CRG Discussion Forum

Model Specific Discussions => Trans-Am Camaros => Topic started by: Steve Shauger on February 02, 2014, 03:46:27 AM

Title: 1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing
Post by: Steve Shauger on February 02, 2014, 03:46:27 AM
Hi Jon, I know for probably 10 plus years I've stated that I would post some Penske Trans Am footage. Well Tonight I made my first attempt. A little background first; I was fortunate enough to grow up in Newtown Sq. Pa. which was the location of the Penske race shop (they had two locations) from 1965ish to 1971. Anyway I became friends with a Penske Team member Bill Scott (Scotty). Scotty He was involved with the team from the very beginning and in fact was the chief mechanic on the Grand Sport Corvette and worked for Sun Oil at their R&D location. Bill was a mentor to me and helped me understand building engines and guided me through building my first stroked LT1(Traco did the machining). That was many years ago and he has since passed. He gave me this video and this is the first time I made it available. I will add more races and provide a DVD to Jon Mello since he has tirelessly contributed so much to the site, and kept the Trans Am Series alive. Thanks Jon....

Here's a link to the videos....

http://www.youtube.com/user/MrSshauger
Title: Re: 1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing
Post by: 69Z28-RS on February 02, 2014, 04:21:11 AM
Steve,

I really enjoyed seeing the actual T/A race footage, from Daytona and Sebring..  It was great.. :)

Now, unless you want me to tell them (based on info you told me)...   YOU should tell everyone what kind of car that Mark Donahue drove in his personal life.. :)

Gary
Title: Re: 1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing
Post by: Jon Mello on February 02, 2014, 04:51:12 AM
Steve, many thanks for posting the link to those videos. I really appreciate your contribution to this site and helping keep the interest in these cars and the old Trans-Am series alive.
Title: Re: 1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing
Post by: Steve Shauger on February 02, 2014, 04:55:18 AM
Hi Gary, as I mentioned to you, in 1969 while riding my bicycle on Bishop Hollow Rd (Newtown Sq.) I saw an orange with black stripe Z28 power sliding into the Sun Oil R& D facility. At the time I didn't know it was Mark, but Bill Scott confirmed to me years later that it was Donohue most likely picking up parts. When Mark passed away in Aug of 1975 it was a very devastating time, and I set a goal to find a 69 Z28 identical to the one I remember Mark driving.  It took a year (1976) but my first muscle car was a 69 Z28 hugger orange with black stripes. Fast forward to 2010 and there it was, more confirmation in this book.
Title: Re: 1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing
Post by: 69Z28-RS on February 02, 2014, 05:09:52 AM
OK Bullitt.. and KurtS...   I hope both you guys read that..    Mark Donahue chose for his PERSONAL RIDE..  an orange/blackstripe/blacktop '69 Z28..
so you fellas can now join in the 'ORANGE SONG'...   :)
Title: Re: 1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing
Post by: SMKZ28 on February 02, 2014, 09:50:48 PM
Thanks Steve for posting these.  I remember seeing some of the footage in an old Camaro documentary I have on VHS from the 1980's but I had never seen all of it.  I especially love the footage showing the 1968 Camaro pace car at Mid Ohio and the 1969 Camaro pace car(s) at Daytona!
Title: Re: 1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing
Post by: Steve Shauger on February 06, 2014, 04:02:46 AM
I just added five 1970 Trans Am races.
Title: Re: 1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing
Post by: OG69Z on February 06, 2014, 04:51:29 AM
Steve, thanks so much  for sharing your videos.  They are terrific! 
    I'll be watching them  many times.
Robert
Title: Re: 1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing
Post by: 69Z28-RS on February 06, 2014, 05:00:32 AM
I just added five 1970 Trans Am races.
I only found four, Lime rock, laguna seca, bryar, and bridgehampton..  What did I miss ?  
Thanks for posting there...  I'm not complaining, just wanting more. :)
Title: Re: 1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing
Post by: Steve Shauger on February 06, 2014, 03:46:19 PM
Mid- Ohio didn't upload, but is up now. Although the quality isn't great, it's amazing the insight you gain on what the Penske team was going through and how driven his team was even back in the day. Yep a formula for success....


Steve
Title: Re: 1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing
Post by: 69Z28-RS on February 06, 2014, 03:54:11 PM
thanks Steve.. :)       
The only thing that would make it better, would be Donahue (or someone) in a Camaro, and winning...
Title: Re: 1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing
Post by: BULLITT65 on February 06, 2014, 06:34:14 PM
OK Bullitt.. and KurtS...   I hope both you guys read that..    Mark Donahue chose for his PERSONAL RIDE..  an orange/blackstripe/blacktop '69 Z28..
so you fellas can now join in the 'ORANGE SONG'...   :)
I read the the other day that Mark was color blind..... ;D
Title: Re: 1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing
Post by: BULLITT65 on February 06, 2014, 06:36:29 PM
A interesting question would be what happened to Marks personal Z/28. Seems like that car might be worth a little more if it was shown Mark was the original owner. Anyone ever heard of it for sale or in a collection?
Title: Re: 1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing
Post by: Steve Shauger on February 06, 2014, 08:08:46 PM
A interesting question would be what happened to Marks personal Z/28. Seems like that car might be worth a little more if it was shown Mark was the original owner. Anyone ever heard of it for sale or in a collection?

I never really attempted to locate his car, but ended up buying one that looked identical to what I remembered as a 12 year old. I can't be certain if his was equipped with the RS option. I will say that Bill Scott stated my car looked identical to Mark's.
I never really attempted to locate his car, but ended up buying one that looked identical to what I remembered as a 12 year old. I can't be certain if his was equipped with the RS option. I will say that Bill Scott stated my car looked identical to Mark's.  I wrote an article for the AACA regional club I belong to which details the history behind buying, selling and getting it back in 2010. I'll post a few pics as well for you orange lovers :).
Title: Re: 1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing
Post by: 69Z28-RS on February 06, 2014, 08:30:47 PM
A interesting question would be what happened to Marks personal Z/28. Seems like that car might be worth a little more if it was shown Mark was the original owner. Anyone ever heard of it for sale or in a collection?

I never really attempted to locate his car, but ended up buying one that looked identical to what I remembered as a 12 year old. I can't be certain if his was equipped with the RS option. I will say that Bill Scott stated my car looked identical to Mark's.
I never really attempted to locate his car, but ended up buying one that looked identical to what I remembered as a 12 year old. I can't be certain if his was equipped with the RS option. I will say that Bill Scott stated my car looked identical to Mark's.  I wrote an article for the AACA regional club I belong to which details the history behind buying, selling and getting it back in 2010. I'll post a few pics as well for you orange lovers :).


Steve?  Was that in PA?  Is that the state Mark lived in?  Was PA a 'title state' in 1969/70 time frame?   Is it possible to search records that far back for his name, and find the car?    I agree with Austin, Marks' personal car would carry some 'intrinsic' value to most of us..  :)

OR..  I could just say that I now own it.. and maybe after a long time, enough people would believe me?     :)..

Title: Re: 1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing
Post by: Steve Shauger on February 06, 2014, 10:05:54 PM
He had a home in Media Pa. at the time. I don't know if he purchased the car or it was loaned to him through Penske Chev. Bill stated it was Mark's personal car, but I never asked if it was actually owned or if it was titled. Thinking about it Penske probably probably provided a loaner car to him. Good question.... Yes Pa was a title state at that time.

I read somewhere Mark hated orange interiors :)
Title: Re: 1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing
Post by: BULLITT65 on February 07, 2014, 12:39:22 AM
It was a loaner car he hated orange all together.... :D
Title: Re: 1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing
Post by: 69Z28-RS on February 07, 2014, 04:28:01 AM
It was a loaner car he hated orange all together.... :D

In that case, it's a good thing he had an orange car, as it would be so much faster than the others, no one would be able to identify him in it..  :)
Title: Re: 1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing
Post by: BULLITT65 on February 07, 2014, 07:25:13 AM
Gary, you are a die hard hugger orange fan. What if your 69 would have been green or any other would you still be such a big fan of orange?
Title: Re: 1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing
Post by: 69Z28-RS on February 07, 2014, 03:27:22 PM
Gary, you are a die hard hugger orange fan. What if your 69 would have been green or any other would you still be such a big fan of orange?

:)   :)    :)    I like green....  but they didn't call it 'hugger green'...   did they??  :)