Pearl White/Blue w/Blue interior, 283/283hp Fuel Injected 3-speed manual transmission.

What you see above is literally the concept car for the first-ever SS Super Sport. Think about that! It was the first vehicle to carry the “SS” moniker! The term that defined the performance era of Chevrolet’s great cars of the 60’s. From the 1961 Impala SS to the 1970 Chevelle SS and everything in between. And let’s not forget, the Duntov introduced, brand new 283 cubic-inch, 283 horsepower V8 engine with an all-new Rochester Ramjet fuel injection system! This was the pinnacle with no equal! And the car that created the term “Buzz”!!!

The car was constructed after Ed Cole saw the overwhelming response that Harley Earl’s original SR-2 race car received when it appeared at various events across the United States. Essentially, the Corvette Super Sport was developed to offer consumers a more competitive version of the Corvette – something that had been lacking up to this point in time. The car was dubbed the Corvette Super Sport as its creation (and eventual introduction at car shows across the U.S.) coincided with the development of
Zora Arkus- Duntov’s SS race car.

The concept was built by Chevrolet under shop order SO-90181. It began life as a 1956 Corvette (VIN E56S001589) and was transformed into the Super Sport model at a cost of more than $18,000 (or $169,900 in adjusted 2021 dollars). Before work began on the car, it was given a new VIN number (E57S0001589) and re-cataloged as a 1957 model. The car made its debut at the 42nd Annual New York Auto Show on December 8,1956.

After making its debut in New York City, the Corvette Super Sport continued to travel the auto show circuit, making stops at the Chicago Auto Show, the 1957 Sports Car Club of America event in Detroit, and onto the June cover of “Speed Age” magazine. Once it had completed the show circuit, it was sold to its first owner, Shurley Wilsie, a partner in Wilsie-Kelley Chevrolet, Caro, Michigan.

The exterior of the car received several notable modifications. The car’s original Venetian Red paint was replaced with custom-mixed pearlescent white. A pair of full-length blue stripes, developed after the Sebring racers were first introduced in 1957, was added to the exterior. Similarly, the bodyside covers on the race-built SR-2 Corvettes inspired the brushed aluminum side covers on the Super Sport model, as well as the unique body side scoops and their custom-built surrounds.

To give the Super Sport a more distinct, race-ready appearance, the car’s original windshield was abandoned and was instead replaced with a pair of rounded windscreens like those found on both the SR-2 and SS racers. Custom inserts were also developed to enclose the window openings at the leading edge of each door. Special tail-lamp assemblies were fabricated and worked into the rear fenders.

Not to be forgotten, the engine compartment was spruced up with a polished injection plenum and the engine was wrapped in chrome.

The interior of the Corvette Super Sport was covered in blue-dyed leather (this was a first for Corvette, which had used vinyl prior to this example). The color was selected to match the exterior stripes. That same color motif followed for the dash pads, the shifter boot, and the center console, as well as the door panels, and the armrests. Even the trunk carpeting received the same color treatment!

The fact that this car still exists today is nothing short of miraculous, especially given that most of the early concept cars showcased by GM were later destroyed at the completion of their auto show circuit tours. Now for the first time in decades, it’s available to be seen! And for only one very lucky person, available to be taken into custody as their sole caretaker. Could this be you?