Having purchased Grand Sport 005 from Hall/Penske in December of 1964 during the Nassau Speedweek, George Wintersteen set about preparing for the Sebring 12 Hours in 1965. One of Penske's top mechanics, Bill Scott, performed the work that included an engine rebuild. Few people realize, however, that the engine ended up being modified to displace 364 ci instead of the usual 377 ci.
Having taken an off-course excursion in Nassau, the Coupe required a significant amount of front bodywork. A stock Sting Ray front end was found and grafted onto the Grand Sport. To personalize the car a bit, the car went into the paint booth where the metallic blue was applied below the belt-line and over the fender flares, complimenting the white paint above. Highlighted by a thin red pinstripe, Grand Sport 003 was ready to roll!
Wintersteen enjoyed the financial freedom of substantial resources to back his endeavors, and the lack of restrictions that would be imposed by most teams! When one of the early Sebring practice sessions ended, Wintersteen had nobody to answer to when he decided to take the lovely white and blue Grand Sport out on the public roads. Such were the easy going sixties!
