[1]Photos: Mecum Auctions
In the auction scene over the last ten years, we’ve seen the highest of highs and the lowest of lows with prices plummeting due to a less than desirable economy, yet there’s always that one car that will surprise the critics by bringing a price that is far outside the projected scale. And this just might be one of them.
[2]Check out all of the fall auction lot on Mecum Auctions website [3].
The Chevrolet Corvette kicked off its existence in 1953 and in its second year of production they began to filter into the racing world. In 1964 there were 3,640 Corvettes that rolled off the assembly line and number 99 found its way into the hands of a gentleman known as the “Pizza Man”. The Pizza Man Corvette became a serious threat on the NHRA national event tour under the ownership and driving abilities of Earl Britt. Britt was a pizza shop owner in Sioux Falls, South Dakota that had a desire for drag racing. The Pizza Man featured an extensively modified 292 cubic inch straight six engine. On his way into the record books Earl captured three world championships in the NHRA with nine world records.
With an official quickest pass of 12.17 seconds it will no doubt take a bit longer than that for the hammer to drop when this awesome piece of history finds its way to the auction floor. The famous Corvette is still in excellent “as raced” condition and will take to the blocks in St. Charles, Illinois in late October, where it will be accompanied by a plethora of great cars at the Mecum Auto Auctions.