015 Corvette Z06 to arrive in dealer showrooms next year?

Then Supervettes has the answer for you.

The Jupiter, Fla.-based Corvette tuner and parts supplier has announced two conversion packages called the SV8.R, that can really add some pizazz to your C6 or C7 Corvette.

The cost? Your donor car plus another $60,000 if you go ahead and lock in one of the two pre-orders left, or $65,000 if you miss out on that discount.

So what do you get for that kind of money?

Well, for starters, how about a newly redesigned carbon fiber body that’s eight-plus inches wider than a standard C6. You also get Kevlar-reinforced front and rear bumpers, 20-inch forged wheels on the front and 21-inchers on the back (surrounded by Pirelli Pzero tires), upgraded exhaust, brakes, and lighting, and a new coat of paint.

You can also pay extra for performance packages, upgrades in the interior and sound system, and a fully exposed carbon fiber finish.

Check out Supervettes’ facebook page for more on the SV8.R conversion kits.

Source:
GM Authority

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[VIDEO] Corvette Stingray gets new promo

The Chevrolet Corvette, in its new generation, is being placed into the spotlights once again, this time with the help of a new promotional video, which has been recently released by the North American based automotive giant, General Motors.

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[VIDEO] Corvette Stingray gets new promo

The Chevrolet Corvette, in its new generation, is being placed into the spotlights once again, this time with the help of a new promotional video, which has been recently released by the North American based automotive giant, General Motors.

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Corvette Racing at Daytona: Promising Showing in C7.R Debut

Corvette Racing at Daytona: Promising Showing in C7.R Debut
Photo Credit: IMSA.com

New Chevrolet GT race cars display competitive balance in 2014 opener

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 26, 2014) – In its return to the Rolex 24 At Daytona, Corvette Racing experienced the highs and lows of the twice-around-the-clock endurance classic. In their competitive debut, both of the team’s Chevrolet Corvette C7.Rs led the opening round of the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship. The new racing Corvette showed promise with impressive speed and economy ahead of its full-season campaign in North America’s new sports car racing championship.

The No. 4 Corvette C7.R of Oliver Gavin, Tommy Milner and Robin Liddell led the Corvette Racing effort placed a disappointing fifth in the GT Le Mans class following a problem with the car’s gearbox with less than three hours to go. Milner, running second at the time, was chasing the eventual race-winning car when the Corvette’s gearbox temperature rose dramatically. Milner went directly to the garage where the team diagnosed the problem as a transmission bearing failure. The Corvette Racing crew switched out the gearbox in 30 minutes and sent Milner back to the race.

Antonio Garcia, Jan Magnussen and Ryan Briscoe each had impressive drives to take the No. 3 Corvette C7.R from the rear of the grid at the start to the class lead at the six-and-a-half hour mark. The balance and stability of the Corvette was evident in the track’s infield section and allowed all three drivers to cut through slower traffic. Unfortunately the engine began to overheat during Garcia’s stint near the halfway mark. He handed over to Briscoe, who was called first to the pits then to the garage on more than one occasion to try and solve the cooling problem – a task that ultimately proved unsuccessful.

“This is an example of how difficult the Rolex 24 can be,” said Mark Kent, Chevrolet’s Director of Racing. “On one hand, we are very encouraged with the initial showing of the new Chevrolet Corvette C7.R. The promise the car displayed was evident on both the No. 3 and No. 4 side. Unfortunately these things happen in a race as long and grueling as this one. Hats off to the efforts by everyone at Corvette Racing and Team Chevy for their efforts. We will examine these issues, find the root causes and resolve them prior to the next race at Sebring.”

The next round of the TUDOR Championship is the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on Saturday, March 15

ANTONIO GARCIA, NO. 3 CHEVROLET CORVETTE C7.R

“I had quite a good couple of stints. Luckily both the yellows came two-thirds or three-quarters into each of the stints so it wasn’t easy to make decisions on pit strategies and tires. We just did fuel on the first one and chose just right-side tires and fuel on the second one. I got out again with no problem. The Porsche had four tires so he had an advantage. In the end, I was having some issues with some sudden oversteering. I thought there was oil on the track but it was me that was leaking water from the engine so I spun on my own water. It got worse and worse and we decided to stop to check everything.”

JAN MAGNUSSEN, NO. 3 CHEVROLET CORVETTE C7.R

“This definitely wasn’t the result everyone was looking for. All in all, the car was quite fast. We weren’t the fastest car out there but a podium was definitely in the cards. I feel really sorry for all the guys who worked so hard to get us here. We will come back to Sebring stronger. For me the opening stint was about me staying out of trouble and trying to make up as much of the ground as possible. I really thought I would get by all the GT Daytona cars and then have a big gap up to the GTLM cars but it wasn’t that big when I finally came through. I thought I needed a safety car to bunch everyone up but we were right there at the end of my first double-stint. After that, we all had a good couple of stints to get into the lead. It all went downhill from there, unfortunately. It’s a new car with a ton of potential. We are just scratching the surface. It already is a great car. We just need to iron out the bugs.”

RYAN BRISCOE, NO. 3 CHEVROLET CORVETTE C7.R

“I was having a great time driving the Corvette C7.R The car was really good to drive. It was the best-handling car as far as I could see. We were really good and really strong, and we were definitely contenders until we started having some overheating issues. It was a real honor to be part of Corvette Racing for the first time. I’m looking forward to more.”

OLIVER GAVIN, NO. 4 CHEVROLET CORVETTE C7.R

“It was great to finally race the Corvette C7.R. I really enjoyed my stints in the car and racing against the competition in our class. It was building up to a really grandstanding finish between us, the Porsche and the BMW. Unfortunately both Corvette Racing and the fans were robbed of that due to our transmission problem. But that is the nature of endurance racing. The C7.R is a brand new race car, and for it to go 22.5 hours with a major problem is a real testament to the team, Chevrolet and Pratt & Miler. Kudos to the Corvette Racing team for working as hard as they did to get the gearbox changed; it was a massive effort by everyone involved. So while the result is frustrating, I can’t thank everyone enough for all they gave this weekend.”

TOMMY MILNER, NO. 4 CHEVROLET CORVETTE C7.R

“I got warnings on the dash coming out of NASCAR Turn 4 that the gearbox was hot. Then it got real hot real fast. As I worked down the gears at Turn 1, it was very rough-sounding at the back of the car and was getting worse. The car was running OK. I could still go very quick. I did about half a lap. But when I got to Turn 6, there was a lot of smoke out of the back of the car so I pulled down to the inside.”

ROBIN LIDDELL, NO. 4 CHEVROLET CORVETTE C7.R

“Your expectations change in a race like this depending on how you’re doing. When you’re in a position suddenly with three hours to go and the potential to win it, suddenly your expectations ramp right up. Then when something happens, you feel like you’ve been robbed. But stepping back from that, overall we had a pretty good showing with a brand new car. It was a particularly hard race with the lack of class disparity between the speeds of the classes. In the end, the car performed very well. It’s clearly a contender. Once the season gets under way and everything settles down, it will all start to come together. I’m really happy to be part of this team and be part of this first race.”

DOUG FEHAN, CORVETTE RACING PROGRAM MANAGER

“Our return to the Rolex 24 At Daytona proved once again that Corvette Racing never gives up. It was a phenomenal effort by the drivers and crews of both the No. 3 and No. 4 Corvette C7.Rs to get both cars to the front under difficult circumstances. The potential of the C7.R package is clear. As we witnessed today, Daytona gives so much but can just as easily take it away. The results maybe not be what we wanted but, the excitement we generated today will be carried right over to Sebring!”

Source:
CorvetteRacing.com
Photo Credit: IMSA.com

Related:
Corvette Racing at Daytona: Mixed Bag in First Qualifying for Corvette C7.R
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