You’re looking at Corvette EX87/5951, a singular and storied car that performed an important function within the improvement of the long-lasting Corvette lineage. This distinctive piece of automotive historical past is now out there on the market, providing a uncommon alternative to personal a automotive that was instrumental in shaping the Corvette’s legacy.
Normal Motors pulled EX87/5951 off the manufacturing line in mid-1954, designating it with the engineering monitoring quantity 5951. It launched into an enchanting journey by automotive historical past, marked by innovation, engineering prowess, and high-speed experimentation.
This Corvette was entrusted to 2 of Normal Motors’ most distinguished engineers: Mauri Rose, a three-time Indianapolis 500 winner, and Maurice Rosenberger, a transmission specialist. Their mission was to check the brand new V-8 engine and handbook transmission that may ultimately be featured within the 1955 and 1956 Corvettes. By mid-1955, their work was accomplished, and the automotive was handed over to Zora Arkus-Duntov, the newly appointed head of Corvette engineering. Duntov was tasked with pushing the boundaries even additional on the GM Desert Proving Grounds close to Mesa, Arizona.
Duntov, usually considered the “Father of the Corvette,” made a major contribution with the creation of the specifically designed “hi-lift camshaft,” famously generally known as the “Duntov Cam.” This innovation allowed EX87/5951 to succeed in a powerful velocity of just below 163 MPH, setting the stage for the high-performance repute the Corvette would come to embody.
Following its high-speed trials, EX87/5951 was transported again to the Tech Heart in Warren, Michigan. There, its engine and transmission have been meticulously eliminated, retested, and put in right into a 1956 prototype. This prototype was destined for the Velocity Week races at Daytona Seaside in early 1956, showcasing the cutting-edge developments made by Normal Motors.
In early 1956, EX87/5951 was reassembled with a crimson 1955 physique and the newest 1956 parts out there on the Tech Heart, together with the engine and transmission. The automotive was then used as a demonstrator, evident by the holes within the bumper and body designed to accommodate a tow hitch. The success of the 1956 Corvette led to the retirement of this demonstrator, which was subsequently assigned the VIN EX87 and offered to an unknown GM worker in 1956.
For years, the whereabouts of EX87/5951 remained a thriller till it was rediscovered and bought by its present house owners in 1968. Since then, except for a repaint in “Venetian Purple” within the mid-Seventies and the alternative of worn components, the automotive has remained largely in its authentic situation.
Now, this legendary Corvette is offered on the market, providing collectors and fanatics a singular alternative to personal a chunk of Corvette historical past. Its journey from a check car to a cherished automotive icon underscores the relentless pursuit of efficiency and design that continues to drive the Corvette model ahead. Don’t miss your likelihood to personal this outstanding car, a testomony to the progressive spirit and engineering excellence that has outlined the Corvette legacy.
