Tucked away in the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in Philadelphia, positioned next to a 1950 Allard J2, resides a rare gem in Corvette history.
Acquired by Jim Jaeger in 1990, this car is the only original, unrestored 1963 Grand Sport in existence. Of the five built, it’s the only one to retain the original wear and marks from its brief racing stint in the mid-1960s.
Even amidst the other original race cars on display, this vehicle’s story shines distinctly—not due to its race victories (though it was undeniably quick)—but for its significant role in the evolution of automotive restoration techniques.
The Grand Sport’s story began back in 1959, marking the end of GM’s factory-backed racing teams and the XP-87 Stingray race car, which evolved from the 1957 Corvette SS.
The Stingray inspired the design of the C2 Corvette and enjoyed a brief yet victorious career, winning the 1960 SCCA Championship before being retired.
Meanwhile, that same year, Carroll Shelby was envisioning a lightweight V8 sports car. By January 1962, his vision took shape as the first Shelby Cobra.
Its incredible speed caught the attention of Zora Arkus-Duntov, who, inspired by the XP-87, swiftly began designing a new Corvette race car.
This fusion of Corvette racing excellence and roadgoing C2 innovations culminated in the birth of the Grand Sport for the 1963 model year.
Duntov’s original plan was to have the Grand Sport homologated for production racing categories, which would have required 125 units. However, with GM’s decision to end factory-sponsored racing, only five were ever produced.
Each of these five cars is entirely unique, although they share certain design features. They represented the peak of Corvette racing technology and were piloted by legendary drivers like Roger Penske, Jim Hall, and Dick Thompson, among others.
The specific car on display is Chassis #002, fitted with a 7.0L aluminum V8 crafted by Traco Engineering in Culver City, California.
As previously mentioned, Grand Sport #002 holds the distinction of being the only unrestored example among the five.
Wanting to both preserve this piece of history and enjoy a restored version, owner Jim Jaeger embarked on a project to create a faithful replica using an advanced restoration process.
He used the original car as a model, meticulously replicating hundreds of components to match the exact specifications. From entire body panels to the smallest nuts and bolts, every part was duplicated with precision through various innovative methods.
Additionally, each component of the original car was thoroughly documented, setting a reference standard for future Grand Sport restorations.
The project took several years to complete, ultimately resulting in two fully operational cars. A 377 cubic-inch V8, built to the specifications of the original Grand Sport, powers the exact replica body, making it a true “replica” in every sense.
This endeavor achieved two critical goals: it preserved the legacy of the original car, which is now on display for enthusiasts to appreciate, and it introduced a pioneering restoration approach that has become the benchmark for restoring vintage racing vehicles.
Today, the Grand Sport is part of the Watkins Glen exhibit, sharing the spotlight with the Allard J2.
In another part of the late Dr. Frederick Simeone’s collection sits a striking, big-block 1966 Sting Ray roadster in Laguna Blue, which is also in original, unrestored condition.
Both Corvettes are periodically driven in the museum’s parking lot, allowing visitors to witness these pieces of automotive history in action.
