I think I read somewhere (can't remember where) that one or more of the SRs (carbureted) was fitted with a cold air box. Possibly by S. Yunick. True or false?

 

Yep, it has a little bit different configuration from the airbox of the 579E option and there have been several pictures of it in various publications (or wait a minute!!!!!! am I thinking of the SS?????).

Am I having a senior moment????

 

Thanks for the interest. I can't answer but I have extensive documentation and pictures and see no evidence of this. However many 1957 racing options were developed in 1956 and this could have happened.
Regards

 

I was in fact correct the first time!!!!!!!
The SECOND SR2 did in fact have an air box and it was raced at Sebring with the airbox. The second SR2 (now owned by Bill Tower) was built for Bill Mitchell, assistant to Harley Earl who was the head of styling. The first SR2 (now owned by Rich Mason) was built for Jerry Earl, son of Harley Earl and the third was built for Harlow Curtis who was president of GM. John Neas is the owner of the fourth SR2.
ALLLLLLLLLLLLL of the SR2s were built from 56 cars, thus, when they were built, there was no fuel injection available. Fuel Injection was later added (along with different engines).
The second SR2 (commonly referred to as the Mitchell SR2), when raced at Sebring 57, had FI and an air box which as I mentioned earlier, is a different configuration from the airboxes on the production 57s with option 579E. I don't know what engine is in the Mitchell SR2, you'll have to ask someone who knows Bill Tower.
Rich Mason's SR2 (1st SR2) has a neat as heck dual air meter FI unit (two air meters on the left side) on that engine (no air box on that SR2, but I believe Rich does own an Airbox 57). And John's 4th SR2 has an all aluminum (Chevy block, not aftermarket block) 350 with an FI unit that I built.
The third SR2 is currently owned by the previous owner of ZIP Products. I don't know what engine/fuel system is in that car today.
The 1st and 3rd SR2s were built as low fin (in the center of the trunk) versions and the 2nd was built as a hi fin (behind the driver's seat). The first was later converted to a high fin version, which it has today. The 4th SR2 (John Neas car) has a detachable "medium" fin behind the driver seat.

Here is John's SR2 in my shop when I was doing some work on it (mainly setting up the FI unit and air intake) with no windshield or fin.





And here it is just a few days before loading into the trailer to go to Bloomington 2006.

 

DZ, you and "Sebring"Bill Herron have ALL the cool pic's.

 

You mean this airbox?



The Bill Mitchell SR-2. You are looking at the driver's front corner of the hood and engine compartment. (When I took these pictures in January of this year I was looking for something else - best I have right now...)

Oh yeah, the Curtice SR-2 is owned by the previous owner of Paragon, not ZIP.

 

By the way, I forgot to mention that John's SR2 with the alum engine, FI and a 30-30 runs like a bat in a BIG hurry!!! Incredible!
Plus, it is basically a stripped down car. Never put it on the scales, but it has to be somewhat lighter than a stock 56-7.

 

Ya, that's what I said!!!!!!!!!

 

Oops, I musta read it wrong...

 

I lifted the hood on that car loooong ago. I'd not bet on it being lighter even without some of the "fluff"!

 

Whooooooooooooooops, I messed up again!

You said CARBURETED with an airbox. And my brain went straight to FI. Sorry!
I just got off of the phone with John Neas. If there was ever some sort of cold air induction for a carb engine (on a 56 Vette, SR car, etc), it is unknown. So, can't say true or false on that one. But if there was ever a carb engine with cold air induction of some sort, it was likely a ONE CAR ONLY setup.
Now, there WERE a few 2x4 57 Vettes (2, 3, 5, ???? who knows for sure) with the ducted air through the engine compartment for the rear brakes. And if that is what someone is referring to, then that did exist.

 

Thanks everyone for feedback. Pictures are great!

 

Here is a picture taken 7/26/06 of Rich Mason driving the first SR2 taken on a run at the SACC Natl Convention in Truckee CA. SACC=Solid Axle Corvette Club. SoCAl SACC web site is: www.socalsacc.com

 

John,
Do you have any more pictures of Rich's SR2 that you can post or email to me? I presume the engine still has the dual air meter FI unit?