References are numbered in [brackets], which are listed here. A number after the dot gives the page in the source.

Last updated: 2012 September 14.

2003

January 4

• In Los Angeles, California, the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show is held, over nine days. Warren Mosler displays the mid-engined MT900, based on a Corvette Z06. [349.174] [490.22]

January 15

• In Scottsdale, Arizona, the Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction is held, over five days. 53 of 59 Corvettes are sold, for US$3.1 million. Some highlights (prices include buyer's fee):
  • 1954 black (only four built), red interior: US$79,920;
  • 1955 Gypsy Red, six-cylinder engine (only 10-14 built), white top and interior: US$73,440;
  • 1958 fuel-injected: US$114,480;
  • 1967 Marlboro Maroon convertible, 427-ci 435-hp, 25020 miles: US$116,640;
  • 1967 Rally Red coupe, 427-ci 435-hp, red interior, side exhausts, bold-on wheels: US$124,200;
  • 1967 green convertible, 427-ci 435-hp, 4-speed: US$129,000.
  • 1968 blue convertible, blue interior, L-88 engine, 13,590 miles: US$135,000;
  [215] [349.175] [540.18,71]

January

• The Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving begins featuring new Corvettes as instructional vehicles, as part of a four-year contract with General Motors. [542.8]

January 17

• In Phoenix, Arizona, RM Auctions hosts the Vintage Motor Cars auction. Mike Yager consigns eighteen Corvettes from his MY Garage Museum collection. All cars sell without reserve bids, for a total of US$584,100. Some highlights:
  • 1962 #7 Sebring Racer 327-ci 360-hp fuel-injection 24-gallon tank: US$50,600;
  • 1966 Tuxedo Black coupe 425-hp 427-ci M-22 4-speed side-exhaust 37,771 miles: US$79,200;
  • 1968 bronze coupe 435-hp 427-ci L89 4-speed 5200 miles: US$59,400.
  [395.58] [510.8] [542.6]

January 31

• At the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, the Daytona 250 race is held, round one of the Grand-Am Cup series.
  • Finishing 5th in GSI class and 5th overall is the Silverstone Racing Services #39 Corvette, driven by Larry Huang and Chris Hall.
  • Finishing 7th in GSI class and 7th overall is the Powell Motorsport #11 Corvette, driven by Devon Powell and Doug Goad.
  • Finishing 11th in GSI class and 11th overall is the Powell Motorsport #02 Corvette, driven by Mike Weinberg and Stu Hayner.
  [244]

February 1

• At the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, the Rolex 24 at Daytona race is held, round one of the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series.
  • Finishing 2nd in GTS class and 10th overall is the Morgan Dollar Motorsports #46 Corvette, driven by Charles Morgan, Rob Morgan, Lance Norick, and Jim Pace.
  • Placing 6th in GTS class and 21st overall is the Flis Motorsports #09 Corvette, driven by Paul Menard, James Briody, Doug Goad, and Paul Mears Jr. The car is not running at the finish.
  • Placing 7th in GTS class and 26th overall is the ACP Motorsports / Xtreme Racing Group #19 Corvette, driven by Anthony Puleo, Robert Dubler, Kerry Hitt, and Mark Kennedy. The car is not running at the finish due to overheating.
  • Placing 8th in GTS class and 27th overall is the Team Re/Max Racing #05 Corvette, driven by Craig Conway, Rick Carelli, Davy Liniger, and John Metcalf. The car is not running at the finish due to overheating.
  • Placing 10th in GTS class and 30th overall is the Derhaag Motorsports #40 Corvette, driven by Derek Bell, Justin Bell, Simon Gregg, and Kenny Wilden. The car is not running at the finish due to a failed water pump. The Corvette placed first in qualifying, but is forced to start in seventh place, behind the Daytona Prototype class cars, some of which did not even qualify.
  [215] [397.128] [244] [512.88]

(month unknown)

• Guldstrand Motor Productions introduces the Guldstrand Signature Edition 50th Anniversary Corvette. It features 427-ci engine rated at 500-hp and 520 lb-ft torque, Anniversary Gold and Cobalt Blue paint. Price is US$49,300 on top of cost of 2003 Corvette. Fifty cars are planned to be built. [400]

February 14

• In Chicago, Illinois, the Chicago Auto Show is held, over ten days. IntelliChoice awards the 2003 Corvette convertible best value in Sport class. [349.174] [397.128] [512.6]

February 16

• The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A new model red Corvette convertible appears. [755]

February 23

• At the Streets of Downtown St. Petersburg circuit in St. Petersburg, Florida, the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is held, round one of the Trans-Am Series for the BFGoodrich Tires Cup.
  • Finishing 5th is the Revolution Motorsports #2 Corvette, driven by Stuart Hayner.
  • Finishing 7th is the Revolution Motorsports #10 Corvette, driven by Bobby Sak.
  • Finishing 13th is the Derhaag Motorsports #49 Corvette, driven by Randy Ruhlman.
  • Finishing 15th is the Derhaag Motorsports #59 Corvette, driven by Simon Gregg.
  • In 19th place, but not finishing the race, is the McNichols/Cenweld #23 Corvette, driven by Bob Ruman.
  [215] [246]

March 1

• At the Homestead-Miami Speedway in Miami, Florida, the Nextel Grand Prix of Miami race is held, round two of the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series.
  • Finishing 2nd in GTS class and 4th overall is the Diman Racing #35 Corvette, driven by Mandy Gonzalez and Wally Castro.
  • Finishing 4th in GTS class and 11th overall is the Morgan Dollar Motorsports #46 Corvette, driven by Lance Norick and Rob Morgan.
  • Finishing 5th in GTS class and 13th overall is the ICY / SL Motorsports #76 Corvette, driven by Paul Alderman, Steven Lisa, and David Rosenblum.
  [215] [244] [397.128]

March 9

• The Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance is held in Florida. All five original Grand Sport Corvettes are displayed, made possible by organizers Bill Tower and Bill Warner. [488.25] [527.4] [534.44] [542.6]

March 14

• At the Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Florida, the 51st Annual Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring race is held, round one of the SCCA Pro Racing Speed World Challenge GT series.
  • Finishing 1st is the 3R Racing #73 Corvette Z06, driven by Phil McClure.
  • Finishing 7th is the Rathman Chevy #16 Corvette Z06, driven by Jim Rathmann.
  • Finishing 11th is the Metric Chemical #35 Corvette, driven by David Farmer.
  • Finishing 14th is the Black Dog Racing #25 Corvette, driven by Tony Gaples.
  • Finishing 16th is the Tiger Racing #99 Corvette Z06, driven by Thomas Oates.
  • Finishing 22nd is the Fastrack #45 Corvette Z06, driven by Rick Boysal.
  • In 26th place, but not finishing the race, is the Fastrack #46 Corvette Z06, driven by Adam Andretti.
  • In 29th place, but not finishing the race, is the Popeyes #52 Corvette Z06, driven by Henry Gilbert.
  • In 31st place, but not finishing the race, is the Courtesy Chevrolet #5 Corvette, driven by Don Campbell.
  [247]

March 15

• At the Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Florida, the 51st Annual Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring race is held, round one of the American Le Mans Series. Corvette is the official pace car.
  • Finishing 1st in GTS and 8th overall is the #3 Corvette C5-R, driven by Johnny O'Connell, Ron Fellows, and Franck Fréon.
  • Finishing 3rd in GTS and 26th overall is the #4 Corvette C5-R, driven by Oliver Gavin, Kelly Collins, and Andy Pilgrim. The car is not running at the finish, due to a broken driveshaft at ten hours.
  [215] [245] [534.23] (#4 is 25th overall [423])

March

• In Geneva, Switzerland, the Geneva Auto Show is held. ItalDesign unveils two Corvette Moray show cars, built in Italy based on a Corvette Z06 platform. They incorporate a 6.0-L 400-hp V-8 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, and custom carbon-fiber body. General Motors had no involvement, but allowed the use of the Corvette name on the car. [512.4] [520] [540.8]

(month unknown)

• Consumer Reports magazine names Corvette as one of the ten most influential vehicles of the past fifty years. Corvette is the only General Motors product on the list. [511.8]
  
  
• The Kelley Blue Book lists the current Corvette as one of ten new vehicles likely to retain its original value over the next five years. [512.4]

Other web pages of interest:

This Day in History

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Last updated: 2012 September 14.
Copyright © 1995-2012 Ken Polsson (email: ken@kpolsson.com).
URL: http://kpolsson.com/vettehis/
Link to Ken P's home page.