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Generation: C3 Year: 1969 VIN: Race Numbers: 38, 43 Ownership: John Viets (1972 to 197_); Kirk Kanney (197_ to 197_); Nick Sprinkle (197_ to 2006); Jim Herlinger (2006 to 2007); Tracy Gordon (2007 to present). Sponsors: self-sponsored Drivers: John Viets (1972 to 197_); Kirk Kanney (197_ to 197_); Nick Sprinkle (197_ to 2006); Jim Herlinger (2006 to 2007); Tracy Gordon (2007 to present). Status: Original Color: red Tires/Wheels: 15 x 8 wheels Engine: L46 350/350 HP small block Driveline: M21 4-speed close-ratio transmission, F41, G81, J50 Top: roadster - one top only Interior: red Condition: restored to near original condition for historic racing URL: Unique Characteristics: Modifications: Jeff had his first engine prepped by Jon Garrison (or Ron Moses) at Jim Green’s Performance Center in Lynwood (WA). The engine and transmission have both been replaced since that time. NOTE: Rick Stark and Ron McDuffie also used Jim Green’s Performance Center for their engines. The suspension also received a fair amount of attention, although, for the most part, the changes were not so unusual. The front suspension bushings were replaced with metal bushings. But these pieces kept rotating. John finally figured that they had to be tied down. John also replaced the front springs with the heavy duty factory option springs, with an extra ˝ of coil removed. This change had some unintended effects, in the form of cracks in the front spring pockets (mostly on the right side) as well as more cracks in the right side of the frame and cross member. The weld outside of the right channel had failed completely. John added extra gusseting to the upper and lower control arm supports, the shock towers, as well as between the lower suspension mounting brackets. This seemed to solve the problem. Notes/Race History: John Viets had purchased this 1969 red roadster brand new, for his personal use. John started to race the car in SCCA Solo events. Nothing serious but he was having fun. Then John had a small accident while driving in a rain storm back in Illinois. The car skidded off the road and ended-up in a ditch with about three feet of water. By the time the car was removed it had what could be politely called “flood damage”. At this point, John decided the car would make a good race car. He prepped it for SCCA B-Production Regional racing. John raced the car for the full season, maybe twelve races in all. He tied with Jeff Weymouth for 2nd place in the Oregon/Northwest Region. Unfortunately, that winter, John had a small accident getting off his snowmobile and severely damaged his right knee. As a result, he was late starting the next season. At the third race (Portland, June 22/79) he crashed into the guard rail. While he was stopped, he was rear-ended by car # 59. As John tells the story, he was safely stopped close to the guard rail on the back straight, the caution flags were out and waving, most cars had slowed and were going by on his left, all except # 59. This car was passing the cars that had slowed on the right. When John saw him closing very fast, there was not much he could do except to brace for the crash. The car was then purchased by Kirk Kanney. Kirk was working for Larry Park about that time as a Corvette salesman. He only autocrossed it three or four times and then sold it to Nick Sprinkle. The next buyer was Nick Sprinkle from Redwood City (CA). Nick is reported to have run the car just once at a “Track Time” event and then it sat another fifteen years in his garage. Nick died in an airplane crash (around 2006). Jim Herlinger bought this Corvette from the estate. As soon as Jim got the car home, he started working on it to get ready for some historic racing. His first event was at Laguna Seca (Spring 2007). Jim used the car for the balance of 2007 and then sold it to Tracy Gordon. Tracy Gordon has run the car in historic races since that time. Registry ID Number: 585 View Original Size  Courtesy John Viets |