Delmo Johnson’s 1968 /1977 Corvette Vintage Racer “Delmo’s Last Corvette”

We would like to thank all of you that have helped and continue to help with the documents and stories on this Corvette Race Car. We will continue to add and change the description as new details unfold.

Dennis Collins

Texas legend Delmo Johnson’s Corvette road racing career goes to the virtual beginning of Corvette history. His first SCCA championship was in 1959 and his team mates have included Jim Hall, Roger Penske, Dave Morgan, and AJFoyt. His personal friendship with Zora Arkus Duntov gave him access to the Chevrolet racing ‘Skunkworks’ and  his 1959 championship began the long streak of Corvette Road racing victories that have continued to this day.

 Delmo and his famous team mates introduced the 1963 Corvette Lightweight “Grand Sports” to the world. Those 5 cars are among the most valuable race cars in the world and now sell for millions not bad for 1900 pounds of tubing, fiberglass, aluminum and steel. Delmo and the Grand Sport were what fans came to see, especially his battles with the Cobras of close friend and fellow Texan Carroll Shelby. The Corvette offered here today could not have a more illustrious pedigree. Three of  the principals involved in racing the Grand Sports have owned or driven this car,. John Mecom, Alan Sevadjian, and Delmo Johnson. After many years in retirement Delmo was encouraged by some Texas Racer Friends to come out of retirement He acquired this, his last race car in the early 90’s  From his old friend John Mecom. They agreed this car was a worthy successor to the Grand Sport. The car began life in 1968 as a race car .The car had a distinguished racing history, having been driven by the likes of Alan Sevadjian, and finishing first at the 1979 SCCA runoffs before being disqualified on a technicality. The car crashed at Road Atlanta in 1982 with Alan Sevadjian at the wheel when the throttle stuck. It flipped many times, where upon Alan emerged unscathed, placing an exclamation point on the importance of attention to every detail when  preparing a car to race at 3 times freeway speeds. The car was rebuilt and prepared to 1974 IMSA (International Motor Sports Association / SCCA GT1 specifications by Alan Sevadjian’s ,  Texas shop.. The rebuild and update were financed by Houston developer Gerry Chalmers, a 30 Year SCCA competitor , done without regard to cost . By this time big bore sports cars had become virtual “silhouette racers” with lighter bodywork and tube frames/roll cages. Not surprisingly, the Grand Sports were the first “silhouette racers”. The 68 had been fitted with 1973 bodywork prior to the crash because the C3 bodywork is so much more aerodynamic. The car was rebuilt using as much of the original as was practical but  as with all race cars making it as fast and aerodynamic as the rules would allow. Including the original roll cage with the original SCCA # 032518.,   safety systems and many of the original 68 parts .[ it still has the 68 control pedals]. The remaining Corvette parts came from a 1968 coupe. It has far too many competition upgrades to list; including has fuel cell, safety cage, Adjustable suspension, fire suppression system and   IMSA legal wide body configuration. It is equipped with Limited slip, differential cooler and  power steering cooler,  The safety cage doubles as a chassis frame improvement leaving the car many times stiffer than stock. The uninitiated will question the large gaps between panels. These are an amalgamation of well-proven aerodynamic tricks to allow high- pressure air to escape into low pressure areas . Cooling and down force are also benefited. Now you know, keep it to yourself. Bear in mind this car has always been a race car, driven by notable competitors and only three criteria were in effect; fast-legal-safe. The car was later acquired by Texas Race Team owner John Mecom a man who’s high standards are well known , and a mutual  friend of developer Chalmers and Delmo Johnson. Delmo had driven for Mecom when Mecom owned the grand sports, and Delmo persuaded Mecom to part with this wonderful car, .The sales price was not revealed but the rebuild of the car was well into 6 figures, “Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go” The 366 c.i.  Chevrolet small block pro-built racing engine is ready to race, having less than one hour since built. It is equipped with dry-sump lubrication, and accessories are state of the art and driven by cog belts. Its 750 cfm Holley carb flows enough air to permit 675 dyno- tested horsepower to turn the forged steel crank  This car is carefully prepared and is legal for 3 major  racing clubs.  All these clubs change their rules periodically and some minor changes might be required  by some clubs. 1974 IMSA cars are the newest and among the fastest cars in Vintage racing. At most events, its very arrival would cause competitors to be ok with second place. In most of these clubs the car can be updated to 1982 and backdated to 1968 with some minor “badge engineering”. To run as a 68 it would require new bodywork  [C2 and C3 chassis are virtually identical]. The car is sold  with both 15” and 16” wheels [4 of each]  This car will be supplied with signed testimony by Delmo Johnson and is autographed by him. Delmo will attend the event and be a featured guest. Delmo last raced the car in the Corinthian Vintage Racing Club in 1997 and it has not turned a wheel in anger since. It has just been restored cosmetically, has a fresh engine and is ready for competition or for just blowing off steam on track day. For a Collector this is the opportunity to buy the last race car [and probably the fastest race car]  of this real Texas racing giant. If you have vintage racing aspirations, it’s your chance to own a really quick car that is ready to go. If you want to run in the SCCA you can show your tail lights to the competition.  The fact that it has been driven and sorted by one of the most famous and successful Corvette racers of all time won’t hurt your lap times, or your pride of ownership.

 Roll Bar # 032 518

Legal weight 2850# / 675 hp    4.22 #/hp 

Engine 366 Chevrolet small block  

Cast Iron block/ Aluminum Heads 

4 speed Warner Super T-10 Aluminum Case  

Close ratio all synchromesh 

Rear Axle –Limited Slip type 

Lubrication- Dry sump Belt driven Pump 

Fire System On board- Halon

$79,000.00

Update: Vintage photo from Alan's wreck at Road Atlanta in 1981.

Update: Car Builder Jeff Weymouth: This Corvette is the same one that Fred Whitehead also drove to 2nd place in the 1978 SCCA National Championships. I am the one who originally engineered and constructed that car.  I have extensive pictures and details of it's original construction and early history.  The first picture it's in its 'Eagle' colors prior to its pale blue Wrangler sponsorship when sold to Fred Whitehead.  Note the door bars in the second picture.

The group photo was taken at Pacific Raceways, Kent WA in 1976.  The people from L to R are Vaughn Hoffman, myself (Jeff Weymouth, Dave Odom, Jim Neighbor, and Rocco Chicarilli.  The most valuable documentation is the 1979 April/May issue of Corvette News.  The cover car #3 is Fred Whitehead on his way to 2nd place AP SCCA Runoffs (1978), and inside is a 6 page layout on the construction of the car written by Dave Odom.

1975-76 Jeff Weymouth builds a Race Car

In 1975 a group of Washington-based racers decided to build a car to compete at the top level of SCCA racing. Local tire dealership (Hoffman-Neighbor) funded the initial enterprise with subsequent sponsorship coming on-stream from Wrangler Jeans. Jeff Weymouth would build the car and act as Crew Chief with Rocco Chicarilli. Jim Neighbor would drive. The car was completed for the 1976 season and ready to roll.

The new car was built on a 1968 chassis (wreck) which had been purchased from Southern California. However, once delivered to the shop, the team found that the frame was too rusted and damaged to use so a newer 1969 frame was acquired.

Specific innovations are modified front steering arms, in order to relocate the outboard tie rod ends to a lower position and further inboard, to reduce the front bump steer effects. This modification subsequently showed up as a part number in the John Greenwood catalog, according to Weymouth.

Another innovation was the 10-position adjustable anti-sway bar constructed from 4130 steel.

As the car neared readiness, Jim Neighbor spun off the track in practice at Portland at nearly 120 MPH, damaging about 75% of the body. The roll cage served its intended function. The car was repaired in about two weeks, with a slight re-alignment of the eagle graphic. Just as a matter of interest, the original graphic had a sideways-facing eagle with outstretched wings blended into the red/white/blue stripes down the side. After the accident, it was repainted with the eagle facing forward and a pair of very strong claws holding a Porsche and Datsun in its talons.

They raced the car in the 1976 season with no other major incidents.

Technical Details

References (any books/mags):         

• Corvette Renaissance – an Introduction to A-Production, by David A Odom, CORVETTE NEWS, Vol. 22, No: 4, April/May 1979, pages 24-29
• Road Atlanta Championships, by David Arnold, CORVETTE NEWS, Vol. 22, No: 4, April/May 1979, pages 4-6
• Corvette Outruns Porsche in SCCA Nationals, by David Arnold, CORVETTE NEWS, Vol. 23, No: 4, April/May 1980, pages 4-6
• Keith Martin’s Corvette Market Report #7, Spring 2009 pages 32-33.

TECHNICAL DETAILS:

Year:                           1968

Race Numbers:              1, 10, 47, 3, 2, 38, 00

 Owners/Drivers :               
Jim Neighbor                (1976-77)
Fred Whitehead             (1978-79)
JT Chalmers                (1980-81)
Alan Sevadjian             (1981 Run-Offs)
JT Chalmers                (__ to __)
John Mecum                (__ to __)
Delmo Johnson             (__ to __)

Race Series:             SCCA Trans-Am; SCCA Nationals, CVRA

ID Number:                SCCA # 032-518

Engine:          
           
Original engine in 1978 was a Bobby Allison race-prepped L88, with 850 Holley carburetor. It used a stock oil sump and a modified stock oil pump to scavenge oil from the pan to a remote reservoir. A single-stage Weaver pump pressurized oil back to the engine. When that engine was destroyed, a four-stage Weaver dry sump, Reed camshaft, Hooker headers, and a dual Chevrolet magnetic transistorized ignitions system were installed to improve durability.

Current engine is a 366 c.i.  Chevrolet cast iron small block with aluminum heads. It is a pro-built racing engine is ready to race, having less than one hour since built. It is equipped a 4 speed Warner Super T-10, with  aluminum case , close ratio all synchromesh transmission, limited slip rear and with dry-sump lubrication. Accessories are state of the art and driven by cog belts. Its 750 cfm Holley carb flows enough air to permit 675 dyno- tested horsepower to turn the forged steel crank. This car is carefully prepared and is legal for 3 major racing clubs.  

Driveline  (trans, gear, susp):
M22 4-speed transmission was fitted to the frame (from an automatic car) using a 1975 TH400 drive line. Both drive shaft and half shafts were balanced to the new car.
Front springs are from Guldstrand.
Brake calipers were rebuilt L88 (RPO-J56) units.
Guldstrand modified (rear) trailing arms and leaf springs were also employed.
A surplus helicopter oil cooler and a 12-volt pump were fitted for differential cooling.

Tires/Wheels:
Goodyear tires
25 – 11 x 15 (front)
27 – 12 x 15 (rear)
American magnesium wheels

 Other Modifications:
32 gallon Aero-Tech Laboratories fuel cell
Dual Holley high performance fuel pumps
Phoenix 11 lb fire suppressant system
Roll cage was constructed by John Sinkankus from 2 3/8 inch mild steel for the main hoop, and 1 ¾ inch steel for the balance of the support arms.

The body work was re-constructed using a 1973 front end with side flares purchased from the aftermarket. The full rear flares could not be used, due to SCCA regulations which prohibited the flares extending into the door panels. That portion of the flares was removed and the resultant opening blocked-off.

The dash panel was removed and accustom unit was installed, built from sheet aluminum and finished in black wrinkle paint.

American Eagle graphics for paint

List of Owners:
 

Hoffman-Neighbor        (1976 to 1977)
Fred Whitehead                (1978-1979)
JT Chalmers                        (1980-_?_)
John Mecum                     (_?_ to 1995)
Delmo Johnson             (1995 to 2009)
Dennis Collins               (2009 to 2010)

We will continue to update as new info and photos become available.

Thanks for your interest.