If those behind the Corvette’s beginning can have seen in 1953, what their pet project would inevitably end up being, they would likely have been hard-pressed to believe it. Throughout the initial two years of the legendary American sports car’s manufacturing, few were clambering at the opportunity to jump behind the wheel. As a matter of fact, quite the reverse was true.

Going into 1955, after only 2 years in manufacturing, the Corvette’s early retirement by uninspired sales figures seemed brewing. Numerous movie critics mentioned the Corvette’s overall absence of efficiency as its most considerable stumbling block, and also couple of can say to the contrary. The auto’s 6-cylinder “Blue Flame” nuclear power plant was anything yet impressive.

Though an optional 265 cubic-inch V8 was Racing offered for the 1955 production year, future Principal Engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov understood that to obtain credibility in the arena of efficiency, the Corvette would have to show its merit on the track. Understanding what needed to take place for the Corvette to be taken seriously amongst its peers, Duntov set out to sculpt the Corvette out a heritage all its very own.

Though an optional 265 cubic-inch V8 was supplied for the 1955 manufacturing year, future Chief Designer Zora Arkus-Duntov understood that to acquire integrity in the sector of efficiency, the Corvette would certainly need to confirm its benefit on the track. Recognizing what had to take place for the Corvette to be taken seriously amongst its peers, Duntov set out to carve the Corvette out a heritage all its own.

Duntov, with the assistance of Ed Cole, started tinkering with the C1 Corvette in a quote to boost its outcome. After a number of months of rework as well as tuning, Duntov struck the sands of Daytona Coastline, in what might just be described as an enormous success for the whole Corvette line. With Duntov behind the wheel, the customized 240 HP Corvette established a number of speed records, traveling in excess of 150 Miles Per Hour in a collection of hot laps.

This level of prominence was repeated a couple of months later, when a team of specialized, Duntov prepared Corvettes once more descended on the sands of Daytona. The three cars and trucks handy left the Corvette’s indelible mark in their wake, taking very first and also 2nd location within the Manufacturing Sports Car course, as well as achieving a top-speed mark in the Changed class.

This success was all the justification that Racing Duntov needed to press on in his initiatives, and preparation work soon began to all set three Corvettes for unveiling at the upcoming 12 Hours of Sebring event. In a degree of success that was beginning to end up being customary, the three-car group published a noteworthy showing, with one Corvette ending up initially in its class (Class B– Sports 8000), and also 9th overall.

From this occasion, these specialty Corvettes tackled the SR auto racing moniker. Nevertheless, debate exists as to the actual origin of this name. While some celebrations specify that SR meant Sebring Racer, others claim that the initials denoted these very early performance Corvettes as “Special Racing” versions.