Prototype 1955 Chevy Corvette Sells for OVER $200K at Auction!

This prototype 1955 Chevy Corvette was originally used by GM to test its three-speed manual transmission.

Throughout the course of automotive history, there have been many prototypes created for testing purposes. Most of the time, these test mules are destroyed after their mission is complete, for various reasons. But a few slip through the cracks here and there and live to see another day, a list that includes this prototype 1955 Chevy Corvette that just hammered for a significant $209,000 at Bring a Trailer.

According to the seller, this prototype 1955 Chevy Corvette is believed to have been used by General Motors to test its three-speed manual transmission prior to it being available in the sports car. It isn’t clear exactly how the C1 landed in private hands, but it was sold in California back in the 1960s, where it lived for decades. In 1988, it wound up in Oregon, where it was restored, and the car just received another refresh via its last owner back in 2018.

That work was good enough to earn the classic Corvette an NCRS Top Flight award and started on the outside with some fiberglass work and a fresh Gypsy Red paint job. That classic color is complemented nicely by a beige soft top and matching side curtains, along with the requisite “knock-off” hubcaps covering 15-inch body-color steel wheels and bias-ply Firestone Deluxe Champion whitewall tires.

The interior is equally clean and sanitary, featuring light beige upholstery accented by a red dash, steering wheel, and carpet. Amenities include a heater and AM radio, and not much else, but that doesn’t really matter when you’re cruising with the top down and enjoying the sounds of this car’s original 265 cubic-inch V8.

Actual mileage is unknown since the car’s odometer was reset back when it was last refreshed. Regardless, the engine bay is a total work of art, with an orange block and intake manifold accented by a louvered air cleaner, cast exhaust manifolds, and chrome valve covers. It’s backed up by a three-speed manual transmission and was treated to a complete electrical system overhaul back in 2019.

This cool piece of Corvette history has a little documentation to prove its unique history, as the book The Complete Corvette Restoration & Technical Guide – Vol.1 by Noland Adams says that “this car probably was the three-speed production prototype or at least one of the prototypes.” That was certainly enough to net the C1 a big price at auction, but personally, we’re just glad to see that it’s still around and doing quite well.

#gallery-1 {
margin: auto;
}
#gallery-1 .gallery-item {
float: left;
margin-top: 10px;
text-align: center;
width: 33%;
}
#gallery-1 img {
border: 2px solid #cfcfcf;
}
#gallery-1 .gallery-caption {
margin-left: 0;
}
/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

Photos:Bring a Trailer

.

‎