Photo: RM Sotheby's
A few hours from now on, RM Sotheby’s is set to offer at auction one of the rarest and most sought-after Chevrolet Corvette derivatives of all time. Part of the Andrews Collection, this 1962 Corvette Gulf Oil race car is estimated to fetch anything between $2 million to a mind-bending $2,750,000.
Chassis number 20867S103980 is the proverbial Holy Grail when it comes to race-prepared examples from the first generation of the mighty Corvette. For starters, it’s the 1962 SCCA A/Production champion, and it was driven by Dick Thompson for Grady Davis’ Gulf Oil Racing outfit.
Dick was known as “The Flying Dentist” for his rather unglamorous day job, yet the guy managed to win 12 of 14 races. As such, Thompson became one of the greatest drivers to compete in SCCA. Not bad for a dentist and certainly not bad for a C1 Corvette.
One of the most significant and well-preserved ‘Vette racing cars ever comes authentically restored, beautifully maintained and with extensive documentation as an added bonus.
Equipped with the 327/360 fuel-injected engine, a massive 37-gallon (140 liters) fuel tank and the track-focused RPO 687 package, this old-timer also benefits from heavy-duty brakes, special rear shock absorbers, additional air scoops for cooling the brakes and a race-specification quick steering ratio.
Most recently restored in 2007 and part of the Andrews Collection since 2008, the 360-plus horsepower brute puts all that power down via a four-speed manual transmission. At first glance, a little under $3 million for a racing Corvette wearing Gulf Oil livery seems like overkill.
But trust the classic car experts on this one: as far as alternative investments go in this day and age, this senior ‘Vette is as solid as the ground we stand on.
Dick was known as “The Flying Dentist” for his rather unglamorous day job, yet the guy managed to win 12 of 14 races. As such, Thompson became one of the greatest drivers to compete in SCCA. Not bad for a dentist and certainly not bad for a C1 Corvette.
One of the most significant and well-preserved ‘Vette racing cars ever comes authentically restored, beautifully maintained and with extensive documentation as an added bonus.
Equipped with the 327/360 fuel-injected engine, a massive 37-gallon (140 liters) fuel tank and the track-focused RPO 687 package, this old-timer also benefits from heavy-duty brakes, special rear shock absorbers, additional air scoops for cooling the brakes and a race-specification quick steering ratio.
Most recently restored in 2007 and part of the Andrews Collection since 2008, the 360-plus horsepower brute puts all that power down via a four-speed manual transmission. At first glance, a little under $3 million for a racing Corvette wearing Gulf Oil livery seems like overkill.
But trust the classic car experts on this one: as far as alternative investments go in this day and age, this senior ‘Vette is as solid as the ground we stand on.
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