Original 1963 Grand Sport?

[Bruce B.]

What type brakes were used on the Original 5 Grand Sports? Disc, metallic drum, etc?


Thanks.

[Michael J.]

Re: Original 1963 Grand Sport?

I do not know for certain, but I would guess maybe the top racing brake at the time GM had, the J56 package that went into Z06s. However, I do see some mentions of Australian made Girling solid disc brakes being used, but don't know if that is the original brake package. Here is the reference to that:


http://www.superchevy.com/features/1...-corvette-005/

[Bruce B.]

Re: Original 1963 Grand Sport?

Here is what I found: Girling solid disc brakes with solid rotors were used, from a article in Super Chevy Mag.
Thanks Michael Johnson.

[Jim L.]

Re: Original 1963 Grand Sport?

Here is what I found: Girling solid disc brakes with solid rotors were used, from a article in Super Chevy Mag.
Thanks Michael Johnson.

Girling solid discs with 3 pot calipers were used initially but proved inadequate. Vented rotors, similar in concept to what were introduced for production Corvettes in '65 replaced the early solid discs. AFAIK, Girling 3 pot calipers compatible with the extra width of the vented rotors replaced the earlier Girling calipers.

Jim

[Steven B.]

Re: Original 1963 Grand Sport?

Good morning Bruce! When the original white body 377 GS appeared at Notre Dame it had discs as described. Steve

[Bruce B.]

Re: Original 1963 Grand Sport?

Thanks Guys.
A Merry Christmas to all of my Corvette Friends.
Bruce B

[Jim L.]

Re: Original 1963 Grand Sport?

Here are photos of the front brakes, early and late. The rear rotors continued to be non-vented after the front rotors were changed.

[Duke W.]

Re: Original 1963 Grand Sport?

Thanks for the photos. It appears that there are two pistons on the outside and one on the inside of the first design, which is rather unusual.

Given about 50/50 static weight distribution a 1g stop will yield about 65 percent front weight bias under maximum braking, so the front needs about double the brake torque and heat capacity as the rear, which means solid rear rotors are okay.

The production disk brake system would have been fine with solid rear rotors (or narrow vented rotors) and two piston fixed calipers, but GM decided to use the same rotor and caliper castings on both ends as a cost saving move, but it cost some unsprung weight, and the piston diameters yield 65/35 brake torque distribution.

Duke

[Jim L.]

Re: Original 1963 Grand Sport?

Thanks for the photos. It appears that there are two pistons on the outside and one on the inside of the first design, which is rather unusual.

Precisely. That's what I meant when I wrote they are 3 pot Girling.

[Jack M.]

Re: Original 1963 Grand Sport?

Here are several GS brake images during development (from the Revs Digital Library):

[Michael J.]

Re: Original 1963 Grand Sport?

Great pictures Jack, thanks! Now after looking at those puppies, I am wondering how they performed compared to the more conventional drum and metallic shoes J56 big brake package in the Z06s.