Driving the 1959 Stingray Racer: What It Was Really Like
Greetings,
When you look at the statistics of Bill Mitchell’s 1959 Stingray Racer, the numbers aren’t very impressive. The car weighed between 2,000 and 2,150 pounds, with the race-prepared 283 Corvette Fuelie pulling “officially” 315 horsepower. The stock 1959 283 Fulie was rated at 290 horsepower. So a 315-horsepower racing engine seems anemic. Additionally, the car that weighed 975 to 825 pounds LESS than the production Corvette. That’s a power-to-weight ratio of 6.35:1. Hmmm… that sounds like fun!
To download the PDF version of the October 1977 article about the 1969 Stingray Racer in Car Classics magazine, CLICK HERE!
The October 1977 issue of “Car Classics” had the full story
The attached PDF article from the October 1977 issue of “Car Classics” with the story titled, “Sting Ray Impressions”.
Even more fascinating than the description of what it was like to drive the 1959 Stingray Racer was who was driving the car?
Image: GM Archives
Dick Henderson had the BEST JOB, EVER, driving the 1959 Stingray Racer!
Chevrolet employee Dick Henderson had probably the coolest job in Detroit. Dick was part of the group called “GM Styling’s Special Vehicles Section” for the GM show cars that were saved. Most of GM’s Show Cars went to the crusher after their work on the Show Car Circuit was completed. More importantly, some of the show cars were saved.
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Henderson and his colleagues were charged with the responsibility of maintaining and regularly DRIVING the cars!
Imagine that. Getting PAID to drive Corvettes and other GM show cars on the banked Tech Center track! Now, THAT’s the job I wanted in 1977!
It was a tough job, and someone had to do it.
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To download the PDF version of the October 1977 article about the 1969 Stingray Racer in Car Classics magazine, CLICK HERE!
Enjoy the story. – Scott
PS – The chassis, engine, drivetrain, and suspension were from the 1957 Corvette SS Racer mule car!
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