’63 Harley Earl ‘Vette to cross block
Legendary GM designer’s personal car to be sold
GM rewarded their designer Harvey Earl with this one-of-a-kind,
factory special Corvette.
The 1963, one-of-a-kind, factory special Corvette convertible will be auctioned as Lot S116 at 2:35 p.m. Saturday, May 22 in Indianapolis, Ind.
Earl established himself as the dean of Detroit stylists during his career at GM, where he unveiled his concept for the Corvette in 1953 and cemented its image as America's sports car.
The Earl Corvette, featuring a 327 cubic inch engine, boasts a 4-speed manual transmission; distinct dual instrument panels and stainless steel side-exit exhausts that sprout from behind the front wheel wells; and chrome trim, exterior emblems, interior control knobs and four-wheel disc brakes that are all pre-production 1965 parts. A hand-written number code inside the door trim panel confirms Shop Order (S.O.) 10323, indicating a special hand-built, one-of-a-kind Corvette.
After two years of owning the car, Earl sold it to a retired Army vet.
In February 1963, the unique Sting Ray served as a parade car at the Daytona 500.
After two years of owning the car, Earl sold it to a retired Maryland Army veteran. The vehicle resurfaced a decade later, eventually showing up at the Corvettes at Carlisle meet. In 1981, middle school teacher and Corvette enthusiast Joe Clark bought the car from the group of amateur racers who owned it and began researching its history. Today, the Corvette has been restored to its original medium Blue custom leather interiors with White seat trim and Metallic Blue exterior with White trim.
The Harley Earl Corvette joins more than 1,750 vehicles that will cross the block during Mecum's Spring Classic Auction, including a ultra rare collection of 1960s-era Pontiacs owned by Mecum Auction President Dana Mecum (see related article). To view a complete list, visit www.Mecum.com.
Mecum will also offer a variety of collectible neon signs.
The Original Spring Classic Auction, held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, will be broadcast live on Mecum's television series, "Mecum Auto Auction: Muscle Cars & More" on HD Theater. The auction will take place in the Toyota Blue Ribbon Pavilion, with tickets available at the door for $15.
Consignment, bidder and event information is available online at www.Mecum.com or call 815-568-8888.
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