After being hidden away for over two decades, a rare collection of 36 classic Corvettes is being prepared for sale. The American muscle cars were won in a competition organised by music channel VH1 and then sold to German-born graphic artist Peter Max who wanted to incorporate them into his work.
Mr Max was supposed to restore the cars for sale in partnership with Adam Heller, the co-owner of the collection, and split the proceeds but he declined. However, he later asked Mr Heller if he wanted to buy the collection outright. The plan to restore the cars was put on the back burner due to tax fraud issues, and the fleet was eventually sold to members of the Heller family.
According to real estate broker Adam Heller, the collection is now a “museum of Corvettes”. The vehicles, which include every model released between 1953 and 1989, have been covered in dust for years but this layer has protected the paintwork.
While some of the cars will only take a few weeks to restore, others will take up to a year. One of the most valuable cars in the collection is a 1953 Corvette, one of only 300 ever made. A 1955 Corvette is also part of the collection, and it was one of only 700 ever made.
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A full frame-off restoration has been planned for the 1953 Corvette, meaning that the body will be removed from the chassis, and the vehicle will be refurbished entirely. Chris Mazzilli, a Corvette expert, estimates that the 1953 Corvette will be worth around $500,000 when it is fully restored, making it the most valuable 1953 Corvette in the world.
The story of the 36 classic Corvettes hidden away for 25 years is nothing short of miraculous. These iconic American muscle cars were originally won in a competition organized by music channel VH1 and sold to the renowned German-born graphic artist, Peter Max. He had planned to incorporate them into his work, but fate had a different plan.
After years of collecting dust in a garage, these cars were discovered and rescued by the Heller family, who have now taken on the arduous task of restoring them to their former glory. As I read about this incredible journey, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of awe and reverence for these beautiful machines.
Each one of these cars represents a chapter in American history, a testament to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of a bygone era. They are more than just cars; they are works of art, symbols of a time when the automobile was the ultimate expression of freedom and individuality.
The fact that these cars were hidden away for so long only adds to their mystique. They have been untouched for a quarter of a century, preserved in a thick layer of dust that has protected their paintwork and kept them in surprisingly good condition.
As the Heller family begins the long and arduous process of restoring these cars, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. Each one of these vehicles has a unique story to tell, and I can’t wait to see them brought back to life.
I imagine the thrill of the first engine revving to life after years of silence, the satisfaction of restoring each car to its former glory, and the pride of knowing that these beautiful machines will once again be on display for the world to see.
The journey ahead will be long and challenging, but the Heller family is more than up to the task. With their passion for Corvettes and their unwavering commitment to preserving these beautiful machines, they are the perfect custodians of this remarkable collection.
I, for one, can’t wait to see what the future holds for these classic Corvettes. They represent so much more than just cars; they are a symbol of America’s love affair with the open road, a reminder of a time when anything was possible. The story of their restoration is one that deserves to be told and celebrated, and I, for one, will be eagerly following every step of the way.
The restoration work is being carried out at the Vintage Auto Restoration Garage in Hicksville. According to Heller, they are investing a substantial amount of money into just one of the individual cars. They expect to have the most valuable 1953 Corvette in the world by the time the restoration is finished.