The Last Corvette: Restored, reborn and ready to aid charity
Last ’67 off the line will benefit amyloidosis research

CARLISLE, Pa. – In 1967, Corvette built its last second-generation models. Known as the C-2, and the StingRay, the marquee was succeeded in 1968 by production of the “Shark” model, which many Vettophiles believe marked the end of Corvette power, as the following generation of America’s sports car was largely under-powered.

The last 1967 ’Vette off the assembly line in St. Louis, was No. 22940, a Silver Pearl Corvette with black trim. The car housed an L-36 engine – a 427 V-8 that stampeded out 390 bhp at 5400 rpm, and 460 lbs-ft of torque at 3600 rpm.

This silver bullet is fondly known as the “Caboose” and now sits in the world-class Corvette collection of cars owned by Fred and Terry Michaelis. This ’67 Corvette was acquired from Corvette collector Bill Mock on June 2, 2005 and is currently being restored and refurbished back to its original condition by Nabors Restoration in Houston, Texas, under the auspices of ProTeam Corvette Sales of Napoleon, Ohio. Upon completion of this extensive, full-blown restoration, it will be campaigned, shown, and displayed throughout the United States and will be available for display upon invitation. The campaigning culminates with the car going up for auction at Bloomington Gold, June 16-18, where it could well become a million-dollar car.

In tribute to the late-Chip Miller, a lifelong Corvette enthusiast and an inspiration to the team at ProTeam Corvette, in conjunction with “The Last Corvette” project, a donation will be made in Miller’s honor to the foundation begun to research amyloidosis, the disease that took Miller from us, March 25, 2004. Chip’s son, Lance Miller is a firm supporter of this project and stated: “It’s nice to see a lot of the Corvette community come together and help such a project. I applaud Pro Team and Terry Michaelis for allowing us to be a part of this wonderful project. My father died from a very rare disease, it’s ironic because nearly everything he owned was rare. As this car is significantly rare as well, we’re very pleased to be a part of the project.”

To further honor Chip Miller, The Last Corvette organization and Pro Team Corvette Sales has designated the Chip Miller Foundation as its official charity and has pledged to match donations earmarked for the Foundation in its fight against amyloidosis. That pledged amount has reached $40,000 as of this release, and ProTeam's dollar-for-dollar pledge will match donations made to the Foundation as part of "the Last Corvette" project..

Back to the car at hand, the original base price of 1967 Corvette was $4388 for the silver-pearl coupe, outfitted with a 327 engine that thundered out 300 hp. But for performance fans, there were four versions of the 427 available. The first version, the L36, which No. 22940 had, cost $200 more and featured a single four-barrel carb, 10.25:1 compression and hydraulic lifters. The L36 stampeded out 390 horses. The L36’s transmission, an M-21 close-ratio tranny, increased the base price by an additional $184. With extras, this last of the line cost $4772.

Bill Mock bought the car from its original owner, for $22,940 and ProTeam bought the ’67 silver bullet from Mock for a reported $229,400. Some $80,000 to $100,000 will be spent on restoring the car, and thousands more will be used in the form of donated parts, supplies and work to bring The Last Corvette up to show car quality, before it appears at Bloomington Gold.

Some additional information about the 1967 C-2 includes the following:
- 1967 was the first year to have three hoods: the small block hood, the big block hood, and the L-88 hood.
- The "GM Mark of Excellence" sticker appeared in one year only- 1967.
- Federal law mandated the removal of spinners from wheels in 1967, so the knock off wheel of 1963-66 was replaced with a bolt on wheel.
- 1967 was the first year "Vinyl" was offered as an optional exterior covering for the hardtop.
- The '67 model was the first to have the "tank sticker", or the build sheet, attached to the gas tank.
- 1967 Corvettes got additional engine cooling vents, and 427s got a different "power bulge" hood and more top horsepower. The new hood had a large, forward facing air scoop, usually with engine call-outs on both sides.
- The shortest-lived generation of Corvettes, the C2 lasted only five years (’63 to ’67), and afterward, the Stingray became a Mako Shark in ’68
- Production saw 22,940 Corvettes come off the line in 1967, of which only 8,504 were coupes.

Brian Topp, General manager at ProTeam Corvette Sales explained the importance or “The Last Corvette,” he said, “This was the very last car off the line in 1967, so the car we are restoring is the last of the last. Following 1967, the body style changed and lost its pure sports car appeal, and the power diminished. We picked up THIS car with no paint. We are taking it back to its beginnings, and when finished, it will be Concours-worthy.

Topp said ProTeam Corvette undertook this project to build awareness. “We want people to become aware of ProTeam Corvettes, of course, but also understand what early Corvettes were all about. We also want to pay tribute to a very good man and very good friend to all Corvette enthusiasts, Chip Miller. And in doing so, make people aware of the disease that took him from us, and how we can help eradicate the illness.

“We wanted to bring everyone in Corvette community together as a whole. The entire production and marketing aspect of this project has now taken on a life of its own, and we have gotten support from companies in all areas.
“Lance Miller, who runs the great ‘Vette show, Corvettes at Carlisle for Carlisle Events, and who oversees the Chip Miller Foundation, has given us his support.

“Others who have contributed include: Naber's Motors, Restoration Battery, Eastern Corvettes, Lonestar Calipers, Ikerd's, Inc., The Illustrated Corvette Series, Paragon Reproductions, Lectric Limited, Triple A Enterprises, Auto Etc. Neon, Contemporary Motorcar Ltd., MF Dobbins Restoration & Publishing, Inc., Joe Ray Parts Co., Kustom Enterprises, DeMoise Trk-ing, J&P Custom Plating, A&B Investments, Al Knoch Interiors, Corvette Clocks by Roger, Gary Kosier Machine, Dana Forrester Watercolors, and Goat Hill Classics.

Items and parts necessary for completion of “The Last Corvette” include:
Interior and installations; rally wheels, rings and caps; hood surround panel; chrome plating; aluminum and stainless polishing; brakes and lines; battery tray and gas lines; late block and heads; gauges and /or restoration/ four bumpers and all brackets; five red-stripe Firestone Super Sport tires; paint and materials; carburetor restoration; transmission, power steering unit; charity contributions to the Chip Miller Foundation, and scores of other parts of the project.

The first leg of the "Last"™ Corvette's journey begins with a trip to Texas where it will be treated to a rotisserie body-off Naber's restoration. To be part of this venture with contribution of parts, services, or cash you can contact Terry Michaelis at terry@proteamcorvette.com. For more information, or to be part of the project, visit their web site at www.TheLastCorvette.com.

The car will be ready for Concourse competition in January and will be auctioned off at Bloomington Gold June 15-18, 2006.

Chip Miller Side bar

Chip Miller, the co-founder of Carlisle Events, and a Corvette devotee since the marquee first was offered to the public in 1953, was diagnosed with primary Amyloidosis in December of 2003 and passed away on March 25, 2004. The rare plasma cell disorder affects the primary organs. Currently, there is no cure.

Chip wrote in his CaringBridge.org site when he was first diagnosed:

“First a little history as to why it took so long to diagnose. Actually, I’m not even sure where and when it started. The doctors say there is also no known reason some people are singled out with the Amyloid disease, but only 1,200-3,200 cases are reported worldwide per year. Others certainly perish undiagnosed.”

Chip first noticed that he was always tired and felt out of shape, even though he was “always in high gear,” as he put it, and had been in excellent shape. He would become short of breath easily, he said, and he seemed to be retaining fluid.

He went to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., on March 3 to begin preparing to receive stem cell treatment. Shortly after arrival, he was diagnosed with blood clots in his arm and heart. He underwent surgery to remove the blood clot in his arm, and the doctors chose to treat the blood clot in his heart through drug treatment. The stem cell treatment was delayed until the clot in his heart dissolved.

Complications from steroid treatment resulted in Chip being readmitted to the hospital on March 17. At that point, the doctors ruled out the stem cell treatment option out of concern for Chip's ability to handle the treatment. The family began planning a trip home where Chip would receive Hospice care.

Sadly, Chip’s health deteriorated, and he was not able to return home. He died in the early morning hours of Thursday, March 25. Brave and thoughtful to the end, he asked the medical staff to remove intravenous treatment while his family was out of the room to spare his family from making that decision. His body was cremated in Minnesota.

Chip Miller is missed by those who knew him or knew of him. He lived by the motto: Life is good,” and that slogan is often spoken when Chip’s memory is recalled.

Amyloidosis side bar
Signs and Symptoms of Amyloidosis

Amyloidosis is a disease caused by the abnormal accumulation of protein molecules in body tissues. Signs and symptoms depend on the organs that are affected. The wide range of signs and symptoms makes it difficult to diagnose, and there may even be no symptoms.

Some of the signs and symptoms of Amyloidosis may include:
- Swelling of ankles and legs
- Shortness of breath
- Numbness/tingling in hands or feet
- Abnormal protein in urine
- Severe fatigue
- Enlarged tongue
- Irregular heartbeat
- Difficulty swallowing
- Weakness
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea
- Skin changes

For information, or to donate to the Chip Miller Foundation, write to: The Chip Miller Charitable Foundation, 1000 Bryn Mawr Road, Carlisle, PA 17013, or call (717) 243-7855, or visit the web site: www.ChipMiller.org.

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