Don Yenko's 61 Corvette race car

JoeC · #1 08-31-2002, 01:51 PM

In "Corvette Magazine" there is an interesting article on the 61 Corvette that Don raced for the Grady Davis team. It says Grady was a VP for Gulf Oil and had a research lab in Harmarville, Pa. outside of Pittsburgh. This lab had engine dynos that were used for research and also for the race cars. Attached is a pic from the article of Dick Thompson and Don.

JoeC · #2 08-31-2002, 01:53 PM

Don was a racing points champion in this car. The car has been found and restored to race condition. here is an old pic of the car.

**Kurt S** · #3 09-01-2002, 08:37 AM

I've been in that dyno facility that Gulf used to own. I don't remember who owned it at the time (Pitt?), but GM had it under contract (mid 80's). Dozens of engine running catalyst testing so GM could meet emissions.

JoeC · #4 09-01-2002, 10:27 AM

Is this facility in Harmarville still in existence?

sYc · #5 09-03-2002, 02:04 PM

Gulf Oil, located in Pittsburg, under the direction of R. Grady Davis, was VERY involved in racing in the mid to late '60s. Gulf became involved when Chevrolet banned racing projects in 1964. Gulf had their own facility, with state of the art computers, dynos, etc. This is where they did R&D for their race teams. Such things as taking a new 327 CI enginee, running it until it blew, to find any weak spots. Much of this information was passed along to Chevrolet. Gulf started out racing Corvettes, including one of the Grand Sports. Later they raced GT-40s and Porsches. Don Yenko was one of the drivers and also very involved with the cars. What assistance Chevrolet could provide was funneled through Yenko Hi-Performance. Part of the equipment from the dyno room is owned by a Corvette enthusiant in Pittsburgh. Tom

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