Author Topic: Jerry Lagod Trans-Am Camaro (Read 33986 times)

Jon Mello · « **on:** April 06, 2013, 05:46:11 AM »

Here are some current day photos of Jerry Lagod's Trans-Am Camaro. Jerry bought the car new and it was a butternut yellow '68 Z/28 that
was never driven on the street and got turned into a race car right from day one. The car was damaged at Meadowdale in 1970. It was raining
during the race and the car left the track and damaged the frame and the bodywork. The car got repaired but was reskinned as a '69 model
and painted white. It raced in 11 Trans-Am races in the '72 and earlier era and went on to race in SCCA GT-1 before getting retired in 1986.

More pics to come...

Jon Mello · « **Reply #1 on:** April 06, 2013, 04:09:31 PM »

Engine compartment photos. The front subframe is still able to be unbolted for removal, if necessary.
I've been told that the engine currently in the car is using the original 302 block that came in it when new.

69Z28-RS · « **Reply #2 on:** April 06, 2013, 04:17:46 PM »

that engine compartment looks a lot 'newer' than 1988 fresh....? Looks like it would be a good car to take 'vintage racing'..

.. for some fun!

Jon Mello · « **Reply #3 on:** April 06, 2013, 05:58:52 PM »

It does generally appear fresher than 25 years old but I'm just passing along what I've been told second-hand. Here are more photos...

1968RSZ28 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 06, 2013, 06:21:16 PM »

Cool car, Jon. Do you know if the hood louvers are functional?

Paul

Jon Mello · « **Reply #5 on:** April 06, 2013, 07:32:21 PM »

It sure looks like they are functional to me, Paul.

wolfmin · « **Reply #6 on:** April 06, 2013, 08:54:57 PM »

Quote from: 69Z28-RS on April 06, 2013, 04:17:46 PM

that engine compartment looks a lot 'newer' than 1988 fresh....? Looks like it would be a good car to take 'vintage racing'.. .. for some fun!

This is a car that was immaculately prepared for every race throughout its history and was always keep in a clean environment.

Jon Mello · « **Reply #7 on:** April 07, 2013, 04:34:32 AM »

Rocker panel and fenderwell details

1109RWHP · « **Reply #8 on:** April 07, 2013, 05:00:46 AM »

I am supprised at the lack of roll bar padding. Not so sure about that horizontal bar running to the right of the driver. I just picture hitting it in an accident. What kind of ignition system is in it? Not familliar with the boxes mounted under the dash.

Jon Mello · « **Reply #9 on:** April 07, 2013, 05:37:35 AM »

The silver box is a GM Delco-Remy transistorized voltage regulator. The two boxes to the right of that are the GM Delco-Remy transistorized ignition boxes. One is a spare.

Jon Mello · « **Reply #10 on:** April 07, 2013, 04:03:16 PM »

Here are some undercarriage shots. Of note are the Koni double-adjustable shocks, the fully welded seams on the subframe,
the extra welded plates in the a-arm pivot locations and at the jacking point under the engine, the over-the-topside mounting
of the front sway bar, the early-style Lakewood scattershield with the removable inspection cover, and numerous other details.

69Z28-RS · « **Reply #11 on:** April 07, 2013, 04:17:28 PM »

That car sure looks like a well built car to me.. and probably a good value at the asking price, given what I see others offered at..?

oldtransamdriver · « **Reply #12 on:** April 07, 2013, 06:04:21 PM »

This would be a great car for a few guys to team up on. Don't over-restore it - perhaps back to original colours?

Jerry and I did Mid-Ohio, WG, and Michigan in 71. Look at the Q times on ultimateracinghistory and you can see we were about at the same
performance level. At Mid-Ohio we finished on the same lap and near the end I could see him and the 2 other guys - Perez and Wiseman, just
ahead of me. Had no clue as to what position we were in so I elected to stay in "cruise mode" (should have gone for it!!}

I don't remember that we even had roll-bar padding in those days?

Robert Barg

Jon Mello · « **Reply #13 on:** April 07, 2013, 11:45:20 PM »

Here are some shots of the rear suspension showing the Watts-link, double-adjustable Konis, J56 brake caliper, rear sway bar, etc...

S A Dunbar · « **Reply #14 on:** April 08, 2013, 01:04:51 AM »

Looking at those photos reminds me how much I hated changing the gear ratio's in those rear ends... About the only task I disliked. And about the only race car smell I disliked was rear end grease. I was probably 13 or 14 when I inherited the task. I could hardly lift the center section in the beginning. I always picked up a few cuts on the fingers. Torquing the ring gear and tightening the pinion nut... And usually finished up with a stiff neck! We raced a '69 Camaro from 1973 to 1984, about 8 - 10 races a year. We had 5 or 6 different gear ratio's we worked with. Can't imagine how many times I crawled under there for that task

69Z28-RS · « **Reply #15 on:** April 08, 2013, 03:25:42 AM »

Hello S.A.Dunbar!~

I've got a service duty disk brake rear (OTC) here that needs the 4.11 gears set up...

When can you be in Alabama?

Gary

Jon Mello · « **Reply #16 on:** April 08, 2013, 05:10:54 AM »

Other stuff... including a spare over-the-counter JL8 rear axle, a cowl plenum air cleaner, and several tire & wheel combos.
I wouldn't mind seeing some of this stuff under my tree at Christmas.

Many thanks to Karman Cusack for getting these photos from Jerry Lagod so we could check them out.

Jon Mello · « **Reply #17 on:** April 09, 2013, 05:16:21 AM »

Here's a picture of Jerry's car from the 1970 Road America Trans-Am race. He was disqualified from that race due
to a crew member helping him refuel the car on the course, which is against SCCA rules. Only the driver can make
any necessary repairs or add fuel while the car is on the track and away from the pits.

69Z28-RS · « **Reply #18 on:** April 09, 2013, 12:32:15 PM »

that's in it's original 'skin' .. as a '68.. Does anyone know when it was reskinned as a '69? If someone wanted to 'restore' it to it's former glory as a Trans Am racer, would it necessarily have to go back to the '68 skin?

wolfmin · « **Reply #19 on:** April 09, 2013, 01:13:43 PM »

Quote from: 69Z28-RS on April 09, 2013, 12:32:15 PM

that's in it's original 'skin' .. as a '68.. Does anyone know when it was reskinned as a '69? If someone wanted to 'restore' it to it's former glory as a Trans Am racer, would it necessarily have to go back to the '68 skin?

It was reskinned after the 1970 season. Jerry ran Trans Ams in 1971 and 1972 with the '69 body and Dupli-Color sponsorship.

wolfmin · « **Reply #20 on:** April 09, 2013, 01:21:01 PM »

1971 and 1972.

69Z28-RS · « **Reply #21 on:** April 09, 2013, 01:43:28 PM »

I really like that car...

How many races did it run in Trans Am? How well did he do with the car? Are the log books available with the car?

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #22 on:** April 09, 2013, 02:22:30 PM »

What color was it when it was in its original 1968 body? Was it the original butternet yellow from the factory? I see it has the dual rally stripes in the picture from 1970.

Jon Mello · « **Reply #23 on:** April 09, 2013, 03:13:06 PM »

The car was Butternut yellow when new. It could be run in either body configuration since it ran Trans-Am races with the original '68 skin in 1969 and 1970 and it also ran in Trans-Am in '71 and '72 with the '69 skin on it. Here are 10 Trans-Am races that I know it ran...

1969
Michigan, 16th place

1970
Mid-Ohio, 22nd, DNF
Donnybrooke, 7th
Road America, Disqualified for refuel violation

1971
Mid-Ohio, 11th
Donnybrooke, 17th
Road America, 31st, DNF
Watkins Glen, 19th, DNF (engine)
Michigan, 33rd, DNF (engine)

1972
Road America, 10th

I don't know if Jerry still has the log books.

firstgenaddict · « **Reply #24 on:** May 02, 2013, 02:08:58 AM »

Rear calipers appear to have been drilled for J56 twin pin vette pads.

oldtransamdriver · « **Reply #25 on:** May 08, 2013, 05:43:24 AM »

There is a notice now on Racing Junk that this car has been sold.

Robert Barg

ZLP955 · « **Reply #26 on:** May 08, 2013, 08:30:36 AM »

Very cool car and thread!

oldtransamdriver · « **Reply #27 on:** May 09, 2013, 06:28:55 PM »

Any further sales info on this camaro?

Robert Barg

Jon Mello · « **Reply #28 on:** May 09, 2013, 07:19:24 PM »

No, I haven't heard anything. If somebody knows, please give us an update. It would be nice to see this car go to a good home.

redvetracr · « **Reply #29 on:** May 14, 2013, 04:03:32 PM »

I believe Jerry`s son Max raced this car in the last 10-15 years. anyone know the price?

Jon Mello · « **Reply #30 on:** May 14, 2013, 06:25:50 PM »

Jerry's price was listed at $95K and I heard he was firm on that.

Steve Holmes · « **Reply #31 on:** April 25, 2015, 07:29:46 AM »

Quote from: wolfmin on April 09, 2013, 01:21:01 PM

1971 and 1972.

That's a great looking car. Interesting he chose to retain the 68 hood rather than fit a 69 cowl hood.

Jon Mello · « **Reply #32 on:** April 26, 2015, 04:50:39 AM »

The car appears to have had an SS-style hood installed when it was reskinned in 1970, hence neither a flat hood nor a cowl hood.

oldtransamdriver · « **Reply #33 on:** May 30, 2015, 10:55:24 PM »

Did this car get sold? new owner?

Robert

Jon Mello · « **Reply #34 on:** May 31, 2015, 05:00:31 AM »

Yes, it was sold but I don't know the name of the new owner. It's still in the Midwest from what I hear.

gcptc · « **Reply #35 on:** July 04, 2015, 01:05:51 PM »

I would like to see it as a 68 again

redvetracr · « **Reply #36 on:** July 11, 2015, 09:43:05 PM »

the Lagod Camaro is owned by a Chicago area attorney, I am pretty sure it`s white now

Jon Mello · « **Reply #37 on:** July 14, 2015, 01:35:48 PM »

Does the attorney have any plans to vintage race it?

ta22 · « **Reply #38 on:** July 15, 2015, 12:32:13 AM »

being prepped by Don Hoevel.....it's been tested on track

Jon Mello · « **Reply #39 on:** July 15, 2015, 03:20:40 AM »

Thanks, Gary. Maybe we'll see it again soon.

ta22 · « **Reply #40 on:** July 15, 2015, 03:12:31 PM »

testing photo

Trans Åm · « **Reply #41 on:** July 15, 2015, 11:07:13 PM »

Oh my Lord that car is beautiful.

Jon Mello · « **Reply #42 on:** July 16, 2015, 04:09:29 AM »

Thanks for posting the photo, Gary.

Jon Mello · « **Reply #43 on:** March 22, 2016, 12:13:17 AM »

Jerry's old car is for sale in the current issue of Vintage Motorsport magazine. No price mentioned.

Jon Mello · « **Reply #44 on:** October 16, 2016, 03:33:54 AM »

Photos of the Jerry Lagod Camaro at the 1971 Road America Trans-Am, courtesy of Mike Jarchow. Thanks for sharing these with us, Mike.

News:

Author Topic: Jerry Lagod Trans-Am Camaro (Read 33986 times)