Driving Corvette History at an Incredible Car Show

The EyesOn Design Car Show showcased the incredible 1954 Duntov Mule, Corvette SR2, and 1959 Corvette Stingray Racer.

Unlike most car shows the EyesOn Design Car Show is different. Cars are not judged based on restoration quality, originality, or other qualities. Instead, it’s purely about interior and exterior design. It’s not as well known as the Pebble Beach Concours or Amelia Island but is still one of America’s premier automotive events. Each year, it brings together members of the transportation design community, collectors, and the public to celebrate and reflect on automotive design. This year’s theme was motorsports and includes some rare and historic Corvette racers and prototypes.

1954 Corvette Mule

The 1954 Corvette Mule or Duntov Mule might be the most important Corvette in history. Without it, the Corvette may have been canceled after 1955. Instead, it showed the potential of not only the Corvette but Chevrolet’s new small-block V8. The combination went together better than chocolate and peanut butter. It set the template for America’s sports car for the next 65 years. And every Corvette that followed owes its existence to this one car.

Corvette SR-2

If the Duntov Mule showed the potential of the Corvette, the SR-2 took it a big step further. In 1956 Chevrolet took the Corvette racing in the form of the SR-2. Under Zora Arkus-Duntov’s leadership, three SR-2 Corvettes raced at Sebring and finished first in class and ninth overall. The victories not only solidified the Corvette’s reputation as a formidable race car but increased sales as well. Seeing the new Corvette in action lured people out of their Jaguars, Austin Healeys, and even Ferraris. In fact, this Corvette SR2 was initially built for design boss Harley Earl’s son to replace his Ferrari.

1959 Corvette Stingray Racer

Designed by Bill Mitchell the 1959 Stingray or Sting Ray racer is known for two things. First, it continued the Corvette’s racing legacy by winning an SCCA championship in 1960. More importantly, it showcased Mitchell’s “Folded Crease” design which was a major departure from the Harley Earl era. It led to cars like the Buick Riviera, Oldsmobile Toronado, and of course the stunningly beautiful Corvette C2.

EyesOnDesign

YouTuber DTRockstar1 captured the video below which includes the Corvettes. It also includes a Ford GT40 and Lancia Stratos. It’s surprisingly hard to make the Stratos look ordinary. But next to the dramatic shapes of the Corvette SR-1 and Stingray racer, it does.

Images and Video: LilBone3, Corvette Forum, and DTRockstar1

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