NAPOLEON, Ohio- (December 2005) – Restoring Corvettes is nothing new to ProTeam Classic Corvette Collection and Sales. But the company’s “Last”™ Corvette project is one of the most important assignments owners Terry and Fred Michaelis have ever undertaken. The initial steps of the restoration process have begun at Naber’s Motors in Houston, TX.

The vehicle at the center of this historic restoration, a 1967 Corvette, was acquired by ProTeam President Terry Michaelis in June 2005. It is known as “The Caboose” because the car is documented as the last 1967 Corvette of the C-2 series production, which has been widely recognized by collectors and enthusiasts as the greatest Corvette design.

This specific Corvette is the 189,981st produced by General Motors during the short, 15-years of Corvette production. The C-1 (1st generation) solid axle 1953-1962 Corvettes were produced for ten years, with 69,015 total production. In comparison, the highly popular C-2 (2nd generation) mid-year 1963-1967 Corvettes were produced for only five years, with a total production of 117,966, ending with the Michaelis’ “Last” Corvette.

“This car symbolizes the end of an era in the long history of Corvette body types,” said Michaelis. “It's so significant to automotive design and style.  The vehicle was the last mid-year air conditioned coupe, the last mid-year to offer factory side exhaust, the last mid-year Big Block, the last mid-year model…all of these ‘lasts’ add up and their combined status with regard to this specific vehicle make it one of the most desired classic Corvettes in the world.”

Michaelis went on to say it’s got everything any collector could want – exclusivity, a finely documented history and the most sought-after combination of horsepower and options.

To illustrate its status as a collectible, Michaelis points out that in just a ten-year span, the vehicle (VIN #22,940) appreciated 10 times in value. Bought in 1995 by collector Bill Mock for $22,940, Michaelis then purchased the car from Mock in 2005 for $229,400 – ten times Mock’s purchase price and a symbolic ten times the VIN #.

“The car is that special,” said Michaelis. “As the last of the C2 series, it is certainly a one-in-a-million collectible vehicle, particularly among Corvette enthusiasts and car investors.”

Currently, the Corvette is undergoing a “rotisserie body-off” restoration at Naber's Motors in Houston, TX, where the Corvette shell is in primer after being stripped to its raw form. The next process involves removing the body so the frame can be dipped to remove all traces of rust and old paint, bringing the frame to its original, factory condition.

In addition to Naber’s, a number of National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS) members, hobbyists and Corvette specialty item vendors have contributed their services and restoration parts to assist with the project, including: 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; Goat Hill Classics; Auto City Classics, Inc.; Kevin Mackay’s Corvette Repair; Crane’s Corvette Supply; Carlisle Productions and Dana Forrester Watercolors.

Once the restoration project is complete, NCRS certification will be the goal at the January 2006 NCRS Regional in Orlando, followed by an expectant certification at the Chicago VetteFest in April 2006. Plans are to then take the “Last” Corvette to the 2006 Bloomington Gold show to be included in the prestigious Bloomington Gold Certification event.

The project has reached beyond a simple restoration. ProTeam Corvette and Lance Miller of Carlisle Productions have come together in the fight against Amyloidosis with a dollar-per-dollar $40,000.00 pledge from this project earmarked for donation to the Chip Miller Charitable Foundation; a foundation dedicated to help research and raise awareness for the deadly disease.

Watch the project unfold at www.thelastcorvette.com or be part of this venture with contribution of parts, services, or cash by emailing Terry Michaelis at terry@proteamcorvette.com for more information.

The “Last” Corvette was built at the St. Louis Corvette assembly plant on July 12, 1967. The factory tank sticker (build sheet) still accompanies the Vette and lists the following options:

• 986 Silver Pearl paint;
• QB1 red strip tires;
• STD-T Black STD trim;
• U69 Am/Fm radio;
• L-36 427-390 engine package;
• A01 tinted glass;
• C60 factory air conditioning;
• N14 side dual exhaust;
• 3.55 Positraction axle;
• N36 telescopic steering wheel;
• M21 close ratio transmission; and
• N40 power steering.

ProTeam Classic Corvette Collection and Sales, based in Napoleon, Ohio, showcases the world famous inventory of classic Corvettes in the world. More than $10 million worth of Corvettes are displayed in 60,000 square feet of showrooms and restoration facilities with the world famous classic Corvette collection. In addition, ProTeam offers more than 10,000 sq. ft. of used, new and hard-to-find parts. For additional information, write to McCullough Public Relations • 143 Wilbur Drive • NE North canton, Oh 44720 • Phone: 330-244-9980 • Fax: 330-244-9981 • email: shari@mcculloughpr.com

Back to Corvette Media