Looking for the UK history of a 1961 Corvette (VIN 01834)

[dupareze]

Hello everyone,

I am writing here to know if anyone has some information on the 61 Corvette VIN 01834. I am currently documenting the cars of the Fondation Renaud collection (Chevrolet Corvette C1 1961), and this car has some major gaps in its history, especially from when it was in the UK. I am hoping someone here can help.

What we know about the car:
The 1961 Corvette convertible, VIN 10867S101834 (St. Louis, early 1961 production) was originally delivered in the USA and reached the UK some times later.
In August 2002, the Louis Chevrolet Rallye took place in Switzerland, and Charles Renaud, the founder of the foundation, wanted a Corvette to celebrate this event. He asked his British friend David Holland (which we assume was a member of the Brooklands Society), and in less than a month, the C1 arrived in the collection. And that is basically it.

We do not know who the previous UK owners were, how it arrived in the country, if it participated in local events. Maybe our car went to some CCCUK events who knows.

If you remember a white ‘61 with silver coves that left for Switzerland, or have any old club records from that period, this would be of great help. Every small detail or contacts can help us preserve this car’s story. Also, if by any chance you have any info on the US era as well, it would be great for us.

Many thanks!

 

[Chevrolet]

Good Evening. I see from the photos on your website, that the car has the UK registration number HSK 247.

 

[Nassau65]

I think that car belonged to Mike bravingto ( I think that’s his name) I nearly bought it in 1992. Alan falkerner Steven’s done quite a bit of work on it.

 

[Chevrolet]

Alan falkerner Steven’s done quite a bit of work on it.

Don't know that name. Where was he based??

 

[Nassau65]

Milton Keynes.
EX Aston Martin engineer. Specialised in corvette restorations and work in the 90’s.
Then went into Shelby mustangs.
High quality work, with prices to match.

 

[Chevrolet]

Ah OK:

Dragon Wheels Restorations - muscle car restorations Ford Mustang Shelby GT350, Shelby GT500, AC Cobra 289 427 restoration muscle car restoration

Dragon Wheels Restorations - muscle car restorations Ford Mustang Shelby GT350, Shelby GT500, AC Cobra 289 427 restoration muscle car restoration

 

[Nassau65]

That’s him, couldn’t remember his company name. Excellent work by all accounts.

 

[dupareze]

Thank you all for your help! I'll check if Alan Falkerner-Steven has any memories of this car. I've already tried the DVLA with the registration plate, but it came up empty. To be honest, I don't put much faith in the plates on Mr. Renaud's cars anyway, as he rarely bothered to register them.

 

[Roscobbc]

Unfortunately the UK division of the NCRS (National Corvette Restoration Society) no longer exists. The USA chapters are very much alive and well and perhaps may have some answers for you.

 

[Chevrolet]

Thank you all for your help! I'll check if Alan Falkerner-Steven has any memories of this car. I've already tried the DVLA with the registration plate, but it came up empty. To be honest, I don't put much faith in the plates on Mr. Renaud's cars anyway, as he rarely bothered to register them.

Can I ask?
1) Presumably you are "officially" connected to this collection?
2) Is Mr Renaud still alive?
3) Mr R/the collection has had the car since 2002. Why are you asking this now? Was there history documentation with the car in 2002 that got lost perhaps?

The car (HSK 247) is recorded by the DVLA, showing the last V5C (Registration/change of ownership) document was issued on 29/8/2002:

Service Unavailable

vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk

As you can see from the above, that says the car was 1st registered in the UK in October 1991.

 

[Nassau65]

I looked at the car in 1992, and Mike bought it soon after that . He commissioned various work from Alan FS including a complete new interior, which cost him £5k at the time. He still had it when he bought a Chrysler off me about 1999.
It had both tops at that time as well.

 

[Corvette]

Mike Barrington owned the car in UK before he moved to US. He eas related somehow to my wifes family. I last spoke to him in 2001 when i had a 68.

 

[Nassau65]

I last saw him in 2000 or 2001 at billing. Both the 61 and the Chrysler lebaron convertible I sold him ( for his wife) were there. Never saw the 61 after that.

 

[Corvette]

He advertised the car for £28k and it sold back in 2001/2.

 

[Nassau65]

No idea as to how much he spent on it over the years apart from the 5k interior. He paid about 14k for it as that’s what I could have bought it for.