Topic: Historic Trans Am

[ovr50]

Here is some racing I would love to go to in the next several years: http://www.historictransam.com.

Most races on West Coast US so might get there. Note that cars have to be original, and using only equipment available in the late 60s-early70s. Would be neat to see.

[Snowman]

Looks like fun…..I’m sure the racing is subdued….not too many willing to trade paint for positions with all them classics around.

(Message edited by snowman on November 08, 2004)

[ovr50]

Crap - I meant to open this in "motorsports" thread - that's what happens when you rush stuff. Sorry. Can it be moved? How?

[safristi]

Ovr asks ."Crap..can it be moved"..Try a laxative
stay away from the sTOOL softeners..!!!!...SHOOT Ovrs anal retentiveness held onta his posts...don't move man ..one fart and their history

[ovr50]

Well, Grant must have moved the post here to Motorsports = sure hope that didn't cause the server crater.

[safristi]

Sic Transit Gloria (aka Jeff1 & Mdx) Grant...

[georgethecar]

Check out the Trans Am story in the Great Canadian Motorsport History Project.

[georgethecar]

From the Great Canadian Motorsport History Project.

Comstock Mustangs

There is a chance that the first roadracing Mustang, preceeding the Shelby GT 350, was built by Comstock and raced in Canada in 1966. One of the archives volunteers is trying to write a story about it. The cars were driven by Craig Fisher, Eppie Wietzes and others.

Anyone have anything to add?

[ovr50]

Good stuff, George. Thanks.

[georgethecar]

Hi George!!... I really appreciate your reply!!!.... First of all I have to say there is no possibility that my car is an ex-Penske car (oh I wish!)… I have been prompted to look at the cars that ran in Canada because it is suggested that some of the “early cars� went to the Canadian series.. The problem is that my car seems to have been shipped to the UK in the “late 60’s or early 70’s� but we are not sure.. It was discovered in a london garage having “sat for 10 years� in 1979..

My car has all the hallmarks of being prepped for the 67 season and was actually built in October 1966.. I have been unable to find any photos of a camaro with the same shape roll cage as mine, and I am using the main hoop as the “fingerprint� of the car (ie the part of the car that is unlikely to have significantly changed..) The rear shocks have also been converted to “staggered� configuration as found on ’68 model camaro’s, or on ’67 model cars that were “updated� to 68 spec.. The car seems to have “disappeared� until it was suggested to me that a couple of Camaros were converted to Firebirds to assist in the Pontiac TransAm effort in 69, and that my car may have been one of them (Hence I had not seen it..)

I met Craig back in ’97 at Mid-Ohio and he has seen my car.. It didn’t appear to ring any bells with him..  

St Jovite TransAm in 1969 seems to be the key.. I have accessed their website and they have some great photos, but not of course of the cars that I want to check out.. aarrrgghh!!.. I have tried to contact the website photographer as I guess he / she must have more but I must have the wrong email address as I have not had any replies to my enquiries.. I have asked for various “named cars�… Can you put me in touch with any other photographers perhaps?.. That would be a tremendous help if you could, or even someone who has access to old race magazines or race programmes?

I hate to be a pain, but anything you can do to assist would be really appreciated!!

Best regards

Jeff

Jeff,
 
I know some things but they may serve to confuse more than clarify.
 
Craig Fisher did take a Penske Camaro after his first stint with Penske and brought it back to Canada where at some point it did run under Firebird bodywork but as best I know that car did end up back at Penske in Camaro sheet metal. Where it went after that, I don’t know.
 
What identifiers do you have?
I will ask Craig if he has anything to add.

Hi!
I wonder if you can help?..  
I own a 1967 Camaro that is rumoured to have raced in the TransAm in 1969 and particularly at St Jovite.. It is also suggested that some of the body panels were changed to make it appear to be a Pontiac Firebird (?).. There is also a suggested link to Jerry Titus and BF Goodrich (presumably sponsors?)
I am therefore searching for any info or particulary photos of these cars during that period, including 1968 and 1970..
Can you help or direct me to anyone that can help?.. I see that BF Goodrich are sponsors of your website so wondered if they may also have some archive material?...I have dates etc if that helps?
Best regards
Jeff Barley

[transamdriver]

Hello - I am new to this forum and would like to tell you that I am an old-timer who used to race a 998 Mini-Cooper at Harewood & Mosport in 66 & 67 - then purchased the ex Mo Carter 67 Camaro that Mo club raced in  67 (ex Shell 4000 rally car}. I club-raced this car in 68, then sold it to Al Richards in Toronto, but continued to drive it for him from 69-72 in CASC OR events and also at Sebring 69 and some 13 Trans-Am races from 69-72. This car sold end of 72 to a stock car races and wrecked at Pinecrest in 75- remains not found.
 Would also like to know where are the other Ont. Camaros etc that raced in the Trans-Am - Dave (Paul) Lawler's 68 Camaro (ex Steve Bell), The Mo Carter 68 Camaro, Jerry Daca's 68 Camaro, Mo Carter's 69 Camaro (supposedly destroyed in garage fire), Al Mason's 68 Camaro (drag-racer on east coast?), any of Gord Dewars's T/A cars, Camaro, Javelin, or Firebird, Don Duncan 70/71 Camaro - and any of the Que. region cars that raced in the T/A.  I am trying to help David Tom who founded the Trans-Am registry to authenticate these cars with as much info as possible.
  Any former drivers, crew members, builders, fabricators, welders etc who know anything about these cars, please contact me.  
  Thanks, Robert Barg, 604-721-1794 cell or 604-942-6685 res.

[ovr50]

Welcome, Transamdriver, to the Forum. A very interesting background you have - some of us are probably envious of those experiences of yours. Hope you get the info you're seeking.  

[jeff_barley]

Hi Bob!! welcome to the forum.. You will see that George very kindly posted my enquirey about the potential history of my Camaro.. David tom is providing some real assistance in my research, and I'm hoping with your "background" (!) you may be able to contribute?
Jeff

[redmist]

Are there enough cars – or intrest in Canada to have a series or even some closed to public club events? I raced at AMP in Nova Scotia for years and moved over to stockcars because the V8 was being replaced by the 4 cyl %>(  
I would dump my stock car in heart beat and build a clone, if we could get a bunch together – man I am tired of running around in small circles. An Old trans Am car could even do the targa of  Newfoundland !
Any one else want ta belly up to the bar ?
Cheers
Dale
www.remuda.ca

[so_cal_jim]

Hello Robert Berg. I just joined this site tonight. You will be pleased to know that I helped a good friend purchase Mo Carter's first 69 Camaro Trans Am car. As we understand, there were two cars built. The 2nd car was a Penske tub car with no vin. That car was destroyed in a 'barn fire' where stored many years ago.

At least this is the story we were told. The car we bought originally was a production 69 Z-28 when new and was yellow with black interior. Mo took it off the line and had his crew 'build' it to go racing. They repainted it red and white and the car raced 2 Canadian club races then entered in 4 or 5 Trans Am races including Lime Rock, Byner, Mid Ohio, Bridgehampton, and Mt. Tremblant. I don't have the records in front of me, so my recolections may be off a little.

David Tom has inspected the paperwork and has accepted the car in the TA Registry as car TA-088 as I remember.

We are looking for pictures and any history we can find to add to the authenication of this car. It has been entered in the Speed Week Races in Coranado (San Diego), California on October 8-9, 2005. I will call you in the next few days and get caught up.
Thanks for the help,
Jim Gessner for new owner Joe Freitas

[tenpenny]

"I raced at AMP in Nova Scotia for years"

I remember going there in the early 80s to watch the Honda Civics.....among others.  In another class, there was a woman with a twin engined prelude, if I recall.

[so_cal_jim]

Pleased to report the Mo Carter 69 Trans Am car was raced at the San Diego Speed Week Festival October 8-9, 2005. Shinny side up and no real problems. This winter, the 'show' motor will be upgrated with a little more umph......to better catch those Ford cars.

[ovr50]

Cool, I would love to go see those old Trans Am cars run but this year's schedule did not work for me, maybe in 2006.

[84im]

Too rich for my blood.  I've thought about racing a Datsun 510 in the Vintage Racing Series, or a nice MGB.  An old Porsche 356 would be nice, but they're so darn expensive.

[AVToller]

Was it Road & Track or Car & driver that described the 510 as Japan's answer to the BMW 2002? I think it was probably the single most important early Japanese car in North America. For the time it was reliable, economical, and slightly sporty to drive. It could be easily modified too.