1966 Chevrolet Corvette

This exceptional recreation of the 1962 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport (also known as the Lightweight) is a one-of-a-kind example, uniquely signed by Dick Thompson, The Flying Dentist, who achieved more race victories than any other notable driver of the era. After driving and thoroughly inspecting the car at his Florida retirement home, Thompson deemed it the only Grand Sport recreation worthy of his signature, owing to its remarkable fidelity to the original. Meticulously engineered, this vehicle replicates 1962s car #5 (currently housed in Lakeland, Florida) while incorporating modern enhancements. The suspension is upgraded to a Corvette C4 system, replacing the original transverse leaf spring setup, and paired with advanced adjustable coil-over shocks, delivering superior handling. Even the frame mirrors the original design, constructed from 4-inch mandrel-drawn steel tubing. Performance highlights include a Moon cross-draft intake with four Weber carburetors, providing instantaneous acceleration from a Chevy 400 small block engine, producing approximately 475 horsepower. The Richmond 4-speed racing gearbox features a heavy-duty mechanical clutch, while C4 Corvette brakes ensure modern stopping power. Provisions for air jacks (two front, one rear) remain unmounted, preserving the track-ready heritage of the car. Period-correct details abound: true knock-off wheels, a vintage Stewart Warner fuel and rear-end cooling system, plexiglass headlamp covers, and a historically accurate interior. The cockpit features metal door panels, extra gauges, Lexan windows, and even an 8mm movie camera mounted on a roll bar. Authentic touches like the Grand Sport dash, speedometer, and tachometer complete the homage. This recreation is further distinguished by signatures from Dick Thompson and Bob Tullius, a renowned racing figure and manager of Jaguar Racing International, underscoring its connection to motorsport history.