Remarkable Record-Setting 1957 Corvette SS Project XP-64 Fetches $7.7M At Auction

The record for the most expensive Corvette ever sold at auction, set just over a decade ago at Barrett-Jackson by this iconic 1967 L88 Coupe, was just toppled by GM’s first purpose-built racing machine–the 1957 Corvette SS Project XP-64. The bright lights at RM Sotheby’s late February 2025 extravaganza shone brightly on this remarkable piece of Corvette history, and the bidders responded. When the dust settled, the world was left with a new record, an astounding $7,705,000 for the machine that Harley Earl and Zora Arkus-Duntov helped usher into our Corvette universe. [Author’s Note: This article is FREE and not behind a paywall. If/when any pop-ups occur, please click to make them disappear and continue enjoying the article. One requires two steps–first, the arrow on the left, then the x on the top right.]

This 1957 Corvette SS didn’t break a sweat knocking the $3.85M 1967 L88 off the top slot, leaving these remaining examples to round out the top 5 most expensive Corvettes sold at auction: (3) 2025 ZR1 VIN 001 at $3.7M, (4) 2023 Z06 VIN 001 at $3.6M, and (5) 1967 L88 at $3.4M. Now, let’s dive into the new record holder!

What’s Inside This CorvSport Special Feature:

1. 1957 Corvette SS Project XP-64 Highlights
2. A Deeper Dive: Mark Leofe Capayas’s feature
3. More from the CorvSport archives
4. Corvette SS RM Sotheby’s photo gallery
5. Historic Corvette SS photos from the GM archives
6. Watch the record-setting Corvette SS cross the block!

1) 1957 Corvette SS Project XP-64 RM Sotheby’s Highlights:

• Billed as the first purpose-built General Motors racecar and a personal project of Zora.
• Considered a milestone in the development of the Corvette into a true performance car.
• The only Chevrolet Corvette SS completed and campaigned by General Motors.
• Raced at the 1957 Sebring 12 Hours by renowned drivers John Fitch and Piero Taruffi.
• Powered by a Chevrolet 283-cu.-in. V-8 with Ramjet fuel injection, backed by a four-speed manual gearbox.
• A design exercise in lightweight construction and aerodynamics; the sole Corvette SS built with magnesium bodywork.
• A number of technological features were tested on this car, including an early fuel-injection system, many of which made their way into later production Corvettes.
• One of the first Corvettes to wear the hallowed “Super Sport” moniker, alongside the 1957 Corvette SS show car.

2) A Deeper Dive, Our Longer Features:

Here’s Your Chance To Own The Legendary 1957 Corvette SS Project XP-64

The first purpose-built GM racing machine

[Authored By CorvSport’s Mark Leofe Capayas]

“The 1957 Chevrolet Corvette SS, codenamed Project XP-64, represents one of General Motors’ most innovative and ambitious projects. It was a groundbreaking venture led by Zora Arkus-Duntov, often called the “Father of the Corvette,” and backed by Harley Earl, GM’s visionary designer. This lightweight, high-performance racecar was the first purpose-built GM racing machine.