Thundering Thursday VOL 13-2 * Corvette Racing Dramatic Victory
Corvette Racing Rallies to Dramatic Victory at Fuji
Photo credit: TF Sport
As the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) nears its finale, Corvette Racing roared to victory at Fuji Speedway on September 28th. The No. 81 Corvette Z06 GT3.R, fielded by TF Sport and driven by Charlie Eastwood, Rui Andrade, and Tom Van Rompuy, battled back from an early penalty to claim the LMGT3 class win, their second of the season.
The team’s fortunes turned in the final laps, when Eastwood charged from an eight-second deficit to finish just behind the No. 21 Ferrari. A post-race penalty against Ferrari handed the Corvette trio their long-awaited first WEC win together.
“It was unbelievable,” Eastwood said. “Right place, right time, but also you have to execute. Everything went right in the last couple of hours, and I’m super pleased to finally get my first WEC win with these guys.”
With the victory, the No. 81 Corvette climbs to third in championship points, while the No. 33 Corvette Z06 GT3.R of Juncadella, Edgar, and Keating finished eighth and sits fourth overall.
The season concludes on November 8th at the Eight Hours of Bahrain, where Corvette Racing looks to finish the year in style.
Ends Sunday! Enter to Win a
2026 Corvette ZR1 with ZTK!
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The Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation will offer one lucky winner the opportunity to take home a 2026 Corvette ZR1 with the ZTK Performance Package! The King of the Hill returns with the most powerful V8 ever produced in America, and it’s the fastest Corvette ever with an official top speed of 233 mph! The ZR1 features a 5.5L twin-turbocharged DOHC flat-plane crank which delivers 1,064 horsepower and 828 lb-ft of torque! The ZR1 will be ordered in Sebring Orange Metallic with a 3LZ Jet Black Interior and you have until Sunday night to get your entries in to be part of this fantastic giveaway.
Thundering Thursday subscribers will receive DOUBLE BONUS Entries, so get your tickets now by Clicking Here!
Entries must be received by Sunday, September 28th, and the winner will be selected on October 4th.
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This Week’s Owner’s Corner
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Matthew C’s 1999 Fixed Roof Coupe
In late 2000 my father and I (me 19 years old at the time) were at our local Chevrolet dealer in Wellsville, NY. He was ordering a new 2001 Corvette and had his heart (as did I) set on Nassau Blue. The marketing materials still featured this color but to the dealers surprise, and ours, it was removed and no longer available…. he decided to go with an order for a Quicksilver coupe as a replacement.
I never forgot about the elusive Nassau Blue C5 and back in September 2016 I randomly stumbled onto CorvetteMike’s website and there it was, the unicorn!! A 1999 Nassau Blue Fixed Roof Coupe with 7k miles. We made a deal and I purchased the car sight unseen and had it shipped from CA to CO. The car is still with us in NY and has 7.8k miles… my boys, John who is 5 and Leo who is 8, love taking it to shows, parades and local cruise nights!!
Matthew C.
Coupes Gone Wild
A Corvette Like No Other
In 1967, Chevrolet offered a wide range of Corvettes — from modest small-block cruisers to wild big-block race cars. But if you wanted something truly special, you checked the box for RPO L68: the Tri-Power 427ci/400hp big block. This beautifully frame-off restored example wears side exhaust, aluminum bolt-on wheels with redline tires, and stunning attention to detail that makes it stand out from the crowd.
Where Luxury Meets Performance
While Corvettes were usually all about performance, this one shows that luxury was an option too. Inside you’ll find power brakes, power steering, power windows, a telescoping steering column, tinted glass, headrest seats, shoulder harnesses, AM/FM radio, and even factory air conditioning. It’s a rare combination that made this Corvette as comfortable as it was capable.The
Heart of a Bruiser
Lift the hood and you’ll find the legendary 427ci Tri-Power big block, rated at 400 horsepower. Backed by an automatic transmission, it gave drivers the perfect balance of muscle and drivability. Combine that with its extensive documentation — including an NCRS-validated Tank Sticker — and awards such as NCRS Top Flight and Bloomington Gold, and you have one of the most unique, highest-option ’67 Corvettes ever built. Definitely one for the discriminating collector.
Call or message today to see this in person!
A Factory One-Off Legend
The 1967 Corvette you see here isn’t just rare, it’s one of one. Built as a Factory Shop Order, it was specially commissioned for legendary salesman Bob Wingate by Chevrolet’s own Joe Pike. Delivered in striking Goodwood Green with black interior, it came with unique features straight from the assembly line: full-length racing stripe, American Racing Torque Thrust wheels wrapped in Goodyear Blue Streak tires, no front bumpers, and a distinctive six-taillight treatment that would later inspire countless custom builds. Even the Goodyear decals on the front turn signals are factory correct.
Special Touches for a Special Corvette
Step inside and you’ll see that Chevrolet spared no detail. Beyond the black interior, this car received a special Teakwood steering wheel, a feature not normally available on this configuration. The cabin reflects both performance and personalization, built exactly to Wingate’s specifications, making it one of the most historically interesting Corvette interiors of the era.
Power with a Purpose
Under the Stinger hood lies the legendary L71 427ci/435hp big block, paired with a 4-speed manual transmission. What makes it truly unusual is the wide-ratio M20 gearbox, a rare special-order choice over the close-ratio M21. Wingate specifically requested it for autocross competition, and it paid off. He raced this very Corvette successfully. With its original configuration restored exactly as it left the factory, this Corvette stands today as one of the most unusual, documented, and historic builds in Corvette history.
Call or message today to see this in person!
The Tale Of Two Tankers
1964 Big Tank Fuelie Coupe
Hall Of Fame Inducted
Black with Silver Interior
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This car was ordered by Ed Sullivan, a GM employee in the Marketing Section, from Luby Chevrolet in Denver, Colorado, around Christmas of 1963. He wanted a ’64 version of the Z06 he already owned, but with a reverse color scheme: black over silver instead of silver over black. The car was built on February 27, 1964, and delivered to him on March 6, 1964. Production had been delayed while waiting for special-order parts, and Ed even received a letter from St. Louis apologizing for the delay. By the time he took delivery, he had relocated to El Paso, Texas.
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By September 1964, Ed listed the car for sale in Road & Track, running ads until late 1965. He was unable to sell it at the price he wanted. The car resurfaced in 1975, catching the attention of California racer Jack Murray. By then, Ed had moved to Oregon, and the car showed just 12,657 carefully accumulated miles.When Jack inspected it, the car was sitting outside under a thin cover. The paint was checked and oxidized, but overall not in bad shape. In January 1976, Jack purchased the car and brought it to Southern California, where it was garaged. He displayed it at Bloomington events from 1987 through 1995, and in 1999 it was inducted into the Bloomington Hall of Fame. That same year, Jack attempted to sell it at the Road America auction, where bidding reached $225,000 but fell short. In September 2000, it went on display at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky, as part of the Concours d’Performance Exhibit.
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Jack eventually sold the car for a record price, higher than any other ’64 Tanker had achieved. In February 2002, its new owner commissioned a complete body-off-frame restoration under Gary Naber in Houston. The project lasted about a year, carefully restoring original parts wherever possible while leaving the interior untouched, which remains original to this day.This Big Tank has always been lovingly referred to as the Jack Murray Tanker, the best one ever discovered. RIP JackToday, it proudly resides in the showroom lobby of my dealership in Anaheim, California.Who will be its next caretaker?
Call or message today to see this in person!
1965 White Tanker
Duntove Award Winner
Once again, Corvette Mike has unearthed the truly rare and unusual!
This ’65 Corvette Coupe is something that most have never seen before!
Originally delivered to Roger Dean Chevrolet in Huntington W.VA, to a Dr. J. Evan Sadler Jr. A forensic pathologist who worked for the state (think C.S.I.) The good Dr. must have fancied himself somewhat of a “White Knight” that would be able to travel all over W.VA in comfort and performance, making limited fuel stops! Because this ’65 Ermine White w/White vinyl interior Corvette is equipped with the ultra-rare 36-gallon fuel tank option. One of only 41 Coupes so equipped! It’s believed that to get this Tanker built, it required a C.O.P.O. direct from Zora himself!
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It also happens to be loaded with some very desirable equipment. Such as: L79 327/350hp engine, Air Conditioning, M20 4-speed manual transmission, Posi-Traction rear end, Soft Ray tinted glass, Teakwood steering wheel, Telescoping steering column, Radio delete, Power brakes, Power steering, Power windows, Kelsey-Hayes knock off wheels, Goldwall bias ply tires.
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Amazing factory documentation includes:
Dealer Order, Dealer Invoice, N.C.R.S. Shipping Data ReportThe car has been meticulously frame-off restored and recently scored a 98pt. N.C.R.S. Top Flight at the National Convention in Las Vegas, NV! No easy feat!And the accolades have been impressive and many:
Bloomington Gold,
N.C.R.S. Regional Top Flight, N.C.R.S. National Top Flight,
N.C.R.S. Duntov Mark of Excellence Award.If you’re looking for a “hens tooth” that you can drive, your White Stallion has arrived!Call or message today to see this in person!
Price: Inquire
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Comic of the Week
sept4 25
Some Random ThoughtsMy favorite exercise is a cross between a lunge and a crunch… I call it “lunch.”I set out to be spontaneous today… but I scheduled it for 3 p.m.Whoever invented silent letters must’ve been really loud about it.
