Bill Mitchell SR2 at Nassau December 1956

Too cool! Does this car still exist?

Gary
Miami, Florida

Too cool! Does this car still exist?

Gary
Miami, Florida

Yes Gary. It is owned by BILL TOWER in Florida. The car is the BILL MITCHELL SR-2, 1956 racer. Raced on December 7, 1956, Car #117, Modfied SR-2 finished 1st in class C, 15th OA Governor's Tourist Trophy 5 lap heat and 8th in class C, 10th OA in the 20 lap Governor’s Trophy Race at Nassau Bahamas Race . Driver was Ray Crawford.

Then, Daytona Feb 7, 1956
1st in Standing Mile, Modified class: Buck Baker, driver in the Corvette SR-2 at 93.047 MPH.
2nd in Flying Mile, Modified class: Buck Baker, driver in the Corvette SR-2 at 152.866 MPH.

March 23, 1957, 7th in class Sports 5000, 16th OA in 12 Hours SEBRING. Drivers Pete Lovely and Paul O’Shea.

Finally, Car was sold to J. E. Rose of Houston, Texas at end on Sebring Race 3-23-57.

May 16, 1957 Cumberland, MD 1st in B/ Sports J. E. Rose

June 2, 1957 Dick Thompson, 1st in B/Sports,Eagle Mountain, FT. Worth Texas

Edited by Vettefinderjim, 13 November 2010 - 04:36.

The following comes from Willem Oosthoek:
Have to correct you in this rare case, Jim.

The Corvette that Dick Thompson drove to victory in the Eagle Mountain National in June 1957 was not the SR-2, but a regular production Corvette owned by Lindsey Hopkins. Ebb Rose was in the SR-2 that day and he finished 4th overall after 3rd overall in the prelim.

I don't think that Thompson ever raced Rose's Corvette, but Bob Stonedale and Bill Fritts did.

A second SR-2 also exists. Originally built in 1956 with a low fin centrally located on the trunk lid. Later modified into full SR-2 guise with headrest and high fin. Raced by Jerry Earl in 1957, painted metallic purple. Finished fourth OA (I seem to recall) at Milwaukee SCCA Regional in Sept, 1957. Sold to Jim Jeffords over the winter. Jeffords and Augie Pabst co-drove at Sebring, 1958, but were DNF. Jeffords won overall at the May, 1958, SCCA Regional at Milwaukee. Jeffords also drove it in the August, 1958, SCCA National at Milwaukee, and was a DNF with a broken axle at the 1958 Road America 500 while lying fourth overall in the last 100 miles.

Car was then sold to Bud Gates of Indianapolis, who raced it sparingly. It moved on from there and still exists. It was at the Road America Historics a number of years ago when Nickey Chevrolet was honored. At that time it was blue in color.

Speaking of color, Jeffords liked the metallic purple color that came with the SR-2 so much that he had the Nickey BP Corvettes he drove painted the same color. This color became a trademark of the Nickey racing efforts over the next several years.

Tom

We would be very interested to know the whereabouts of this, and other, cars which attended the original Speed Weeks in order to get them along to the Revival in December 2011.

Have a look at this link, and make contact if you wish...



www.bahamasspeedweekrevival.com

Thank you Mailbubeach for posting that picture ! Any more?

I have raced a Fuelie 57 and now a 62 in Vintage racing and boy those guys who raced 'em for real are by far "real men" !

Thank you Mailbubeach for posting that picture ! Any more?

I have raced a Fuelie 57 and now a 62 in Vintage racing and boy those guys who raced 'em for real are by far "real men" !

Here is another great photo of the Bill Mitchell SR2 when owned by EB Rose. As Jim pointed out the car is now owned by Bill Tower. If you have not met Bill Tower you are missing a real treat. Bill is an engineering wonder and has been a private contractor for GM and NASA for years.

He also owns a Corvette Grand Sport, 67 L88, Paul Newman L88, Betty Skelton 1956 Daytona Beach Corvette and more.

Joe