C3 Corvette LS6 Export Car - 1 of 1
The big-block versions of the 1968 Corvette, with its curvaceous body (based on the Mako Shark show car) mounted to the existing 1963 chassis, were shaping up to be overheating nightmares as introduction day drew near.
No wonder: the existing engines (the '68 Vette had the same engine choices as '67), were even more prone to overheating than before, being shoehorned into a more cramped engine compartment. The problem existed right up until its press preview in August of '67. Engineer Zora Duntov's solution: cut two holes in the underside of the front fascia, and enlarge the chin spoiler and close up gaps inside the fascia so that incoming air was channeled straight into the radiator. Problem solved. Big-blocks, like this 1971 454 convertible, ran cool as a late-fall day after that.
Moral: the simplest way is always the best. Something to remember as we turn cars into unrepairable, computer-controlled transportation modules.
C3 Corvette LS6 Export Car - 1 of 1
The big-block versions of the 1968 Corvette, with its curvaceous body (based on the Mako Shark show car) mounted to the existing 1963 chassis, were shaping up to be overheating nightmares as introduction day drew near.
No wonder: the existing engines (the '68 Vette had the same engine choices as '67), were even more prone to overheating than before, being shoehorned into a more cramped engine compartment. The problem existed right up until its press preview in August of '67. Engineer Zora Duntov's solution: cut two holes in the underside of the front fascia, and enlarge the chin spoiler and close up gaps inside the fascia so that incoming air was channeled straight into the radiator. Problem solved. Big-blocks, like this 1971 454 convertible, ran cool as a late-fall day after that.
Moral: the simplest way is always the best. Something to remember as we turn cars into unrepairable, computer-controlled transportation modules.