Joe Chamberlain's IMSA Corvette

[Phred]

As an employee of Hatch Engine Service, I machined most all of J. Chamberlain's engines from the early 70's through 1985. I also assisted in the dyno tuning as back then we used manual control and recording as computer control was not yet available. We used a rudimentary electronic ignition, and I clearly remember ( stupidly ) standing right next to it to check the timing on the crank damper @ over 7k rpm while the turbo's glowed bright red. We did get it up to 950 hp, but figured it wouldn't be reliable during a three hour race. So we detuned it to around 850hp and it had large numbers of torque. I traveled with Joe to Daytona in 1980. As advised by GM, the big block would easily last 24 hours if it was kept under 7k rpm. Unfortunately, after 17 hours Joe's co-driver Dick Valentine lost a rear tire in turn three ripping up the drivers door and LR fender. I guess as time passes, horse power numbers tend to get inflated so I had to set the record straight.
Phred Lembkie