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This is the very Corvette, #3, that etched Corvette into the history books by capturing 1st in class and 8th overall at the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1960. Driven by John Fitch and Bob Grossman, they completed 281 laps and 2,340 miles in the 24-hour period to take victory and, thus, began the legacy of America's Corvette victories at Le Mans for years to come. The distance would have been greater, if not for the clever icing strategy employed over the last four laps of the race to keep the badly overheating engine from failing. Fifty years later, John Fitch was reunited with #3 at Le Mans as a reunion effort at the age of 92. It is the only one of the three Cunningham Corvettes to finish.
This 1960 Briggs Cunningham Corvette Race Car (Sebring and LeMans) has VIN #00867S102538. From the factory, it featured a 290 hp, 283 cubic inch (fuel injected) engine, a four-speed transmission, posi-traction, heavy-duty brakes, and steering, with Firestone Super Sport 170, 6.50/6.70-15 front and 7.10/7.60 rear (as race) - original tires.
Other factory options included a heater, radio delete, windshield washers, temperature-controlled radiator fan and 24-gallon fuel tank. Steward Warner gages, Halibrand quick-release fuel cap, Lucas driving and brake lights, Koni competition shock absorbers, Bendix fuel pumps (2), front additional sway bar, aircraft 'jump' seat, brake ducting, cooling duct for the driver, and 'Sebring' exhausts were added for racing.
Cunningham owned and raced many different makes of cars. His goal was to win the 24 hours of Le Mans race in an American car with American drivers. Briggs Cunningham was born in Cincinnati Ohio and raised in wealth and privilege. His passions were yachting, where he won the America's Cup and he was most interested in 12 hour and 24 hours road races.
John Fitch and Briggs Cunningham raced the car (#3) at Sebring in March 1960. Fitch was at the wheel when a Halibrand wheel broke early in the race.
Fitch and Bob Grossman raced the car at LeMans in June 1960, where it won its class (Grand Touring GT 4000 to 5000 cc) and finished eighth overall. Late in the race when Fitch pulled into the pits, one of the mechanics mistakenly removed the radiator cap and most of the coolant sprayed out of the radiator. Because of the rules, nobody was allowed to replenish fluids in under a 25 lap interval. So the mechanics packed ice from the Cunningham team's field kitchen on the intake manifold and engine block to cool the engine. It worked: Yankee ingenuity at its best. Bob Grossman crossed the finish line and placed 1st in the big GT class and 8th overall. This was the first time Corvettes raced at LeMans and it wasn't until 2001 that a Corvette again placed this high - same result, first in class, eighth overall.
There were two other Corvette entries:
- The #1 car was driven by Briggs Cunningham and William Kimberley was involved in an accident and was unable to finish the race.
- The #2 car was driven by Fred Windridge and Dr. Dick Thompson completed 207 laps before being involved in an accident.
This 1960 Briggs Cunningham Corvette Race Car (Sebring and LeMans) has VIN #00867S102538. From the factory, it featured a 290 hp, 283 cubic inch (fuel injected) engine, a four-speed transmission, posi-traction, heavy-duty brakes, and steering, with Firestone Super Sport 170, 6.50/6.70-15 front and 7.10/7.60 rear (as race) - original tires.
Other factory options included a heater, radio delete, windshield washers, temperature-controlled radiator fan and 24-gallon fuel tank. Steward Warner gages, Halibrand quick-release fuel cap, Lucas driving and brake lights, Koni competition shock absorbers, Bendix fuel pumps (2), front additional sway bar, aircraft 'jump' seat, brake ducting, cooling duct for the driver, and 'Sebring' exhausts were added for racing.
Cunningham owned and raced many different makes of cars. His goal was to win the 24 hours of Le Mans race in an American car with American drivers. Briggs Cunningham was born in Cincinnati Ohio and raised in wealth and privilege. His passions were yachting, where he won the America's Cup and he was most interested in 12 hour and 24 hours road races.
John Fitch and Briggs Cunningham raced the car (#3) at Sebring in March 1960. Fitch was at the wheel when a Halibrand wheel broke early in the race.
Fitch and Bob Grossman raced the car at LeMans in June 1960, where it won its class (Grand Touring GT 4000 to 5000 cc) and finished eighth overall. Late in the race when Fitch pulled into the pits, one of the mechanics mistakenly removed the radiator cap and most of the coolant sprayed out of the radiator. Because of the rules, nobody was allowed to replenish fluids in under a 25 lap interval. So the mechanics packed ice from the Cunningham team's field kitchen on the intake manifold and engine block to cool the engine. It worked: Yankee ingenuity at its best. Bob Grossman crossed the finish line and placed 1st in the big GT class and 8th overall. This was the first time Corvettes raced at LeMans and it wasn't until 2001 that a Corvette again placed this high - same result, first in class, eighth overall.
There were two other Corvette entries:
- The #1 car was driven by Briggs Cunningham and William Kimberley was involved in an accident and was unable to finish the race.
- The #2 car was driven by Fred Windridge and Dr. Dick Thompson completed 207 laps before being involved in an accident.
No auction information available for this vehicle at this time.
Recent Sales of the Chevrolet Corvette LeMans Racer
(Data based on Model Year 1960 sales)
1960 Chevrolet Corvette LM Chassis#: 00867S103535 Sold for USD$758,500 2021 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island Auction |
Chevrolet Corvette LeMans Racers That Failed To Sell At Auction
1960 Chevrolet Corvette LeMans Racer's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1960 Chevrolet Corvette Le Mans Racer | 00867s102272 | 2023 Mecum : Indy | $1,100,000 | $2,000,000 | $2,100,000 |
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1960 Chevrolet Corvette LeMans Racer
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