Tons of vehicles cross auction blocks every single day. From local car auctions, to police impound auctions, climbing all the way to the likes of Mecum and Barrett-Jackson auctions. But RM typically stands out for some of the more exotic, rare pieces to face the hammer.
The 1960 CERV I (Chevrolet Engineering Research Vehicle) certainly adheres to that exotic and rare notion, and it’s actually for sale. No, really. One of the most incredible Chevrolet prototypes will cross the auction block at RM Sotheby’s.
The 1960 CERV I stands as a testament to General Motors’ “anything is possible” mindset of the 1960s. If Harley Earl was designing some of the most incredible, far-fetched designs, Zora Arkus-Duntov was engineering them in the same fashion. And this has Zora’s handiwork all over it.
The CERV I was the beginning of the mid-engine Corvette dream ride that would run its course through history, but never bare fruit. It became Denton’s test bed for Corvette engineering, used to develop the first independent-rear suspension for the 1963 C2 Corvette Sting Ray, and test wild powertrain combinations.
Ultimately, the project was laid to rest, but Duntov insisted the prototype be spared from the crusher. He got his way, and the 1960 CERV I was restored to its current state in 1964. After trading private hands a few times, and sitting in private museums, here it stands again. Waiting for someone to grab hold to the “bundle of dynamite” testers nicknamed the car so many years ago.
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