C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

1973 Corvette Chases Down GT40

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 11, 2012 | 09:39 PM
  #1  
Supersonic_ZR1's Avatar
Supersonic_ZR1
Thread Starter
Pro
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 562
Likes: 10
From: Cutler Bay Fl.
Default 1973 Corvette Chases Down GT40



Originally Posted by by Chris Demorro on July 9, 2012
Does your day suck? Miss a deadline, get yelled at by your boss, or get in a fight with your girlfriend/boyfriend/beloved pet? Well for you Corvette enthusiasts, we’ve got just the cure. It’s a video from Dijon, France, which is regularly invaded by all manner of American muscle car enthusiasts.

But what really cheers us up is watching a 1973 Corvette chase down and pass a Ford GT40. So as bad as your day was, at least you didn’t get passed by a C3 Corvette.

Not that we’re hating on the C3 Corvette; it was in many ways the best American car you could get at the time. But compared to the C2, or even the C4, for most of its production run, from the factory the C3 was held back by restrictive emissions requirements. Of course on the race track, there is no such thing as emissions requirements.

And so what we have here is a 600 horsepower C3 Corvette at a track day at the famed Dijon-Prenois racing circuit in Dijon, France, about four hours from Le Mans, the site of the GT40’s greatest victory. In this video though, you can tell that it’s inevitable that the more-powerful Corvette will pass the GT40. And once the two cars enter that final stretch, it’s all over but the crying.

Last edited by Supersonic_ZR1; Jul 11, 2012 at 10:35 PM.
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2012 | 09:46 PM
  #2  
xCCTer's Avatar
xCCTer
CF JASOC Member
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,040
Likes: 34
From: Downtown Annapolis, MD. The Future is where we all have to live. Let's not screw it up.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Default

Must have been a rookie driving the GT40. Missed more than half of the turn apexes and was on the brakes like a newbie. Just sayin'...

Cool video!
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2012 | 09:49 PM
  #3  
oldsarge's Avatar
oldsarge
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,977
Likes: 19
From: Canboro Ontario
Default

Just goes to show how great the 73 really is, unless you figure out what really happened. ???????
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2012 | 10:32 PM
  #4  
Deke736's Avatar
Deke736
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: Glen Carbon IL
Default

Cool vid! That Vette sounds great!
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2012 | 10:45 PM
  #5  
Supersonic_ZR1's Avatar
Supersonic_ZR1
Thread Starter
Pro
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 562
Likes: 10
From: Cutler Bay Fl.
Default

I sure miss my '73 coupe, awesome car. Had to sell it when my first child was born back in '85. My wife made me a promise back then that one day she would replace it but never thought it would be a 2011 LS9 ZR1! And a museum delevery on my 50th birthday at that. What a great gal.
Originally Posted by oldsarge
Just goes to show how great the 73 really is
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2012 | 07:42 AM
  #6  
Mako72's Avatar
Mako72
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,743
Likes: 845
From: Gulf of America
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2018 C3 of Year Finalist
Default

Reply
Old Jul 12, 2012 | 07:55 AM
  #7  
gingerbreadman1977's Avatar
gingerbreadman1977
Drifting
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,911
Likes: 2
From: gold coast queensland
Default

It sux when your brakes are toasted.
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2012 | 03:14 PM
  #8  
Vette5.5's Avatar
Vette5.5
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
Default

Fun video, but who know's what the heck either of those cars really were. From recollection, the fastest factory 73' Vette, was only 270 hp, so somehow don't think that was one of them. The latest Ford GT(no longer 40) is every bit a match to a C6 ZO6, so something kinda wrong there too.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 12, 2012 | 03:41 PM
  #9  
Supersonic_ZR1's Avatar
Supersonic_ZR1
Thread Starter
Pro
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 562
Likes: 10
From: Cutler Bay Fl.
Default

Originally Posted by Vette5.5
Fun video, but who know's what the heck either of those cars really were. From recollection, the fastest factory 73' Vette, was only 270 hp, so somehow don't think that was one of them. The latest Ford GT(no longer 40) is every bit a match to a C6 ZO6, so something kinda wrong there too.
Mine was one of the HUGH 270 HORSEPOWER coupe back in 1973.

It sounds pretty obvious from the video clip that either car is far from stock. And I don't have any information as far as what mods where done.

Last edited by Supersonic_ZR1; Jul 12, 2012 at 04:53 PM.
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2012 | 04:37 PM
  #10  
Roco71's Avatar
Roco71
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
Default

Pretty cool
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2012 | 08:59 PM
  #11  
Tom73's Avatar
Tom73
Race Director
25 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,148
Likes: 477
From: NM
Default

Originally Posted by Vette5.5
Fun video, but who know's what the heck either of those cars really were. From recollection, the fastest factory 73' Vette, was only 270 hp, so somehow don't think that was one of them. The latest Ford GT(no longer 40) is every bit a match to a C6 ZO6, so something kinda wrong there too.
The 73 was no where near stock, write up stated it was 600hp.
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2012 | 12:54 AM
  #12  
jsbwac's Avatar
jsbwac
Burning Brakes
Supporting Gold
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 20
From: New Jersey
Default

Very cool video. He hit that last turn just right and carried alot of speed to make the pass.
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2012 | 10:44 AM
  #13  
jcloving's Avatar
jcloving
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 945
Likes: 10
From: Winston Salem NC
Default

I think the GT40 left his mirrors at home. He did not even seem interested in racing, just slowly going around the curves. Cool video though.

I need to get a camera setup like that...so I can record my drive to work.
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2012 | 01:58 PM
  #14  
Billysvette's Avatar
Billysvette
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,373
Likes: 6
From: Baltimore MD
Default

I liked that vid,i found myself pushing in on the floor with my right foot trying to pass the gt40 The c3 had alot more hp at top end on straight away.
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2012 | 04:08 PM
  #15  
jr9170's Avatar
jr9170
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 13,238
Likes: 1,092
From: YANKEES UNIVERSE 70 454-LS5 500 ft-lbs Torque
Default

Originally Posted by Deke736
Cool vid! That Vette sounds great!
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2012 | 09:33 PM
  #16  
scottyp99's Avatar
scottyp99
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Default

Originally Posted by jcloving
I think the GT40 left his mirrors at home. He did not even seem interested in racing, just slowly going around the curves. Cool video though.

I need to get a camera setup like that...so I can record my drive to work.
Yep, probably just wanted to get his car out on a track for a little spirited driving and bragging rights. Can't really blame him, I'd probably be the same way in my zillion dollar car, out on a race track. Scared of wrecking it!

One of my "bucket list" dreams is to actually drive a car on one of the racetracks that I have driven on a zillion times in Gran Turismo!


Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2012 | 02:46 AM
  #17  
scottyp99's Avatar
scottyp99
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Default

Just got home from work, had a chance to watch the viddy with the headphones on and the sound turned up, and g*dd*mn!!!!! Makes my spine tingle! Oh! I'm getting all emotional over it!


Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 1973 Corvette Chases Down GT40





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:27 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE