Factory-Built “Race Rat” ’60 Corvette Rare Big Tank Machine

One of 10 1960 Big Tank Corvettes built for on-track competition, 1960 “Race Rat” brought home class gold at the 1960 Sebring 12-Hour.

The Corvette’s history on the track is long and glorious. From the first team of three Corvettes in 1956 to the C8.R of today, America’s sports car cemented its place in history one checkered flag at a time.

One such highlight is a rare 1960 Corvette hitting the red carpet of Mecum Auctions’ big party in Kissimmee, Florida in early January 2022. And not just because it’s a factory-built racing machine, either.

Known as the “Race Rat,” this ’60 Corvette is one of 10 Big Tank tanker ‘Vettes for the 1960 model year, a feature available by choosing RPO 1625 on the order form. Not only that, but it also has RPO 687, meaning heavy-duty brakes and quicker steering ratios, and RPO 276, meaning 15×5.5-inch wheels. That heady combination took on the 1960 Sebring 12-Hour in Sebring, Florida, taking home a class win; it finished 16th overall. Not to mention the “Father of the Corvette” himself, Zora Arkus-Duntov, helped out in the pits of George Reed’s “Race Rats” team during the Sebring 12.

Under the hood of the “Race Rat” Corvette is a 283 V8 built by none other than famed engine builder Ronnie Kaplan. Untouched, the small-block made 315 horsepower. Thanks to Kaplan, though, 397 horses with Rochester mechanical fuel injection took on the bumps of Sebring, all managed by a four-speed manual. An independent front and solid rear handled the various turns around the circuit.

As for the interior, it looks just like any other Corvette interior of the time, not like today’s race-prepared offices. Black vinyl seats with seat belts for the driver and passenger, a big racy steering wheel, all covered by the hard top. We can’t imagine a passenger sitting next to the driver at Sebring, though we bet it would’ve been a wild time.

Today, the Corvette spends its time at various historic events and major gatherings. It also won a few more bits of gold, including the 2009 NCRS Heritage Award and the 2013 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance Most Outstanding Pro-Race Car title. The question now is who will win this ‘Vette in January.

Photos: Mecum Auctions

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