John Fitch and Jay Leno

[Andy F.]

There is a great interview with John Fitch on Jay Leno's Garage website...a must see for Corvette fans. http://www.jaylenosgarage.com He is still pretty active for 91 years old.

[Robert I.]

Re: John Fitch and Jay Leno

In the video Leno mentions a book, "Racing Corvettes: The Early Years."

Does anybody know where that is available?

[Bruce B.]

Re: John Fitch and Jay Leno

I have searched for the book "Racing Corvettes:The Early Years" with no success.

But, there is a fantastic book on early racing called "Corvette Guide by Dick Thompson". It was published in 1958 and is really "entry level" Corvette racing. I have read my copy many times and it makes me wonder how Thompson and the other early racers ever survived.

[Jim L.]

Re: John Fitch and Jay Leno

He is still pretty active for 91 years old.

When he was 87, he made a run at Bonneville in a gullwing Mercedes. There was an absorbing PBS show about his attempt to set a record there. To learn more search for "A Gullwing at Twilight".

The man is amazing.

Jim

[Loren L.]

Re: John Fitch and Jay Leno

In the video Leno mentions a book, "Racing Corvettes: The Early Years."

Does anybody know where that is available?

It was recently put together by Art Evans of the California Fab 50's group, and, I think, to kinda go along with the Petersen Museum "Tribute To Corvette Racing" in October '08.
That "Tribute" was the reason for Fitch's trip to CA and it was probably during that time period that he and Leno talked.
We talked for a minute - he was autographing Art's book - and remembered the Scottsdale Regional where we had Mr. Fitch and the late Mike Pillsbury's Cunningham Corvette. He took Mike for a ride in the unlicensed Corvette there in Scottsdale.
Upon return, Mike's comment was to the effect "I've driven that car and I've just seen it do things I KNOW it can't do.".

[Clem Z.]

Re: John Fitch and Jay Leno

I have searched for the book "Racing Corvettes:The Early Years" with no success.

But, there is a fantastic book on early racing called "Corvette Guide by Dick Thompson". It was published in 1958 and is really "entry level" Corvette racing. I have read my copy many times and it makes me wonder how Thompson and the other early racers ever survived.

i have a copy of dr dick's book as i just saw it the other day

[Bill M.]

Re: John Fitch and Jay Leno

When he was 87, he made a run at Bonneville in a gullwing Mercedes. There was an absorbing PBS show about his attempt to set a record there. To learn more search for "A Gullwing at Twilight".

I had to laugh at his comment when someone remarked about going so fast at his age. He said something like "This is nothing; I just point it down the black line and floor it. I used to go this fast on a road racing track in the dark and in the rain!"

[Joseph T.]

Re: John Fitch and Jay Leno

It was recently put together by Art Evans of the California Fab 50's group, and, I think, to kinda go along with the Petersen Museum "Tribute To Corvette Racing" in October '08.
That "Tribute" was the reason for Fitch's trip to CA and it was probably during that time period that he and Leno talked.
We talked for a minute - he was autographing Art's book - and remembered the Scottsdale Regional where we had Mr. Fitch and the late Mike Pillsbury's Cunningham Corvette. He took Mike for a ride in the unlicensed Corvette there in Scottsdale.
Upon return, Mike's comment was to the effect "I've driven that car and I've just seen it do things I KNOW it can't do.".

I could not make it to the Peterson event where Art Evans debuted his book...but being on Art Evans e-mail list, I ordered his recent book Corvette racing the early years to be signed by both Art Evans and John Fitch. A few months later after the book did not arrive I e-mailed Art and asked the status. Art said he didn't know what happened...and that I should call John Fitch giving me John's number.

Not wanting to be a whiner..I let it go. Then about a week later John Fitch calls me and apologizes that I had not received the book as paid for but that he and Art ran out of books and in order to make things right..he would send me a special book from his personal collection.

A classic example of what makes John Fitch who he is...a winner!

Joe

[Loren L.]

Re: John Fitch and Jay Leno

Joe, a giant "Amen" to your statement about Mr. Fitch; no, make that MR. FITCH.

For your own benefit, look up the Tribute at the Petersen; copy the photo of those who were there as part of the panel and put the copy where you see it whenever you're playing with "Corvette Stuff"; then, do yourself a favor and promise to attend whenever one of those names appears in your area.

[Michael A.]

Re: John Fitch and Jay Leno

Here is some information I found on http://www.hotrodhotline.com/feature...8newsletter83/.

"On October 23, 2008 there was a unique racing Corvettes celebration at the Petersen Automotive Museum. It was unique because there were almost 20 legendary drivers present who raced Corvettes. I would venture to say that such a gathering has never happened before and is not likely to happen again. There was an afternoon symposium with most of the legends reminiscing about their glory days. In the group were Corvette Hall of Fame Members John Fitch, Dick Guldstrand (Mr. Corvette) and two-time SCCA National Champion Jim Jeffords. Others drivers included Bob Bondurant, Tony De Lorenzo, Joe Freitas, Lou Gigliotti, Doug Hooper, Davey Jordan, Bill Krause, Don Meline, Scooter Patrick, Bill Pollack, Andy Porterfield and Paul Reinhart. In addition General Motors sent Gib Hufstader (GM staffer in charge of racing parts and homologation.) and Doug Fehan, Program Manager for Corvette Racing. In the evening, there was a banquet. To help in the celebration, I created a book titled: CORVETTE RACING, The Early Years. It was printed in a very limited quantity, but there are a few copies left over. So long as they last, I am offering copies for only $19.95 each. To receive one, please use the form on the next page of this letter. Here's very special opportunity: John Fitch (who wrote part of the book and is featured in it) will autograph your copy personally for a $40 (or more) donation to his fund to fight the State of Connecticut that wants to take the home where he has lived for 50 some years. (John is a highly-decorated WWII injured POW veteran often asked by the State governor to participate in celebrations!) The book includes Corvette racing through 1960. The '56 and '57 Sebring's plus the '60 Le Mans are featured. The Sebring chapters were written by team leader and head driver John Fitch himself. Also included are remembrances by Dick Guldstrand, Jim Jeffords, Pete Lovely, Bill Pollack, Andy Porterfield and '57 SCCA National Champion Dick Thompson. There are loads of photographs including some from the GM Archives and others from personal collections. I want to emphasize that this is a one-time opportunity. There are no plans to print any additional copies. There were only 100 copies printed and quite a few were sold at the Petersen on October 23. You might want to think about giving a copy as a Christmas present in addition to one for yourself. All the best, Art Evans, 800 South Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach, California 90277. 310-540-8068, agevans@yahoo.com"

[Edward B.]

Re: John Fitch and Jay Leno

In 1974, John Fitch was asked to prepare a retrospective article on the 300SL for Automobile Quarterly (Vol.18, No.2). As part of his preparation/research for the article he spent the better part of one beautiful fall day at Lime Rock Park exercising my 1956 coupe so as to reacquaint himself with the handling characteristics of the type and to pose for numerous phogtographs. As one of the Quarterly staffers put it, "He can do some very clever things with that car." I can certainly second that comment, as several laps around the circuit with Fitch at the wheel showed me things that I would not have believed possible.

[Robert I.]

Re: John Fitch and Jay Leno

In 1987, I attended Monterey when Chevrolet was the featured event. Duntov, Fitch, Thompson, etc, etc, were there. All the big names. Later I wished I'd had them, or at least Duntov, autograph my air cleaner.

Yesterday, I was at Lime Rock. John Fitch was there and he signed my Air Cleaner.

Not that it matters, because I doubt this car will ever be judged, but does that detract or add to the points<G>?

[Loren S.]

Re: John Fitch and Jay Leno

Here's where you can order the book, I ordered a copy today:

http://www.enthusiastbooks.com/si/37737.html

[Edward B.]

Re: John Fitch and Jay Leno

In 1974, John Fitch was asked to prepare a retrospective article on the 300SL for Automobile Quarterly (Vol.18, No.2). As part of his preparation/research for the article he spent the better part of one beautiful fall day at Lime Rock Park exercising my 1956 coupe so as to reacquaint himself with the handling characteristics of the type and to pose for numerous phogtographs. As one of the Quarterly staffers put it, "He can do some very clever things with that car." I can certainly second that comment, as several laps around the circuit with Fitch at the wheel showed me things that I would not have believed possible.

With any fortune, I've now learned how to resize and convert so that this scan of a 35mm slide can be added as I intended to do when I first posted this item.

[Gerard Q.]

Re: John Fitch and Jay Leno

I've had the pleasure of meeting John at the Greenwich Concours and viewing his Phoenix which he drives to the event each year.