Corvette Funfest 2011: 1968 Le Mans Corvette #4

In 1972, the Dave Heinz-Bob Johnson racing partnership campaigned this 1968 Corvette at Le Mans – though officially not a “factory” effort, a little behind the scenes help from Chevrolet in the form of an L-88 427 engine and M-22 “Rock Crusher” transmission helped make things possible. Nothing is ever easy in racing, though – an incident in practice sent the car over a banner and into a wall, resulting in damage that the team thrashed to repair overnight, fixing the front end with tape and rivets to be ready for the race the next day.

The team finished 7th in class and 15th overall at Le Mans that year, and the car went on to finish third at the 1973 24 Hours of Daytona, and earned poll position for the 12 Hours of Sebring in that same year. Today, the car is part of the Mid America Motorworks MY Garage collection, and has an estimated value of $800,000.

A plexiglass deflector runs across the driver's side of the hood

Here's a feature modern Corvettes lack - A spare tire!

Small license plate lights are positioned on the doors and decklid to illuminate the competition numbers at night

About the author

Paul Huizenga

After some close calls on the street in his late teens and early twenties, Paul Huizenga discovered organized drag racing and never looked back, becoming a SFI-Certified tech inspector and avid bracket racer. Formerly the editor of OverRev and Race Pages magazines, Huizenga set out on his own in 2009 to become a freelance writer and editor.
Read My Articles

Hardcore Chevys in your Inbox.

Build your own custom newsletter with the content you love from Chevy Hardcore, directly to your inbox, absolutely FREE!

Free WordPress Themes
Chevy Hardcore NEWSLETTER - SIGN UP FREE!

We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request.

Chevy Hardcore - The #1 Performance Bowtie Online Magazine

chevyhardcore

We'll send you the most interesting Chevy Hardcore articles, news, car features, and videos every week.

Chevy Hardcore - The #1 Performance Bowtie Online Magazine

Chevy Hardcore NEWSLETTER - SIGN UP FREE!

We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request.

Chevy Hardcore - The #1 Performance Bowtie Online Magazine

chevyhardcore

Thank you for your subscription.

Subscribe to more FREE Online Magazines!

We think you might like...


streetmusclemag
Hot Rods & Muscle Cars
dragzine
Drag Racing
enginelabs
Engine Tech

Chevy Hardcore - The #1 Performance Bowtie Online Magazine

Thank you for your subscription.

Subscribe to more FREE Online Magazines!

We think you might like...

  • streetmusclemag Hot Rods & Muscle Cars
  • dragzine Drag Racing
  • enginelabs Engine Tech

Chevy Hardcore - The #1 Performance Bowtie Online Magazine

chevyhardcore

Thank you for your subscription.

Thank you for your subscription.

Chevy Hardcore - The #1 Performance Bowtie Online Magazine

Thank you for your subscription.

Thank you for your subscription.

Loading