Go for the Gold: Gorgeous ’69 Riverside Gold Stingray Hits the Block for Charity

by Andy Bolig
amosauto.com

The auction company is generously donating valuable auction time for the Chip Miller Charitable Foundation (CMCF) to auction a completely refurbished 1969 Riverside Gold Corvette Stingray coupe as lot #57 (charity lot 3001).

For the third year in a row, the CMCF has been privileged to run a Corvette through the Barrett-Jackson auction. Over the past two years, the auction has raised almost $80,000 for the charity. The Foundation is hoping another bidder will generously step up and become a part of automotive history in purchasing the 1969 Stingray. All net proceeds from the auction of this Corvette will go toward amyloidosis research.

Chip Miller was co-founder of Corvettes at Carlisle and Carlisle Events in Pennsylvania. Chip was very well-known and loved in the Corvette community worldwide but in March 2004, he passed away from a little-known disease called amyloidosis. The Chip Miller Charitable Foundation (CMCF) was formed to help spread awareness of this disease and raise money for educational and research purposes.

The Foundation’s goal is for earlier diagnosis to affect better treatment outcomes. If Chip and his doctors were aware of the symptoms of amyloidosis when they first presented, he might still be with us today. The mission of the CMCF is to empower people with the knowledge and understanding of amyloidosis for earlier detection, ensuring a better quality of life for those afflicted with the disease and to help science find the cures.

The 1969 Corvette Stingray is generously being donated for the third year in a row by San Diego Classic and Muscle Cars of Escondido CA. It is being offered at no reserve and is a rare, one-year color in Riverside Gold with a saddle interior. It features a matching numbers original 350ci V8 with an automatic transmission, fresh repaint, new interior, and brand new Firestone wide oval redline tires that are authentic to the car. 
 
The Corvette also includes:
? Factory air-conditioning, power windows, steering and brakes, tilt and telescoping wheel
? New bumpers, new emblems, new door handles and new rally wheel derby caps, big block hood
? Owner’s books
? VIN: 194379S715336

In addition to the new tires that were donated by Coker Tires, Reliable Carriers Inc. will ship the car at no cost to the buyer anywhere in the contiguous United States. So, that’s no auction fees courtesy of Barrett-Jackson and no shipping costs AND all the net proceeds go to an important cause ? everyone should be bidding on this beautiful Corvette!

This refurbished like-new Corvette was made possible by our generous sponsors Mid America Motorworks and Trim Parts. The winning bidder will also receive a huge basket of car care items from Adam’s Polishes and the ultimate Corvette experience with four free passes each to the Bowling Green Assembly Plant and to the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY. Finally, the winner will be able to join us at Corvettes at Carlisle with their free fun field pass in August 2012 courtesy of Carlisle Events.

During the 2010 Auction, the ?auction experience? featured the first-ever wedding at Barrett-Jackson. The newly married couple, Donna and Joe Miller (no relation to Chip Miller) drove the Corvette onto the block at auction time. ?I’m not sure we can top that,? said Lance Miller, Chip’s son, ?but we’re hoping three times is a charm to help us fight the terrible disease that took my father too soon.?

Tune in to Speed TV to watch the action – the car is lot number 57 (charity lot 3001) and is scheduled to roll across the block at approximately 7:00 pm Arizona time on January 17, 2012.

How much do you think it will fetch at auction? Does the one-year color make it much more valuable? Or is that an eye-of-the-beholder thing? Sound off on the Forum!