Corvette writer/photographer/historian Richard Prince will be sharing what he calls “The Greatest Corvette Story Ever Told” during a special appearance this weekend at the International Motor Racing Research Center at Watkins Glen, New York.
Prince will be among the notables speaking during the free event from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 22 as part of the festivities for the Six Hours of The Glen race on Sunday, June 23. If you happen to be in town for the race, stop by 610 South Decatur Street on Saturday night and hear Prince and others tell about the fascinating No. 4 Camoradi Corvette that finished 10th in the 1960 Le Mans 24 Hours.
Prince’s in-depth story about the Camoradi appears in the March 2024 issue of Corvette Magazine, and it’s quite an interesting read.
Photo Credit: Richard Prince
But attendees at this weekend’s free event will be able to learn more first-hand about the Camoradi, the name of which comes from an Italian-sounding abbreviation for Lloyd Perry “Lucky” Casner’s company called Casner Motor Racing Division that he founded in 1959.
The ultimate salesman, Casner was able to convince Chevrolet General Manager Ed Cole and Chevrolet Director of High Performance Zora Arkus-Duntov to provide two new 1960 Corvettes complete with race options like the 290-horsepower fuel-injected V8, four-speed transmission, and Heavy Duty Brakes and Suspension package.
Photo Credit: Richard Prince
The No. 4 Camoradi Corvette eventually raced successfully in Havana, Daytona, Sebring, Nurburgring, Sweden, and Le Mans, but its story was just beginning. On the way to Britain’s famed Goodwood circuit in August 1960, it was crashed hard and left for dead. Old Corvettes have a way of coming back from the grave, however, and the Camoradi was no exception as its shattered remains were preserved by a Swedish policeman, then tracked down three decades later by Loren Lundberg, an unbelievably tenacious Corvette enthusiast from Glendale, Arizona.
During this weekend’s presentation, you’ll hear how Lundberg was eventually able to rescue the car, and how he and current caretaker Dominick Testa then went to great lengths to restore it and make sure its incredible story would not be forgotten.
Testa and Prince will be speaking during the program, along with Chuck Schroedel, part of the Camoradi Corvette’s crew at Le Mans in 1960.
Win a 2024 Corvette Z06 from the IMRRC
The International Motor Racing Research Center in Watkins Glen welcomes serious researchers and casual fans alike to share stories of race drivers, race series, and race cars captured on its shelves and walls, and brought to life through a regular calendar of public lectures and special events.
To help raise funds for the organization, the Center will soon be giving away a 2024 Corvette Z06 with the Z07 package, Ceramic Matrix Gray Metallic paint with Adrenaline Red interior, and Carbon Flash-painted Carbon Fiber Aero Package. You can learn more about the contest by visiting tapkat.org.
Source:
International Motor Racing Research Center
Related:
REVIEW: Corvette 70 Years – The One and Only by Richard Prince
[PODCAST] Corvette Racing Photographer Richard Prince Is On The Corvette Today Podcast
Corvette Racing at Watkins Glenn: Six-Hour Sprint
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