Corvette Challenge cars -

[*89x2*]

These are some AMAZING cars


Hope to read some great thread topics in here

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y108/1989x2/challengehistory1.jpg

[ET-VIPER]

I AM LOOKING FOR ONE JUST HAVE NOT FOUND THE ONE I WANT.

STEVE

[90 Corvette ZR-1]

i will own one of these cars

[Vettelt193]

There is a black one in Tallahassee... Mainly Exxon sponsored from what I remember. I haven't seen it in a year or so now, and never managed to meet the owner. It was nice to see that the owner drove it. It's the kind of car that can make a Corvette lover out of anyone!

[Tom Bryant]

I agree. One of these would be the perfect addition to any true Corvette lover's garage.

[Tworacy]

I was fortunate enough to buy an 88 last May just before the 89 that sold at auction for a pretty penny. I was looking for an 89 but couldn't find one for sale so I "settled" on the 88. 8^) It was driven by Jeff Andretti and is still in "as raced" condition, so it is pretty cool to see that name on the side of the car and know it is real. Got to love how healthy those engines sound.

[racelance]

I was fortunate enough to buy an 88 last May just before the 89 that sold at auction for a pretty penny. I was looking for an 89 but couldn't find one for sale so I "settled" on the 88. 8^) It was driven by Jeff Andretti and is still in "as raced" condition, so it is pretty cool to see that name on the side of the car and know it is real. Got to love how healthy those engines sound.

Two-

Check out: http://showyourcorvette.com - it's a website I created because I wanted to keep track of all the Corvette Challenge cars & the R9G Corvettes. So I figured why not share it with the public?!?! If you wouldn't mind, please email me some digital pictures and a brief description of your car when you have an opportunity. I'm trying to fill up the information for all the '88s - as you can see I have already filled in all the info about the '89s. You can PM me.

I hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,

Lance

[bugsym]

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=12344&d=1168487692

Check this out.

This is a picture of my '89 before I drove it out of the showroom. Both of the cars behind mine are Challenge cars. The white one is an '88 and the lettered one is an '89. They're both for sale.

[racelance]

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=12344&d=1168487692

Check this out.

This is a picture of my '89 before I drove it out of the showroom. Both of the cars behind mine are Challenge cars. The white one is an '88 and the lettered one is an '89. They're both for sale.

Bugs-

The '88 is a Corvette Challenge car & the 1989 is not a Corvette Challenge car. Good luck selling your Corvette - it looking extremely clean.

Sincerely,

Lance

[bugsym]

Bugs-

The '88 is a Corvette Challenge car & the 1989 is not a Corvette Challenge car. Good luck selling your Corvette - it looking extremely clean.

Sincerely,

Lance


Lance:

This is a picture before I picked up my car........I'm the new, and very happy, owner. I was kinda clean, but I spent 3 days detailing it once it got to my garage anyway!

The '89 is, in fact, a World Escort Challenge car. It also ran IMSA Super Car. Although not a "Corvette Challenge" car, still pretty cool IMHO.

Hope to see ya at Carlisle!

[racelance]

Lance:

This is a picture before I picked up my car........I'm the new, and very happy) owner. I was kinda clean, but I spent 3 days detailing it once it got to my garage anyway!

The '89 is, in fact, a World Escort Challenge car. It also ran IMSA Super Car. Although not a "Corvette Challenge" car, still pretty cool IMHO.

You got it... I know the owner and the cars. Thanks for posting 'em.

I know how it is when you purchase a new vehicle - wash, wash, wash... it's fun! Good luck with it!

Sincerely,

Lance

[jr9170]

Lance,great job with the Corvette Challenge website,they are very important in the evolution of Corvette Racing and their story should be told.Keep up the great job with Corvettes at Carlisle,and as your father before you,you too are a great asset to the corvette Hobby.BTW when are the L-88 Shark Racers coming back to Carlisle,that was a awesome display of racers......JERRY

[racelance]

Lance,great job with the Corvette Challenge website,they are very important in the evolution of Corvette Racing and their story should be told.Keep up the great job with Corvettes at Carlisle,and as your father before you,you too are a great asset to the corvette Hobby.BTW when are the L-88 Shark Racers coming back to Carlisle,that was a awesome display of racers......JERRY

Jerry-

I agree these cars are without a doubt over-looked in our hobby. Someday I feel they will shine, they have all the right ingredients as their predecessors have in the past. I simply love the fact that each car is unique and they were built specifically for racing by GM. I was going to compile all of the information for myself, then figured why not share it with everyone on the internet. Glad you enjoyed it - I'll update it when I have time (that's tough to come by). The L-88 shark racers... you might see one or two in Chip's Choice this year if all goes well (no promises). Heck, that's the great thing about Corvettes at Carlisle - you never know what you're going to see...

I appreciate your kind compliment; I hope to see you in the near future.

Sincerely,

Lance

[SebringBill]

Lance,

Didn't you and your Dad get the "Car-b-que" Challenge car from St Pete?

I loaned Tyler my pics of both the 88 & 89 St Pete Challenge races but I don't know if he ever got dupes up to you. (If you're reading this, Tyler, take note - where's my pics??!?)

[racelance]

Lance,

Didn't you and your Dad get the "Car-b-que" Challenge car from St Pete?

I loaned Tyler my pics of both the 88 & 89 St Pete Challenge races but I don't know if he ever got dupes up to you. (If you're reading this, Tyler, take note - where's my pics??!?)

Yes, the number 33 '88 car is still in our collection. It sure doesn't look like it was ever on fire looking at it today. I'd love to post some of your images on http://showyourcorvette.com. Tyler - send those pics over (digital if possible).

Lance

[paulie]

I was looking at that http://showyourcorvette.com (http://showyourcorvette.com/) in the 1990 R9G option Corvettes. One of them has a picture of the race engine and it looks pretty similar to the production one because it still has egr and everything. What I want to know is if someone can shed some light as to what was so special about the race engine lol. I would have figured a different compression ratio and cam maybe...

[*89x2*]

I was looking at that http://showyourcorvette.com (http://showyourcorvette.com/) in the 1990 R9G option Corvettes. One of them has a picture of the race engine and it looks pretty similar to the production one because it still has egr and everything. What I want to know is if someone can shed some light as to what was so special about the race engine lol. I would have figured a different compression ratio and cam maybe...


My understanding, is the leftover 1989 Corvette Challenge engines were "available" to race teams, or they could build their own

[paulie]

I don't know about the rest of you guys, but don't the 89's look cool with the exhaust exiting out the rear fender just behind the tire? I'm sure it sounded pretty mean too.
http://www.showyourcorvette.com/1989_corvette_challenge_photos/1989%20Number%207/Carlisle2006403.jpg

[Tom Bryant]

I don't know about the rest of you guys, but don't the 89's look cool with the exhaust exiting out the rear fender just behind the tire? I'm sure it sounded pretty mean too.

I like that feature too.

[racelance]

I don't know about the rest of you guys, but don't the 89's look cool with the exhaust exiting out the rear fender just behind the tire? I'm sure it sounded pretty mean too.
http://www.showyourcorvette.com/1989_corvette_challenge_photos/1989%20Number%207/Carlisle2006403.jpg

I agree with you. I like the '89s over the '88s because of the side exhaust and the 6 speed transmission (plus I like the interior a little better too). Both years are incredibly neat cars - I just like the '89s a little more.

Lance

[Z07coupe]

Looking at those challenge cars, and reading your threads has caught my attention. Wouldn't it be great to own one, even an 'ordingary' challenge car would look great in my garage. A few laps at a vintage festival would make my day. They need to be preserved, but they need to demonstrate their reason for for being here. I almost cried when Mike Yager auctioned two that he had, and brought $16,000 each. (several years ago at the R & M auction).

Lance, I also agree that another display of the old racing heritage of the Corvette would make a great attraction. Actually, I have walked past 20 Bloomington Gold cars, just to see the dirty beat up racer in the back lot. They all look magnificent to me. Both you and I attended the BRIC event at Road America last summer. I was almost out of control (and I'm 59). I've known Bob Johnson and Doug Bergen for several years,but to casually chat with all the others, Guldstrand, Fitch, Delorenzo, and the rest, was just a wonderful experience. These guys have many great stories to tell, and like the WWII vets, we're loosing more of them as time passes. In 10 years we'll say, "Damn, we should have gathered those guys up every other year ". I can't speak for the rest of you, but I pay some attention to the current successful Corvette racing that is going on, but my real interest is in the time period when most all the work was done in small private garages around the country. Lance, If something similar to the casual events at the BRIC, could occur at Carlisle, I do believe it would successful. To be able to have book signings, Photos and discussions with the people that made it happen 35 and 40 years ago would certainly be a memorable experience. I would even drive from Kansas to volunteer to assist. Sorry for my rant, guys, but I was raised 8 miles from Don Yenko's garage, and met or knew several of his drivers. I guess that started it almost 50 years ago.
Z07coupe

[racelance]

Looking at those challenge cars, and reading your threads has caught my attention. Wouldn't it be great to own one, even an 'ordingary' challenge car would look great in my garage. A few laps at a vintage festival would make my day. They need to be preserved, but they need to demonstrate their reason for for being here. I almost cried when Mike Yager auctioned two that he had, and brought $16,000 each. (several years ago at the R & M auction).

Lance, I also agree that another display of the old racing heritage of the Corvette would make a great attraction. Actually, I have walked past 20 Bloomington Gold cars, just to see the dirty beat up racer in the back lot. They all look magnificent to me. Both you and I attended the BRIC event at Road America last summer. I was almost out of control (and I'm 59). I've known Bob Johnson and Doug Bergen for several years,but to casually chat with all the others, Guldstrand, Fitch, Delorenzo, and the rest, was just a wonderful experience. These guys have many great stories to tell, and like the WWII vets, we're loosing more of them as time passes. In 10 years we'll say, "Damn, we should have gathered those guys up every other year ". I can't speak for the rest of you, but I pay some attention to the current successful Corvette racing that is going on, but my real interest is in the time period when most all the work was done in small private garages around the country. Lance, If something similar to the casual events at the BRIC, could occur at Carlisle, I do believe it would successful. To be able to have book signings, Photos and discussions with the people that made it happen 35 and 40 years ago would certainly be a memorable experience. I would even drive from Kansas to volunteer to assist. Sorry for my rant, guys, but I was raised 8 miles from Don Yenko's garage, and met or knew several of his drivers. I guess that started it almost 50 years ago.
Z07coupe

Z07coupe-

Yes, no doubt that was a memorable event we attended! The gentlemen that attended the event are all legends, we were fortunate to have been their to enjoy the history that was brought up from the people that created it - that was a once in a lifetime opportunity!

As for the Corvette Challenge Cars that sold at RM Auctions - it wasn't that bad, here are the results from back then (keep in mind it was a NO RESERVE auction):

062FRI1989 Chevrolet Corvette Challenge #11 $34,100Sold

063FRI1988 Chevrolet Corvette Challenge #5 $18,700Sold

064FRI1988 Chevrolet Corvette Challenge #22 $18,700Sold

The results were not as bad as some people have made them out to be, here's a link showing the final results at RM: Click here (http://www.rmauctions.com/AuctionResultsSearch.cfm?AuctionYear=All&LotNum=&From=1988&To=1989&Make=Chevrolet&SortBy=AL&Model=Corvette&Sold=1&submitSearch=Search). Looking back, this was an incredible opportunity for someone to have gotten a GREAT piece of Corvette Racing history for pennies on the dollar. If those same cars would come up for auction today or sometime in the near future & brought the same or close dollar amount I assure you they would have a new owner (ME!).

I personally feel that was the ultimate low for the Challenge cars, it will be the time that everyone says... "Remember when you could buy a Corvette Challenge Car for $18,700...". The funny thing is, we're already saying this and it's 2007. I recently purchased a couple of these cars & wish I bought them this cheap! Notice the '89 held a decent value compared to the '88 - interesting; especially after reading peoples thoughts on this thread above.

Official factory GM Corvette race cars will always have a chapter in all of the Corvette history books - supply & demand is the key. Did I mention that I love these cars? :)

Lance