Tommy Lee Byrd, the Hot Rod Hoarder, is always finding super rad rides to highlight and feature in his videos and this one here is no exception. With a destroked Lingenfelter built small-block under the hood and all the right vintage parts, it’s a serious throwback that we love. Check out the writeup below and let us know what you think of this rad Corvette.
Video Description:
Destroying a ’63 Corvette split window coupe to turn it into a drag car was common practice in the ’60s and ’70s. These cars were cool, but they were not the six-figure collector cars they are today. And as it turns out, Corvettes are MADE for high performance driving, so the progression into racecar status is just nature taking its course. This example looks like a ’67 Corvette, and that’s because the front end has been swapped for a ’67 with the vertical louvers, and the split in the rear window has been cut out, being replaced with a standard ’64-67 Corvette rear glass.
The car was transformed into a drag car in 1969, and raced throughout the ’70s until it was parked in 1976 and left in long term storage. The car had John Lingenfelter engines throughout its racing career, starting with a 292ci small block, then going to a 255ci small block and finally a 302ci Small Block Chevy, which still resides in the car to this day. John Lingenfelter actually raced this car at the 1971 US Nationals in Indy, but it was a short-lived campaign. The car was ran in the Modified Production ranks, and originally had a Muncie 4 speed and Olds rear end. Later, it was upgraded with the narrowed Dana 60 rear end, 4 link suspension with coil springs, aluminum interior work, and updated paint job.
This car is a true survivor from the ’70s and even though it makes the Corvette purists weep because someone cut up a prized split window coupe, that’s part of what makes it cool. The car is fully functional and has made some wheels-up passes at the drag strip since its new ownership in recent years. Tom Clary is the proud owner of this historic drag car, and plans to preserve its history for many years to come.
