Less than 9 months after acquiring our ‘desert-stored’ 1954, today the rebuilt 1962 327 V8 engine was run for the first time, fitted into the fully body-off restored 1954.
Started first touch, run at very fast idle to bed in the new camshaft, oil pressure on the the Auto-meter gauges 80psi, falling to 60 psi hot, and no overheating. The 1959 T-10 transmission is running a new 1957 4-speed ‘ball and slot’ shifter. A correct cast-iron 1958 bell-housing hides a new Luk clutch , driving through an original 1956 3.55 axle.
This close replica of the first V8 Corvette, as developed by Zora Arkus-Duntov will be driving, if not MoT’d for the NCRS-UK Spring Shakedown on Saturday 9th April. Tom’s Le Shuttle crossing is booked for this car the 2011 Le Mans 24-hr on June 6th,
Click to see a short movie of engine running size 4.81mb
Click to see a long movie of engine running size 9.84mb