1956 Chevrolet Corvette SR2 Roadster

Harley Earl was the head of Styling for General Motors Corporation, the 'Father' of the Corvette and envisioned and championed its creation in 1953. Harley's son, Jerome, was racing a Ferrari in 1956 and was told by the top brass of General Motors it did not look right that Jerome was racing a Ferrari and he should be racing a Corvette. Harley told Jerome he had to sell the Ferrari and he would build him a special racing Corvette. This is the backdrop for what is the first General Motors-designed and sponsored Corvette racer, the SR-2.

This is the actual car that was run by many of the best racers of the era, including Dr. Dick Thompson, John Fitch, Bud Gates, Jim Jeffords, and of course, Earl's son Jerome. It would capture the SCCA National Championship in 1958 with Jeffords behind the wheel.

Unique features include a 331 cubic-inch V8 engine with a prototype dual air meter fuel injection, a prototype 4-speed manual transmission, a 36-gallon fuel tank, a lengthened front end, the special rear high fin, dual low profile windscreens, Halibrand axles and magnesium knock-off wheels.

In 1987 when General Motors celebrated its 75th Anniversary, the car received the prestigious Monterey Cup/Phil Hill trophy. The award was presented to the car judged to have excelled in both presentation and performance.

This car has recently undergone an extensive restoration returning it to its original race specifications. It is a true step back in time to an era when corporate management really could turn a dream into reality.