Vehicle Description
To be OFFERED AT AUCTION at Auctions America’s Hilton Head event, November 5, 2016.
Chassis No.
E56S003018
Estimate:
$ 90,000 - $120,000 US
The new-for-1956 Corvette was introduced as being of a design that incorporated new ideas garnered from professional drivers. Ideas that were evaluated and refined by the Corvette engineering team to bring about the most spectacular evolution of sports cars at that time. It was suddenly a respected contender and has only gained respect with the passage of time.
On occasion a very special opportunity presents itself in the collector car market that engages individuals, not only by the rarity and beauty of the machine, but an automobile with its own special story that can be, perhaps, more intriguing and engaging the car itself. The owner strongly feels that this represents one of those rare situations.
The owner conveys that this 1956 Chevrolet Corvette is “perhaps the only Corvette in existence that was actually judged by ‘The Master’ and ‘Father of the Corvette,’ Zora Arkus-Duntov – a Corvette that he personally found to exemplify the birth of the Corvette as a genuine sports car – the 1956 model.” The proud owner further shares with us that this was a “machine so special to him, that he forever marked the car with his seal of approval – something he would rarely do, and in fact, this may be the only example in the world with this provenance.”
This car has the identity of being “chassis 3018” and it is shared with us that the story of chassis 3018 is “quite remarkable – one that is thoroughly documented in an absolutely airtight manner.” The journey is said to begin at the prestigious Meadow Brook Hall Concours d’Elegance in 1987. During that time-honored event, Mr. Duntov was invited to participate as part of the distinguished judging panel that included 36 additional and well-respected judges – amongst them Gordon Buehrig and Phil Hill.
This particular 1956 Chevrolet Corvette was entered in Class I; Classic Sports Cars Through 1959. It was on this day in 1987 at Meadow Brook Hall that chassis 3018 was adjudged by Mr. Duntov along with his fellow adjudicators for Class I honors. The original photo that depicts this day is included in the documentation and it shows Mr. Duntov with this Corvette on the lawn.
That day, chassis 3018 would be judged to be one of the best shown in Class I, and was awarded the prestigious Lion Award, besting a field of highly significant automobiles, including notable imports. Among these contenders were a 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL “Gullwing” and a Ferrari 250 GT. The then-owner shared that he nearly “passed out” upon hearing this news. The Meadow Brook Hall trophy earned that day is included with the sale of the car, as well as a program from the event.
With that highly notable award of distinction, this 1956 Corvette continued to make its way into Corvette history as Mr. Duntov interacted with the car further, now in a “more profound and public way.” Fresh off of the Meadow Brook Hall concours, chassis 3018 was then invited to be displayed at the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Expo in Dearborn, Michigan in October 1987, which honored Mr. Duntov as well as three other notable engineers. The Millie Miglia Red and white Corvette would be exhibited for one week along with a limited field of additional hand-selected and highly-notable, rare automobiles. Exclusive company indeed; it is especially sweetened by Mr. Duntov personally asking that this car be invited.
It was at this esteemed gathering that Zora Arkus-Duntov would leave his final mark on chassis 3018 when he boldly signed the right-hand fascia of the dashboard – it is signed in a distinctive manner that leaves no question as to the authenticity and author of the signature. And why not? As acknowledged worldwide, he was well-known as the “Father of the Corvette” and what better way than to show his pride in the form known as the 1956 Corvette; the model that changed the model’s direction and set the stage for its future as being recognized as “America’s Sports Car.”
To mark the occasion of Duntov signing the dash of chassis 3018, the event was documented and remembered with Zora sitting in the passenger seat with the then-owner elatedly watching “The Master” autograph one of his creations. The Detroit News and Oakland-Tech News reported on the event. Two letters, one from General Motors and the other from The Society of Automotive Engineers followed this momentous occurrence and are included in the sale of the Corvette. There are also three original photographs of Mr. Duntov and this Corvette at the moment the car was signed. These items can be seen in the photo array that accompanies this narrative.
The owner, who best knows this machine and its important history, shares the following: “So why is chassis number 3018 so special? Zora was a fairly private gentleman. While it is known that he would sign ‘objects’ found on Corvettes, such as an air cleaner, chrome bumper, valve cover or other portable item, he rarely signed a physical part of the car.” The current owner shares that he has never seen another Corvette with Duntov’s signature on it in this manner.
With documented provenance, this Corvette has awards and accolades that continued from that monumental event in October 1987 – the prestigious showings are all documented. It placed numerous times at the invitation-only Willistead Classic of Canada. In most cases, it is reported, the actual plaque or ribbon is included with the purchase of this fine car.
This represents a grand opportunity to acquire a 1956 Corvette with notable ties to Zora Arkus-Duntov along with a very special and supremely documented story that shall forever be associated with the car. The Corvette continues to be in fine condition and has aged gracefully in a “near museum state” since it was restored in the mid-1980s. It has been rarely used since the period when Duntov took interest in the car.
It looks great in vibrant exterior colors complemented by a red interior, white soft-top and whitewall tires with color-keyed steel wheels and factory two-eared spinner hubcaps. The 265-cid V-8 engine has the two four-barrel carburetor setup and the correct three-speed manual transmission. It has been stored in a climate controlled facility by the current owner in a private collection since July 2007.
As exhibited today, it is the exact car that Zora Arkus-Duntov judged in 1987. For the Corvette collector who enjoys the beautiful lines of a vintage straight-axle Corvette with a wonderful history, this Corvette is very special indeed. Judged, approved and requested for display by Duntov himself; it is ready to be welcomed by a new, fastidious and devoted caretaker.
