Don Yenko in new Corvette Racing book

[Dr. Pete]

Besides his Yenko Camaros, Don was regarded as one of the best Corvette racing drivers in the 60's and 70's. Corvette Racing Legends features Don Yenko numerous times in the book both in photos and in the text. It's a great book, and yes I am biased because I wrote it. You can see some sample pics at: Corvette Racing Legends Don was the driving force behind the Sunray DX L-88 Corvette racing team. I'll probably have to take a few more photos of Don Yenko in the book and post them on a separate page. But this should give you an idea of what the book is like. I'm not a regular here on your BB, but I did attend your Supercar Reunion back in 2003 when Joel Rosen was your keynote speaker at the dinner. Great night! Talk to all of you later. Pete

[PeteLeathersac]

Congrats on your book...the preview pics look great!.

Does the book include much on the actual 1966 L88 cars?.
The history of these never seems to be well clarified and I'm always looking for more information and facts..


~ Pete

[Dr. Pete]

Pete,

The only '66 L88 that I had positive information on was Penske's. That one had paperwork that went back to 1965. I know about the white '66 convertible that was raced by Mike Summers, but the only thing that I could clarify on that one, was the HD road racing options. Maybe I'll have more info for a companion book.

Pete

[PeteLeathersac]

That's the same two I knew of as well Pete but always understood it more the other way around with the later built roadster for Mike Summers ordered by Yenko closer to being an RPO car and the earlier Penske coupe built as a Shop Order?.

Is any of your info on the Penske and Yenko/Summers cars in the current book?.

Thanks!.

~ Pete

[Dr. Pete]

Zora Arkus-Duntov homologated the L88 parts for competition for the 1966 racing season. In other words, the L88 parts were approved for all Corvettes. It would not be a surprise that these new L88 parts would show up on newly prepared road racing Corvettes. The blocks however, were not specially stamped as L88, since they were originally L72 or a crate motor.

Pete

[72-SS-L48]

[ QUOTE ]
Pete,

The only '66 L88 that I had positive information on was Penske's. That one had paperwork that went back to 1965. I know about the white '66 convertible that was raced by Mike Summers, but the only thing that I could clarify on that one, was the HD road racing options. Maybe I'll have more info for a companion book.

Pete

[/ QUOTE ]

The white Mike Summers car is a L-72. Also has an M22, and 4:56 rear I believe. I know the car well.

-Dave

[olredalert]

------An east side Cleveland buddy of mine (Willy) unearthed the Summers car years ago. He sort of restored it and eventually sold it to (I believe) Kevin Mackay. I do know that Kevin restored the car and it came out beautiful. Not sure who owns it now. I think I am correct in saying that the Summers car was the only 66 and maybe the only midyear ever delivered with both tops deleted. looking forward to a good read soon.........Bill S

[bashton]

Looks like an awesome book, Pete.

How about joining us and selling/signing some books at our upcoming Chevy Vettefest? We would love to have you and you would be joining other great authors who will be there including Colin Comer, Jerry Heasley, Mike Yager, John Gunnell, Doug Mitchel and even Peggy Sue Garron.

You may already know that we featured the Yenko/Bushell racer at our show last year. I had the pleasure of meeting John Bushell and one of the early owners of the car who had a reunion at the show. It literally brought a tear to Mr. Bushels eye to see the fully restored car again after many years. The owners of that car will also be joining us again. (with several other cars).

Kevin McKay of Corvette Repair, Inc., the owner of the 66 Penske L88 Racer, will be joining us with this incredible car, which will be featured right up front.

Please consider this invitation and let me know if you have questions or need any additional information. www.chevyvettefest.net

Bob Ashton
Office (248) 373-1700
Cell (586) 549-5291
[email protected]

[Dr. Pete]

I have a short history and some photos on a '67 double top delete L88 that Dick Guldstrand sold new when he worked at Dana Chevrolet.

Pete

[Vettefinderjim]

Hi Pete,
Wish we had more time to visit at the PETERSEN CORVETTE RACE CAR TRIBUTE on Oct 23rd.

You need to ask Guldstrand about Len Butler's Gordon Wilson Chevrolet sponsored 66 L-88 Roadster. Mike Sepe restored the car in the mid 80's with fantastic photo history. The original transmission (a M-22 Rock Crusher) was still in the car when he bought it. It had Len's phone number in Salt Lake on the side cover. Mike called......and Mom answered. Mike asked the questions, and she said, "Well young Lenny works for a race car shop in Culver City, called Guldstrand Engineering."

As they say, the rest of the story is history. Mike purchased over 750 black and white photos from Mom that documented the cars history. Traco was very well involved as well as Gib Hufstader and his trench coat.

Mike sold the car due to a divorce in the early 90's. It was vintage raced 'hard' and crashed and is now in storage waiting to be rediscovered.