Today in Corvette History

[MOTV8]

“You have to know the past to understand the present.” - Carl Sagan

October 1st:

1956 - Edward Cole assigns engineering staff to Zora Arkus-Duntov to construct four sports/racer test cars, the XP-64.

1956 - The first 1957 production Corvette rolls off the assembly line.

1987 - Chevrolet introduces the 1988 model Corvette.

1996 - The first production 1997 model Corvette is completed.

2000 - The 1967 L-88 Corvette that was raced to a 1/4-mile class record of 11.04 seconds in 1969 is bought by Glen Speilberg. The car is taken out of garage storage for the first time in 31 years, with 1851 original miles on the odometer.

2005 - At the Road Atlanta raceway in Braselton, Georgia, the Petit le Mans race is held, round nine of the American Le Mans Series. Finishing 1st in GT1 class and 3rd overall is the Corvette Racing #4 Corvette C6-R driven by Oliver Gavin, Jan Magnussen, and Olivier Beretta. In 6th place in GT1 class and 12th overall, but not finishing the race, is the Corvette Racing #3 Corvette C6-R driven by Ron Fellows, Max Papis, and Johnny O'Connell.

[Desertdawg]

Cool info, but did you miss on the year????

October 1st:

1956 - Edward Cole assigns engineering staff to Zora Arkus-Duntov to construct four sports/racer test cars, the XP-64.

1956 - The first 1957 production Corvette rolls off the assembly line.

[MOTV8]

Cool info, but did you miss on the year????

I'm just the cut and paste guy, don't blame me if it's inaccurate!

But, '57s would have been rollin' of the line in late '56.

I thought the 11.04 time for the L-88 was pretty astonishing.

October 2nd:

1973:

NBC airs the first regular episode of The Magician on TV in the USA. Episode title is "The Manhunter". The lead character drives a white 1973 Corvette coupe in each episode of the show.

1975:

Chevrolet introduces the 1976 model Corvette.

That's it? Ahh what the hell, here's a two-fer, I'm actually busy tomorrow.

October 3rd:

1952 - The Parts Fabrication group within General Motors completes building a prototype passenger-car body in fiberglass. It is 200 pounds lighter than a similar steel body.

1982 - At the Sears Point International Raceway in Sonoma, California, the CRC Chemicals Trans-Am Championship - Round 10 race is held.

• Finishing 9th is the Euro-Petroleum #9 Corvette, driven by Jerry Brassfield.
• Finishing 10th is the Brandt #60 Corvette, driven by John Brandt.
• In 19th place, but not finishing the race, is the Rick Stark Enterprises #17 Corvette, driven by Rick Stark.
• In 20th place, but not finishing the race, is the Meek Racing #22 Corvette, driven by Mike Meek.
• In 25th place, but not finishing the race, is the Merritt Tire #79 Corvette, driven by Larry Park.
• In 27th place, but not finishing the race, is the Euro-Petroleum #3 Corvette, driven by Tony Brassfield.
• In 28th place, but not finishing the race, is the Herb Forrest Racing #82 Corvette, driven by Herb Forrest.

1982 - Points rankings of top ten finishing Corvette drivers at the end of the 1982 SCCA Trans-Am Championship series: 3rd Phil Currin, 7th Tony Brassfield, 8th Jerry Hansen.

1985 - In Yosemite National Park, Chevrolet introduces the 1986 model Corvette, including the re-introduction of the convertible.

1992 - The eighth and last race of the SCCA World Challenge Series is held at Sears Point Raceway, in Sonoma, California.

• Finishing first is R.K. Smith in a Dieline Motorsport / Doug Rippie Motorsports Corvette.
• In second place is Kim Baker in a Bakeracing Corvette.
• Finishing fifth in class is Bill Cooper in another Dieline/Rippie Corvette.
• The champion of the series for the year is R.K. Smith, with Kim Baker second, and Bill Cooper third.

2004 - At the Virginia International Raceway in Alton, Virginia, the VIR 400 race is held, round ten of the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series.

• Finishing 7th in GT class and 25th overall is the SL Motorsports #06 Corvette, driven by Steve Lisa, David Rosenblum, and Chuck Hemmingson.
• Finishing 11th in SGS class and 38th overall is the Michael Baughman Racing #46 Corvette, driven by Joe Toussaint and Mike Yeakle.

[Desertdawg]

October 3rd:

1952 - The Parts Fabrication group within General Motors completes building a prototype passenger-car body in fiberglass. It is 200 pounds lighter than a similar steel body.

See they were already building a prototype in '52, so I would guess that that the line:

1956 - Edward Cole assigns engineering staff to Zora Arkus-Duntov to construct four sports/racer test cars, the XP-64.

Should probably be around '53 or '54... But I'm just guessing!

[MOTV8]

October 3rd:

1952 - The Parts Fabrication group within General Motors completes building a prototype passenger-car body in fiberglass. It is 200 pounds lighter than a similar steel body.

See they were already building a prototype in '52, so I would guess that that the line:

1956 - Edward Cole assigns engineering staff to Zora Arkus-Duntov to construct four sports/racer test cars, the XP-64.

Should probably be around '53 or '54... But I'm just guessing!

I just found this on CorvetteActionCenter.com:

"Zora started to build the Corvette SS (Project XP-64) around the end of 1957."

Not that that makes it any more accurate, but it definitely sounds in the ballpark. I won't lose any sleep over telling you boneheads that it was Oct. 1st, 1956.

[Desertdawg]

October 1st:

1956 - Edward Cole assigns engineering staff to Zora Arkus-Duntov to construct four sports/racer test cars, the XP-64.

1956 - The first 1957 production Corvette rolls off the assembly line.

So bonehead me was pointing out the wrong line, look at the date of the second entry???

[MOTV8]

October 1st:

1956 - Edward Cole assigns engineering staff to Zora Arkus-Duntov to construct four sports/racer test cars, the XP-64.

1956 - The first 1957 production Corvette rolls off the assembly line.

So bonehead me was pointing out the wrong line, look at the date of the second entry???

Allright, you made me look this up three times.

Went like this: In May of '56 Harley Earl acquires a Jaguar D-Type car, and orders Chevrolet to turn it into a Chevrolet racing car. He gambles that Chevrolet will refuse, and propose building their own racer. In reaction to the Jaguar D-type conversion project, Zora Arkus-Duntov writes to management, proposing they design and build a special racing Corvette.

...and then this from the NCM's website:

July 1956: Work begins on Project XP-64, a sports/racer built for the upcoming race in Sebring. The car is named the Corvette SS (Super Spyder), or Sebring SS. A clay model of Zora's design is made, and shown to management.

So, in late July, Ed Cole and other GM management first see a plaster model for the racer.

On August 7th Zora Arkus-Duntov's proposed racing Corvette is approved, and assigned project number XP-64.

It has to be right, Ed Cole wasn't named GM at Chevy until July of '56, and his assigning a staff of engineers to Zora to build 4 cars most certainly was after the clay model was shown and approved. October 1st is the date I have for that order from Ed.

What are you basing your "guess" on?

[Desertdawg]

My guess was more of confusion I guess!!!

Your thread is called "Today in Corvette History"

So on:

October 1st: 1956 - Edward Cole assigns engineering staff to Zora Arkus-Duntov to construct four sports/racer test cars, the XP-64.

And on the very same day and year:

October 1st: 1956 - The first 1957 production Corvette rolls off the assembly line.

Did Ed Cole assign the engineering staff to Zora to help construct the XP-64 the very same day that the first one rolled off the assembly line???

OK Here's my EDIT!!!!!!

The real bonehead just realized that the "The first 1957 production Corvette rolls off the assembly line.

wasn't the first Corvette to roll off the assembly line. I guess that took place with the 53 model year.....

I didn't edit the above reply because I guess it sort of explains my confusion....

Hell at least I didn't ask what a SWC is, huh Sean!!!!

[MOTV8]

Let's try this again. Dawg, you can just do some google research if you have any questions...

October 4th:

1973 - In Paris, France, the Paris Salon automobile show is held. General Motors premieres the 390-ci mid-engined Corvette Four-Rotor show car. It features a 390-ci rotary engine built by Zora Arkus-Duntov, body styling with gullwing doors designed by Bill Mitchell. The car is the former XP-882, renamed the 'Aerovette' with the four-rotor engine in place of the V-8. Zora Arkus-Duntov had that rare blend of a deep understanding of engineering and a passion for speed. Aesthetics did little for Duntov, unless it helped the car's performance. On the 4-Rotor Corvette, Duntov said, "Looking back on my 20-year association with styling, this is the best design ever produced."

1990 - The Fox Network airs the Beverly Hills 90210 TV show in the USA. A C4 model purple Corvette convertible is driven in this and many episodes by one of the lead characters.

[Desertdawg]

I posted my stupidity once in this thread, from here on I will just be a bystander!!!

Thanks for the info, and pictures!!!!

[MOTV8]

Just bustin' yer chops Dawg, I was told there's no such thing as a stupid question!

Glad you liked the Aerovette/4 rotor. During 'testing' they found the car was actually faster than the '73 454 ci 'vette! Check out the Mako II, it may look a little more familiar....

October 5th:

1953 - Maurice Olley outlines his goals for the Corvette in a paper presented to the Society of Automotive Engineers.

1965 - The second Mako Shark II show car, a running version, is shown to the automotive press at the GM Tech Center in Michigan. This version is fully drivable, with a 427 ci engine. This concept car's claim to fame was its influence on the redesigned Corvette of 1968.

2001 - At the Road Atlanta raceway in Braselton, Georgia, the Speedvision World Challenge GT - Round 9 race is held.

• Finishing 4th is the KAC Technologies #15 Corvette C5, driven by Eric Curran.
• Finishing 10th is the Grand Sport Racing / Xtreme Wheelz #04 Corvette C5, driven by Andy Lally.
• Finishing 14th is the Aggregate Industries / McClure Concrete #73 Corvette C5, driven by Phil McClure.
• Finishing 16th is the Les Stanford Chevrolet / Pirate Racing #75 Corvette ZR1, driven by Bill Cooper.
• In 24th place, but not finishing the race, is the Metric Chemical #35 Corvette C5, driven by David Farmer.
• In 26th place, but not finishing the race, is the Valvoline / Les Stanford / Pirate Racing #01 Corvette C5, driven by Bobby Sak.

2002 - At the Grand Prix Americas raceway in Miami, Florida, the Cadillac American Le Mans Challenge race is held, round nine of the American Le Mans Series.

• Finishing 1st in GTS class and 9th overall is the Corvette Racing #3 Corvette C5-R, driven by Ron Fellows and Johnny O'Connell.
• Finishing 2nd in GTS class and 10th overall is the Corvette Racing #4 Corvette C5-R, driven by Andy Pilgrim and Kelly Collins.

2003 - At the Virginia International Raceway in Alton, Virginia, the 3 Hours of VIR race is held, round nine of the Grand-Am Cup series.

• Finishing 2nd in GSI class and 2nd overall is the Powell Motorsport #11 Corvette Z06, driven by Devon Powell and Doug Goad.
• Finishing 8th in GSI class and 41st overall is the Gilbert Racing #5 Corvette, driven by James McAndrew and Henry Gilbert.
• Finishing 11th in GSII class and 56th overall is the Powell Motorsport #02 Corvette Z06, driven by Mike Weinberg and Don Knowles.

2003 - At the Virginia International Raceway in Alton, Virginia, the VIR 400 race is held, round eleven of the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series.

• Finishing 1st in GTS and 10th overall is the SL Motorsports #06 Corvette, driven by Paul Alderman, Steve Lisa, and David Rosenblum.
• Finishing 3rd in GTS and 18th overall is the Derhaag Motorsports #40 Corvette, driven by Simon Gregg and Kenny Wilden.

[MOTV8]

October 6th:

Today in Corvette history:

1977 - Chevrolet introduces the 1978 model Corvette including Silver Anniversary and Indy 500 Pace Car versions, a new fastback rear and redesigned instruments & interior. But no 'Stingray' emblem! Base price is $9750, and total production will reach 46,776.

2001 - At the Road Atlanta Motor Sports Center in Braselton, Georgia, the Petit le Mans race is held, Round 8 (final) of the American Le Mans Series.

• Finishing 1st in GTS class and 6th overall is the Corvette Racing #4 Corvette C5-R, driven by Andy Pilgrim, Kelly Collins, and Franck Fréon.
• The Corvette Racing #3 Corvette C5-R, driven by Ron Fellows and Johnny O'Connell, is disqualified when a mechanic helps push the stopped car off the track, a violation of race rules.

2001 - Standings at the end of the 2001 American Le Mans Series: GTS drivers championship: 3rd is Ron Fellows, 4th is Johnny O'Connell, 5th is (tie) Andy Pilgrim and Kelly Collins, 9th is Oliver Gavin, 11th is Franck Freon. GTS automobile manufacturer championship: 1st is Chevrolet. GTS team championship: 1st is Corvette Racing.

2001 - In Houston, Texas, the Texaco/Havoline Houston Grand Prix race is held, Round 11 of the Trans-Am Series For the BFGoodrich Tires Cup.

• Finishing 1st is the Justin Bell Motorsports Experience #40 Corvette, driven by Justin Bell.
• Finishing 4th is the LG Motorsports / G2 Performance Parts #28 Corvette, driven by Lou Gigliotti.
• Finishing 7th is the Preformed Line Products #49 Corvette, driven by Randy Ruhlman.
• Finishing 8th is the Banner Engineering #66 Corvette, driven by Leighton Reese.
• Finishing 11th is the TDM Motorsports #15 Corvette, driven by Tomy Drissi.
• Finishing 12th is the Cenweld Corp / McNichols #23 Corvette, driven by Bob Ruman.
• In 23rd place, but not finishing the race, is the Stonier Transportation #59 Corvette, driven by Simon Gregg.

2002 - At the Miami Street Circuit in Miami, Florida, the Grand Prix Americas race is held, round 10 of the Trans-Am Series for the BFGoodrich Tires Cup.

• Finishing 2nd is the Derhaag Motorsports #40 Corvette, driven by Justin Bell.
• Finishing 3rd is the Preformed Line Products #49 Corvette, driven by Randy Ruhlman.
• Finishing 4th is the Trenton Forging #02 Corvette, driven by Stuart Hayner. Hayner set a new race lap record.
• Finishing 6th is the Tommy Bahama #88 Corvette, driven by Butch Leitzinger.
• Finishing 10th is the Derhaag Motorsports #59 Corvette, driven by Simon Gregg.
• In 16th place, but not finishing the race, is the Stoptech #9 Corvette, driven by Mike Cronin, Jr.
• In 19th place, but not finishing the race, is the Cenweld Corp./McNichols Co. #23 Corvette, driven by Bob Ruman.
• In 20th place, but not finishing the race, is the Trans Tar Products #05 Corvette, driven by Mandy Gonzalez.
• In 22nd place, but not finishing the race, is the Revolution Motorsports #10 Corvette, driven by Don Sak.

[MOTV8]

October 7th:

1953 - John Wayne (Marion Morrison) receives 1953 Corvette #051.

1960 - The CBS television network debuts the Route 66 show on Fridays from 8:30 to 9:30. The show features two young men driving a Horizon Blue 1960 Corvette around the US in search of adventure. Since its conception in 1926, Route 66 has permeated every aspect of American culture, from literature to music to gas-station architecture. One of its most beloved manifestations, the television program Route 66, related the roadside adventures of Buz and Tod as they cruised Route 66 in Tod's Corvette. Americans tuned into the popular program for four years, continuing their love affair with their nation's most celebrated Federal highway. Immortalized in John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath as the "Mother Road," Route 66 was a symbol of opportunity, serving as an escape route from the misery of the Depression-era Dust Bowl. Its two lanes wove in and out of Middle America, connecting hundreds of rural communities to the cities of Chicago and Los Angeles. And above all, it symbolized the open road and Americana, complete with auto camps, motels, and roadside attractions. By 1970, nearly all segments of the original Route 66 were replaced by modern four-lane interstates, and in 1985 it was officially decommissioned.

1965 - The Mako Shark II show car debuts at the Paris Auto Show in France. Bill Mitchell says: "How's that taste, frenchie?" J/K

1984 - At the Riverside International Raceway in Riverside, California, the SCCA Budweiser Trans-Am Championship - Round 14 race is held.

• Finishing 1st is the DeAtley Budweiser #3 Corvette, driven by Darin Brassfield.
• Finishing 10th is the Park Performance #79 Corvette, driven by Larry Park.
• Finishing 11th is the George Follmer Racing #16 Corvette, driven by George Follmer.
• Finishing 12th is the DeAtley Budweiser #1 Corvette, driven by David Hobbs.
• Finishing 15th is the Automotive Enterprise #27 Corvette, driven by Rich Sloma.
• Finishing 22nd is the B.C. Auto Body #41 Corvette, driven by Bill Craine.
• Finishing 23rd is the Vintage Vettes Racing #83 Corvette, driven by John Seiler.
• In 32nd place, but not finishing the race, is the DeAtley Budweiser #0 Corvette, driven by Jerry Brassfield.

2001 - At the Road Atlanta raceway in Braselton, Georgia, the Speedvision World Challenge GT - Round 10 race is held.

• Finishing 7th is the Aggregate Industries / McClure Concrete #73 Corvette C5, driven by Phil McClure.
• Finishing 10th is the Metric Chemical #35 Corvette C5, driven by David Farmer.
• Finishing 14th is the Haulmark Trailers #08 Corvette C5, driven by Paul Brown.
• In 18th place, but not finishing the race, is the Les Stanford Chevrolet / Pirate Racing #75 Corvette ZR1, driven by Bill Cooper.
• In 21st place, but not finishing the race, is the Travel Quest / MJ Dixon & Associates #04 Corvette C5, driven by Mark Dixon.
• In 24th place, but not finishing the race, is the Valvoline / Les Stanford / Pirate Racing #01 Corvette C5, driven by Bobby Sak.
• In 26th place, but not finishing the race, is the KAC Technologies #15 Corvette C5, driven by Eric Curran.

[MOTV8]

October 8th:

1953 - The chassis of Corvette show car #852 is ordered to be re-used for the Nomad show car. The story goes that at the '53 GM Motorama at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York the Corvette shown produced shockwaves, especially when it was broadly hinted that the little car would go into production instead of remaining as eye candy. It was as if Boeing had announced that it was going to build lawn tractors. What next? Lions sleeping with water buffalo? But Chevrolet management held true to its vision, and the Corvette did go into production, helping to remove the word "stodgy" from any sentence that contained Chevrolet.

Then, for the following year's Motorama, the question became, "Okay, so how do we top the Corvette?" This is where the practical joke came in. GM stylists decided to follow the original 'vette show car with three (count 'em, three) Corvette show cars for the '54 Motorama. One was essentially a prettied up version of the production Corvette but with real roll-up windows and exterior door locks. The second was a striking fastback coupe version that bore the soon-to-be-legendary name, Corvair. And the third was GM's Styling's inside joke on their buddies at Ford. It was a station wagon version of the Corvette that was dubbed Nomad.

The joke was almost too perfect. Chevy stylists knew that Ford was right on their tail with the Thunderbird two-seater, so they threw down the gauntlet -- "Match this station wagon, guys!" The joke got even funnier when it turned out that the T-Bird would be built on the Ford station wagon chassis. Funniest of all, Chevrolet's practical joke concept car was an immediate hit with the show audience. Harley Earl, seeing public reaction to the Nomad prototype, sent a frantic message to the brass at Chevrolet -- "Get the Nomad into production!" They did, the very next year, but based on the Belair line instead of the Corvette. It is reported that GM made 5 of the Corvette Nomads, and only 3 are known to exist today, here is one of the original show cars and another 'survivor' that has been modernized with late model Corvette engine, transmission, suspension, brakes and wheels.

1978 - At the Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California, the Shasta Monterey Grand Prix Trans-Am Championship - Round 9 race is held.

• Finishing 1st in category II and 1st overall is the Pickett Racing #6 Corvette 427, driven by Greg Pickett.
• Finishing 4th in category II and 4th overall is the Sloma Enterprises - Automotive Enterprises #27 Corvette 427, driven by Rich Sloma.
• Finishing 2nd in category I and 9th overall is the Larimer Racing #37 Corvette 350, driven by Lew Larimer.
• Finishing 5th in category I and 12th overall is the Carlen Racing #11 Corvette 350, driven by Gary Carlen.
• Finishing 7th in category I and 14th overall is the Brandt Moving & Storage #60 Corvette 350, driven by John J. Brandt.
• Finishing 9th in category I and 16th overall is the Babe's Garage #78 Corvette 427, driven by Babe Headley.
• Finishing 10th in category I and 17th overall is the Rick Stark Enterprises #17 Corvette 427, driven by Rick Stark.
• Finishing 12th in category I and 19th overall is the Search Racing #28 Corvette 454, driven by Frank Search.
• Finishing 14th in category I and 21st overall is the Phantom Racing #43 Corvette 454, driven by Frank Joyce.
• Finishing 15th in category I and 22nd overall is the Sanborn Racing #34 Corvette 350, driven by Jim Sanborn.
• Finishing 16th in category I and 23rd overall is the Round Table Racing #04 Corvette 427, driven by Peter Brallier.
• Finishing 8th in category II and 24th overall is the Stephens Accounting Corp. / Greenwood #33 Corvette, driven by Larry Stephens.
• In 20th place in category I and 33rd place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Schwafel-Torco Racing Oil #41 Corvette 454, driven by Paul Schwafel.
• In 21st place in category I and 34th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the BC Autobody #71 Corvette 427, driven by Bill Craine.
• In 22nd place in category I and 36th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Vic Hubbard-Mocko #3 Corvette, driven by David Mock.
• In 23rd place in category I and 37th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the FEMSA-Kennedy #91 Corvette, driven by Gene Bothello.
• In 24th place in category I and 38th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the El Camino Auto Parts #12 Corvette, driven by Bob Matkovich.
• In 25th place in category I and 39th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Metamorphic #80 Corvette 427, driven by Nick Engels.

[Desertdawg]

Here's a drawing of the Corvair

Interesting trivia dept.: The name Corvair is actually a combination of "Corvette" and "Bel Air".

[MOTV8]

Very nice, I really like that, looks 'Ferrari-like' with the extended roof line.

October 9th:

1986 - Chevrolet introduces the 1987 model Corvette. By 1987, the C4 Corvette had come into its own. The suspension had sorted itself out and was a good ride/handling compromise rather than a torture chamber. Lessons learned from the convertible's structural updates, particularly those forward of the front cowl, were found to be beneficial to the coupe and became part of the production of all Corvettes. A new "Sport Handling Package" suspension option (RPO Z52; $470.00) was less stiff than the racetrack designed Z51 selection and thus more appropriate for street use. New roller valve lifters were made standard equipment, upping engine output to 240 hp. Efforts to improve quality control and reliability continued, resulting in real benefits for the Corvette buyers. A Callaway Twin Turbo (RPO B2K; $19,995) was on the option list for 1987. The modifications were done by Callaway Cars and were sold by Chevrolet dealers with a GM warranty. Output was 345 hp, good for 177.9 mph with the proper gearing. Chevrolet had developed their own twin turbo V8 Corvette, but elected to give Callaway that business. Although not certified for sale in California, they did sell 184 cars in 1987. Base price for the '87 was $27,999, and production reaches 36,632. The 1987 Corvette was picked as one of the world's top ten cars by Car & Driver magazine.

Here's a RED '87 Callaway, enjoy!

[MOTV8]

October 10th:

1999 - At the Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California, the last SCCA World Challenge race of the year is held. Nine Corvettes are entered, four are C5, five are C4 models. John Heinricy races his C5 Corvette to first overall.

1999 - At the Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California, the VISA Sports Car Championship race is held, round 7 of the American Le Mans Series. Finishing 2nd in GTS class and 12th overall is the Corvette Racing #3 Corvette C5-R driven by Ron Fellows and Chris Kneifel.

2004 - At the Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama, the Porsche 250 Presented by Bradley Arant race is held, round eleven of the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series. Finishing 9th in GT class and 25th overall is the SL Motorsports #06 Corvette, driven by Steve Lisa, David Rosenblum, and Chuck Hemmingson.

[MOTV8]

October 11th:

1981 - At the Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California, the CRC Chemicals Trans-Am Championship - Round 8 race is held.

• Finishing 3rd is the Swiss Chalet #94 Corvette, driven by Eppie Wietzes.
• Finishing 4th is the Cooke-Woods #2 Corvette, driven by Roy Woods.
• Finishing 7th is the Jepsen #60 Corvette, driven by John Brandt.
• Finishing 8th is the Full-Time Racing #99 Corvette, driven by Phil Currin.
• Finishing 9th is the Lamberts #70 Corvette, driven by Murray Edwards.
• Finishing 11th is the NGK/Harry Mann #5 Corvette, driven by Andy Porterfield.
• Finishing 12th is the Sprite/Phantom #43 Corvette, driven by Frank Joyce.
• Finishing 14th is the Huffaker/Executive #98 Corvette, driven by Tom Frank.
• Finishing 15th is the #72 Corvette, driven by Peter Schutts.
• Finishing 16th is the U.S.A. Racing #85 Corvette, driven by Richard Valentine.
• Finishing 18th is the #53 Corvette, driven by Steve Beard.
• In 27th place, but not finishing the race, is the Park performance #11 Corvette, driven by Larry Park.
• In 29th place, but not finishing the race, is the Cooper's Diablo Chrysler #92 Corvette, driven by Ron Maccario.
• In 30th place, but not finishing the race, is the B.C. Autobody #41 Corvette, driven by Bill Craine.
• In 37th place, but not finishing the race, is the Valvoline #20 Corvette, driven by Tom Riley.
• In 38th place, but not finishing the race, is the J.D. Stacy #3 Corvette, driven by Tony Brassfield.
• In 42nd place, but not finishing the race, is the NF Factors #6 Corvette, driven by Bob Carradine.
• In 44th place, but not finishing the race, is the Flying Tiger #75 Corvette, driven by Bard Boand.
• In 45th place, but not finishing the race, is the J.D. Stacy #9 Corvette, driven by Darin Brassfield.

1989 - The VH-1 Corvette sweepstakes closes. 2.2 million entries were received during the contest. I didn't win.

1991 - At a government auction near the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Roger Judski buys a yellow 1969 Corvette with a ZL1 engine, for $300,000. This is one of two believed to have been built. (A total of 69 Camaros also received this engine.) One was a Daytona Yellow car with side-pipes and the other was a Can-Am White t-top coupe with black ZL1 stripes. Technically, the ZL1 was a $3,010 option that consisted of an assortment of aluminum cylinder block and heads on top of the $1,032 L88 race option, but it wasn't just a change of the block casting material. The ZL1 featured thicker walls and main webbing, along with dry sump provisions, a four bolt bottom end with a forged steel crank and rods, Spiralock washers and full floating pins. Pistons were even higher domed than the L88s, yeilding a compression ratio of 12.5:1. The ZL1's solid lifter camshaft was also radical, with higher lift and different duration, so the engine could live in the upper revs. The car Judski had bought had been restored in the 80s in Houston, and then sold to a private party. The auctioning of the car was a result of a seizure from Richard Joseph Lynn who was convicted of dealing cocaine and sentenced to life in prison with no parole. Judski operates Roger's Corvette Center in Maitland, Florida. The white ZL1 belongs to the Kevin Suydam Collection in Washington state.

1993 - At the Road Atlanta raceway in Braselton, Georgia, the Valvoline Runoffs final races of the SCCA Club Racing series are held, over seven days. Finishing 1st in GT-1 class is John Heinricy, driving the Morrison Racing #97 1987 Corvette.

2002 - At the Road Atlanta raceway in Braselton, Georgia, the Trans-Am 100 Presented by the "Crank" race is held, round 11 of the Trans-Am Series for the BFGoodrich Tires Cup.

• Finishing 2nd is the Tom Gloy Racing #88 Corvette, driven by Butch Leitzinger.
• Finishing 3rd is the Revolution Motorsports #02 Corvette, driven by Stuart Hayner.
• Finishing 11th is the Derhaag Motorsports #59 Corvette, driven by Simon Gregg.
• Finishing 12th is the Cenweld Corp./McNichols Co. #23 Corvette, driven by Bob Ruman.
• Finishing 18th is the Revolution Motorsports #10 Corvette, driven by Don Sak.
• Finishing 20th is the Tom Gloy Racing #49 Corvette, driven by Randy Ruhlman.
• In 21st place, but not finishing the race, is the Ellis Racecars #61 Corvette, driven by Gord Vipond.

2002 - At the Road Atlanta Motorsports Center in Braselton, Georgia, Round 9 of the Speedvision World Challenge GT Series is held.

• Finishing 3rd is the #73 Corvette, driven by Phil McClure.
• Finishing 9th is the #35 Corvette, driven by David Farmer.
• Finishing 15th is the #30 Corvette, driven by Bill Johnston.
• In 21st place, but not finishing the race, is the #15 Corvette, driven by Eric Curran.

[MOTV8]

^^Wonder what that ZL1 is worth today? And does coke-dude still cry himself to sleep in his cell every night?

October 12th:

1991 - In Titusville, Florida, the 12th annual Eckler's Corvette Reunion is held. Over 3000 people attend, with over 650 Corvettes.

2002 - At the Road Atlanta raceway in Braselton, Georgia, the Petit Le Mans race is held, round ten of the American Le Mans Series is held.

Finishing 1st in GTS class and 9th overall is the GM Goodwrench #3 Corvette C5-R, driven by Ron Fellows, Johnny O'Connell, and Oliver Gavin.

Finishing 3rd in GTS class and 11th overall is the GM Goodwrench #4 Corvette C5-R, driven by Andy Pilgrim, Kelly Collins, and Franck Fréon.

Those wacky marketing hooers...check the funky paint scheme with the '03 A.E. red insert...

2002 - At the end of the American Le Mans series;

GTS Team Champion is Corvette Racing (won 10 of 11 rounds),

GTS Drivers Championship: #1 Ron Fellows, #2 Johnny O'Connell, #3 tied between Andy Pilgrim and Kelly Collins,

GTS Chief Mechanic Award goes to Corvette Mechanic Bill DeLong,

GTS Tire Manufacturer Championship goes to Goodyear Tire,

GTS Automobile Manufacturers Championship goes to Chevrolet.

Ron Fellows' championship is the first for Corvette Racing in ALMS.

[MOTV8]

October 13th:

1962 - At the Riverside International Raceway in California, the Los Angeles Times Three-Hour Invitational Grand Prix race is held. 1963 model production Corvettes make their racing debut, as does the Ford-powered Cobra. Four Z06-equipped 327-ci 360-hp fuel-injected Corvettes with 36.5-gallon gas tanks are entered, but only one finishes. The 260-ci Cobra leads by about one mile after one hour of racing when its rear suspension fails.

• Finishing 1st overall is the Mickey Thompson #119 black Corvette Z06, driven by Doug Hooper. He averages 84-mph over the 250-mile course.
• The other Corvette drivers are Bob Bondurant (#614 silver), Dave MacDonald (#00 white), and Jerry Grant.

While at Sebring in December 1962, Zora Arkus-Duntov approached Riverside winner Doug Hooper and asked him to test his new secret project – the Grand Sport. Doug was scheduled to co-drive the Corvette Grand Sport with Billy Krause at Lemans in June, but in February of the following year, the GM sponsored race program ended. He continued to compete all over the West and had many wins and opened “Doug’s Corvette Service” in North Hollywood, California and created one of the premier Corvette repair shops in the country.

1967 - David Zeigler buys a 1967 Corvette with an L88 engine from Curtis Chevrolet in Washington, D.C. Zeigler and the Corvette soon become known as "The Flying Dutchman". That title must have been short lived as I've only found references to other drivers and other cars known as the "Flying Dutchman".

1989 - At the Road Atlanta raceway in Braselton, Georgia, the Valvoline Runoffs final races of the SCCA Club Racing series are held, over three days. Finishing 1st in GT-1 class is Morris Clement Jr. driving a Corvette.

[MOTV8]

Today in Corvette history:

1957 - The first 1958 production Corvette rolls off the assembly line. This Corvette style is designated model J800. The 1958 Corvette featured a redesign of both interior and exterior features (Quad-headlight body, fake louvres on hood and chrome strips on trunk lid, also number of teeth in grille reduced). Some thought the changes to be tacky for the time; too much chrome, too much shaping. However, yesterday's ugly duckling is today's swan, and many Corvette fans love the 1958's styling. Regardless, the '58 'vette could produce, as evidenced by the speedometer notched to 160 mph. A 283-ci four-barrel engine rated at 245 horsepower was the most popular engine, but a 283-ci, fuel-injected version could achieve 290 horsepower, although GM advertised 283 hp, thus the "1 hp per c.i." slogan. Base price was $3,591, and production reached 9,168.

This one can be yours, currently listed at $129,000.

1979 - At the Laguna Seca Raceway in California, the SCCA Trans-Am Challenge - Round 9 race is held.

• Finishing 3rd in category II and 3rd overall is the Pickett Racing #6 Corvette, driven by Greg Pickett.
• Finishing 2nd in category I and 12th overall is the Phantom Racing #43 Corvette, driven by Frank Joyce.
• Finishing 3rd in category I and 13th overall is the FEMSA #91 Corvette, driven by Gene Bothello.
• Finishing 4th in category I and 14th overall is the #92 Corvette, driven by Gary Carlen.
• In 10th place in category II and 15th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the BAC #20 Corvette, driven by Larry Stephens.
• Finishing 5th in category I and 16th overall is the #22 Corvette, driven by Mike Meek.
• Finishing 6th in category I and 17th overall is the Arthur Treacher's #11 Corvette, driven by Paul Canary.
• Finishing 11th in category II and 19th overall is the Automotive Enterprises #27 Corvette, driven by Rich Sloma.
• Finishing 8th in category I and 20th overall is the Champion Cylinder Head #38 Corvette, driven by Dave Arkin.
• Finishing 9th in category I and 21st overall is the Round Table Racing #12 Corvette, driven by Bob Matkovich.
• Finishing 10th in category I and 22nd overall is the FEMSA #39 Corvette, driven by Richard Colombo.
• Finishing 11th in category I and 23rd overall is the Rick Stark Enterprises #17 Corvette, driven by Rick Stark.
• Finishing 12th in category I and 24th overall is the American GT Racing #32 Corvette, driven by Art Siri Jr.
• In 16th place in category I and 29th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the #65 Corvette, driven by Edward Ruiz.
• Finishing 17th in category I and 31st overall is the Round Table Racing #14 Corvette, driven by Peter Brallier.
• In 20th place in category I and 35th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the B.C. Autobody #41 Corvette, driven by Bill Craine.
• In 22nd place in category I and 38th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the #37 Corvette, driven by Lew Larimer.
• In 23rd place in category I and 39th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Executive Auto #78 Corvette, driven by Babe Headley.
• In 24th place in category I and 40th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Vic Hubbard #3 Corvette, driven by David Mock.

1979 - Gene Bothello wins first overall in the SCCA Trans Am Series, Category I.

1989 - Eckler's Corvette Parts holds its 10th anniversary open house, with over 3,000 attending.

[MOTV8]

October 15th:

1953 - Corvette show car #852 is ordered stripped, with the body to be burned as a test.

1954 - Zora Arkus-Duntov writes a memo to Edward Cole and Maurice Olley, noting that the Corvette appeared to be a failure. He suggests that to drop the Corvette would be an admission of failure, and a public embarrassment to all of Chevrolet. He suggests some modifications to the car, and improvements to the sales effort. He urges General Motors not to cancel the car, but to create a separate department within Chevrolet to oversee Corvette development.

Zora: "This is an L88, boy...and would blow your head clean off."

TGFZ = Thank God For Zora!

2000 - At the Laguna Seca Raceway in Salinas, California, the Globalcenter Sports Car Championships race is held, round 10 of the American Le Mans Series.

Finishing 2nd in GTS class and 9th overall is the Corvette Racing #3 Corvette C5-R driven by Andy Pilgrim and Ron Fellows.

Finishing 4th in GTS class and 13th overall is the Corvette Racing #4 Corvette C5-R driven by Justin Bell and Kelly Collins.

2005 - At the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California, the Monterey Sports Car Championships race is held, round ten (final) of the American Le Mans Series is held.

Finishing 1st in GT1 class and 7th overall is the Corvette Racing #4 Corvette C6-R driven by Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta.

Finishing 2nd in GT1 class and 8th overall is the Corvette Racing #3 Corvette C6-R driven by Ron Fellows and Johnny O'Connell.

2005 - At the end of the American Le Mans Series race season, driver positions in GT1 class are: 1st (tied) Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta, 2nd (tied) Ron Fellows and Johnny O'Connell. Corvette Racing is first in several championships: manufacturers, drivers, team, and pit crew.

[Desertdawg]

Today in Corvette history:

1957 - The first 1958 production Corvette rolls off the assembly line.

Base price was $3,591, and production reached 9,168.

This one can be yours, currently listed at $129,000.

Yeah, I have slobbered over a few of those. I think I prefer the subtle changes they made to the 59 model more, but I wouldn't mind either year....

[MOTV8]

October 16th:

1960 - At Riverside, California, the Los Angeles Times Grand Prix race is held. Finishing 11th overall is the Bill Mitchell #111 Sting Ray racer driven by Richard Thompson. When race fan Bill Mitchell succeeded Harley Earl as GM design chief in 1958, his first project was a new Corvette, Larry Shinoda's groundbreaking design study was stillborn for production, but mounted on the SS Sebring Mule chassis it became his personal race car, the Sting Ray. It was driven by John Fitch in 1959 as red #8, and Dick Thompson in 1960 as #11 or #111 in silver. The Sting Ray suffered from poor brakes and a production V-8, shortcomings only exacerbated by its undeniably beautiful, but aerodynamically challenged design. The basis of the Sting Ray was an engineering test mule chassis for the foundation of an official Chevrolet race effort culminating with the 24 Hours of LeMans. But, soon after its race debut, the Automobile Manufacturer's Association had banned manufacturer-sponsored racing, and the SS had been relegated to test track duty. The Sting Ray featured a 92-inch wheelbase and was nearly 1,000 lb lighter than a 1960 production car. Its fuel-injected 283-cubic-inch (4.6-liter) V-8 engine produced 315 hp at 6,200 rpm. Billed as a car 'built to test handling ease and performance,' Mitchell arranged to race the car quite extensively. In the hands of Dr. "Dick" Thompson, it made its debut at Maryland's Marlboro Raceway on April 18, 1959, finishing in fourth place. It later went on to win an SCCA National Championship in 1960. The Sting Ray was then retired from racing and modified by Mitchell. A passenger seat was added, among other things, and it was exhibited as an experimental show car even while Mitchell regularly drove it personally on weekends. The Sting Ray's body design strongly influenced the styling of the next generation Corvette (1963). It also was a test bed for many technical developments with a four-speed manual transmission, extensive use of aluminum and a de Dion rear suspension. Because of its SS underpinnings, the Sting Ray was exceptionally light, with a dry weight of 2,200 pounds. The car today has a 327 Cubic inch (5.4 liter), fuel-injected V-8 with 375 BHP.

1989 - A drawing is held by music video station VH-1, giving away 36 Corvettes, one from each model year. Dennis Amodeo is the winner. I told you I didn't win.

1993 - In Titusville, Florida, Eckler's holds their 14th annual Eckler's Corvette Reunion, over three days. About 3500 people attend.

2004 - At the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California, round nine (final) of the American Le Mans Series is held.

Finishing 1st in GTS class and 4th overall is the Corvette Racing #3 Corvette C5-R, driven by Ron Fellows, Johnny O'Connell, and Max Papis.

Finishing 2nd in GTS class and 5th overall is the Corvette Racing #4 Corvette C5-R, driven by Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta, and Jan Magnussen.

The Corvette team won every, repeat, EVERY GTS class race of the 2004 American Le Mans Series.

2005 - At the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California, the Monterey Sports Car Championships race is held, round eleven (final) of the SCCA SPEED World Challenge GT series. Finishing 9th is the Blackdog Racing #34 Corvette C6 driven by Tony Gaples.

[MOTV8]

October 17th,

1973 - The Corvette Two-Rotor and Four-Rotor prototypes go on display at the London Automotive Show.

Two-Rotor:

Four-Rotor:

2000 - Corvette Racing officials announce that Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Junior will co-drive the Number 3 GM Goodwrench Service Plus Corvette C5-R at the 24 at Daytona race in February.

2003 - At the Road Atlanta race track in Braselton, Georgia, round nine of the SCCA Pro Racing Speed World Challenge GT series is held.

Finishing 4th is the 3R Racing #73 Corvette Z06, driven by Phil McClure.

Finishing 6th is the Metric Chemical #35 Corvette Z06, driven by David Farmer.

Finishing 15th is the Tiger Racing #99 Corvette Z06, driven by Thomas Oates.

Finishing 16th is the Black Dog Racing #25 Corvette, driven by Tony Gaples.

Finishing 24th is the WIT Racing #68 Corvette Z06, driven by Kevin Chambers.

In 27th place, but not finishing the race, is the WIT Racing #31 Corvette Z06, driven by Keith Videtto.

2004 - At the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California, the Audio Sports Car Championship race is held, round ten (final) of the SCCA Pro Racing Speed GT Championship series.

Finishing 12th is the 3R-Racing #73 Corvette Z06, driven by Phil McClure.

Finishing 13th is the WIT Racing #67 Corvette Z06, driven by Kevin Chambers.

In 23rd place, but not finishing the race, is the #47 Corvette Z06, driven by Bob Taylor.

In 24th place, but not finishing the race, is the Black Dog Racing #34 Corvette, driven by Tony Gaples.

In 27th place, but not finishing the race, is the #28 Corvette, driven by Lou Gigliotti.

In 28th place, but not finishing the race, is the Banner Engineering #6 Corvette, driven by Leighton Reese.

In 31st place, but not finishing the race, is the WIT Racing #31 Corvette, driven by Keith Videtto.

2004 - In Monterey, California, the American Le Mans Series holds its awards dinner.

Ron Fellows and Johnny O'Connell receive their awards for GTS class drivers championships.

Corvette Racing team owner Gary Pratt wins the award for GTS team championships, the fourth consecutive title.

Chevrolet receives the GTS class Manufacturer's title for the fourth consecutive year as well.

Ron Fellows is recipient of the Most Popular Driver award, as voted by fans of the series.

Corvette Racing Program Manager Doug Fehan receives the "From the Fans" award, as the individual or group making the greatest contribution to sports car racing in the past year.