When I finally summoned the courage to toss out my Corvette magazine collection going back to the ‘60s, I kept a few issues with stuff on legends like Dick Guldstrand.

First new Revelation

In 1966 when Roger Penske started his now famous team, Zora told Roger to hire Dick Guldstrand, the best available (not named Don Yenko or Dick Thompson). Guldstrand prepared and piloted Penske’s Corvette that won at Daytona and Sebring that year.

The following year, it was the same when Peyton Cramer hired Dick and Bob Bondurant to race the Dana Chevrolet Corvette that won over the crowd of Francophiles at Le Mans in 1967.

And in 1968 it was also the case when James Garner hired Dick to lead his A.I.R. team at Daytona.

Second new Revelation

Back in 1956, Dick was the service manager at Baher Chevrolet in Hermosa Beach CA during the week and raced this 1957 Corvette on the weekends.

Dick won 3 titles in this 1964 roadster. No other racer comes to mind who left his imprint on Corvettes from six (6) generations stretching fifty-seven (57) years from 1956 through 2013.

Dick designed the set-up for this 1985 Corvette for the Escort Endurance Series that ran through 1987.

Dick reskinned and modified the suspension of a C4 ZR-1 Corvette called the GS90 that was slated for sale at Corvette dealerships.

Dick tweaked the suspension, the front and rear stabilizer bars and installed heim-joint links that made the C6 Corvette handle better.

Third new revelation

According to an old proverb: “Ask me now and I’ll tell you in 20 years”. As it happened, the value has gone up for every race car that Dick drove. For instance….

Roger Penske’s 1966 L88 now owned by Kevin Mackay and Penske’s 1963 GS 001 big block roadster in the Harry Yeagy collection.

Peyton Cramer 1967 raced at Le Mans now owned by primo auctioneer Dana Mecum.

James Garner 1968 raced at Daytona now owned by a respected collector in the mid-west.

Dick winning at the Monterey Historic Races in ex Fred Yeakel 1957 fuelie now owned by Ron Erickson.

Dick with Bob Bondurant at the Corvette World Tribute at Road America in August 2011 before Dick passed away in 2015 at age 87.

Photo credits: NCRS, NCM, Vette Mag, Keepin’ Track, Bob Dunsmore, Jan Hyde

For those who wish to dive deeper, put on your AI hat and search for Christopher Phillip (Vette Magazine); Jan Morgan and Chuck Koch (Corvette Magazine); Scott Teeters (Corvette Report) and please feel free to contact me.

Still time to order our 2026 Corvette Racing Calendar with 13 new images

Photo art of C1 thru C8 Corvettes in action at Daytona, Sebring, Watkins Glen, Road America and more. New and renewing members can order here. https://www.registryofcorvetteracecars.com/membership