Messages

31

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Racing Mustangs Book

« on: June 25, 2020, 01:50:54 AM »

The first official factory racing program for the Mustang was the 3700-mile Liege-Sofia-Liege Rally in August 1964. Two cars, prepared and run by Alan Mann Racing, crashed out of the event, and did not finish.

The following month, Alan Mann Racing ran three Mustangs in the Tour de France Rally. These were much tougher cars than those of Liege-Sofia-Liege. From the 117-car entry, two of the Mustangs placed first and second in the Touring class, and eighth and ninth outright behind seven GT cars. The three AMR Mustangs wore the registration numbers DPK5B, DPK6B, and DPK7B. It was 7B, driven by Peter Procter and Andrew Cowan that won the Touring class.

Following TdF, the three Mustangs went their separate ways, with 7B being shipped to the US. Skip Scott raced this car at 1964 Nassau Speed Week, stilling wearing its registration number.

32

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Racing Mustangs Book

« on: June 25, 2020, 01:40:02 AM »

Steve, I know the amount of effort you put into all of your projects and I have no doubts this book is a thoroughly enjoyable read.  On top of that, I don't know how you find all the cool old photos (most in color) that have generally never been seen before, but I'm thankful you do.  You've priced it well and I hope you sell a bunch of them.  Looks like I'll have to add another book to the library.

Hi Jon, thank you so much, I really appreciate your kind words. I have to admit, they do become an obsession, to the point I'm having dreams about them, but I do enjoy the process.

33

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Racing Mustangs Book

« on: June 24, 2020, 11:50:57 PM »

Because of Mustangs mid-year launch (April 1964), every racing championship was already well advanced. Ford was highly active in motor racing in the 1960s, and in 1964 alone already had its colossal Ford GT40 program, as well as Ford and Mercury teams in NASCAR, Ford and Mercury teams in NHRA, plus its European endurance rallying programs with the Falcon Sprint, as well as endurance tests with the Mercury Comet. In addition, Ford was supporting Carroll Shelby with the Cobra roadster and Daytona Coupe in domestic and World sports car racing in the GT category.

So the Mustang was always going to play some sort of sporty role, and until it could compete in SCCA road racing in 1965, was positioned in European endurance rallying. It took over the role of the Falcon Sprint mid-way through 1964. These pages show the homologation papers from the Mustangs first competition foray. Optional Equipment listed on the forms included an auxiliary fuel tank and sump guard.

The paperwork submitted to the FIA was initially rejected. The understanding was that because Jacque Passino and George Merwin listed themselves as Managers, the FIA considered them not important enough. Therefore, the exact same paperwork was resubmitted, this time with Passino and Merwin listed as Directors. This time it was approved!

34

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

35

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Dick Lang Page

« on: August 28, 2019, 07:55:53 AM »

Wow, that really looks great!

36

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

« on: August 14, 2019, 02:00:50 AM »

For the Camaro guys, you came to the right place. For the Boss 302's may I suggest you go over to Boss302.com
There are many guys over there who also have a wealth of info. Also, some members are former racers, crew members, and engineers.
Good luck with the book!
--Scott  aka 'crossboss'

Hi Scott, many thanks. I've joined the Boss302 site, and will post there too. But I know a lot of enthusiasts who have interests beyond Trans-Am Camaros come here, so thought it would give me a bit better reach.

Thanks again Scott.

37

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

« on: August 13, 2019, 10:10:04 PM »

38

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

« on: August 13, 2019, 10:09:31 PM »

39

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

« on: August 13, 2019, 10:08:53 PM »

40

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

« on: August 13, 2019, 10:08:21 PM »

41

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

« on: August 13, 2019, 10:07:32 PM »

42

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

43

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

« on: April 19, 2018, 08:38:48 AM »

I recently stumbled upon this photo while going through one of my fathers old photo albums while he was living in Australia in 1968. This is a rare photo of the '68 Camaro raced by Norm Beechey very briefly in Australia. It only raced four times, and was apparently converted to a road car and sold. Too bad, it was a very fast car. And really a good looking car too.

44

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Interview with Gary Morgan, Trans-Am racer

« on: January 21, 2018, 09:36:38 AM »

Hi Robert there was no info but the Mustang was a replica. I'm certain the Camaro is the original Gary Morgan car.

The museum had an American car theme at the time of my visit. They had a huge collection of American cars on display including a section where they'd created a 1950s diner and drive in theater.

The Camaro and Mustang were among a line up of race cars that included a 289 Cobra, Lola T70 etc.

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Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Interview with Gary Morgan, Trans-Am racer

« on: January 20, 2018, 03:20:34 PM »

My wife and I are currently travelling around Europe. I visited Autoworld museum in Brussels yesterday and this was among the cars on display: