Jim Osterman Collection of classic Corvettes to be auctioned at no reserve

(August 26, 2019) LAS VEGAS —  Barrett-Jackson will sell the Jim Osterman Collection of classic Corvettes during the 12th Annual Las Vegas Auction Oct. 3-5 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Eleven examples of highly sought-after, matching numbers and NCRS Top Flight Corvettes from 1953 to 1963 will all cross the auction block at No Reserve.



“The Jim Osterman Collection includes some of today’s finest examples of classic Corvettes we’ve seen in one collection,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “It’s rare for a collection of this caliber to be sold in its entirety, and we’re proud to have it as part of this year’s Las Vegas Auction. It’s especially exciting to see this collection consigned following the announcement of the new mid-engine C8 Corvette, when enthusiasm for America’s Sports Car is running high.”

Two original 1953 Corvettes will cross the block in Las Vegas with No Reserve. Chassis #105, which features a custom-fabricated removable hardtop, underwent a frame-off restoration in 2018, including rebuilds of the engine, transmission and drivetrain. Since its restoration, it has won a NCRS Top Flight Award.


1952 Corvette convertible chassis #105

Chassis #254 also received a frame-off restoration in 2018 and retains its original side curtains and spare tire. This Corvette has been driven less than 50 miles since the restoration.

“Our Las Vegas Auction is a must-attend event if you’re a classic Corvette enthusiast,” said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. “The Jim Osterman Collection represents countless years of research and hard work, resulting in one of the finest collections of C1 and C2 Corvettes on the market. This will be a rare opportunity to see all of these cars together before they find new homes.”

Also crossing the block is a 1955 Chevrolet Corvette 265/195 convertible. Number 93 of only 700 models produced in 1955, this rare Pennant Blue convertible was restored in 2017 and is a NCRS Top Flight Award-winner. A 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split-Window Fuelie, the only C2 Corvette in the collection, was meticulously restored and documented by world-famous street-rod designer Boyd Coddington.

The car is powered by a fuel-injected 327/360 V8 engine mated to a 4-speed manual transmission. Of the 10,594 coupes produced in 1963, only 2,610 of them were fitted with fuel-injection.


1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window

Other featured vehicles in the Jim Osterman Collection include:

• 1961 Chevrolet Corvette 283/315 Fuelie Convertible. This matching-numbers Fuelie is #10,407 of 10,939 built in 1961, one of 1,462 built with a 283/315hp engine and one of just 647 in its two-tone color combination of Honduras Maroon with white coves.

• 1957 Chevrolet Corvette 283/270 Convertible. Featuring a 4-speed manual transmission and dual-quad carburetors, this soft-top delete car is one of just 550 in its color combination of Cascade Green with a Shoreline Beige interior.

• 1959 Chevrolet Corvette 283/230 Convertible. This Frost Blue convertible has 65,000 original miles and is an NCRS Top Flight Award-winner.

• 1958 Chevrolet Corvette 327/350 Convertible.  Presented in a Panama Yellow exterior and a Charcoal interior, this example is #5,190 of 9,168 built, and one of 455 produced in this color combination.

• 1954 Chevrolet Corvette 235/150 Convertible. This matching-numbers car is the recipient of the prestigious Arkus-Duntov Award and was an NCRS Top Flight Award-winner.

• 1962 Chevrolet Corvette 327/250 Convertible. This original Ermine White Corvette is one of 11,318 built with 4-speed manual transmissions in 1962.

• 1956 Chevrolet Corvette 265/225 Convertible. Featuring an upgraded 3-speed manual transmission, this car is #3,622 of 3,642 built, and one of just 532 in its color combination of Polo White with a red interior.