Race car vin numbers

[Dan M.]

I have a 1960 Corvette in the shop that was raced. It has a very strange looking power brake booster mounted on the lower portion of the frame rail forward of the firewall. It also has tranverse mounted shocks on the differential housing. I have never seen this setup before. Can anyone shed some light on this car?

[Bill W.]

Re: Race car vin numbers

Dan I dont know what it is but I had a 54 that had the same power brake unit . If I remember it was a Bendix part .

[Jim L.]

Re: Race car vin numbers

Does your brake booster look approximately like this:



If so, you've got an old hydrovac booster, common on trucks and sometimes used on passenger cars with manual transmissions.

Jim

[James G.]

Re: Race car vin numbers

I agree with Jim, units like this were also used on 56-57 SEBRING cars. Your vin number sequence [ like low 2000's or high 5500's] etc may help identify the car. What state does it live. see the www.registryofcorvetteracecars.com for additional help.

[David B.]

Re: Race car vin numbers

I agree with Jim, units like this were also used on 56-57 SEBRING cars. Your vin number sequence [ like low 2000's or high 5500's] etc may help identify the car. What state does it live. see the www.registryofcorvetteracecars.com for additional help.

Jim,
Hydrovac was not used on 56 Sebring cars. May have tried it's use in testing different brake combinations prior to the 56 Sebring race on the 55 test mule. In 1957, the 2 production cars plus the SR were equipped with a highly modified hydraulic brake master cylinder set up that was triggered by a mercury brake switch attached to the upper portion of brake pedal. Can not say for sure if the the hydrovac was used with this set up. I was told this mercury switch system did work fairly well but all 3 set ups were completely removed after the race. I had all of these set ups at one time but can not remember where 2 of the 3 went. I took photos of the set up and might write an article on their use if anyone is interested.

[George J.]

Re: Race car vin numbers

Dave,
Please do. The early race history, and corresponding development, of the Corvettes is fascinating.

George

[James G.]

Re: Race car vin numbers

Jim,
Hydrovac was not used on 56 Sebring cars. May have tried it's use in testing different brake combinations prior to the 56 Sebring race on the 55 test mule. In 1957, the 2 production cars plus the SR were equipped with a highly modified hydraulic brake master cylinder set up that was triggered by a mercury brake switch attached to the upper portion of brake pedal. Can not say for sure if the the hydrovac was used with this set up. I was told this mercury switch system did work fairly well but all 3 set ups were completely removed after the race. I had all of these set ups at one time but can not remember where 2 of the 3 went. I took photos of the set up and might write an article on their use if anyone is interested.

Very interested David. JOHN JUSTO in Rhode Island owns vin #1034 that many of us novice enthusits think may be the #3 SEBRING race car. The car has many of its original parts with it, including a ''SIX'' leaf rear spring with the part number beginning with 010- signifying GM Engineering. It is defintatle a 684 car with ducting thru the body, original backing plates, drums etc. John needs that brake system. The # 4 car restored by Tim Partridge and owned by Jim Jaeger has the system and must be the one unit you know.

[Dan M.]

Re: Race car vin numbers

I agree with Jim, units like this were also used on 56-57 SEBRING cars. Your vin number sequence [ like low 2000's or high 5500's] etc may help identify the car. What state does it live. see the www.registryofcorvetteracecars.com for additional help.

Hi James, thanks for the info. The picture Jim sent to me looks like the unit installed on the car. The car is currently in Texas. The last six digits of the vin are 104467. I'm guessing the parts were added to the car for some type of racing, but I doubt it was a factory built car. Thanks for your help. Dan

[David B.]

Re: Race car vin numbers

Very interested David. JOHN JUSTO in Rhode Island owns vin #1034 that many of us novice enthusits think may be the #3 SEBRING race car. The car has many of its original parts with it, including a ''SIX'' leaf rear spring with the part number beginning with 010- signifying GM Engineering. It is defintatle a 684 car with ducting thru the body, original backing plates, drums etc. John needs that brake system. The # 4 car restored by Tim Partridge and owned by Jim Jaeger has the system and must be the one unit you know.

Jim,
Yes, I did sell that unit to Tim, along with FI unit etc.. I do keep pretty good records so I will try and "dig" out what happened to the other 2 units. Tower bugged me for the one that was on the SR unit (it was painted red) but I am fairly certain I did not send it to FLA.. As I am sure you are aware the 2 57 Sebring production cars did not utilize the air box intake (found it ineffective) but certainly RPO 684 with a few little important changes. No comment on the 6 leaf thing you mention.

[James G.]

Re: Race car vin numbers

4467 is a interesting vin number. It was made Tuesday March 1, 1960. The 1960 Cunningham race car # 2 is about 350 cars earlier, so it was made about Wednesday Feb 24, 1960. Being you car is from Texas, it may have been raced by a number of HOT ROD drivers of the day. Can you send me a private email with your phone or call me? I would love to visit about the car and options.

[William M.]

Re: Race car vin numbers

Re: John Justo?
Does anyone have John Justo's latest contact information since he has moved(his NCRS Member Profile is out dated)? If so, please email me at williamhmock@aol.com
Thanks, Bill Mock #93