The Corvette Story #2 – The Corvette SS Goes Racing
1957 Chevy Corvette SS
Despite its being a major attraction for automotive consumers across the United States, General Motors made the decision to discontinue their annual Motorama show after the 1956 season. The budgets previously allocated for these extravaganzas were instead funneled into Chevrolet’s Research Division with the intent of developing the Corvette into a purpose-built race car that could win at events like Le Mans and Sebring.
The 1957 Corvette SS Race Car (Image courtesy of Kolecki Photography.)
Even as he neared retirement, Harley Earl believed that the Corvette’s legacy was his to protect. He recognized that the Corvette’s continued success would rely heavily on the talents/vision of men like Zora Arkus-Duntov and Ed Cole, both of whom shared Earl’s vision of what the Corvette could potentially become.
Become a Member & Get Ad-Free Access To This Article (& A Whole Bunch More!)
Access to the full article is limited to paid subscribers only. Our membership removes most ads, lets you enjoy unlimited access to all our premium content, and offers you awesome discounts on partner products. Enjoy our premium content.
