Monterey Historic Corvettes, a.k.a. My Summer Vacation
08-21-2007, 02:27 PM
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Monterey Historic Corvettes, a.k.a. My Summer Vacation
Last week I made my yearly pilgrimage up to Monterey for the Historics Weekend. There were a couple of truly historic corvettes at the event. In the Laguna Seca paddock was Grand Sport SN #003, which raced at the 1963 Nassau Speed Weeks. Disappointingly, however, the car did not participate in any of the Laguna Seca weekend races.
http://www.grandsportcorvette.com/gs/
At the Quail Gathering concours, I came across the following car identified only as a "1959 corvette Coupe". After staring dumbly at it for a few seconds, the light bulb finally turned on and I realized I was looking at at a Scaglietti Corvette, 1 of only 3 built. This car is SN #002, equipped with an automatic trans, and was owned/driven by Jim Hall
http://www.michaelmccafferty.com/mmmvette.htm
A major highlight was seeing this 1934 Alfa Romeo Tippo B (P3). This is the car in which Tazio Nuvolari defeated the more powerful, all-conquering Auto Union and Mercedes Grand Prix teams in the 1935 German Grand Prix at Nurburgring, a race many historians consider to be the greatest in Grand Prix history. The car ran in one of the Saturday races at Laguna Seca.
I also got to do a couple of test drives over the weekend.
Thru a friend, I test drove an AMG CLK 63 "Black Edition", which is the Formula 1 safety car, sans light bar. Mercedes is building 350 units for sale in Europe and the US. It was insane driving the thing on Carmel Valley Road at extra legal speeds. The only caution the Mercedes rep gave me was "If you floor it, be sure the front wheels are pointed straight!"
I also got to test drive an '07 Maserati Quattroporte. I think this would be a pretty decent DD if I had the $$$
Every auto racing enthusiast/classic car buff should go to the Monterey Historics at least once in their lifetime
http://www.grandsportcorvette.com/gs/
At the Quail Gathering concours, I came across the following car identified only as a "1959 corvette Coupe". After staring dumbly at it for a few seconds, the light bulb finally turned on and I realized I was looking at at a Scaglietti Corvette, 1 of only 3 built. This car is SN #002, equipped with an automatic trans, and was owned/driven by Jim Hall
http://www.michaelmccafferty.com/mmmvette.htm
A major highlight was seeing this 1934 Alfa Romeo Tippo B (P3). This is the car in which Tazio Nuvolari defeated the more powerful, all-conquering Auto Union and Mercedes Grand Prix teams in the 1935 German Grand Prix at Nurburgring, a race many historians consider to be the greatest in Grand Prix history. The car ran in one of the Saturday races at Laguna Seca.
I also got to do a couple of test drives over the weekend.
Thru a friend, I test drove an AMG CLK 63 "Black Edition", which is the Formula 1 safety car, sans light bar. Mercedes is building 350 units for sale in Europe and the US. It was insane driving the thing on Carmel Valley Road at extra legal speeds. The only caution the Mercedes rep gave me was "If you floor it, be sure the front wheels are pointed straight!"
I also got to test drive an '07 Maserati Quattroporte. I think this would be a pretty decent DD if I had the $$$
Every auto racing enthusiast/classic car buff should go to the Monterey Historics at least once in their lifetime
08-21-2007, 03:13 PM
#2
Melting Slicks
This was my second year at Monterey, although I have been too a few historic events at Infineon. Walking through the pits is amazing and can take a full day if you really start looking at all of the cars. The next to last race on Saturday for the large Production cars was one of the best races I have seen at this type of event. The first 10 cars were really pushing it through the corners, and one Ferrari almost lost it at turn 6 when he apexed a little early.
When you are walking through the pits and looking at all of the cars, you have to keep reminding yourself that these were actual race cars with old log books, not old street cars that people have put into historic trim.
It's am amazing event that I do not plan on missing.
Larry
When you are walking through the pits and looking at all of the cars, you have to keep reminding yourself that these were actual race cars with old log books, not old street cars that people have put into historic trim.
It's am amazing event that I do not plan on missing.
Larry
08-21-2007, 03:42 PM
#4
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Monterey is a great weekend for sure. I have a bunch of photos from the year Corvette was the feature car which I will post when I have time.
I am also thinking the Maser makes a nifty commuter I am thinking of an '08 although I heard that they are only atomatic which does not fit my type "A" personality.
Ever so slightly O/T does anyone know the colour code or name of the blue on #003? I am going to paint my car soon and that looks awesome in real life...
I am also thinking the Maser makes a nifty commuter I am thinking of an '08 although I heard that they are only atomatic which does not fit my type "A" personality.
Ever so slightly O/T does anyone know the colour code or name of the blue on #003? I am going to paint my car soon and that looks awesome in real life...
08-21-2007, 05:05 PM
#5
Drifting
Thanks for the pics, Joe. I've been a number of times but missed it this year, unfortunately. A must-do if you like vintage racing. The Concorso Italiano on Friday is Ferrari, Lambo, Maserati heaven.
08-21-2007, 07:53 PM
#7
Team Owner
I was in Monterey in 2002 for the Historics where Corvette was the featured marque and the Monterey Del Oro 50th Anniversary Celebration was held at the Del Monte Country Club.
That year there were over 50 historic Corvette race cars from the mid-50s to one of the 2002 LeMans C5. I was wandering around the C5R pits where the car was being prepped to make a few parade laps and one of the crewmen came up to me and asked if I would help push the car outside so they could fire it up. Had to say Yes, I would be happy to help out!!
One of the things I remember (and have on video) is the 15 or so big-block cars at speed going into Turn 3. That sound by itself is something that we may never hear again on racetracks much less see so many cars like that at one time.
The Concorso Itialiano was that same weekend along with the Pebble Beach Concours d' Elegance and the rally they host where those old cars get out on the roads.
That year there were over 50 historic Corvette race cars from the mid-50s to one of the 2002 LeMans C5. I was wandering around the C5R pits where the car was being prepped to make a few parade laps and one of the crewmen came up to me and asked if I would help push the car outside so they could fire it up. Had to say Yes, I would be happy to help out!!
One of the things I remember (and have on video) is the 15 or so big-block cars at speed going into Turn 3. That sound by itself is something that we may never hear again on racetracks much less see so many cars like that at one time.
The Concorso Itialiano was that same weekend along with the Pebble Beach Concours d' Elegance and the rally they host where those old cars get out on the roads.
08-21-2007, 10:44 PM
#8
Drifting
"Yearly trip"?? Boy, am I jealous! 
Like several other posters, wife person and I did the 2002 event. Drove our 2001 coupe from Fort Wayne, Indiana, along with two other couples, all the way out. Did some Rt 66 and other tourist stuff. When we got there, I wiped off the bugs and showed the car in the Corvette Corral (Corvettini??) at the Concourso Italiano:
Saw all the other events - what a fantastic trip. I agree with the folks above, do this at least once in your lifetime!!
Like several other posters, wife person and I did the 2002 event. Drove our 2001 coupe from Fort Wayne, Indiana, along with two other couples, all the way out. Did some Rt 66 and other tourist stuff. When we got there, I wiped off the bugs and showed the car in the Corvette Corral (Corvettini??) at the Concourso Italiano:
Saw all the other events - what a fantastic trip. I agree with the folks above, do this at least once in your lifetime!!
08-22-2007, 12:07 AM
#10
Melting Slicks
Joe, great pics also, wish I'd take the time since I'm fairly close but it
does get crowded. David, great pic! One of these years ... again!
Remember some from 2002, one of my early posts was about seeing
the ZL-1, C3 as I remember and got a response about not knowing
Corvettes ...
Randy
does get crowded. David, great pic! One of these years ... again!
Remember some from 2002, one of my early posts was about seeing
the ZL-1, C3 as I remember and got a response about not knowing
Corvettes ...
Randy
Last edited by StArrow68; 08-22-2007 at 12:10 AM.
08-22-2007, 02:20 PM
#11
Drifting
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A forum member in San Diego bought this car to do some vintage racing on the left coast this year. Did you happen to run across it or get any pics?
Thanks David
Thanks David
08-22-2007, 02:55 PM
#12
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
I think you are correct, I remember seeing the name Bowman on the side of the hauler. He drove a '58 Lister-Chevy in the Group 5A race, and a '61 Ferrari 250 SWB in Group 4B.
btw, you wouldn't remember, but I met you in the paddock back in '05 when you attended with your Z06
08-22-2007, 03:26 PM
#13
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
I have no pics of them, but I remember at least 2 C3's in the IMSA GT race. One of them looked similar to your pic, but had no headlights and had "New Mexico 75" painted across the front. In the program it was listed as:
'77 Greenwood, chassis #20008-77, driven by Tom Armstrong
The other was a red C3, number #75, listed in the program as:
'74 corvette, chassis 2, driven by David Andrews
Like last year, the IMSA GT race came down to a battle between 2 Porsche 935's and 2 Dekon Monza's. This year a Monza prevailed, driven by Phil Gallant.
08-23-2007, 05:55 AM
#15
Drifting
Bob
08-24-2007, 07:11 PM
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08-27-2007, 09:12 PM
#19
Drifting
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The first car was the greenwood "Spirit of New Mexico", the second car # 75 is the one in my picture now driven by David Andrews. My email drhodes16@neo.rr.com
