Found & Restored Harley Earl Corvette Prototype S.O. 2151 Not Seen Since 1954

[@icuinthelight]

This was not just a restoration, this was an archeological restoration! Absolutely beautiful!

[@rogue___tr00per24]

Absolute labour of love, stunning. The blues and greens of the 50's really epitomised that era.

[@SamuelLopez-lx9bg]

Basically this is a holy grail of corvettes. Beautiful restoration

[@johndavey72]

Superb craftsmanship and dedication. And it took a lot of willpower to leave the poor fitting panels ! I live in the UK and 54 years ago as a 15 year old l was offered a very early Corvette with the grille headlights for £100 ! I turned it down because the seller (a local scrapman) told me the V8 had been taken out and replaced with a Ford straight 6. Of course , years later it's pretty obvious it was probably the "blue flame " unit ! I thought it was a very attractive car and was , and still remain , frustrated that l never bought it. I did see the Corvette in a custom magazine a number of years later with a huge V8 ! Once again , fabulous work . Thankyou

[@mike9657]

That restoration job was a work of art. What amazing talent!

[@turboturtle9083]

Very few would take on a project like this, fewer still would see it to the end. The dedication to authenticity is truly commendable. My hat is off to you sir, subscribed.

[@kennethwalker4551]

I couldn't even imagine what this must have done to this very fine craftsman's head not to fix all the little boo boo's. After just watching I feel the need to medicate, Bravo for staying true even when it hurts.

[@carlroberts7830]

imagine the dollar signs if it ever goes to auction

[@joshschneider9766]

Authenticity? They were annually changed one offs even before they retired. Some of them had different trim and handle configurations to show off possible mass production options!

[@Mouthy_Trucker]

Well you’re subscribing to the narrator not the builder

[@oriancunningham]

Its a prototype vette, many people would kill to get the opportunity

[@gregellis3859]

This was absolutely amazing. As a Corvette admirer since a child, I really enjoyed watching this video. Billy Jay is an artist. An amazing artist. And the history on this car. I love the fact that you can trace the lineage of this car from the 50's to 2022. Thank you for making this video. And thank you Billy Jay for keeping this amazing piece of automobile history alive.

[@a.barker7792]

Most custom work on cars goes way over actual value. But this being a Harley Earl mock up has to be priceless.

[@customfinishcarpentryandmi8053]

Probably the rarest vett of all time glad it gets its Debye finally after 60+ tears

[@johnalexander4356]

Just incredible! I'm speechless about all the research that went into this masterpiece!

[@TheJohnRowley]

What a great restrained interview style - asking the right questions and then respectfully keeping quiet to let the man explain, great filming and editing too!

[@thewriter2549]

Thank you for noticing what I try my best to do, and that is to ask the right questions and then shut up and record people that have a great story to tell. I learned this through thousands of interviews that I recorded and transcribed researching magazine articles and now to making videos for KZbin.

[@TheJohnRowley]

It really shows! I was reminded of some of the best interviews, for example Dave Allen of 'Great British Eccentrics'. Thank you for taking the time to reply@@thewriter2549

[@godofplumbing]

I restored a 1965 fastback mustang in 1999. My father bought me it in 1985. I still have it today. I was way over my head. Took me almost a year do it. Much longer than I anticipated. I spent every weekend in every night in the garage working on it. I showed it in the World of Wheels in Boston. Took best of Paint. Got a 60 inch trophy. I will never sell it. I miss you Dad.

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

Great comment, I miss my dad too although we worked on tractors more than fastbacks, cheers.

[@Contact_Info]

I miss my Dad too, he bought me a 3000gt vr4 30 years ago and I still have it.

[@richardkirk5098]

Great tribute to your dad. I miss my dad too.

[@m42037]

What motor is in it

[@KK-bk3dm]

My dad sucked and I dont miss him

[@pjs9346]

Thank you for restoring and saving this wonderful car.

[@majorneptunejr]

I knew of this car and it had became legend. I thought those couple of black and white photos where all that was left. I am so glad it was found and appreciated for what it was, a part of automotive history.

[@thewriter2549]

Do you know provenance or any clues prior to 1975?

[@majorneptunejr]

@@thewriter2549 I only knew about this car from those b/w photos. For years, what happened to it was a mystery. I never knew that this was the yellow Motorama car. Glad that it was kept as a concept car with the differences on each side and the traces of it's yellow origins. Do you know if any of the others Motorama Corvettes still exist ?

[@thewriter2549]

@@majorneptunejr I don't know, but i'm checking around.

[@majorneptunejr]

@@thewriter2549 Maybe the Corvette museum in Bowling Green KY would have some info .

[@thewriter2549]

@@majorneptunejr I know where they are. Might do something on them if I can find a good story.

[@parrotraiser6541]

When a car has a history of being repainted, repurposed, and hacked about like that, it must be a nightmare deciding what moment in its history is to be enshrined in a restoration. Beautiful and incredibly thorough work!

[@arthurevans5608]

Motorola showcase duhh.. Pollyanna best of everything like SEMA

[@crazypeoplearoundtheworld304]

Soon as I heard the narration voice, I clicked thumbs down and navigated away. So ridiculously annoying.

[@jonathanlawson4667]

I didn't see anything hacked up on it lol just basic decay

[@chadwickalexanderjr1758]

@@crazypeoplearoundtheworld304 then you missed a great video. You must not be a corvette guy.

[@crazypeoplearoundtheworld304]

@@chadwickalexanderjr1758 just can't stand the guy. He's really got a horrific personality

[@joelbricker9920]

This is my favorite story of yours so far. The lengths he went to in order to keep as much originality as possible is outstanding.

[@speedking1353]

If only cars nowadays were made with such gorgeous lines and beauty. They look like art.

[@luis566lc]

Bmw an Mercedes

[@lancewatt8514]

Classic cars are works of art. I always prided myself in what I know but after watching this guy….THIS gentleman (and I have seen others similar to him)… they take it to such another level.

[@davekreitzer4358]

Great story , and Greater Restoration ! 👌

[@mikehenson819]

My hat is off as I bough deeply to your incredible workmanship Sir Billy of J. Just incredible in every way! It’s a miracle that thing wasn’t lost to a landfill.

[@fokkerd3red618]

Just incredible, what you've done with this car. Fantastic job.

[@earlputnal9124]

Another resurrection of automotive cornerstone of the most famous car ever built. Very nice video.

[@thewriter2549]

And well said, one of the cornerstones.

[@robertllr]

WoW! What a remarkable job of research, investigation, documentation and preservation--all within a full (but sensitive to originality) restoration. Thanks for both refreshing and conserving this bit of Corvette history! And thanks to the videographer for recording this commentary!

[@cordovanbee713]

Totally Awesome Rebuild, ONE IN A MILLION , Thanks for Sharing, this man is a True ARTIST!!!!

[@garrygballard8914]

Wow, what a car, what a story. I was 3 yrs old in Detroit in those days.

[@ralphgreenwood2469]

The way you researched and documented that car through its long journey I found to be amazing and very satisfying.I love to see elite excellence in action.Kudos to you sir.

[@markweston8081]

I thoroughly enjoyed that what a great story and truly a one-of-a-kind ride I can only imagine the hours an hours of work you put into that car great job.

[@webbtrekker534]

WOW. I was 8 years old when this car was built. What lovely restoration and I love the fact you left all the "witness" evidence so it could be seen. I'd love to anything more about this car if you ever make more about it.

[@paulwest4755]

It's a miracle the car ended up in your hands , great job on the restoration my friend.

[@mabs503]

This is awesome! The find, the restoration, the documentation, the story, your clip. Really awesome!

[@thewriter2549]

Thanks, and when you work Billy Jay, well, he is a real stickler for doing things right. He is truly an amazing painter, restorer, researcher.

[@Romans--bo7br]

@@thewriter2549.... Fantastic Documentation & Restoration, Jerry. Where is the "Vette" now?.... Just asking as the video shows you loading it into the trailer at the end. I had a 61 (w/rag & removable hard top) in the mid 60s until I went into the service in 67, then a 63 roadster (rag top) after coming home from VN (3 "tours") the last time, which a buddy of mine sold me for the coast of the new HP long block (4 bolt mains,etc) from Chevrolet ($375.00!!), which I built, sold and bought a 63 "Split window" with the Rochester FI for $1,500.!! If my "foresight" was 1/50th of my "hindsight".... I would be a multimillionaire today, if I had kept all the 50s & 60s muscle cars that I owned years ago (coupled with nearly 20 years of drag racing FED's! lol)... and All of them were "cherry"! Watching Barrett-Jackson Auctions brings tears to my eyes & bank accounts!! lol I subscribed to your channel, quite some time ago... love your restorations, and look forward to more. God Bless & protect you, and yours.

[@thewriter2549]

@@Romans--bo7br Thanks, and I know how you feel. I sold some too soon, as well. Billy Jay owns the car.

[@Romans--bo7br]

@@thewriter2549... Thanks So Much for your rapid reply... you now hold the world record for the fastest response time to one of my comment/questions... by a couple of days, so I think you're "safe" for the rest of time. I can relate to Billy Jay being a "stickler" for "doing things right"... I'm the same way. Longevity and reliability is in paying close attention to all the fine details.... I'm a firm believer in doing things Once, even if it takes whatever amount of time, longer than most people... to do it right. In my younger years I got into metal polishing (still have most all of my equipment) "on the side" and have been in many different restoration projects myself, to that end... everything from motorcycles, steam locomotives, 1880's & 90's pullman railroad coaches, hot rods & show cars to musical instruments.. and written up in a half dozen or so (lost track, been a while now) magazines related to those various types of restoration projects. Anyway... thanks for posting and sharing your fabulous work, once again... am an ardent admirer of others who also take great "pains" to do things correctly, and whatever time it takes to "get it there". PS: Interesting that you restored "TV Tommy's" four engined (Buick), four wheel drive dragster. I remember helping lifting him out of it, back in 1978 (or,79?.. it's been a while), after he made his first pass at SIR (Saskatchewan Int'l Raceway - NHRA track) up in Canada, in the "left lane" after I suggested to him Not to use that lane due to a nasty, nearly lane wide frost heave just past the last mph beam. Considering the rigidity and weight of that beast.... I didn't think it would be a wise move for him (knowing how it hammered myself in my own, much more flexible FED - Front Engine Dragster/rail, during qualifying up there) to use it... but, Tommy, being Tommy... ran it anyway, and payed for it with a re-injuring of his lower back, which sadly put him out of commission for a short while that year, while he healed up... again.

[@stevewenners]

Great video. I have never been a fan of Corvette, will never be. True American automotive history and an absolute treasure.

[@frankmachado1010]

Do what you love and love what you do, I can agree that taking your time made this car come out the right way it was meant to. these days people are in a hurry to get things done, I am so happy that you took your time to restore her to her former glory. can tell your a man that love's doing what he does...cheers!

[@unclerumple9287]

Great presentation. The slow reveal was charming.

[@thewriter2549]

Thank you kindly!

[@Curtis_H]

Thanks again Jerry for bringing the stories to us. Absolutely gem here. Much appreciated!

[@billrussell7672]

Thank you for the forensic examination. A thing of beauty

[@thewriter2549]

Thanks for bringing this up. I think more history cars should be restored this way. I bet you would agree.

[@mwhitelaw8569]

This guy is an absolute legend I thought for certain he was doing other stuff Really cool to see him still neck deep in his art. Thanks for the peek inside the workshop Billy Jay!!! And thank you Jerry I find your videos so enthralling

[@sandozdelysid]

I like the index you left in the trunk. No one will deny it roots thanks to you

[@thewriter2549]

I do too and think other such restorations should do this. Makes the car so much more interesting.

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

As brilliant as the car is I'm as impressed by his work on that old safe.

[@timhoran3887]

Agree .... That would be my show peace in my living room.

[@jamesgreg5542]

That makes my blood flow like a mad river raging!!! OUT FREAKIN STANDING STORY!!!!

[@captjim007]

Billy Jay is a living legend in the automotive world. He is trusted with the most valuable cars.

[@missingremote4388]

5 % remains; I need my pinstripes re-done. white - green - orange - black

[@larrychamel]

Easily a $1,000,000 ++ Corvette! Incredible Craftsmanship on this Magnificent Restoration!

[@wam44]

Fascinating story! Thanks for posting! Great looking Vette-Love the gills and hood scoop and other differences in the body...

[@mewregaurdhissyfit7733]

Wow! What a big chunk of car history!!! Bravo!

[@teddyjones8027]

what an amazing story and amazing car. the start of American Sports cars, love it. Thank you for the journey.

[@thewriter2549]

now that you mention it, yes, the start for America

[@teddyjones8027]

@@thewriter2549 I really do appreciate this video and story, it's a shame that after the 70s the American automotive industry just didn't care about capturing the character and attitude of cars anymore. For me cars before 1974 had beauty, character, attitude, an almost spiritual effect when you drive them. It truly was and is a full body and mind experience, you and the car become as one. I was born 30 years to late because the 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s were the most amazing time for cars. Thank you again.

[@justsomebloke6784]

I have never really liked the early Corvettes, but his level of enthusiasm and depth of knowledge brought the car to life, and it became beautiful.

[@babakgholian3467]

Lots of good and hard work went into this car you are one lucky guy , to me this car is priceless 👌

[@thewriter2549]

Thanks 👍

[@rp9674]

So many of us value this treasure of history that transcends automotive history, so meticulously researched, restored, recreated & preserved! ...in 2022!

[@marklynch3918]

I LOVE how you saved/used everything you could as is - because you should. And I hope people appreciate how much thought and effort you put into the process on every little point. And of course, your work is Stunning! Grand Slam with this project. Totally 100% blown away!

[@chessmckenzie1489]

Its nice to see such passion and reverence.

[@davidnorbertgarza]

WOW!!! Most impressive, restoration bar NONE!!! Love your presentation, look forward to seeing more! Godspeed from The Yakima Valley in Washington STATE 🙏🏽🙌🏽

[@robertordewald8678]

I like where you kept the inconsistencies on each side, it is a wonderful artifact thank you, Bob Ordewald, Staunton Virginia

[@shotgunbliss]

What a story!! What an exhaust note!! That would make a wonderful display at the National Roadster Show. Great job on the restoration.

[@danstephensen9032]

Absotively Fabuloose ......... Inspiring in every possible way. Props to YOU.

[@isaacsrandomvideos667]

Those corvette prototypes look awesome.

[@yurydolinsky]

I love classic cars. Built with pride!!! Great video!!! Thank you for sharing these beauties.

[@billking772]

Very intriguing story Jerry! So much detective work went into getting everything right on this car. It turned out fabulous. Your presentation of the subject was very well done as usual - one of the reasons why I subscribe to your channel. Keep up the good work!

[@TheFirstStater]

Somebody stole my name.

[@billking772]

@@TheFirstStater I'm kind of fond of it! Lol

[@bondpit8750]

@@billking772 ‘we wuz kangz’ 😁

[@jacquelynkheasley8614]

I’m really proud of my brother in law!

[@carollevola9047]

@@jacquelynkheasley8614 I'm not impressed with my brother's wife.

[@JoE_Songs]

absolutely mind-blowing. Jesus. Dedication would be an understatement.

[@kustominkaustralia]

Love it Jerry. Another fantastic story. Thank you!

[@thewriter2549]

Glad you enjoyed it - from Down Under!

[@errorsofmodernism9715]

Good job, really nice to see a car that is not over restored. This is tastefully restored and respects the original history

[@ridingitlightning1028]

Totally Rad Man! My favorite part was seeing your artistic application to bring back original features, even when Tracer sneezed 🐶.

[@thewriter2549]

yes, we had to bless the little doggie

[@davidalcaraz6003]

Great Story and a Happy ending for this one of a kind Corvette! This builder should be Proud of himself!

[@davidmadden3578]

Great story. Great history on the car. It definitely went to the right man. Job well done.

[@Aerocarene]

I absolutely love your videos and editing style and voiceovers! These videos are my comfort content when I feel like crap.

[@thewriter2549]

Thank you so much! I try my best to beat the network TV shows that have big staffs and budgets. This video took 150 hours to edit and I flew to Indianapolis twice to film it. So, my appreciation for your comment is directly proportional to the work and money I put into a project and that is very high.

[@peterhodges6684]

Soo very cool, an amazing piece of history!!!! Great job on the restoration, thank you for saving her.

[@TheDoosh79]

I love this side of American car culture, it is unique to you guys due to the vast size of the country and your rural locations that enable cars to literally vanish for decades and then reappear much further down the line. That and the space/land a lot of folks have that means they can keep or forget about an old car without the need to free up the space and potentially scrap it.

[@petehatzakos]

Fascinating story about this rare car! I love how you go into the weeds! Great story, but even better, great explanation about the restoration of this vehicle! Thank you all for sharing!

[@thewriter2549]

Thanks again Pete

[@mauriceclemens3286]

What a work of art. This gentleman is one of a kind.👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@micksterboone4517]

Amazing that it didn't get hot rodded all those years. Bravo!

[@DonAl9114]

Great video. Thank you. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻😊😊

[@bignip2000]

Not many cars can change hands that many times and make it to restoration. That’s great this car was kept alive to get it to this point.

[@ward7voter111]

Very true. I am the sixth owner a fiberglass car from the same time period that was never completed and thankfully has remained untouched (butchered) by the various owners. We are in the process of completing the build, but the first 4 1/2 years of having it were spent researching, interviewing, and chasing leads to identify who designed/built it because that was unknown. We solved that mystery, found the designer/builder and his family and now know that he built seven to ten using various engines/chassis between 1953 and 1955. He lived in Wayne, Michigan and built the cars in a garage on in Livonia, Michigan where he was a teacher and coach. The car I have is the only currently known example, but we continue to search for other examples and the owners/former owners of them, so that we can capture and share their stories too.

[@bignip2000]

@@ward7voter111 that’s nice. I’d love to see the progress of your build.

[@cosmicHalArizona]

That Boss engine was amazing. Your devotion to this project is amazing.

[@magnetmannenbannanen]

Fastback corvair was a really beautiful car.

[@todddavis240]

My mom rode in that car as homecoming queen in 1955 in a homecoming parade :) ...thank you Jerry, what an awesome car story

[@thewriter2549]

Do you mean a 1954 Corvette, or this EXACT car? If you mean this exact car, maybe you can help us trace its early history. We don't know what happened to this car from 1954 to 1974.

[@SuccessShared]

This range of car designs from the 50's are truly amazing. It's great to see this type of painstaking restoration on what must be one of the most beautiful body designs of the period. It certainly gave the Italian's a run for their money! Great work

[@troybond5426]

I enjoyed watching this episode. Reminds me if hanging out with my Dad watching. classic car shows. Thank you fir sharing. I want fi see more

[@leegoddard2618]

OMG, I can imagine the stress of Not "fixing" the imperfections. 👍

[@michaelbenardo5695]

I commend him for that, as he restored that car to exactly how it was made, not how many would say it SHOULD have been made.

[@208miuwu]

Amazing to see the History come back to Life. Thank God people still appreciate Hot Rods

[@glamiskid50]

Such an amazing car and talented person to put it back together Beautiful car looking forward to seeing more of your work,the safe is outstanding

[@robertgriffin7569]

Great car, and a great restoration as well. Awesome job. Thank you.

[@doctorromex7804]

This car is an amazing piece of history. This guy is a restoration beast especially on the one of a kind type of deals. Youre way of telling these stories is so unique and engaging that even cars that wouldn't normally interest me I can totally enjoy digesting. Hello from Mt. Vernon Ohio, home of the Shelby GT350 that you featured some time ago. Keep the great content coming...

[@ajcates9136]

Just wonderful corvette history thanks

[@Mozgarage]

Amazing talent! The car looks great.

[@sundancer3700]

Thats labor of love, thanks for such a sweet job on a one of a kind that will live on for years to come.

[@PaulA-uz5tk]

Fantastic project and history overview. True craftsmanship.

[@stevef1076]

Wow, stunning, the mans an artist, great restoration, great story of an iconic car in the making, how they used to decide what they wanted on the actual car, these days all done on computer. Another great video Jerry.

[@thewriter2549]

Talent like Billy Jay needs to be recognized nationally, thanks, yes.

[@buckwheatINtheCity]

What I appreciate about this guy is his research and attention to detail. One can only imagine what the owner went through to obtain a title for a car that never had a title when constructed, no salvage certificate or any paper trail.

[@meetdogblack8277]

Love it! 👏Bravo!

[@thewriter2549]

Thank you! 😊

[@terrallputnam7979]

What a labor of love. Congratulations on such a fine example of real America style and engineering.

[@kengremp8452]

great history, great documentation, great video, a job well done !

[@fw1421]

Belongs in a museum. Beautiful restoration.

[@derekstocker6661]

Great video, just shows that the electrics in newer cars can be a very large headache even for some specialists. The Turbo R can have a few electric niggles as well that can be very expensive to put right. Glad you found the right part and fixer!

[@blackbearbear9313]

You did the corvette right really good job all documents done excellent job well done God Bless

[@Mr.EeToMyself]

My neighbor had Number 8… He found it in a junkyard in the 70’s. The junkyard has Number 3 as well. He almost bought it for 12k. Later he found out that they never found number 1 or 2. He just passed away a few months ago. Rip Bill. He was a good man.

[@roberttanguay8532]

#1 was in the GM Museum in Bowling Green KY and #2 was owned by the then CEO

[@michaelbenardo5695]

Wow! How lucky. Sorry he passed away though. I hope we will be able to drive in heaven!

[@keeponpainting]

A stunning design, well worth all the incredible effort to restore it.

[@SIMKINETICS]

I was 5 when I saw the first Corvette displayed at the 1953 GM Autorama. My dad was a foreman at GM then, so we got a special viewing, and I was thrilled to see the debut of America's original popular sports car! That's likely the event that made me a car nut and eventually a Mechanical Engineer. I recall getting to drive a scaled-down, battery-powered Corvette at that Motorama which I took off through the crowds, my mom scrambling after her naughty five-year-old! I got a ticket.

[@thewriter2549]

what a great story, what city? Also, would you look at the phone of the yellow EX-129 on display at the show in this video - you can see Allison signs in background, and discern which Motorama this was - WHERE and possibly WHEN? Please send me an email - [e-mail]

[@SIMKINETICS]

@@thewriter2549 It was the '53 Motorama, one year before the featured 'Vette in this video was used for display. I didn't pay much attention to signs because I was enamored with the shiny 'Vette! That car was and is an amazing American phenomenon. It's weird to know that I was seeing that debut when all that was brand-new, and now it's the resurrection of an historical ghost! Anyway, we attended the Motorama either in our home-town of Grand Rapids or in Flint, as I recall. It wasn't a long drive. Sorry, I don't have email.

[@jamesb5841]

@@SIMKINETICS but you need an email for a KZbin account 🙃

[@patbullard9276]

Very interesting story and video. Congratulations on the completion and thanks for preserving the history of this Corvette.

[@colubrinedeucecreative]

Great coverage of an amazing restoration! Nice work! So it was literally done and being shipped to the owner? Amazing you got to capture it doing that as part of that story. I was a bit surprised to see it not painted yellow until all those factory photos came out showing the green car.

[@jeffcongdon4469]

What a beautiful car and wow what a piece of automotive history

[@sharpiefatah3657]

That shooting break looks sick

[@williamsporing1500]

Yes it does. They should have made it.

[@abelincoln95]

I really appreciate that Billy, as much as he wanted to do a super clean resto, he kept as much of the original dna as possible.