1964 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray C2

The car presented here is something very special, with a fascinating back-story and "known" history. This 1964 Corvette "Sting Ray" C2 Coupé was originally sold via the celebrated dealership "Yenko Chevrolet" of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. This car was purchased new by one Grady Davis (as documented on the original order forms). In 1958, Grady Davis was transferred to Pittsburgh as a senior vice president of Gulf Oil Corporation. In this role, and as part of the R&D team for Gulf Oil Racing, Grady Davis (now a Corvette Hall of Fame inductee) worked closely with Don Yenko to establish a Corvette racing team. Today, Grady Davis is personally closely associated with a number of very famous Grady Davis/Gulf Oil Corvette race cars from this period – notably the Gulf One "62 Fuelie Corvette (also purchased from Yenko Chevrolet) and "63 Z06 Sting Ray – both of which have a great racing pedigree and sold for well over $1 million at auction some years ago. In the 1960s, racers and race teams like Gulf Oil simply ordered their cars, often with special options specified, through their local dealership – in the case of Grady Davis and his Corvettes, this was from Yenko. They would kit them out, go testing and/or racing, and then when an upgrade was required, they"d often trade-up via the same dealership. This is exactly what happened with this particular Corvette in 1964.

Research carried out by Steve Palmer in 1999, a former UK-owner of the car presented here, enlisted the assistance from Eric Gill who is a respected US Corvette aficionado (and has verified other significant Corvettes) whilst also being the owner of the "63 Grady Davis Gulf Oil Z06 Corvette race-car. Being the owner of such a significant Corvette, Mr. Gill was personally invited by Don Yenko (the dealership owner) to Pittsburgh and allowed access to (and was eventually gifted) paper records relating to cars sold in 1963 and 1964. At Steve Palmer"s request, Eric Gill was able to ascertain from these records that there were three 1964 Corvette coupés purchased by Grady Davis, perhaps on behalf of Gulf Racing Research. Interestingly, according to Eric Gill, the records show the trade-in of a 1963 Gulf Oil Sebring Corvette as part of the deal! This car offered here (VIN #40837S107605) was not only one of the three, but the only one to carry any special notation – denoted by the handwritten "silver (special)" on the original order form – and relates to it being a "non-paint code" car. The under-dash plate simply says "spec" (special) in the space for the paint details and it is thought to be the first such Corvette produced. Due to this special order paint, and an $80 option of a silver leather interior, it is believed that this car was likely to have been used/owned personally by Grady Davis for a period of time. It was during these years, that the car was raced or certainly kitted-out with a roll-cage for fast-road use by Grady Davis and/or Gulf Racing Research.

The car was specified from new with a solid-lifter, 365bhp, 327ci capacity small-block V8 engine, a four-speed manual gearbox and 4.11:1 rear axle. At that time GM was offering (as a J65 option code) a special sintered metallic brake pack featuring precision ground drums and servo-assisted dual circuit system (the "performance" brake package). This car was one of just 29 examples from 1964 to have this option fitted.

Interestingly, in the years that followed the car took on a specialist test-bed role for Gulf Racing Research. During this time, the original small-block engine was supposedly bored-out (or even replaced for a new block) in 1966; either way, it was now upped to a bespoke Gulf Racing 400ci unit, with the addition of 'Carillo' steel con-rods and Gulf cams and manifold inlets. Thus equipped, and with its full roll-cage, it was raced for some two years whilst acting as a development car.

Intriguingly, after numerous years doing this important role for Gulf Racing Research in the US, the car was shipped to the UK (being first titled here on the 15th February 1968 with registration HEW 851F). Quite why it came to the UK is unclear, but it coincided with Grady Davis hiring John Wyer to fabricate the Gulf Oil Mirages M1 cars with the involvement of JWA of Slough, England.

Following this, the Corvette remained in the UK after Gulf Racing returned to the US, and stood idle for some months before being sold to a family in Eastbourne.

In the mid-1980"s one of the best and most renowned UK Corvette restoration specialists, Adrian Dromey of Lincolnshire, unearthed the car on the South Coast in a lock-up garage. It was showing just 40,000 miles on the clock and was still fitted with a GRR roll cage and racing harnesses. Further evidence of the car"s unique status was the stack of race meeting and scrutineer tickets which were wedged under the driver"s seat! What Eastbourne made of a "breathed-on" racing specimen muscle car was anyone"s guess! Throughout this time, it was kept remarkably original, retaining all the original brightwork, trim, ignition shielding and even its AM/FM radio. The glove compartment yielded the original owner"s handbook and dealer"s literature. The car was wearing a set of rare "American Racing Equipment" five-spoke wheels fitted by Gulf.

In the summer of 1986, after nine months work, Adrian Dromey completed the ground-up restoration of the car (to the tune of £15,000), using all his experience and expertise. The body was stripped back to the glass and then repainted Ford Cobalt Blue – the nearest equivalent to Chevy Daytona. The interior was completely refurbished using American replacements, right down to the original silver tanned leather. Adrian"s intention was to return the car to "as supplied" condition, so installed a period and specification-correct L76 code 327ci 365bhp small block V8. He sourced the best available unit and ensured it was in superb health for his special car. Soon after, in November 1986, Adrian sold the car to enthusiast Philip Marshall of Market Harborough.

In 1988 the car was sold via Claremont Corvette to Steve Palmer of Middlesex, a former CCCUK"s Chairman. Steve assigned the registration "64 CUP" and displayed the car in a NCRS restored condition all over the country for many years, winning numerous competitions and being featured in many magazines. The visible signs of its original roll-cage can be seen beneath the rear carpet, and the racing harness points are behind the seats.

In 1992 Steve tracked down a new old stock master cylinder (which when installed uses split lines) and a set of the special shoes – at a cost of $6,000. He ran the car at 11:1 (standard) compression ratio engine breathing through the new for 1964 Holley carburetor (as opposed to the previously specified Carter) but with Gulf Racing"s choice of cam. Steve clocked an impressive 14.71 second quarter mile time. In 2000 Steve still owned the car but subsequently, it passed to two further enthusiasts, who were able to preserve its splendid condition through professional storage and maintenance.

The car is accompanied by an extensive history file, including original purchase paperwork and correspondence from Eric Gill and Steve Palmer helping to verify the car"s provenance. There are also numerous magazines covering the car"s discovery, story and restoration – plus many trophies. It was quite a star! Maybe it's time the story was told again. This amazing car has been somewhat "under-the-radar" for the last 15 years or so, and Silverstone Auctions are very privileged to be presenting it. A car with this type of history and an association to Corvette legends Grady Davis and Don Yenko deserves to be celebrated. This is rare opportunity to purchase an historically significant American muscle car.