GMMG ZL1

[sYc]

Following GM's ban on racing, about 1964, the Grandsports were sold to the public. One of them was bought by Grady Davis (Gulf Oil). This is the car that Don Yenko and other Pittsburg area racers raced. Gulf Oil picked up where Chevrolet left off. They had their own R&D department, strictly for racing. They would run a 327 (on one of their many dynos) until it broke, just to find the weakest link.

As per the engine, is was removed early on, once the aluminum small block was ready. If memory serves me correct, it features some type of injection, such as a Hilborn unit. It has been several years since I have seen the engine and all of the documents that go with it, but I have no doubt it is legit, as well as all of the other Corvette racing artifacts that reside along side it, including the first trophy ever won by a Corvette (racing).

[Seattle Sam]

I have seen the Gran Sport that Supercars referred to, here in the Northwest. The original engine for it sits on a stand, and is quite a piece! It's a small block Chevy, with provision for a road tube at the top rear of the motor (all small blocks through 1967 I believe). But it's an alloy block, not iron! The Winters Foundry mark on the aluminum intake made for those four twin-throat Webers is also awesome..

I don't have a picture, but here is a link to a 1963 Gran Sport drive test .
-Sam

[ChrisS]

All 5 of the original Grand Sports are scheduled to be exhibited together this March at the Amelia Island Concours.