The 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Race Car: An Icon of American Motorsport.
The golden era of American motorsports is filled with remarkable tales of tenacity, engineering ingenuity, and blazing fast speed. One such legend is the 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Race Car, the only car of its kind campaigned by Alan Green Chevrolet and skillfully raced by Gary Gove in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) AP Class competition.
This exceptional machine was born at a time when the automotive world was witnessing a tectonic shift in performance and technology. It began its journey in the hands of Chevrolet's engineers, who painstakingly assembled the car around their newly minted 427 Cubic Inches (CI) L88 V-8 engine.
In 1966, Chevrolet embarked on a new venture to push the limits of its Corvette. Their weapon of choice was the HD427 L88 engine - a platform so new and potent, it was sent to multiple teams, including Alan Green Chevrolet, for reliability testing. This engine was a true marvel of engineering, showcasing the capabilities of the American automaker and its vision for high-performance automobiles. This specific Corvette, with its L88 heart, was primed for competition, ready to take on the world.
Interestingly, Gary Gove was initially scheduled to drive a race-prepped Lotus for Alan Green during the 1966 season. Gove, a well-respected racer, had previously cut his teeth in the driving seat of other competition vehicles such as a Cheetah and a Lola. However, the introduction of the L88 parts proved to be a game-changer. Upon learning of this potent platform, Alan Green decided to shift gears and sold the Lotus.
The Corvette, now designated as the team's primary race car, was prepped for competition by Gary Gove himself, along with mechanic Bud Weiser. The duo worked meticulously, integrating the L88 engine and fine-tuning the car to deliver maximum performance.
The results of their efforts spoke volumes. The 1966 Corvette campaigned by Alan Green Chevrolet quickly became a force to be reckoned with. With Gove at the helm, it was almost unbeatable, scoring three wins on Labor Day weekend of 1966 at Spokane. The car further racked up victories at Deer Park, Newton, Shelton, and Kent.
The string of successes culminated in Gove being the NE Region points leader and subsequently being invited to the prestigious 1966 Championship race at Riverside Raceway. The Chevrolet Corvette Race Car, armed with its L88 engine, had effectively cemented its place as a titan in the annals of American motorsports history.
