Annual Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale (AZ) Auction to Feature Special Corvettes

CARLISLE, Pa. - Nov. 26, 2013 - PRLog -- The Corvette has been America's Sports Car since its inception in 1953 and Corvettes at Carlisle has been a hot-spot destination for Corvette enthusiasts since 1982. In addition, the famed Barrett-Jackson auction company has showcased some of the finest collector cars in the world annually as part of its wildly popular auctions held throughout the year. In January, the three aforementioned entities will combine! Lance Miller, co-owner of Carlisle Events and event manager of the internationally famous Corvettes at Carlisle weekend has consigned three very special Corvettes as part of the Barrett-Jackson/Scottsdale (Arizona) auction, January 12-19, 2014.

The Corvettes consigned by Miller will make up two separate lots. One lot showcases the 1963 Asteroid Corvette, a car designed by the famed George Barris and currently owned by Lance Miller of Carlisle Events and Randy Koeppel, owner of Desert Autosport located in Arizona. The Asteroid was a centerpiece attraction during Corvettes at Carlisle in 2013 and earned the Kids’ Choice award. In addition, the Asteroid has earned recognitions since its first day on the street. Having graced the cover of Jan & Dean's "Drag City" record, the Asteroid will forever be known as a testament to speed, engineering and design during a time when the car culture was overwhelmingly popular among young enthusiasts.

Special ordered new as a paint delete car by legendary speedboat racer Bob Nordskog, this ’63 Corvette was delivered straight to Barris who made some radical transformations and redesigned the car to give it the unique look seen today. While Barris worked to transform the outside, Don Ferrara of San Pedro, California used his talents to design the interior. It was finished in a Pearl White Naughahyde complimented with copper accents to match the exterior paint. Powered by a 352-ci motor with a 13:1 compression that is fed through six chrome Stromburg 97 carburetors, everything under the hood is either painted gold metallic or chrome-plated, providing the true "icing on the cake" for an already over-the-top car. The carpeting is also fitting of the era.

“The Asteroid Corvette provides a rich history and its story speaks for itself," said Miller. "When Randy contacted me about the car and asked if I’d have interest in being a partner with him on the vehicle, I immediately jumped at the opportunity. Desert Autosport did a wonderful job on the restoration and brought the car back to its original Barris Kustom look,” continued Miller. "This vehicle is a one-off ’63 Corvette and provides a rich history which will surely fit well in the highest bidder's collection.”

The final lot is an all-star set of Corvettes that highlight the brand 50 years apart. As part of this lot, enthusiasts can bid on a 1953 Corvette, VIN #181 that has just 9,259 miles on it. The car is believed to have the lowest miles of any original '53 in existence. When Chip Miller purchased it for $5,000 in 1972, the car had only 8,788 miles on it, meaning it has traveled just 471 miles in the past 40+ years. In addition, joining the '53 is a 2003 tribute car, also VIN #181. As an added bonus, Miller is including a children's pedal car designed to replicate the '53. The pedal car also carries a VIN of #181 though its mileage is unknown.

Multiple awards and recognitions have gone the way of this '53 and its pedigree speaks volumes not only for the car itself, but also for Chip Miller, the man who purchased the car in 1972. The car still has its original tires, top, interior, mechanicals and a majority of its original paint. In 1978, the car was the only '53 certified by Bloomington Gold, was photographed by the Franklin Mint as the model car for their first series of sports cars in 1985, has been part of multiple special Concours d'Elegance displays, carried Zora Arkus Duntov as part of the 1995 Corvettes at Carlisle Parade and so much more. The car is a true treasure and just like its former owner, Chip Miller, a treasure within the Corvette community.

“After going back and forth for a decade about selling one of my father’s prized possessions, the ’53 Corvette, I had a in-depth conversation with my Mom about it and we agreed that it is time to let someone else enjoy this magnificent piece of history," noted Miller. "My father was caught on Home and Garden TV stating that this car will never go over 10,000 miles in his lifetime; he was correct after having his life cut short due to a little known disease called Amyloidosis. The car will sell without a reserve and will be sure to make the new owner smile from ear to ear, just like my father did for so many years." Miller furthered his comments adding, "The 2003 50th Anniversary Corvette was special ordered to the National Corvette Museum which allowed my father to secure VIN #181. The paperwork on both these vehicles overflows multiple binders and I encourage everyone who bids to do so with confidence. You'll be bidding on cars that are the best-of-the-best, true blue Chip collector cars!"

“It is always exciting to get unique and great vehicles consigned at Barrett-Jackson," noted Gary Bennett, Vice President of Consignment for Barrett-Jackson. "Lance Miller's Corvettes, a '53 and tribute '03 with matching VINs and mileage are being sold as a pair with the added bonus of a matching pedal car. Plus, in a separate lot, enthusiasts can bid on the 1963 Asteroid, originally owned by Bob Nordskog and built by George Barris when the Corvette was new," continued Bennett. "This Corvette is a piece of automotive art and will be well received by our bidders at Barrett-Jackson. Lance and his late father Chip have been long-time friends of the Barrett-Jackson family and it is an honor to work with Lance as part of our Scottsdale auction in January."

Enthusiasts looking to catch these cars or any others crossing the block in January can do so by checking their local listings and flipping to Fox Sports 1. The auction will be televised for multiple hours across multiple days beginning during the second full-week in January and serves as a great way to jump-start the new year.