"Corvette Restorer" Article on '56 Race Program Information

[Christopher R.]

In the current "Restorer" issue (Vol. 40, No. 4, Spring 2014), starting on page 43, is a great article on the 1956 Corvette racing program. There's some reprints of Chevrolet Engineering memos. On page 47, in one of those memos (Burrell to Rosenberger, dated July 12, 1956), in the 4th paragraph, there's a reference to "high temperature springs were installed in the car at Beverly, Mass.". Then it goes on to talk about "This race."

I'm trying to understand the reference to Beverly, Mass. I don't believe there was ever a race track there. Was there a Chevrolet, or racing facility, or dealership there that did work for them in 1956?

[Vinnie P.]

Re: "Corvette Restorer" Article on '56 Race Program Information

Chris...I suggest you contact the author, Dick Robinson, I can't answer your question but I'm sure he can. Don't know if he gets up here and reads the TDB but his contact info is at the end of the article

[Loren L.]

Re: "Corvette Restorer" Article on '56 Race Program Information

From the "Pinky Windridge" story in the Sept/Oct SCCA Sports Car "The course is one of the most interesting in the East, combining all of the speed of an airport with the tricky turns of a
road course.". In CP, Dr Thompson was 1st, Addison Austin 5th and Fred Windridge was a DNF, all in Corvettes. In the feature, Dick Perrins's '56 Sebring Corvette (CM) broke an axle at the start.

[Mark H.]

Re: "Corvette Restorer" Article on '56 Race Program Information

Haven't received my issue of The Restorer yet, but found this article from 'Sports Illustrated' covering the race. It was won by some ex-chicken farmer named Shelby. Wonder whatever happened to that guy: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vau...86/1/index.htm

Btw, the race course itself was the Beverley, Mass. airport. It look like the only two years they raced there were 1955 and 1956.

[David L.]

Re: "Corvette Restorer" Article on '56 Race Program Information

I live a few miles from the Beverly Airport AND YES it is well known that SCCA Held Races there in the 50's.

[David L.]

Re: "Corvette Restorer" Article on '56 Race Program Information

Chris , I actually have printed race programs and SCCA newsletters with race results in the late 50's SOMEWHERE . I collected these looking for my 58 possibly being involved there TO NO LUCK

[Gary C.]

Re: "Corvette Restorer" Article on '56 Race Program Information

Chris, excerpt from the Beverly Municipal Airport Wiki. Gary....

"SCCA auto races were held at Beverly Airport in 1955 and 1956. The inaugural races were held on July 4, 1955. Phil Hill was the 1955 overall champion. The 1956 champion was Carroll Shelby."