Corvettes from three generations spice up a massive field at the 2018 Le Mans Classic
Marc Godfroy (FR) # 79 finished a remarkable 8th among 78 entries in Plateau 5, early to mid ‘70s classified by index of performance (like back in the day). Marc transformed this 1969 Corvette to looks and specs among several raced by the late Henri Greder. He bought the first of two C3 Corvettes originally raced by Frank “Skip” Panzarella in SCCA AP and Trans Am.
Jose Juben Zanchetta/Jorge Saud # 70 were 53rd among 79 entries in Plateau 3, late ‘50s to early ‘60s. It is an exact replica of the 1962 Corvette originally raced by Tony Settember and Jack Turner. The “real” car was found, restored and is owned by a collector on Long Island in the US.
An engine problem dropped Andy Dee-Crowne # 31 to third from last among 81 entries in Plateau 4, mid to late ‘60s. His 1965 396 cu in big block was the only Corvette in this race group. It was raced extensively in Europe having been shipped there after a brief history in the US.
# 71 M.Jully/G. Rivallon
# 31 G. Gouble/E. Excoffier
# 60 Ralf Huber/Guiterrez
# 27 A. Maverick. These C3 Corvettes were all transformed to looks and specs as they once appeared at Le Mans.
C3 “Sharks” raced at Le Mans inspire us to this day as portrayed by the 1/43 Vitesse Model Collection of David Palmeter.
These C1 Corvettes of # 69 Vincent Gleze/Olivier Monot and # 26 Edwin Stucky/Ludovico Jolly were transformed to looks and specs as they once appeared at Le Mans.
The # 59 1989 Peerless IMSA GTP Corvette (Lola 8811 HU-01) that was entered but failed to qualify in 1990 would seem worth an effort. It fits perfectly in the race created for Group C cars.
The Le Mans Classic under the aegis of the Patrick Peter Group and the FIA now draws 6 figure crowds. Held in even years only, this colossal historic race is on the “bucket list” of many a driver and fan.
Archiving Corvettes at the 2018 Le Mans Classic would not be possible without the kind assistance of Patrick Durand, publisher of AMP weekly Photosports Magazine. Many thanks!
