BARN FIND! A World-Traveling “AIRBOX CORVETTE” Hidden in Kentucky, And The Hot Rod Hoarder Is Telling Us All About It!
To say that this Corvette has some history, would be a serious understatement. To say it was rare, might be an even bigger understatement. It is one of just 43 built, and then it spent its life being road raced all over the western United States, before being shipped across oceans to race in Japan. The story doesn’t stop there, so watch and listen as Tommy Lee Byrd, the Hot Rod Hoarder, does a fantastic job sharing the history of this particularly badass 1957 Corvette.
Video Description:
This 1957 Corvette Barn Find has a MILLION DOLLAR story to tell. It’s 1 of only 43 Airbox Corvettes built in 1957 and it’s certainly the most well documented example of the remaining 15 or so cars in existence. This car was a hardcore racer, competing in California, Nevada and Pikes Peak under the ownership of Jack Coyle. Then, it was shipped to Okinawa, Japan for even more racing action, including the Okinawa Hill Climb and the Macao Grand Prix in Hong Kong under the ownership of Roger Daisley. From there, it had a short run as a drag racer and wild street machine, after the car was shipped back to the United States by Troy Mason.
The car was stored in a barn for 46 years in Estill County, Kentucky. Dale Flynn bought the car a few years ago and he and his sons restored it beautifully. This old race car was beat up and badly damaged, but the Flynn family repaired it and did an excellent job restoring it. More impressive than the restoration efforts are their research efforts, as this car’s incredible history and legacy was unknown. Now, this world-traveling Airbox Corvette has quite the story to tell, as it survived many years of bashing and crashing on road racing circuits and a couple trips across the ocean.
This Corvette barn find is one of the most special cars I’ve ever had the opportunity to photograph or document. Most of its history was already nailed down by the Flynn family but I was able to find a few additional photos to add to the story. This car’s story is one for the ages. Sit back and enjoy this outstanding history of a priceless Airbox big brake Corvette race car.
