1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Fastback Coupe

The Mickey Thompson Corvette is one of six 1963 Z-06 Stingray's built late in 1962 to race at Riverside in October. This car, and one like it, never saw Riverside. They were destined to compete in a different sort of race for sports cars, a NASCAR-sanctioned event on the famous Daytona Oval. This meant the cars needed to be prepared to a different set of rules, the same as those for the big Grand National stock cars. The chassis was modified extensively and an experimental 427 engine was installed. The car was lightened in every way possible and weighed just over 2800 pounds. Extra fuel was carried in a specially fabricated tank
occupying the area behind the driver. Driven by Junior Johnson, this special car was the fastest qualifier at over 162 mph. Plagued by rain in the race, substitute driver Billy Krause finished third behind Paul Goldsmith's Pontiac and A.J. Foyt in another Corvette.

After Daytona, the Mickey Thompson Corvette was returned to California where the 427 engine was removed and the car was sold to a Southern California road racer. The current owner purchased the car in 1976 and began the process of figuring out exactly what it was. Chevrolet engineers divulged the car had been powered by an experimental 427 MK II 'Mystery Motor.' Thanks to Smokey Yunick, the Mickey Thompson Corvette and its special engine have been reunited.