[PICS] Tanks for the Memories – It’s the Corvette Legends Invitational at MCACN 2022

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[PICS] Tanks for the Memories - It's the Corvette Legends Invitational at MCACN 2022

Photo Credit: Steve Burns


Each year the Corvette Legends Invitational at the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals (MCACN) pulls together a unique collection of the absolute best that Corvette has to offer. Past displays have included famous racers, L88s, and big blocks, among others.

The 2022 Corvette Legends display was something truly special. While consisting of just six cars, the collection still made a big splash throughout the weekend. Why is that you ask? That’s because this year’s display consisted of a complete set of “big tank” or “tanker” Corvettes.

RPO N03 – the optional 36-gallon fuel tank was intended for the endurance road racing crowd. The larger unit allowed for less frequent pit stops and a subsequent advantage over the on-track competition. The option package was first released late in the C1 era in very limited quantities. When the revolutionary 1963 Corvette launched it continued on with slightly more cars sporting the larger fuel cell. In 1963, 63 cars were produced with RPO N03 and most of those (50) went into Z06-equipped Corvettes. 1964 saw 38 built and 41 more were born in 1965. 1966’s output jumped to 66 units and just 2 were produced in 1967. Rumor has it that the 2 1967 units were built because only 2 big tanks remained in inventory.

[PICS] Tanks for the Memories - It's the Corvette Legends Invitational at MCACN 2022


Big tank Corvettes are relatively rare. They don’t turn up very often and collectors pay big bucks these days to gobble them up whenever one hits the open market.

The Corvette Legends display was located right next to the Triple Diamond area at MCACN and commanded a crowd all weekend. The 6-car display featured 1 Corvette from each year of the C2 era with a bonus car representing 1964. The Sting Rays were arranged in chronological order beginning with a 1963 Z06 racer once driven by one AJ Foyt. That white car was followed by a black on white 1964 racer piloted by Dave MacDonald. Next up was the 1964 365hp tanker we’ve shown here before. We first saw it at Bloomington Gold in 2014 where it was shown in barn find form. Later, we saw it in its current form at the 2015 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals after a Corvette Repair restoration. A superb white / white air-conditioned 1965 occupied the next spot in line. The 1966 model year was represented by a fantastic silver big block coupe with air conditioning. We loved the look of this car with its knock offs, gold line tires, and side pipes. Finally, the walk-through big tank history concluded with a white on blue L79 1967 coupe. We love the white on blue color combo, which really makes that car pop.

Remarkably, 5 of the 6 cars were owned by Dr. Mike Johnson, a collector out of New Mexico. Can you imagine having a full set of tankers sitting out in your garage? We’re just glad we don’t have to put gas in all those 36-gallon behemoths. Thanks to Dr. Mike and Doug Fortune, who owns the black 365hp car, for sharing them with us at MCACN this year.

Now, onward to our 2022 Corvette Legends Invitational gallery below.

Corvette Legends Invitational at MCACN 2022
Corvette Legends Invitational at MCACN 2022
Corvette Legends Invitational at MCACN 2022
Corvette Legends Invitational at MCACN 2022
Corvette Legends Invitational at MCACN 2022
Corvette Legends Invitational at MCACN 2022
Corvette Legends Invitational at MCACN 2022
Corvette Legends Invitational at MCACN 2022
Corvette Legends Invitational at MCACN 2022
Corvette Legends Invitational at MCACN 2022
Corvette Legends Invitational at MCACN 2022
Corvette Legends Invitational at MCACN 2022
Corvette Legends Invitational at MCACN 2022
Corvette Legends Invitational at MCACN 2022
Corvette Legends Invitational at MCACN 2022
Corvette Legends Invitational at MCACN 2022
Corvette Legends Invitational at MCACN 2022
Corvette Legends Invitational at MCACN 2022
Corvette Legends Invitational at MCACN 2022
Corvette Legends Invitational at MCACN 2022
Corvette Legends Invitational at MCACN 2022
Corvette Legends Invitational at MCACN 2022
Corvette Legends Invitational at MCACN 2022


Source:
Photos by Steve Burns

Related:
Big Tanks Set to Make a Big Splash at the 2022 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals
The Richard Cohen Collection of Five C2 Corvette Big Tanks is Headed to Mecum Indy
[PICS] MCACN 2015 – 1965 Big Tank Corvette Barn Find Restored

 



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