A new exhibit opening at the Petersen Museum begs the Corvette question.
. To skirt GM’s racing ban, 125 cars were planned for sale to private teams. Aluminum was used wherever possible, including in the chassis, which was 93 pounds lighter than stock. Bonded to it was a single-layer fiberglass body, the carbon fiber of its day. After a mere five cars were completed, GM executives learned of the project and shut it down. The Grand Sports were sold but, in private hands, proved to be formidable racers. This car, chassis 004, was the most successful in competition.
Number 76 here qualified ninth at Le Mans in 1976 but lasted only 29 laps before a fuel leak took it out of the race. No matter, “The Spirit of Le Mans” had made its patriotic point during the country’s bicentennial year. You can still buy a Greenwood Corvette, or just read about them, at the company's website, greenwoodcorvettes.com.Engine: 5.7 liter V8 Top Speed: 154 mph
In the mid-1980s, Corvettes were virtually unbeatable in SCCA, the Petersen says. So, in 1988, the organization banned them. But to placate GM, the SCCA devised a make-specific race series, the Corvette Challenge, which ran from 1988-‘89. It was a big hit with fans because it highlighted driver talent over engineering. Each driver piloted an identical, factory-built and race-prepared C4. This was GM’s first official factory-backed racing since the car’s inception.
In its first year at Le Mans, the car captured pole position, but it did not finish the race. The following year, three Callaways started at Le Mans. The one pictured here, which is in the exhibit, won the GT2 pole, finishing third in class and 11th overall. It would then win the 1996 SCCA Pro World Challenge Series, winning the first three races and garnering five podiums in 10 races.The C5.
This car had three victories and never finished lower than second place in the GT1 class in the 2007 American Le Mans Series. It was also GT1 runner-up at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France that year.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'It's a great, great time for bulls': Soft-landing views solidify in U.S. stock marketThursday's stronger-than-expected second-quarter GDP report is buttressing the financial market's confidence that the U.S. economy can avoid a downturn.
Read more »
’Barbie’ Scaled Down Her Pink Corvette to Make Her Look More Like a DollHere's how Mattel's Hot Wheels team helped bring Greta Gerwig's 'Barbie' movie to life.
Read more »
Cancelled '55 Corvette Facelift Prototype Is A C1 Of One | CarscoopsBefore being used to test ideas for a 1955 redesign this C1 was a yellow hardtop prototype built for the 1954 Motoroma show car auto cars
Read more »
2024 Chevy Corvette Z06 To Set Back Aussies AU$336,000 | CarscoopsThe 2024 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is just a touch more expensive than the Porsche Cayman GT4 RS in Australia car auto cars
Read more »
Women’s World Cup watch parties tonight at Music Center, Hammer Museum, bars across Southern CaliforniaBars and restaurants will be welcoming fans to watch the match in downtown LA, Santa Monica, Long Beach, Anaheim, Encino, Hermosa Beach and Monrovia.
Read more »
It’s Hot AF. Here’s a Guide to Cooling Off Around DC. - WashingtonianSwimming, boat rentals, indoor museum exhibits, basement bars, and more ways to beat the heat.
Read more »