1960 CORVETTE BIG BRAKE FUELIE EX-SCCA RACER

[FASTONE]

I put this car up for auction on ebay. If it doesn't sell, I am still trying to find the race history. Any help would be appreciated, even if it's just Vette or SCCA forums. Price is 79K OBO. I also have a huge stash of NOS parts that the new owner gets first dibs on. Thanks, Tom
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayIS...T&viewitem= (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=110304575661&ih=0 01&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&viewitem=)

[ChevyThunder]

Maybe this is your car with Bob Bonduarant driving http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

http://www.racingsportscars.com/photo/1961/Pomona-1961-07-09b-614.jpg

I would look throught the photos on the RSC web site and also go to Tam's web site and ask them to post a photo of the car and whatever history you have . Maybe that will turn something up

http://www.tamsoldracecarsite.net/

[FASTONE]

Thanks ChevyThunder! Does anyone know if Bob Bondurant's car has been accounted for? Or if it was a 59 or 60? Thanks
http://www.khulsey.com/stockphotography/corvette-bob-bondurant-race-car.html

[1967Z28]

It has been accounted for. It's a '59 and it is currently owned by Steve Earle (Monterey Historics).

-Jon

[FASTONE]

Just realized that in the August 63 results at Meadowdale Raceway (I reference that race in my ebay ad) Don Yenko finished first in his B Production Corvette, and in another race Donna Mae Mims finished first in an H Production Sprite (Austin-Healey?) Wasn't she Don Yenko's Employee? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[YenkoYS-199Stinger]

Donna Mae's Sprite is in Springfield, Mo. being restored by Jeff Moore of Automotive Archeologists. Donna Mae was nationalchampion in that Sprite in 1963. Jeff also has several Yenko Stingers including one of my old ones that Grady Davis purchased new. Donna Mae was Don's secretary and is still a blast to hang around with.

Here is a link to Jeff's site with pictures of the Sprite.

http://www.autoarch.com/

[olredalert]

------Bob Bondurant had a 60 as well and it also has been accounted for. We had it at Classic Motors way back about 1980. It also had been turned back to street duty (but just barely) and painted black. It had flairs and other modifications as well. One of the mechanics was out screwing around in it one day in front of Classic and while powershifting at about 70/75mph the hardtop took a side trip straight up about 50/60 feet in the air. Turned out it wasnt bolted down. He didnt get his Christmas bonus!!! Last I knew, Jack Podell had the car..........Bill S

[FASTONE]

Awesome story Bill, That's the best thing about this site....the stories and experiences are worth their weight in gold!!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Vettefinderjim]

[ QUOTE ]
Maybe this is your car with Bob Bonduarant driving http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

http://www.racingsportscars.com/photo/1961/Pomona-1961-07-09b-614.jpg

I would look throught the photos on the RSC web site and also go to Tam's web site and ask them to post a photo of the car and whatever history you have . Maybe that will turn something up

http://www.tamsoldracecarsite.net/

[/ QUOTE ]

Tom and I have reviewed all the history of the era. Both Bondurant cars have been found and restored. There were two 1959 cars, the Crown Sapphire # 614 Harry Washburn car that Steve Earle owns, and the 59 white / silver / red car that Paul Masse owned.

Many people are familiar with the Washburn Chevrolet Crown Sapphire #614 car raced by Bob Bondurant in 1959. What people don’t know that in 1959, Bob started the race season driving Paul Masse’s white / silver / red fuel option convertible with all the HD parts. Bob only changed cars in mid season, as he got free sponsorship from Shelly Washburn at the Santa Barbara Chevy dealership.

Bob won the B/P Pacific Division Cal Club SCCA title that year, and competed in over 15 races that year in both cars.

[Vettefinderjim]

[ QUOTE ]
------Bob Bondurant had a 60 as well and it also has been accounted for. We had it at Classic Motors way back about 1980. It also had been turned back to street duty (but just barely) and painted black. It had flairs and other modifications as well. One of the mechanics was out screwing around in it one day in front of Classic and while powershifting at about 70/75mph the hardtop took a side trip straight up about 50/60 feet in the air. Turned out it wasnt bolted down. He didnt get his Christmas bonus!!! Last I knew, Jack Podell had the car..........Bill S

[/ QUOTE ]

Hi Bill,
It was the Paul Masse 1959 car, not a 60. Jack sold it to John Goodman in Seattle in 2006. John restored it and took it to Bondurant's Driving school in April 08, and Bob drove it and John learned the course all over again in a solid axel Corvette. What most people don't realize is this car was raced by Paul and Bob in 59, and Bondurnt won 6 of the 15 races that year driving this car. The paperwork is impecable. Window sticker and all titles, including Buxbaum when you guys bought it from Gary Newer in 1975. I have copies of everything.

[FASTONE]

As always Jim, you are on top of it!!! Thanks again for all your help and guidance. Took the car to the Meadowdale 50th reunion but it was rained out. Couldn't make the make up date unfortunately.Tom http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

[FASTONE]

Jim, I took your advice on trying to get the car out there and get some exposure while searching internet sites for photos and info. I just bought an original 1958 SCCA member directory on ebay yesterday. That will give me the names of SCCA members in Decatur at that time. My dad or I will probably know some of them. Do you or anyone else out there have any suggestions on any forums or websites to post info on in my search for history? You probably saw in my ad that I came up with the name of E. A. Smith who drove a number 23 Corvette at Meadowdale in B/P class in a Aug. 1963 race. Don't know what year or color the car was yet. Thanks again for the help. Tom

[olredalert]

------Thanks for the correction, Jim. I assumed that the car at Classic was a 60 only because the Washburn car was a 59. Man,,,I can tell John G some stories about that car during its time at Classic. Im not sure weather he would laugh or cry. Dont know what was inside the motor but that car would flat FLY!!! Back then we just didnt value the car at all. It was just another fossil. How times change, huh????.......Bill S

[FASTONE]

I have found that the Mr. E.A. Smith that might have driven this car was from Bethel, Pa. If anyone knows him or knows his phone #, please PM me or call me at 419-234-2628. Thanks, Tom

[FASTONE]

My mistake, E.A.Smith was from Bethel Park, Pa

[FASTONE]

Donna Mae Mims in her racing days

http://www.barcboys.com/Drivers5.htm

[FASTONE]

Thanks for the help out there guys! I feel like I'm getting closer to solving this puzzle, and it may actually have a Don Yenko/Donna Mae Mims link!!! I still can't 100% say that my car is the number 23 car in the Meadowdale picture, my best evidence is the roll bar, windscreen and most of all the damage to the right rear quarter. I have attached a link to a picture of the 23 car being raced in 1963 at the SCCA Cumberland race. It's being chased by the same #77 Porsche as the Meadowdale picture. The owner driver of the #23 car is E.A.(Edwin)Smith of Bethel Park,Pa. Bethel Park is 12 miles from Cannonsburg,Pa., home of Yenko Chevrolet. I have noticed in my race research that every race I found that E.A.Smith drove in, Don Yenko drove in also. Is it possible that they were race buddies or even partners? Is it possible that the Corvette was purchased from Yenko Chevrolet. Can anyone out there put me in contact with Mr. Smith or his family? any help is appreciated. Tom Purdy 419-234-2628
http://www.nationalroadrally.com/photo/showphoto.php?photo=1409&sort=1&cat=all

[FASTONE]

E.A.Smith driving the same Corvette at Cumberland in 1962. #20 in C/Modified class

http://www.barcboys.com/Images/Cumber62/62Cumb-StartWeb.jpg

[Seattle Sam]

Forgive me for being a little off topic, but here's another interesting picture from that same web site - http://www.nationalroadrally.com/photo/data/3008/1182.jpg
http://www.nationalroadrally.com/photo/data/3008/1182.jpg

[FASTONE]

Car is still for sale. I will sell it without big brakes and/or wide wheels as just a FI car or even without FI unit.

[FASTONE]

Car is still for sale if you guys know anyone interested. I have a buyer for the big brake set up and the wide wheels. I would sell the car for 60K as is with the following exceptions: it will have standard brakes, full hubcaps, and 5" wheels with wide whitewalls. The car is all numbers matching and components correct and a great driver as is.