Bo Laws National Record Holder...Always immaculate
Beauty
- Thread starter Black 03 Z06
- Start date
Ok Ok not a Corvette but I just love this picture of the Cobra Daytona Coupe taken at the (I believe) Bonneville Salt Flats. The team was setting endurance records...
Thought you said "just go through, its not too deep"... 
Long time Corvette road racer Phil Currin...
Will he or won't he pee on that Corvette wheel...Cute beastie...Snow tires on the Vette
Flat towing used to be so popular...now everything has its own trailer
Mickey Thompson had prepped two 1963 Z06 Corvettes with Mystery Motors. No. 3 driven by Junior Johnson and Bill Krause, which is McIntyre's car, and No. ... Speaking with Junior Johnson about the car all of these years later about his brief experience with the Sting Ray, he immediately remembered the car.
How Mickey Thompson Was the First to Race the Big-Block Chevy
427 Mystery Motor Corvettes
Zora Arkus-Duntov’s high-performance engineering group was responsible for Corvette engineering and Chevrolet’s high-performance V8 development when the 348ci W-engine debuted for the 1958 model year. The solid-lifter version of the 348 with triple two-barrel Rochesters was rated at 315 hp (and was Chevrolet’s most powerful engine) while the Corvette’s fuel-injected, 283ci small-block was only rated at 290 hp. Duntov resisted putting the 348 into the Corvette, arguing its additional 100 pounds on the Vette’s front tires would compromise handling. By the time the second-generation Corvette Sting Ray came out for 1963, the W-engine had 409 ci and produced 425 hp with solid lifters and dual four-barrel Carters, but again, it wasn’t on the new Vette’s option list. Duntov didn’t feel the “fat block” 409 could pull its own weight. But there was a 427ci V8 on the horizon he would be happy with in a couple of years. Hot rodder Mickey Thompson, however, wasn’t going to wait.
In 1962, Mickey Thompson was under contract with Chevrolet to campaign four Z06 Corvette Sting Rays in international GT endurance racing. As part of that program, the 34-year-old Californian had two of his Sting Rays equipped with 427ci Mark II-Stroked (MkIIS) big-block Mystery Motors. These big-block cars were prepared like NASCAR Grand National cars of the day by Smokey Yunick for the American Challenge Cup, a 250-mile GT sports car race on Daytona’s 2.5-mile tri-oval that took place on February 16, 1963—eight days before the Daytona 500 where most people think Chevy’s Mystery Motors debuted. You’ve never heard about any of this because General Motors had a corporate ban on racing in place when all of this happened. Fifty-two years later, as HOT ROD celebrates the 50th anniversary of the big-block Chevy, it’s time we tell you the whole story.
Mickey Thompson’s Mystery Motor Corvettes
Mickey Thompson had helped Pontiac shake its stodgy 1950s image and become thought of as a GM performance brand, using a line of speed equipment and attention-grabbing cars like the Challenger I powered by four Pontiac V8s he drove more than 400 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1960. Thompson had been a Pontiac contractor, working directly for Semon Emil “Bunkie” Knudsen, who was Pontiac’s general manager at that time but was running Chevrolet by 1963. Thompson Enterprises was a front for Knudsen’s factory Corvette team. Knudsen also brought Smokey Yunick back to Chevy from his Pontiac NASCAR racing program. Yunick had won the second Daytona 500 for Knudsen with a 1960 Catalina he prepared, which was driven by Marvin Panch.
Mickey Thompson received a Daytona Blue Z06 Sting Ray prototype from Knudsen via airfreight in July 1962. It would be the first 1963 Corvette to ever win a race—the Los Angeles Times Three-Hour Invitational at Riverside, California, on October 13, 1962. Both the Shelby Cobra and new Corvette made their racing debuts that day; driver Bill Krause dominated the race in his Cobra until it broke a stub axle, and Doug Hooper (driving Thompson’s Z06) got the win.
How Mickey Thompson Was the First to Race the Big-Block Chevy
427 Mystery Motor Corvettes
Zora Arkus-Duntov’s high-performance engineering group was responsible for Corvette engineering and Chevrolet’s high-performance V8 development when the 348ci W-engine debuted for the 1958 model year. The solid-lifter version of the 348 with triple two-barrel Rochesters was rated at 315 hp (and was Chevrolet’s most powerful engine) while the Corvette’s fuel-injected, 283ci small-block was only rated at 290 hp. Duntov resisted putting the 348 into the Corvette, arguing its additional 100 pounds on the Vette’s front tires would compromise handling. By the time the second-generation Corvette Sting Ray came out for 1963, the W-engine had 409 ci and produced 425 hp with solid lifters and dual four-barrel Carters, but again, it wasn’t on the new Vette’s option list. Duntov didn’t feel the “fat block” 409 could pull its own weight. But there was a 427ci V8 on the horizon he would be happy with in a couple of years. Hot rodder Mickey Thompson, however, wasn’t going to wait.
In 1962, Mickey Thompson was under contract with Chevrolet to campaign four Z06 Corvette Sting Rays in international GT endurance racing. As part of that program, the 34-year-old Californian had two of his Sting Rays equipped with 427ci Mark II-Stroked (MkIIS) big-block Mystery Motors. These big-block cars were prepared like NASCAR Grand National cars of the day by Smokey Yunick for the American Challenge Cup, a 250-mile GT sports car race on Daytona’s 2.5-mile tri-oval that took place on February 16, 1963—eight days before the Daytona 500 where most people think Chevy’s Mystery Motors debuted. You’ve never heard about any of this because General Motors had a corporate ban on racing in place when all of this happened. Fifty-two years later, as HOT ROD celebrates the 50th anniversary of the big-block Chevy, it’s time we tell you the whole story.
Mickey Thompson’s Mystery Motor Corvettes
Mickey Thompson had helped Pontiac shake its stodgy 1950s image and become thought of as a GM performance brand, using a line of speed equipment and attention-grabbing cars like the Challenger I powered by four Pontiac V8s he drove more than 400 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1960. Thompson had been a Pontiac contractor, working directly for Semon Emil “Bunkie” Knudsen, who was Pontiac’s general manager at that time but was running Chevrolet by 1963. Thompson Enterprises was a front for Knudsen’s factory Corvette team. Knudsen also brought Smokey Yunick back to Chevy from his Pontiac NASCAR racing program. Yunick had won the second Daytona 500 for Knudsen with a 1960 Catalina he prepared, which was driven by Marvin Panch.
Mickey Thompson received a Daytona Blue Z06 Sting Ray prototype from Knudsen via airfreight in July 1962. It would be the first 1963 Corvette to ever win a race—the Los Angeles Times Three-Hour Invitational at Riverside, California, on October 13, 1962. Both the Shelby Cobra and new Corvette made their racing debuts that day; driver Bill Krause dominated the race in his Cobra until it broke a stub axle, and Doug Hooper (driving Thompson’s Z06) got the win.
Another road racer hard at it. Interesting lights on the roof, perhaps indicators to the pit crew. On modern ALMS cars they would indicate running position...
Mickey Thompson had prepped two 1963 Z06 Corvettes with Mystery Motors. No. 3 driven by Junior Johnson and Bill Krause, which is McIntyre's car, and No. ... Speaking with Junior Johnson about the car all of these years later about his brief experience with the Sting Ray, he immediately remembered the car.
How Mickey Thompson Was the First to Race the Big-Block Chevy
427 Mystery Motor Corvettes
Zora Arkus-Duntov’s high-performance engineering group was responsible for Corvette engineering and Chevrolet’s high-performance V8 development when the 348ci W-engine debuted for the 1958 model year. The solid-lifter version of the 348 with triple two-barrel Rochesters was rated at 315 hp (and was Chevrolet’s most powerful engine) while the Corvette’s fuel-injected, 283ci small-block was only rated at 290 hp. Duntov resisted putting the 348 into the Corvette, arguing its additional 100 pounds on the Vette’s front tires would compromise handling. By the time the second-generation Corvette Sting Ray came out for 1963, the W-engine had 409 ci and produced 425 hp with solid lifters and dual four-barrel Carters, but again, it wasn’t on the new Vette’s option list. Duntov didn’t feel the “fat block” 409 could pull its own weight. But there was a 427ci V8 on the horizon he would be happy with in a couple of years. Hot rodder Mickey Thompson, however, wasn’t going to wait.
In 1962, Mickey Thompson was under contract with Chevrolet to campaign four Z06 Corvette Sting Rays in international GT endurance racing. As part of that program, the 34-year-old Californian had two of his Sting Rays equipped with 427ci Mark II-Stroked (MkIIS) big-block Mystery Motors. These big-block cars were prepared like NASCAR Grand National cars of the day by Smokey Yunick for the American Challenge Cup, a 250-mile GT sports car race on Daytona’s 2.5-mile tri-oval that took place on February 16, 1963—eight days before the Daytona 500 where most people think Chevy’s Mystery Motors debuted. You’ve never heard about any of this because General Motors had a corporate ban on racing in place when all of this happened. Fifty-two years later, as HOT ROD celebrates the 50th anniversary of the big-block Chevy, it’s time we tell you the whole story.
Mickey Thompson’s Mystery Motor Corvettes
Mickey Thompson had helped Pontiac shake its stodgy 1950s image and become thought of as a GM performance brand, using a line of speed equipment and attention-grabbing cars like the Challenger I powered by four Pontiac V8s he drove more than 400 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1960. Thompson had been a Pontiac contractor, working directly for Semon Emil “Bunkie” Knudsen, who was Pontiac’s general manager at that time but was running Chevrolet by 1963. Thompson Enterprises was a front for Knudsen’s factory Corvette team. Knudsen also brought Smokey Yunick back to Chevy from his Pontiac NASCAR racing program. Yunick had won the second Daytona 500 for Knudsen with a 1960 Catalina he prepared, which was driven by Marvin Panch.
Mickey Thompson received a Daytona Blue Z06 Sting Ray prototype from Knudsen via airfreight in July 1962. It would be the first 1963 Corvette to ever win a race—the Los Angeles Times Three-Hour Invitational at Riverside, California, on October 13, 1962. Both the Shelby Cobra and new Corvette made their racing debuts that day; driver Bill Krause dominated the race in his Cobra until it broke a stub axle, and Doug Hooper (driving Thompson’s Z06) got the win.
Great info Murray.
Found some additional information on the Mikey Thompson Corvettes and another GM car that blew the door off the entire field. Who said Pontiacs were not fast?
Mickey Thompson Z06 in February 1963 driven by A.J. Foyt. At the time rumored to have an all-aluminum 427 Mystery Motor. Unfortunately ran up against another Mickey Thompson-related car at Daytona that year. A Pontiac Tempest with a 421 Super Duty engine driven by Paul Goldsmith. IIRC extreme engineer Herb Adams also had a hand building the Pontiac. Pontiac won the race, eight laps ahead of one of the Ferraris.
Mickey Thompson Z06 in February 1963 driven by A.J. Foyt. At the time rumored to have an all-aluminum 427 Mystery Motor. Unfortunately ran up against another Mickey Thompson-related car at Daytona that year. A Pontiac Tempest with a 421 Super Duty engine driven by Paul Goldsmith. IIRC extreme engineer Herb Adams also had a hand building the Pontiac. Pontiac won the race, eight laps ahead of one of the Ferraris.
Should have found this pic in the middle of the summer...Oh well we can dream of it!
One for our bike fans that fits in nicely here...
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