By Brett Hickman
I’ve written about Mike Bell’s three Corvettes of three different generations as a whole. However, his 1963 Stingray coupe is a special and rare car that deserves more attention of its own.
This car, which Mike calls Miss Blue Bell, is a replica of the 1963 Corvette Grand Sport Cobra Killer and is highly sought after as only five were produced. They were manufactured to compete against Carroll Shelby’s Ford Cobra sports cars.
Miss Blue Bell is street legal, but everything about this Corvette is pure race car … just like the five original Grand Killers.
Mike’s is an authentic production run car, which he says now is “old-school, modern tech.” It has been taken apart down to the frame then rebuilt on an all-tube chassis racing frame with an 18-point roll cage. The original big block engine was replaced with a 700 horsepower Dart SB big block 427 Stroker engine with a Hogan sidetrack fuel injection intake, headers and dual exhaust.
The engine is mated to a six-speed transmission with a Dana 3:73:1 rear gear and an axle with a 1989 Corvette ZR1 active hydraulic suspension.
Its original bucket seats were replaced with G-Force racing seats and a five-point safety harness. The dashboard was replaced with an all-aluminum racing dash with all gauges. It’s also equipped with racing hydraulic air brakes, which are adjustable on the console.
The original Cobra Killers came with two available racing hoods, either the European or Daytona, which differed in having louvres or air-induction scoops, respectively. Mike has the Daytona raised hood.
Miss Blue Bell is occasionally driven on the street and is frequently entered in SCCA road races. It has taken top honors in various car shows.
Mike is a 38-year member of the SCCA and National Council of Corvette Clubs of America. He’s also a member of the Hoosier and Shriners Corvette clubs.
I’ve written about Mike Bell’s three Corvettes of three different generations as a whole. However, his 1963 Stingray coupe is a special and rare car that deserves more attention of its own.
This car, which Mike calls Miss Blue Bell, is a replica of the 1963 Corvette Grand Sport Cobra Killer and is highly sought after as only five were produced. They were manufactured to compete against Carroll Shelby’s Ford Cobra sports cars.
Miss Blue Bell is street legal, but everything about this Corvette is pure race car … just like the five original Grand Killers.
Mike’s is an authentic production run car, which he says now is “old-school, modern tech.” It has been taken apart down to the frame then rebuilt on an all-tube chassis racing frame with an 18-point roll cage. The original big block engine was replaced with a 700 horsepower Dart SB big block 427 Stroker engine with a Hogan sidetrack fuel injection intake, headers and dual exhaust.
The engine is mated to a six-speed transmission with a Dana 3:73:1 rear gear and an axle with a 1989 Corvette ZR1 active hydraulic suspension.
Its original bucket seats were replaced with G-Force racing seats and a five-point safety harness. The dashboard was replaced with an all-aluminum racing dash with all gauges. It’s also equipped with racing hydraulic air brakes, which are adjustable on the console.
The original Cobra Killers came with two available racing hoods, either the European or Daytona, which differed in having louvres or air-induction scoops, respectively. Mike has the Daytona raised hood.
Miss Blue Bell is occasionally driven on the street and is frequently entered in SCCA road races. It has taken top honors in various car shows.
Mike is a 38-year member of the SCCA and National Council of Corvette Clubs of America. He’s also a member of the Hoosier and Shriners Corvette clubs.
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