Corvette EX87 Auctioned

The Legend of EX87

Test mules, those unsung heroes of automotive development, have powered innovation for decades, often operating in the shadows. These vehicles are typically retired or destroyed after serving their purpose. Yet, every so often, one makes it to the auction block, drawing gearheads and collectors like moths to a flame. Enter the Chevrolet Corvette EX87, a renowned C1 test car currently being auctioned on Bring a Trailer. This isn’t just any car, but a pivotal piece of Corvette history.

Innovative Beginnings

The genesis of Corvette EX87 is a tale of engineering ambition. Initially, the early Corvette C1 models didn’t quite meet sales expectations. In response, Zora Arkus-Duntov, an influential engineer, envisioned a Corvette that could rival the Chrysler 300’s 150 mph speed record. Working alongside Mauri Rose, a former Indianapolis 500 winner, they transformed an unsold 1954 Corvette into a high-speed contender.

Details

Under the hood, they bored and stroked a 307 cubic inch V8, introducing what’s known today as the “Duntov Cam.” This became the first V8 to power a Corvette, paving the way for the small-block V8s we recognize today. The car gained distinctive body modifications including a unique windscreen, passenger tonneau cover, head fairing, and a belly pan. With Smokey Yunick behind the wheel, this powerful machine topped out at 163 mph at the GM Proving Grounds in Arizona.

Current Whereabouts

The EX87’s body, originally split from its chassis, later found a home in the Lingenfelter Collection, seated on a conventional 1955 Corvette frame. It was eventually reunited with its famed engine in 2003. Meanwhile, EX87 itself received a body from another ’55 Corvette, along with a new 265 cubic inch V8 engine and auto transmission. It lived another life as a demo car before being sold to a GM engineer. In 1968, it ended up with the current owner’s husband, who cherished it as a show car while discovering its historic past.

Throughout the years, the vehicle has been updated with a 327 cubic inch engine and given a new red paint job. It sports a beige convertible top, and the odometer currently reads 21,000 miles, though actual mileage remains a mystery.

An Auction of History

Owning a test mule like the EX87 doesn’t just mean acquiring a car; it means stepping into a pivotal chapter of automotive history. The chassis that birthed the V8 Corvette era exudes a legendary status that’s hard to encapsulate with words alone. Now, after nearly six decades under its current ownership, EX87 is offered with no reserve on the auction block. The car comes with comprehensive documentation from GM, service records, spare parts, and a clean California title as a ’55 Chevy.

As the auction approaches its close, bids are already at $52,500—and climbing. Assigning a price to such a monument of automotive legacy is daunting, but soon enough, someone will become the custodian of not just a car, but a living testament to the Corvette’s storied past.