The iconic purpose-built 1956 Corvette SR-2 will be one of the featured Corvettes at this Saturday’s Philadelphia Concours d’Elegance at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in Philadelphia. The July 17 one-day event will celebrate Corvette – “America’s Sports Car” – and will benefit Cool Cars for Kids, Inc.
The dramatic SR-2 was created by Harley Earl, the head of styling for General Motors Corp. in the 1950s. He and Zora Arkus-Duntov, who also shared the title of “Father of the Corvette” with Earl, had the vision to create the first Corvette for 1953 production.
Earl’s son Jerome, who was racing a Ferrari in the mid-’50s, ended up having to switch brands because of his father’s position with GM. The top brass of the company felt that Jerome should be racing a Corvette instead, so Harley Earl designed a special Corvette for him – the SR-2. More than 17 Chevrolet engineers worked on the car in multiple shifts each day to prepare it for the 1956 SCCA racing season.
The car went on to be raced by legendary drivers such as Dr. Dick Thompson, John Fitch, Jim Jeffords and Augie Pabst, and even drag-raced by Vernon Kispert.
Throughout the years the car changed hands and is now with its present owner, Irwin Kroiz, of Ambler, Pennsylvania.
The SR-2 will be on display during the Concours d’Elegance, which will also feature these special events:
- Panel discussion of the history of Corvette with Tony DeLorenzo, George Wintersteen, Ed Welburn and Lowell Paddock
- Corvette and Car Corrals – www.philadelphiaconcours.com/corralregistration
- Car tour/rally – starting in Radnor, Pa., and finishing at the Simeone Museum www.philadelphiaconcours.com/event-details/philadelphiaconcoursrally
- Concours d’Elegance judging
- Philadelphia Eagles Mascot SWOOP, Eagles Cheerleaders
- Live Music from The Fabulous Philadelphia Mojo Kings Dance Band
- Food Trucks – Pitruco Pizza, Lil’ Trents Grille, Scoops n Smiles
- Photo booth
- Kids events – coloring station and speed dragsters
- Hagerty Youth Judging – www.philadelphiaconcours.com/youth-judging-registration
For more information, visit www.philadelphiaconcours.com.
