59 Racer w/ Euro history

[William O.]

I have a 59 (J595103639) that I think may have some race history. It has 2 4s with Duntov cam and big brakes. It has kilometers and mph on the speedometer and when I restored it I found parking tickets from Monte Carlo and French coins under the seats.
I know it was in Europe but haven't been able to trace it beyond that.
How many big brake cars were exported to Europe and were they raced? Can anyone help?

[James G.]

Re: 59 Racer w/ Euro history

I will research tomorrow. 58 thru 62 cars were raced in Europe. I have to do some serious digging to discover which cars. Tell me more about the car please. I care for C1 cars in the REGISTRY OF CORVETTE RACE CARS. see www.registryofcorvetteracecars.com

[Loren L.]

Re: 59 Racer w/ Euro history

When Cunningham/Camoradi ran at Le Mans in 1960, they were assisted by a GI serving in France who took leave that week and
volunteered. He was from upstate New York and had a '56 with him in France. His recital to me indicated that it was 1 of the 2 '56s then in France. His source?

[Richard P.]

Re: 59 Racer w/ Euro history

Loren,
Can you provide any more details regarding the 1956 cars? Previous owner of my 1956 purchased it in 1962 while stationed at Plattsburg, NY Air Force Base. Copper color with lots of pinstriping. At that time it had roll bar, kill switch in dash and had been hit broadside on passenger door. Ring any bells?

[Loren L.]

Re: 59 Racer w/ Euro history

Richard, can we assume that the car was registered in NY when your previous owner bought it - or was it a serviceman from ________? The Northeast would have been a hotbed for SCCA and all sorts of other autocrossing in the late '50s and early '60s, but without a name there's not much of a starting point.

[Richard P.]

Re: 59 Racer w/ Euro history

Loren, Thanks for the response but this is all the information I have. I can't assume it was registered in NY. It is derived from pictures given to me by widow of previous owner in 1976 and uncovered while restoring car. Thought I would give it a shot.

[Loren L.]

Re: 59 Racer w/ Euro history

Richard, has NY purged their MVD records or can you do a backtrack from your title to previous titles?

[Vinnie P.]

Re: 59 Racer w/ Euro history

Unfortunately NY was not a title state until 1974. Any car older than 1974 is transferred on a registration, which is proof of ownership and is still that way today.