Topics

1

General Discussion / Racing Camaros Book

« on: May 24, 2021, 11:36:28 PM »

Hi everyone, I hope its OK to post this here. I recently finished writing a book called; Racing Camaros - An International Photographic History 1966 - 1984. It focuses on the Camaro in road racing, with most of the content based around the 1966 - 1971 period. It also includes details of the Camaros design and development, as well as Vince Piggins' role in creating the Z-28 so the model could compete against the Mustang in Trans-Am racing.

Although I call it a photographic history, there are approx 40,000 words, not including detailed captions for the 300 photos. The book was launched a few weeks ago.

I've added more info on the book over on the Trans-Am Camaros section of the CRG forum, including some sample photos. You can find the link here: http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=19171.0

The book is available here: https://www.veloce.co.uk/store/Racing-Camaros-p187276085

Many thanks
Steve Holmes

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Trans-Am Camaros / Racing Camaros Book

« on: March 19, 2021, 11:31:30 PM »

Hi everyone, I spent much of last year writing a book called Racing Camaros - An International Photographic History 1966 - 1984.

The book is approx 175 pages, and covers the advent of the Camaro and its involvement in motor racing. Much of the book spans the years 1966 through 1970, when Chevrolet played an active role in the racing programs. Although Camaros from around the world feature, the book focuses on the SCCA Trans-Am series.

It features approx 300 photos, many of which have never been published before. Although its called a Photographic History, there are over 30,000 words, plus detailed captions. I've also included some really nice pages from the Camaro homologation sheets.

Jon Mello was a huge help with the book, supplying a great amount of information and I'm forever grateful to him.

The book was published by Veloce Publishing who now have copies available. Stock is being sent to the US where you'll be able to order it from Amazon.com etc, but if you want a copy sooner, order direct from the publisher.

I'll post page and photo samples over the coming days and weeks, but Veloce Publishing have some page samples on their order page: https://www.veloce.co.uk/store/Racing-Camaros-p187276085

3

Trans-Am Camaros / Racing Mustangs Book

« on: June 24, 2020, 11:08:42 PM »

I hope its OK for me to post this here, given this is a Camaro forum! But I promise much of the content of this book focuses on the Trans-Am series, in which the Camaros played a pivotal role.

This is a book I wrote last year called Racing Mustangs - An International Photographic History. It focuses on the Mustang in international road racing, and although it spans the years 1964 - 1986, the real emphasis is on the years 1964 - 1970, when Ford played an active role in the Mustangs road racing programs.

It kicks off in 1964 with the homologation of the Mustang for endurance European rallying, where it took over from the Falcon Sprint. Many people aren't aware that the Mustang was first homologated not for road racing, but for rallying. It moves then to the design, construction and racing of the Shelby GT350 in 1965, for competing in SCCA B/Production sports car competition. And then, of course, comes the SCCA Trans-Am series in 1966, where Ford kept its distance initially, but slowly became ever-present, pouring more and more money into the series.

The book is 175 pages, and has 300 photos and approx 30,000 words. It does cover the Mustangs racing history in other parts of the world, but the main focus is the US, and in particular, the Trans-Am. It was released a few weeks back and is available direct from the publisher, and will shortly be available through Amazon.com and other outlets. Price is US$35.

I'll post various photos and page segments here, but here is a link through to the publisher: https://www.veloce.co.uk/store/Racing-Mustangs-An-International-Photographic-History-1964-1986-p145293215

4

Trans-Am Camaros / Photos Wanted For Racing Camaro And Mustang Books

« on: August 13, 2019, 10:06:49 PM »

Hello folks, I'm currently working on a couple of new books, on racing Mustangs and Camaros. The books are largely photographic, using only period photos, and featuring cars from around the world. The Mustang book covers the period 1964 - 1986, while the Camaro book covers the period 1967 - 1986.

They'll be approx 200 pages, with the photos accompanied by captions.

I'm focusing on production-based cars, so won't include the plastic bodied tube-frame silhouette cars that raced in the 1980s. The cars featured will be those that competed in the Trans-Am, SCCA B/Production sports car racing, plus British Saloon Car Championship, Canadian sedan and sports car, European Touring Car Championship, Australian Touring Car Championship, New Zealand Saloon Car Championship etc, and covering FIA Group 2, Group 5, Group 1, Group A etc regulations.

I've managed to assemble quite a good collection of photos for each, in particular from 1970 onwards, but I'm still wanting more photos. If you have anything you think would be good to include, whether it action photos or static pit photos, I'd love to hear from you. I'm trying to get a broad coverage of cars, as I don't want to just have a book filled with factory cars.

Anyway, if you think you can help, please email me: theroaringseason@gmail.com

I've included a few examples here. Sorry for the watermarks. I'm just using the free Photobucket option because I don't usually store photos online and I didn't want to pay.

Thanks in advance.
Steve Holmes

5

Trans-Am Camaros / Charlie Kolb Camaro

« on: October 07, 2015, 02:02:14 AM »

I stumbled upon a photo of the Charlie Kolb Miami Speedway Park/Hurst Shifter Camaro at Sebring 1967, and was interested to note it was fitted with knock-off wheels. The image was only very small (it was on Racing Sports Cars as pictured) so it was hard to see what brand they were:  http://www.racingsportscars.com/photo/Sebring-1967-04-01t.html

I was wondering if anyone has any larger format photos of the car with these wheels, or knows what type of wheels they were?

In all other photos I've seen of this Camaro it was fitted with steel (Corvette?) wheels.

6

Trans-Am Camaros / Watts Linkage And Other Locating Devices

« on: February 07, 2015, 09:59:33 PM »

I'd love to see images of the various rear end locating devices used on first gen Camaros, including both sideways movement and tramp/hop prevention devices. What worked? What didn't? Also, did GM supply their own over the counter options?

7

Trans-Am Camaros / Brock Yates Camaro

« on: November 11, 2014, 05:12:57 AM »

Just studying this car on the Historic Trans-Am site: http://www.historictransam.com/Drivers/JimReed69Camaro42.html

I was puzzled by the curious rear-end body shape, until it dawned on me the car has had the same treatment as the '69 T/G Firebirds with the rear fenders spliced and extra sheet metal added to widen them for the larger tires.

Is this the same car from Brock's 'Sunday Driver' book?

8

Trans-Am Camaros / Fender Flaring On Trans-Am Camaros

« on: August 21, 2014, 05:01:51 AM »

I am interested in learning of some of the methods used by teams running first gen Camaros for flaring their fenders. It would seem most teams modified the wheel openings to some extent to clear the tires, which grew larger by the season. It appears there was work done on most cars. As independant teams were running 67/68 Camaros by 1969/70/71, it would seem they flared the fenders a little more than on the cars built during 1967/68, as the tires kept getting bigger.

What methods did the teams use for achieving this? Did they add any metal to the lip or did they use other means?

9

Trans-Am Camaros / Thank You Jon

« on: December 19, 2013, 08:28:19 AM »

Jon, I just wanted to extend a huge thank you to you for this amazing forum. The information you've been posting on here is a joy to read, an absolute treasure trove. Many thanks for all your hard work.

10

Trans-Am Camaros / New Zealand/Australian Camaros And Firebirds

« on: July 16, 2011, 11:20:43 PM »

Hi guys, this is an amazing forum you have going here. My good friend Bruce Thompson (Bruce302) informed me of it. I am really impressed with some of the rare photographs you've managed to unearth, particularly of the many privateer cars which didn't enjoy the level of exposure the factory cars did.

I hope you don't mind me muddying the waters a little here by starting a separate thread on the Camaro's that raced 'down-under', but I thought some of you might find this interesting. Jon, if you feel this in inappropriate for this forum, please feel free to delete or move it.

This Camaro (sponsored by Lexington cigarettes) was built for and raced by Spencer (Spinner) Black for the New Zealand Saloon Car Championship. It debuted in 1968. It was built from a road car, it wasn't an imported race car as many were in NZ. The engine was 327ci, as New Zealand had a 5,500cc engine limit until 1971, when it was changed to 6,000cc.

Apologies for these images being a little smaller in size, I have copied and pasted some of them from my own historic racing website.



This photo was supplied by Mike Feisst