Author Topic: 1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing  (Read 14979 times)

Steve Shauger

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1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing
« 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
« Last Edit: February 02, 2014, 05:17:46 AM by paceme »
Steve Shauger
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69Z28-RS

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Re: 1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing
« Reply #1 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
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Jon Mello

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Re: 1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing
« Reply #2 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.
Jon Mello
CRG

Steve Shauger

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Re: 1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing
« Reply #3 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.
Steve Shauger
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69Z28-RS

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Re: 1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing
« Reply #4 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'...   :)
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SMKZ28

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Re: 1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing
« Reply #5 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!
Scott
I don't have a 1st Gen but I have 1971 Z28 RS 4-spd, 1997 Z28 Z4C 6-spd, 2000 SS Convertible, 2010 RS 6-spd

Steve Shauger

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Re: 1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing
« Reply #6 on: February 06, 2014, 04:02:46 AM »
I just added five 1970 Trans Am races.
Steve Shauger
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OG69Z

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Re: 1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing
« Reply #7 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

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Re: 1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing
« Reply #8 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. :)
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Steve Shauger

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Re: 1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing
« Reply #9 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
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69Z28-RS

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Re: 1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing
« Reply #10 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...
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BULLITT65

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Re: 1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing
« Reply #11 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
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BULLITT65

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Re: 1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing
« Reply #12 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?
1969 garnet red Z/28 46k mile unrestored X77
-Looking for 3192477 (front) spiral shocks 3192851 (rear)
-Looking for an original LOF soft ray windshield
-Looking for original Delco side post negative battery cable part # 6297651AV

Steve Shauger

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Re: 1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing
« Reply #13 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 :).
Steve Shauger
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69Z28-RS

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Re: 1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing
« Reply #14 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?     :)..

09C 69Z28-RS, 72 B 720 cowl console rosewood tint
69 Corvette, '60 Corvette, '72 Corvette
90 ZR1 red/red #246, 90 ZR1 white/gray #2466
72 El Camino, '55-'56-'57 Nomads, '55-'57 B/A Sedan