Features Corvette hot rods - picture thread

Current pictures are formally requested

 

From the dover site: https://doverdragstrip.com/

 

From the dover site: https://doverdragstrip.com/

 

Got some new pictures of my '64 coupe in Pigeon Forge this past weekend. I drove up for the Corvette Expo and had a hard time telling if the "Corvette guys" loved my car or hated it. Either way, it was a fun ride (about 110 miles each way) and I got to check out the newly opened "Missing Link" portion of the Foothills Parkway, which was incredible.

From one of the many overlooks on the Foothills Parkway:

My favorite photo shoot location in Pigeon Forge:

 

Looking good.
My wife and I went to Pigeon Forge Saturday. We came back that evening because our room got screwed up. It was our anniversary 28 years that woman is a saint

 

Don't know about the "Corvette guys" but I'm digging it. My jury's out on the square headlights, but that's personal taste, not a put down.

 

I like the 64 as well. The rear tires look really good IMO.

I am lurking here more than posting as I am trying to marshall my information for a book. My record keeping borders on the absurd. I am trying to put stuff in binders so I can find it a bit easier. The statistics on early drag racing with any specificity also borders on the absurd. I have written articles and helped authors on racing during the early 1900s and I can find more about race cars that raced then moreso than Corvettes in the 60s.

One thing very different on a book versus posting in this thread is the deal with the use of photos. Many of my old photos for early auto racing are in the public domain but not necessarily so with cars from the 60s/70s. To use photos without running into negative issues down the road, it is better to use pictures with permission of the photographer and/or collector in some instances. If any of you guys know of photos with credits it would be nice. If any of you have photos with permission I would be all ears and would be glad to give you credit.

The book will pretty much be limited to the first generation of Corvettes that raced in the 60s and 70s. Also some of the Vettes that raced in modified in the 70s were some of the greatest but not very much information on them as well. Anyone that could prove me wrong on that I am all ears as well. The one thing I know for sure is that this deal will take a bit of time to get it right. Will try to give my .02 cents once in a while as well. Thanks Jim

 

Yeah the square headlights was an '80s thing when the car was wrecked badly. I've never been able to bring myself to cut the front end back apart to put stock style headlights in it.

 

My cousin had 2 round head lights in the grille of his '63 coupe in about '65. Your car has a very good stance.

 

Congratulations !
Just wait till your over 40 like some of us.

 

I wouldn't put the saw to it either. The deal's been done, it's one more uniquely mildly
customized Corvette and it's yours. It looks good and I'd dig owning it.

 

There needs to be a "I'd give my left testicle" button as I would come real close to pushing it for this car

 

Some I found today

 

Enloe the original "20 minute pit stop"

Pat

 

Found a good one today.

1963 Chevrolet Type: Corvette Grand Sport

Intended as a series of 125, the “Lightweight,” at a thousand pounds less than the production Sting Ray, was supposed to counter Carroll Shelby’s brand new Cobras in GT World Championship races. But the Grand Sport program died almost the day it was born, killed by G.M.’s refusal to lift its ban on racing. When the ax fell at year-end 1962, only five cars existed at Chevrolet’s Research Center. Two were quickly “sold” to private teams. Alas, the orphaned cars could not be homologated as production GTs like the Cobras, and consequently had to run in C Modified, a class for which they were never intended.


Vindication came at the December, 1963 Nassau Speed Week, a week long party punctuated by races run to promoter Red Crise’s own rules. For the first time, the Grand Sports were allowed to compete directly with the Cobras. Earlier, the two privateer Lightweights had been recalled by Chevrolet and, along with a third, extensively improved. Now fitted with 377 cubic inch aluminum engines, the cars were entered by “owner” John Mecom. Conveniently, a group of Chevrolet engineers chose Nassau for a one week vacation.

 

In my mind, one of the very best looking race cars ever.

 

MORE FROM THE WEB.

 

A few words about some of Enloe's great pics...

Jim Hall (Chaparral fame) original Grand Sport at 1964 Sebring - co-driver Roger Penske



One of John Mecom's three Grand Sports at Nassau 1963 - Mecom had car numbers 50, 65 and 80 that year - car number 80 is Grand Sport chassis number 005. Standing in sport coat is John Mecom and other is John Cannon, one of Mecom's lead drivers


John Mecom's lead drivers. Left to right - Augie Pabst, Walt Hansgen and John Cannon. In the background are one of Mecom's three (five?) Grand Sport Corvettes and the sole Lola Mk 6 GT that eluded purchase by Henry Ford II - those cars are the forerunner of the Ford GT40's. Long story about that car. Also Mecom Racing Team 3-car transporter - hella nice rig.

 

Delmo Johnon's Grand Sport he bought from John Mecom. Painted in 1964 colors. Led the first lap at Sebring that year.

 

1957 XP-64 SS

DSC_2947 by Girchy Girchy, on Flickr

 

Two of John Mecom's Grand Sports at Nassau. Drivers would be Augie Pabst and John Cannon because Jim Hall is driving his Chaparral 2A. I should remember who is in Mecom's Tipo 61 Birdcage Maserati but it's been a long time. (could be Hansgen.)

 

What's that torpedo thing on the back?

Sent from my Bell Candlestick

 

HEADREST