In
1966, Chevrolet Central Office authorized this C.O.P.O. (Central
Office Production Order) Corvette to be built with the first factory
427 L-88 engine and the competition race package which included
J-56 brakes, 36 gallon fuel tank, F-41 suspension, prototype 2:73
positraction rear axle, TI ignition, M-22 transmission, off road
exhaust, radio and heater delete, teakwood steering wheel, telescopic
column and a special prototype cowl induction hood.
The
car was released to Roger Penske who had worked in Chevrolet's
race program since pre-Grand Sport Days. Penske wanted the racer
prepared for the 24 hour Endurance Race at Daytona. He based on
Zora Duntov's recommendation, hired Dick Guldstrand to assemble
a team for the Daytona race.
Guldstrand
picked up the car in St. Louis assembly plant and drove it back
to Pennsylvania in mid January 1966. Since the car was prepared
and not equipped with a heater, Guldstrand was given a blanket
to keep from freezing.
Penske's
Newtown Square Garage then prepared the car for the Daytona Race.
In practice laps the Factory L-88 was one of the quickest ever
recorded at Daytona. Chevrolet sent a second engine to Traco to
be prepared, and just before the race the fresh 540 h.p. motor
was installed in the car.
Penske
assembled the experienced team of Dick Guldstand, Ben Moore and
George Wintersteen for the race. During the race, Wintersteen
was involved in an accident damaging the front of the car, thus
requiring Guldstrand to drive his portion of the race with two
flashlights taped to the fenders. The damaged radiator was replaced
with one from a Corvette located in the spectator's parking lot.
One can only imagine, the flashlights provided very little help!
Guldstand was able to continue the race by following the taillights
of the Ferrari Team Car and by doing so broke the GT record. The
L-88 finished 1st. in the GT Class and placed 11th overall in
the race.
The
car was raced at Daytona in its original factory red paint, after
which, at the request of its sponsor it was painted Sunoco blue
for the next race at Sebring. With its fresh blue paint job, the
car was raced at the 12 Hours of Sebring where it finished 1st
in class, and 9th overall, tying the record as the highest finish
ever for a Corvette. What a history making record the car was
setting for itself in only two times out!
The
#9 racer has been featured on the cover of Corvette News Vol.
9 No. 5. It is nationally recognized as one of the of the most
important Corvette's ever manufactured. This car represents the
first acknowledged L-88 Corvette and the only "mid-year"
to win first in class consecutively at Daytona and Sebring.
Corvette
Repair Inc. of Valley Stream, NY has performed a state of the
art restoration and has made its debut at the Monterey Historic
Automobile Races in August 2002.
This
car has a prototype hood. One of Three made by GM. The
other two went on the Corvette Grand Sports. This one was
installed at the factory.
