ProTeam's 'Last'(TM) Corvette Sting Ray To Star In Speed Series

ProTeam's 'Last'(TM) Corvette Sting Ray To Star In Speed Series

NAPOLEON, Ohio, Oct. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- SPEED will air a mini-series documenting the life, times, restoration and sale of ProTeam Classic Corvette Collection and Sales' "Last"(TM) Corvette (also known as the Last Sting Ray), the last C2 Corvette produced.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061016/CLM535 )

"The Last Sting Ray," part of the popular American Musclecar programming lineup, is written and produced by Stan Rarden of Restoration Productions LLC. The documentary consists of six half-hour episodes that tell three parallel stories -- the history of the Corvette, the life and times of America's most beloved automobile and the discovery and loving restoration of this automotive icon.

The documentary is scheduled to begin airing Dec. 7 on SPEED, but in a special "sneak preview," SPEED will air all six episodes of "The Last Sting Ray" back-to-back, beginning at 9 p.m. E.T. on Nov. 24. "The Last Sting Ray" will be the climax of a day-after-Thanksgiving American Musclecar marathon on SPEED.

"The Corvette is the most influential American car ever produced, and this particular 'Vette is the last one of the most beloved version GM ever made," Rarden said. "The journey of this car from the bustling General Motors factory in St. Louis to quiet, rural Napoleon, Ohio, home to the world's largest and most dynamic classic Corvette collection, is a story which will appeal to automotive enthusiasts and collectors everywhere."

"The 'Last' is an impeccable car with a remarkable history," said Terry Michaelis, president, ProTeam. "ProTeam is thrilled to share this one-in-a- million vehicle and its story with SPEED and its viewing audience."

The "Last" is the 186,981st produced by General Motors and is documented as the last 1967 Corvette (VIN #22940) of the C2 series production -- widely regarded by collectors and enthusiasts as the greatest Corvette design. It is also the last factory 427 cid mid-year big-block ever built. This combination of significant "lasts," according to Michaelis, is what makes VIN #22940 so valuable.

To further illustrate its status as an esteemed collectible, Michaelis pointed out that in a 10-year span, the vehicle appreciated 10 times in value. Purchased in 1995 by collector Bill Mock for $22,940 ($1 per sequential VIN number), Michaelis later acquired the car from Mock in 2005 for $229,400 ($10 per sequential VIN number).

Since June 2005, the vehicle was treated to an extensive restoration at Nabers Brothers in Houston and was granted "Top Flight" certification from the National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS), GoldCertification(R) at the 2006 Bloomington Gold Corvette show and a Lion Award at the Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance.

The 1967 Corvette Sting Ray will be the centerpiece of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company's booth at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

The promotional tour will end January 2007, when the vehicle is sold at No Reserve during the famed Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Michaelis estimates the "Last" selling for as much as seven figures.

However, the "Last" is more than the restoration of an amazing car. ProTeam and Lance Miller of Carlisle Productions are using the project to raise awareness of the deadly disease Amyloidosis. ProTeam has earmarked a dollar-per-dollar $40,000 pledge from the project for donation to the Chip Miller Charitable Foundation.

Built on July 12, 1967, the "Last" Corvette still bears its original factory tank sticker (build sheet) listing the following options:

* 986 Silver Pearl paint
* L-36 427-390 engine package
* C60 factory air conditioning
* N14 side dual exhaust
* N36 telescopic steering wheel
* N40 power steering

For more information and to follow the "Last" Corvette's promotional tour, visit www.lastcorvette.com. Pictures of the "Last" can also be downloaded from this site.

ProTeam Classic Corvette Collection and Sales, based in Napoleon, Ohio, showcases the largest inventory of classic Corvettes in the world. Almost $20 million worth of Corvettes are displayed in 90,000 square feet of showrooms and restoration facilities in Napoleon and Auburn, Ind., with nearly 200 classic Corvettes on display at any time. For additional information, contact ProTeam at P.O. Box 606, Napoleon, Ohio 43545, call 888.592.5086 or visit www.proteamcorvette.com.

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Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061016/CLM535
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN 16
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: McCullough Public Relations

CONTACT: McCullough Public Relations, +1-330-244-9980

Web site: http://www.proteamcorvette.com/
http://www.lastcorvette.com/

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