Peter Max’s Corvette Collection to be Raffled Off in 2020

36 cars total, made from 1953 to 1989

1956 Corvette
This 1956 Corvette is among the cars being raffled off next year.
Corvette Heroes

There’s an art to getting a bargain on a legendary make and model of car. Entire websites and communities are dedicated to it; people are haunted by tales of incredibly inexpensive classic cars that could be had for a song. In early 2020, that might reach its apex, as a storied collection of vintage Corvettes are set to find new homes as part of a raffle — tickets for which will cost you a little more than a gallon of gas.

The story behind the raffle is a fascinating one. The cars, one Corvette from each production year from 1953 to 1989, were originally the prize in a contest held by VH1. Then noted artist Peter Max made an offer for the entire collection, purchased it, and was then jailed for failing to report income from art sales. Since then, the cars have been owned by two families; the vehicles have been in storage for years. 

A report at The New York Times delves into the cars’ history a bit more, including the fact that the 1956 model appeared in an episode of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

The families that currently own the Corvettes have set up a website, Corvette Heroes, and announced a raffle. One ticket will cost $3.00. If you buy more in bulk, they become slightly more of a bargain: if you purchase 7,200 tickets at once, that will cost a mere $5,000. One winner will be chosen for each of the Corvettes. 

This project has been in the works for a while: over the summer, news about the restoration of the Corvettes was itself a news story in the automotive community. Proceeds from the raffle will benefit the National Guard Educational Foundation.  Tickets can be purchased until April 30th, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.

And who knows? A few months from now, someone might well have a great story about how they landed a vintage Corvette for only 3 dollars.

Subscribe here for our free daily newsletter.

The InsideHook Newsletter.

News, advice and insights for the most interesting person in the room.