Top 5 Greatest Chevy Motorsports Moments: # 4 Corvette At Le Mans

One of Briggs Cunningham’s Corvettes at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1960. Photo from www.briggscunningham.com

The 24 Hours of Le Mans has been held annually since 1923 and is considered one of the most prestigious automobile races in the world. Zora Arkus Duntov – considered the father of the Corvette – began the 1957 Corvette SS program with one goal in mind: Winning an overall Le Mans victory.

That dream seemed to be dead as the American Manufacturer’s Association joined the automakers together in a ban against racing in 1957. For a number of years Chevrolet, like many other manufacturers, stopped all official support for racing. While official support had ceased, the unofficial back-door support began.

Duntov and Ed Cole, then general manager of Chevrolet, unofficially joined forces with Briggs Cunningham to pursue a Le Mans class win for the Corvette nameplate. Showing up at the 1960 24 Hours of Le Mans with four Corvettes raised a few eyebrows, but did little to earn respect for the team.

The race started and the Corvettes were holding their own against legendary marques like Ferrari, Porsche, and Aston Martin. As the race wore on, the Corvette with driver John Fitch was clocked turning faster laps than the other teams.

By morning, many in the crowd were surprised to see the Corvettes still running. This was, after-all, the Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency, where racing teams had to balance speed with the cars’ ability to run for 24 hours without sustaining mechanical damage. American cars were not known for these traits at that time.

By the time that the race was entering its final stages, the number three Corvette looked like it could win its GT class if it could make it to the end. With team driver Bob Grossman at the wheel and less than four hours to go, the engine overheated. Le Mans rules prohibited adding fluids so late in the race and it appeared that the class win could be in jeopardy.

Soon the spectators, who had become enchanted with the underdog Corvette team, began shouting encouragement and waving American flags. Grossman continued on, pitting often so his engine bay could be packed with ice.

Years later, Grossman would say the memory of the ovation he got on his last lap still gave him goose bumps. Five decades after its 1960 class victory, to the great delight of Le Mans spectators, the Fitch/Grossman No. 3 Corvette was back at Circuit d la Sarthe in 2010, with 93-year-old John Fitch at the wheel.

About the author

Bobby Kimbrough

Bobby grew up in the heart of Illinois, becoming an avid dirt track race fan which has developed into a life long passion. Taking a break from the Midwest dirt tracks to fight evil doers in the world, he completed a full 21 year career in the Marine Corps.
Read My Articles

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