OT trivia on Grand Sports

[Kenneth T.]

I am curious about the two hash marks on the left fender of the early Grand Sport Corvettes. My understanding is that they began as recognition marks for the pit crew who only saw the left side of the car.

The new cars with the heritage package have the two stripes on both sides.

Anyone know what the real history on the location and reason for the hash marks?

Ken

[John H.]

Re: OT trivia on Grand Sports

I am curious about the two hash marks on the left fender of the early Grand Sport Corvettes. My understanding is that they began as recognition marks for the pit crew who only saw the left side of the car.

The new cars with the heritage package have the two stripes on both sides.

Anyone know what the real history on the location and reason for the hash marks?

Ken

Ken -

The "hash marks" on the fenders are an "invention" of the ad agency and marketing.

I spent many years researching the original five Grand Sports in great detail before I built my replica, and in the process gathered just about every photo ever published of all five cars everywhere they raced, both before and after they were re-bodied by Chevrolet in 1963. I've never seen one photo of any original Grand Sport that ever had any "hash marks" on the fenders.

When the Mecom (re-bodied coupe) cars made their initial appearance at Nassau in 1963, the Penske and Thompson cars had a 4"-wide piece of tape on the front portion of the header panel just inboard of the right side headlight cover (white on the Penske car and dark on the Thompson car, and none on the Hall car), and that's the only color identification any of the Grand Sports ever wore during their racing career.

[Kenneth T.]

Re: OT trivia on Grand Sports

John,

Thanks so much for the information. This has been kicking around with me and others for a long time. Seems it's "Just Bling!"

Ken

[Jim L.]

Re: OT trivia on Grand Sports

Anyone know what the real history on the location and reason for the hash marks?

They are of Shelby Cobra heritage.

There is a loose federation of west coast vintage racers who go by the name of Wild West Racers. Their icon was and is a pair of hash marks on the left front fender. Most of the Wild West Racers drove Fords, but a few soldiered on with Corvettes of one kind or another.

Bob Paterson, who owned Grand Sport #003, was a Wild West member and #003 dutifully wore a pair of hash marks.

When Guvmint Motors decided to honor(?) the Grand Sports in the 1996 model year, they copied the overall blue theme of #003, including white stripes and Wild West Racers orange hash marks.

The Wild West Racers were rolling on the floor laughing at GM Marketing's faux pas.

Jim

[Patrick N.]

Re: OT trivia on Grand Sports

Seen as one, two or three stripes on the 63 GS to identify drivers was my understanding but who knows?

Black in 2001 to pay respect to the Intimidator

[Jim L.]

Re: OT trivia on Grand Sports

Seen as one, two or three stripes on the 63 GS to identify drivers was my understanding but who knows?

That BW photo of #003 was made while Bob Paterson owned the car. Those are Wild West Racers marks on the fender.

Jim