1969 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Greenwood Coupe

John Greenwood contracted with the BF Goodrich Tire Company in 1971 to run two 'BFG Corvettes' in FIA-sanctioned racing on the company's new radial tire for the 1972-73 seasons. Greenwood was an excellent race driver and had a creative engineering mind. His Corvettes's were given several modifications, including to the engine, suspension, brakes, appearance, and running gear. John's brother, Bert Greenwood, a great designer in his own right, sketched the 'Stars & Stripes' graphic. The Corvette's were numbered #48 and #50 with a third 'Stars & Stripes car, #49, slated for us e by BFG for promotions and shows. When the #50 car was damaged in a 1972 crash, Greenwood quickly converted the #49 show car, an actual factory L-88 T-top coupe with a ZL-1 engine, to racing specification.

All three of the BGF 'Stars & Stripes' cars intact and restored. This example, the 49 ZL-1 Corvette, was one of the three team cars sponsored by BF Goodrich during the 1971-73 season to showcase their new line of T/A radials. The list of drivers include John Greenwood, Bob Johnson, Dick Smothers and Don Yenko. Its first major win was at Watkins Glen six-hour race driven by Greenwood and Smothers to a first place in the GT category. In 1973 it raced at the 12 Hours of Sebring, Daytona 24 Hours and the 24 Horus of LeMans. It set the GT speed record of 215 mph on the Mulsanne straight during qualifying.

The list of Greenwood innovations include notched rear arms, rapid replacement radiator, quick camber adjustment and a new Chevy ZL-1 all-aluminum 427 cubic-inch engine offering 750 horsepower at 6500 RPM. There is a Muncie four-speed close ratio transmission, Minilite wheels with period NOS BFG radial tries, Greenwood racing front and rear suspension, and factory L-88 flares and molded plexi-head lamp covers.

In 2008, it was treated to a concours level restoration. It made its restoration debut at The Quail Motorsports 2008 event where it received 'Best in Class' honors. Later in 2008 it was invited as a center display car for the Corvette Racing Legends event at the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles. The car also received the Amelia Award at the 2009 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance and was selected for Bloomington Gold Grand Finale in 2009. The car was awarded the American Heritage Award in 2009, the highest award for non-street Corvettes by the National Corvette Restorers Society. In 2009, it was put on display at the National Corvette Museum for the Corvette Hall of Fame display. In 2010, it was invited to celebrate Corvette's first Le Mans win at the Laguna Seca ALMS race.

In 2011, the car was offered for sale at the Monterey, CA sale presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $750,000 - $950,000. As bidding came to a close, the car was sold for the sum of $638,000 including buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2011

This is one of three team cars sponsored by BF Goodrich during the 1971-1973 seasons. The #49 competed in the trifecta of sports car racing at the 12 Hours of Sebring, 24 Hours of Daytona and 24 Hours of Le Mans. The car was driven by John Greendyke, John Greenwood, Robert R. Johnson, Dick Smothers and Don Yenko.

#49 achieved 1st place in GT class in the 1972 Watkins Glen 6-Hour with John Greenwood and Dick Smothers driving. In 1973, it was campaigned at 12 Hours of Sebring and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. At the Le Mans event, it set the GT class speed record of 215 mph on Mulsanne Straight.

This car raced with the Chevrolet ZL-1, all-aluminum 427 cubic-inch engine, producing 750 hp @ 6500 RPM.