The Corvette Story #2 – The Corvette SS Goes Racing

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.

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.

Despite his certainty that Duntov and Cole would continue the Corvette’s development (and legacy), Earl saw Cole – Chevrolet’s newly appointed General Manager – being pulled in different directions based on the ever-growing demands of his new role. If the momentum to develop a genuine race program was lost, Earl was certain the Corvette’s future would be in jeopardy.  Fortunately, he knew exactly what needed to be done.

Earl “acquired” a Jaguar D-Type race car from business owner and Indy-car driver Jack Ensley. He had the Jaguar delivered to GM’s Styling department. Upon its arrival, Earl announced his intention to have the car fitted with a Chevrolet engine and re-classify it as an “experimental Corvette.”