Corvette Model Gallery
1957 Corvette SS
Zora was convinced that racing was the key to mature the Corvette into a fine sports car, and convinced GM management that winning races would help sell more cars. In July 1956 he was given the go ahead to prepare a race car for the March 1957 Sebring endurance race. What he and his team came up with, was the experimental XP-64, better known as the Corvette SS. It had a sophisticated tubular space frame, lightweight magnesium body, some magnesium chassis components, Aluminum radiator, gearbox and cylinder heads and a race prepared 283 fuel injected engine, that was reported to produce 307 HP. The rear suspension was independent de Dion type and coilover shocks all around. The car was smaller than the regular production Corvette, having a 72 in. wheelbase, as opposed to the 102 in the regular car, and the overall length was only 168.6 in. A removable bubble top was designed for long races, and stood 48.7 inches tall with it and only 36 without. The famous driver Juan Manuel Fangio was supposed to race it, but he was released because the car would not be ready on time. However, he took the car for a test and unofficially broke the Sebring track record. The car was rushed to the race, without much time for refinements, and it retired early in the race, after completing only about 23 laps. Further development was canceled, due to the 1957 ban on factory involvement in racing. Imagine what could have been if it were further developed. Sebring, LeMans etc. In December 1958, the car was clocked at 183 MPH at a GM's proving ground in Phoenix. Since May 29th, 1967, the car resides in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum.
The model:
This is the only model of the SS I've seen. Mike reports this to be an old Aardvark Models resin kit. It is absolutely incredible.
"The kit was mastered and sold by Andy Martin. He is no longer in the business and the kit has long since been discontinued."
"The model is painted in the original Nassau Blue lacquer"
"It is a multimedia resin kit complete with photoetched parts and decals"
"The model is built to represent the car as it raced at Sebring"
"It is a curbside model with no engine or chassis detail"
Comments:
This is an awesome model. Even if it is only a curbside, it is absolutely incredible. Combine that with the fact that this one of my favorite racers of all time, I simply love it. This is one of my favorite models in the gallery so far.... Ismael
If you would like to contact Mike on this model his e-mail address is: FREDEBASSETT@prodigy.net
Page updated 09/22/99