In certain ways, it’s easy to quantify the Chevrolet Corvette. More than 70 years of (nearly continuous) production. Eight generations. Two doors. But how many milestones has it hit since 1953? Too many to list here. However, you can bid to win some of them at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Fall Auction taking place October 10-13, 2024 at WestWorld. Ten Corvettes from the David Ressler Collection will be crossing the auction block, including the three below.
1978 Chevrolet Corvette 25th Anniversary Edition (Lot #78.5)
There are no guarantees in the automotive industry. A car selling well for a few years in a row doesn’t mean it’ll continue on that trajectory. Many models don’t even make it to a second generation. The Chevrolet Corvette defied the odds, surviving recessions, demographic and cultural shifts, regulatory changes, and the 1973 Oil Embargo, and made it to its 25th anniversary in 1978. Chevrolet commemorated the occasion with a special-edition Corvette coupe that’s immediately recognizable thanks to its two-tone silver paint and pinstripes.
Going by the options list in the brochure for the 1978 Corvette, this particular 25th anniversary model is well-equipped. Its Oyster leather and cloth interior is covered by T-tops and offers power locks and windows, a tilt-telescoping steering column, air conditioning, and an AM/FM/cassette radio.
Under the hood is the L82 350ci V8, which came with a higher-lift camshaft, special cylinder heads, a forged crankshaft, and four-bolt mains, paired with a close-ratio four-speed manual gearbox. The FE7 gymkhana suspension package helps channel the engine’s output to the road; power four-wheel disc brakes help rein that power in.
More than 70 years after it entered production, the Corvette is still going strong. The same is true for this special C3. It’s nearly 50 years old, but it looks factory-fresh because it’s only been driven 1,537 miles.
1984 Chevrolet Corvette (Lot #78.3)
After the C3’s long production run, which ran from 1968 until 1982, it was time for an all-new Corvette. Almost. Officially, there was no 1983 model year. Corvette enthusiasts had to wait until 1984 to get their hands on the newest iteration of America’s Sports Car. The C4 had more reserved styling than its predecessor, but still managed to be distinctive with its sharp, wedge-shaped profile as well as its flashy new gauges.
Some things didn’t change. You could still get the Corvette with a 5.7-liter V8 and let the wind blow through your hair – this time by removing one roof panel instead of two. There’s plenty more of that to do in this 12,756-mile blue-over-blue model while you enjoy the comfort and convenience of air conditioning, cruise control, and power windows, locks, and seats.
1993 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 40th Anniversary Edition (Lot #393.1)
This Corvette is significant for several reasons. It’s a ZR-1 high-performance model, which is powered by a Lotus-designed LT5 5.7-liter V8 that produces 405 horsepower (105 more than the regular Corvette’s LT1) and 385 lb-ft of torque (an increase of 45).
This C4 is also a 40th anniversary model, distinguished by its unique Ruby Red Metallic paint and matching leather interior, which has power seats, air conditioning, and controls for the Selective Ride Control system. On top of all that, this 40-mile ZR-1 is Bloomington Gold-certified and one of six unregistered sequential-model-year ZR1 Corvettes from the David Ressler Collection.
If you’d like to become a bidder at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Fall Auction, click here to see registration options.
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