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Rare 1960 classic Chevrolet that was lost for three decades set to go on sale for an eye-watering $1m after restoration

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A STUNNING 1960 Chevrolet that was lost for over three decades is set to go on sale for an eye-watering $1million.

The Corvette “Fuelie” Camoradi has been restored to its former glory ahead of going under the hammer.

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A 1960 Chevrolet Corvette ‘Fuelie’ Camoradi is going up for saleCredit: mediadrumimages

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The car – a piece of America racing royalty – is expected to go for over a million dollarsCredit: mediadrumimages

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It has been restored to its former glory, with flawless ice-blue interiorCredit: mediadrumimages

Pictures show the gorgeous classic racer finished in white with black designs, a blue stripe from front to back and red detail around the front grille.

It also boasts an ice-blue interior across the seats, side door panels and steering wheel.

The model is one of the most significant Corvettes to have ever competed on the international endurance racing stage.

This car, chassis number 102272, was factory-sponsored by Casner Motor Racing Division (Camoradi USA) for the 1960 endurance season and boasts an extraordinary racing pedigree.

Built for long-distance racing, it is equipped with a 290-horsepower engine, a 37-gallon fuel tank, and heavy-duty brakes and suspension packages.

It finished second and tenth overall at the gruelling Le Mans 24 Hours – a remarkable achievement that cemented its place in motorsport history.

Now, the motor is heading to auction with an estimate of $1,016,000.

It comes complete with an extensive history file, period photographs, video footage, and perfectly restoration documentation.

It is up for sale by Broad Arrow Auctions.

Camoradi USA was the brainchild of American racing visionary Lloyd “Lucky” Casner, who dreamt of taking American-built machinery to the highest echelons of European motorsport.

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With the backing of Chevrolet’s legendary engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov, the team secured two competition-prepared Corvettes and set out to challenge the world’s best.

Fred Gamble, a key figure in the team, recalled: “No matter how good a driver he might be, we Americans were always at a disadvantage.

“So, our promotion became to solicit U.S. industry financial backing to buy the most competitive cars we could get and select America’s best drivers from whatever phase of the sport they came.”

Gamble and co-driver Lee Lilley tackled the notoriously difficult Le Mans French endurance race in challenging weather conditions, aided by Goodyear’s innovative Blue Streak tyres.

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The engine has been restored to full working orderCredit: mediadrumimages

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The car still proudly displays its race numberCredit: mediadrumimages

Gamble said: “They were just as quick through the corners in heavy rain as any car on track.”

Their disciplined approach paid off, and they crossed the finish line second in class and tenth overall, proving the Corvette’s durability and competitiveness.

However, disaster struck shortly afterwards when the car was involved in an accident while en route to England for the prestigious Goodwood RAC Tourist Trophy.

It overturned in the Swedish town of Ljungby, leaving its fiberglass bodywork damaged beyond immediate repair.

The Camoradi team abandoned the Corvette, unknowingly consigning it to obscurity for over three decades.

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The car was abandoned in a Swedish town after a crash that broke its fibreglass bodyworkCredit: mediadrumimages

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The car was fully restored in 2022, and will now go up for saleCredit: mediadrumimages

It wasn’t until 1995 that American enthusiast Loren Lundberg successfully tracked down the long-lost Corvette after an exhaustive search that spanned years and continents.

He recalled: “I contacted embassies, police departments, and even my member of Congress – anything to find this car.

“When I finally got confirmation, it was like uncovering buried treasure.”

The car was painstakingly restored in 2022 and has since been applauded at major automotive events – winning the NCRS American Heritage Award, The Grand Sport Trophy at Amelia, and the Audrain Sporting Choice Award in 2024.

Eligible for prestigious vintage racing events such as Le Mans Classic, Goodwood Revival, and the Nürburgring Classic, chassis 102272 stands as a symbol of American ambition on the world stage.

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