After the Road America 500, Roger Penske had the 005 Grand Sport completely rebuilt. The legendary Traco shop injected their skill by tearing down the V8 Chevy motor and putting it back together with the kind of care that typifies them. The jacking and water pressure systems were removed for a savings of some 300 lbs over the Corvettes original weight. This rocket became known as the Light-Lightweight Grand Sport as a result.
During the 5-lap qualifying race, Shelby's experimental 390 ci aluminum block Cobra gave the Corvette's cause for concern. Luckily the new Cobra didn't last more than a few laps and so Penske was able to breath a little easier. With the Cobra sidelined, no car present could match the Light-Lightweight Corvette in a straight line and he easily went on to score the first in a Nassau hat trick. Mother Nature provided the greatest obstacle when the skies opened up late in the event. Nonetheless, Penske recorded a record lap of 93.03 mph and took home the Tourist Trophy, scoring the Grand Sport it's best result ever!
Sometime between the Tourist Trophy and Governor's Cup races, the Hall/Penske Corvette was sold to George Wintersteen to run at Sebring 1965. Wintersteen took over driving duties for the Nassau races but struggled with the unfamiliar car, a mechanical failure, and more rain! Despite repeated contact during the 250-mile Nassau Trophy race the Grand Sport kept going!
