Betty Skelton in the Bill Mitchell SR2

[Joseph T.]

On the beach at Daytona...Feb. 1957

Sorry for the rough picture..but a great piece of Corvette history.

Joe Trybulec

[Robert S.]

Betty Skelton Bio

[Joseph T.]

Re: Betty Skelton in the Bill Mitchell SR2

Betty's aerobatic plane is on display in the new Dulles Aircraft museum.

Betty is still with us..and I believe she may be at Daytona in February. I visited with Paul Goldsmith last week. Paul and Betty both ran Corvettes on the beach at Daytona at the Speed Trials in 57.

Joe

[Kent K.]

Re: Betty Skelton in the Bill Mitchell SR2

A number of years ago, when the Florida Chapter Winter Regional Meet was still heald at Cypress Gardens, we had the honor of Betty Skelton's attendance as a guest speaker for our awards banquet. She was a very interesting speaker and was interested in what we do with Corvettes.

Merry Christmas,
Kent #6201

[Kent K.]

Addendum

Perhaps we should ask her and some other Corvette race drivers to join us again. Those of you who are in favor might put in a word with Ed Augustine during the meet this year.

Kent #6201

[Ken Edmunds]

Re: Betty Skelton in the Bill Mitchell SR2

Bill Tower has her old 57 that she used to race. I wonder if he ever restored it. I saw it years ago when it was either green or purple-some obnoxious color like that.

[Loren L.]

With the exception of 1956 Daytona &

perhaps something in aviation, I doubt that you will ever find Betty Skelton
(now Erbe) listed in race results/entries.

[Joseph T.]

Betty donated her files to the Smithsonian *NM*

[Wayne M.]

Was there only one SR2 ?

and therefore, is this it ? (1988 Laguna Seca Historic Races)

Not a California paint job; just the reflection of a hot-air baloon.

[Joseph T.]

Re: Was there only one SR2 ?

* about 6 factory SR1's

Three SR2's plus the Mclean SR2.

* Jerry Earl SR2 ( son of Harley Earl )
* Bill Mitchell SR2 ( Styling Chief )
* Harlow Red Curtice SR2 ( Top Exec )
* Mclean SR2 ( stylists car )

[Loren L.]

There were 2 SR-2's built with HD Suspension

and brake components. #2522 & 2532, if memory serves. There was also a THIRD SR-2, but that was more of a styling car that did NOT get the high performance parts.
The six SR's that Joe refers to were built AFTER 1956 Sebring , more or less in response to the unasked question "What do we say if anyone ever asks how many of these "Production" cars did we sell? Build 6, with radios, in any color EXCEPT green, was the answer. Distribution of the 6 among dealers is unclear - it is BELIEVED that at least three went to Dick Doane in Illinois. Two have been located.

[Tom P.]

Re: There were 2 SR-2's built with HD Suspension

Front to rear: An SR1, 56 Sebring Racer, McLean SR2, "Personalized" 56 (NCRS incorrect).
The first 3 belong to John Neas. I claim the red one.

[Joseph T.]

Re: There were 2 SR-2's built with HD Suspension

Tom..I also like the black car with red coves and 5 spoke wheels.

Joe

[Tom P.]

Re: There were 2 SR-2's built with HD Suspension

Joe,
They have a Sat cruise-in at a local Sonic in Tulsa. One day I asked John would he bring his 3 56s if we could round up some more 56-7s at the same time. Soooooooooooo, we were able to get 12 (as I remember) 56-7s together that day for the local Sonic cruise. In time, we're going to have about 16 56-7s in the Tulsa area (as we speak, 2 more are under construction, one is John's airbox car).

[Verle R.]

Re: There were 2 SR-2's built with HD Suspension

Joe,

The black car is a 57, belongs to Jim Barlow, next to it is my white 57 with the hardtop.

Verle