1956 Chevrolet Corvette SR Prototype ‘The Real McCoy’ Sells for $2.3M at Mecum Kissimmee Auction
It was a big afternoon in Kissimmee as the Mecum car auction set a new sales record when it sold a 1956 Chevrolet Corvette SR Prototype “The Real McCoy” for $2.3 million.
Forever known as “The Real McCoy”, the 1956 Chevrolet Corvette prototype delivered a historic one-two punch against the competition that literally saved the Corvette, the result of a gargantuan effort to rescue the ailing brand whose sales were flagging under competition from Ford’s Thunderbird. It began life at Chevrolet as Engineering Project Tracking Number 6901, assembled under the supervision of Corvette Chief Engineer Zora Arkus Duntov with a special bored-out 307 CI engine using dual Carter 4-barrel carbs and the now-legendary “Duntov cam.”
With an estimated 255 horsepower on tap, the car powered Duntov to a new two-way Flying Mile speed record during NASCAR’s Daytona Speed Week, a high-profile event that drove hot competition between the factories and attracted widespread press coverage. Just two months later in March 1956 against the world’s best, it was driven by American racers John Fitch and Walt Hansgen to a historic class win at the 12 Hours of Sebring, firmly establishing the Corvette as a force in both American and international sports car racing and setting its course to becoming America’s Sports Car.
The 10 day auction series comes to an end tomorrow so there’s still time to get along to Osceola Heritage Park and watch the action!
More photos from today’s action and from earlier in the week at www.FloridaLeisurePhotography.com
