The rarest chapter of modern Corvette racing history is now open to collectors. Listed on Hemmings in New Hudson, Michigan, this Corvette C8.R-005 is one of just six factory-built race cars constructed by Pratt Miller for the IMSA and World Endurance Championship campaigns between 2020 and 2023. The car carries a 5.5-liter LT6.R flat-plane-crank V8, an Xtrac P529 six-speed gearbox, and a chassis that has seen both Daytona and Le Mans. Its current asking price is $1.5 million.
Fully restored and serviced by Pratt Miller after retirement from the 2023 IMSA season, C8.R-005 comes with ongoing technical support and access to genuine parts. That means this is a fully functional endurance machine, eligible for historic racing or private track events. For those who follow Corvette’s lineage, it’s the ultimate evolution of an idea that began in 1955 with the first small-block V8 and still defines America’s racing DNA.
From Daytona To Le Mans
Chassis 005’s record speaks for itself with 22 race wins, 50 podiums, 23 poles, and 14 fastest laps across its career. It competed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in both 2021 and 2022, driven by names like Tommy Milner, Nick Tandy, Antonio Garcia, and Jordan Taylor. After its final IMSA outing in 2023, the car underwent a full mechanical overhaul, engine rebuilt by GM Powertrain, gearbox serviced, and suspension crack-checked, returning it to factory-fresh readiness.
The C8.R is a purpose-built weapon weighing about 2,745 pounds, nearly 750 less than a stock C8 Stingray. It features fabricated double-A-arm suspension, FIA-spec crash systems, and an aero package honed for massive downforce. For collectors comparing eras, it’s the polar opposite of time-capsule cars like the 1984 Corvette C4, which marked the dawn of the modern Corvette age.
Why It Matters
This C8.R represents the final chapter of Corvette’s GTE-class dominance before the shift to GT3 regulations in 2024. It’s the bridge between the factory endurance era and the next generation of customer racing. It also captures how the Corvette story spans the full spectrum, from accessible performance like the 1985 Corvette Z51 to the hyper-engineered icons that conquered Le Mans.
In the broader Corvette timeline, the C8.R’s mid-engine platform paved the way for road cars like the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Coupe 3LT Z51. The DNA is shared from the architecture, layout, to the unmistakable grunt of a naturally aspirated V8.
A Living Legend
Owning C8.R-005 is as close as it gets to running a works-level endurance car with full factory backing. Pratt Miller still provides engineering assistance, genuine spares, and guidance for historic events, effectively extending Corvette Racing’s legacy into private hands. For the right buyer, this is a stewardship of American motorsport history.
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