When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
JAMES LONG bought it. In 2014, he said.
''I have legally purchased the car from the owner. It is a 3000 series 1956 vin with a really solid body the doors open and close like factory. It has the windshield and a soft top. the engine was a 1957 283 with a 1956 3 speed. It has the original fiberglass hood and was only Vanetian red and the current yellow. I will be adding my 1957 283 and a T 10 4 speed for now.''
James is a teacher, and his shop class students did a beautiful tribute restoration to a 56 SEBRING Race car that went to auction and then proceeds went back to new school projects. I will see if I can find that story.
The ''00'' Orange car behind the 57 Nomad is the famous DAVE MACDONALD 61 CORVETTE Special. It is a great story of ''MODIFIED SPECIALS'' in Road Racing back in the Glory Years 1955-72.
Last edited by jimgessner; 08-21-2016 at 09:19 AM.
My grandfather bought my '66 new--here is a photo of the car in the late 60s/early 70s. Since it was doing a donut/burnout I am guessing it was my uncle behind the wheel :-)
The first picture appears to be Dave McDonald's special built lightweight.
I wonder where it is.
I met 3 of the original builders of the car at DENNY'S breakfast MONTEREY RACE WEEKEND 1999 with racers JOE FREITAS and PAUL REINHART. It was sold to Pat Mathsis in Hawaii in 1962. He had Dave drive it in Kent Washington in September 62. Car went back to Hawaii. Never found. JOE FREITAS and I and others looked for the car since 1987. Last I heard it was made into drag race car and was left outside behing the old airport rusting and rotting away.
I don't want to highjack this neat photo blog with a history lesson, but the cars story is ''real automotive history'' and needs to be shared. I wish someone would build a tribute car.
Last edited by jimgessner; 08-23-2016 at 09:03 AM.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared))
2019 C1 of Year Finalist (track prepared)
Originally Posted by jimgessner
I met 3 of the original builders of the car at DENNY'S breakfast MONTEREY RACE WEEKEND 1999 with racers JOE FREITAS and PAUL REINHART. It was sold to Pat Mathsis in Hawaii in 1962. He had Dave drive it in Kent Washington in September 62. Car went back to Hawaii. Never found. JOE FREITAS and I and others looked for the car since 1987. Last I heard it was made into drag race car and was left outside behing the old airport rusting and rotting away.
I don't want to highjack this neat photo blog with a history lesson, but the cars story is ''real automotive history'' and needs to be shared. I wish someone would build a tribute car.
Generation: C1
Year: 1961
VIN: Old Yaller #5
Race Numbers: 00 and 43
Ownership: Jim Simpson owned and built the car with Dave Mac Donald. He sold the car in Hawaii to Pat Mathis, a used car dealer after a SCCA race in Hawaii late in 1962. Pat hired MacDonald to drive the two fall 1962 races in Reno and Kent, Washington and the car returned to Hawaii. Vintage race car expert and Hawaian resident MICHAEL G SHEEHAN said in 2009 that Mathis then sold the car to Mel Pestana, a local racer. The Balchowsky tube frame was modified and made longer, like a Devin underneath. Pestana cut and stretched the frame for drag racing. I saw the ''Devin Corvette'', as it was called for a number of years, out by the old Honolulu Airport up thru the end of 1969. It may have been the MacDonald Special. I have a friend who said it ended up in a junkyard out past Pearl Harbor. Other rumors say it went back to Seattle with Mathsis in early 63, but Michael's story fits the history line better. The car has not been seen since 1969.
Sponsors: Sorenson Chevrolet
Drivers: Dave MacDonald Pat Mathis Mel Pestana
Status:
Original Color: White, Orange
Tires/Wheels: 6 x 15 American Mags
Engine: 327/360
Driveline: Special "Old Yellar" # 5 tube chassis by Max Balchowsky. 1962 Corvette fuel injection 327/360hp engine, T-10 all aluminum 4 speed. Max was known for building Hot Rod road race specials, so he used one of his 14 special ''OLD YELLAR'' tube frames for this car.
Top:
Interior: Black
Condition: Missing
URL: http://www.davemacdonald.net/gallery...pecialkent.htm
Unique Characteristics: A C/M Special that weighted 1750 lbs. The special Corvette body was made from a mold that Nat Reader and Jim Burell from CORVETTE BODY SHOP made from a new stock 61 Corvette at Sorenson Chevrolet. He ommited the rear deck lid over the gas tank, and made the body 17 inches shorter. Overal length was reduced from 176 to 150 inches, and width is five inches narrower. The body was attached by Zeus fastners, and had
Modifications: Basic stock 1962 Corvette 327/360hp engine and 4 speed trans. A Studebaker differential, Morris Minor rack and pinion steering, 14 pound Webber flywheel, special Jardine headers thru motorcycle exhaust scavanger pipes. Brakes were Buick 3 inch finned drums with H.D. Metalic linings. Body was hand fabricated and the chassis was 160" long vs. 176 on a stock Vette.
Notes/Race History: When Zora saw this car at Riverside he told Dave MacDonald about his idea for "The Grand Sport". Dave said it was very twitchy driving, but very fast and needed more devlopment. Owner Jim Simpson and Nat Reeder and Jim Burell from FIBERGLASS AUTO BODY in Hollywood, one of the first in the USA made the body off a stock 61 Corvette . The chassis was made by Max Balchowskey of Old Yaller fame. Max charged $4500 complete including brakes and suspension. Simpson got the engine and trans from Zora's skunk works
Registry ID Number: 300
Last edited by jimgessner; 08-24-2016 at 10:29 AM.
08-21-2016, 08:39 AM
