Chevrolet One-Off

Information

1952 Corvette EX-122 Concept Car

Nonetheless, Ingle received a letter, postmarked December 8, 1959, that came from R.F. Sanders, director of Engineering & Sales of Rochester Products Division. In the three-page, typed letter, Sanders explained that the car he sold Ingle was EX-122. The letter said it was built in the Experimental Department of Chevrolet Engineering — which was located in Detroit — in the latter part of 1952. At the time, Sanders worked there.

Sanders said EX-122 was to be the Motorama show car put on display at the Waldorf Astoria in New York. It was carried, babied and handled in shows in the United States. Afterward, it was parked in the lobby of the General Motors Building for public display. Later, it went back to the Engineering Department and was used as a test car.

The new V-8 was under development, so engineers installed the 265-cid V-8 in place of the straight six. Sanders indicates the car became a plaything for the Engineering Department and was used for various performance demonstrations.

When Chevrolet decided to go ahead with a V-8 in the production ’Vette, EX-122 (still 265-powered and re-bodied) ran a 25,000-mile durability test. On completion, it was torn down. Each part was inspected and reports were made. Then, the car was reassembled and repainted red. A new top, new seats and a new speedometer were installed. The transmission was completely overhauled