Jim Jeffords SR2 1958

[Steve DeVaux]

Does anyone have any pictures or know of any published in books of Jim Jeffords racing the SR-2 in the 1958 season?
Any information would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Steve D.

[Loren L.]

What do you want? *NM*

[Steve DeVaux]

Re: What do you want?

I'm looking for copies of pictures of the Corvette SR-2 in 1958 at one of the races that Jim Jeffords drove it as the first Purple People Eater. Jeffords took the 1958 championship using this car at least partway through the race season.
Thanks!
Steve

[Loren L.]

Jeffords won B Production in a 1958

Corvette, NOT the SR-2. The SR-2 raced oin B Sports Racing, a modified class. So first you need to decide whether you want a picture of the SR-2 or of the Purple People Eater.

[Steve DeVaux]

Re: Jeffords won B Production in a 1958

Actually both.
I think that the second SR-2 was the original PPE. I have video of Sebring '58 that is either a purple SR-2 or lhd Jag D. The video is terrible and nothing but the fin is even partly visible. Jeffords was running the SR-2 himself until Nickey came along. I suspect that Nickey gave him a 58 Vette that was also painted purple (PPE MKII?) but have never seen pictures of it either, nor have I had confirmation that it was a '58.

The 59 owned by Chip Miller is the PPE MKIII and is the car Jeffords won the 59 B Production in.

Nickey Nouse was the purple Scarab that Jeffords raced later and was also sponsored by Nickey.

I suppose that I am looking for pictures of PPE MK1 (SR-2) and PPE MK II ('58 production car?).

I'm also pretty sure that the first SR-2 was a ground up special whilst the sceond was production based on a '56 with '57 FI swapped in. Would that classify it as a "production" model in a very loose interpretation of the rules?

[James F.]

Re: Jeffords won B Production in a 1958-Steve

Steve,
Suggest you refer to Noland's "Corvette American Legend" # 3 and "American Ledgend # 4. In both book he mentions the SR-2" (3 of them) development and history and the sale (of one) to Nickey Chevrolet. Current owner of this car is also mentioned. Regards,

[Loren L.]

The reason Chip's '59 is called

PPEIII is that there were TWO '58's raced by Jeffords in 1958 in B production, one being built in mid-season by Ronnie Kaplan. The Jeffords SR-2 is the FIRST SR-2, Jerry Earl's car. Contrary to the disinformation by the owner of the second SR-2, both cars were ordered from St Louis on the SAME company work order, specifying the serial #'s.
Both cars were modified by Engineering. Photos of the cars abound in car magazines of 1958 if you want pictures of Jim at the wheel. If you want pictures of his SR-2, it's even easier. The car appears at the Monterey Historics races virtually every year and ALWAYS is included in the Speed Channel presentations, etc.