Author Topic: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles  (Read 89445 times)

Jon Mello

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"Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« on: June 14, 2011, 03:23:38 PM »
From the 1969 Kent 300 Trans-Am program.









« Last Edit: November 03, 2012, 06:24:38 AM by Jon Mello »
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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #1 on: June 26, 2011, 10:39:03 PM »
Here's a small story on Ron Grable's '67 Dodge Dart. In '67, it was not a common thing for cars to
have a full roll cage and one where the seat was connected to the cage. Ron was ahead of the curve
in that regard. He was not far enough ahead to incorporate a fuel cell, however. Ron and Bob Tullius
were the only two in the nation making a serious try with Chrysler products in '67. Chrysler pulled out
of direct corporate involvement in Trans-Am after '66 and did not return until the '70 season.


1967 Modesto Trans-Am program
« Last Edit: September 18, 2011, 05:35:21 AM by Jon Mello »
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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #2 on: September 12, 2011, 09:13:37 PM »
Here's a decent article on the suspension and handling of the '68 Trans-Am cars from my November '68 issue of Car Life magazine.














« Last Edit: September 18, 2011, 05:35:54 AM by Jon Mello »
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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #3 on: September 18, 2011, 05:47:11 AM »
Sometimes you come across pretty decent articles in unexpected places like this one from my May 1967 issue of Car Craft magazine.
















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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #4 on: September 18, 2011, 09:29:40 AM »
That is a great article Jon, thanks. It was no doubt articles like this that fueled the interest in the series, and confirmed what everyone was thinking.
The Trans Am was the hot series.

Bruce.


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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #5 on: September 18, 2011, 09:54:42 PM »
Looks like a GM Harrison oil cooler behind that Cougar grill :-X
Robert Lodewyk

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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #6 on: September 19, 2011, 03:13:34 AM »
From the May 1968 issue of Sports Car Graphic.









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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #7 on: October 01, 2011, 04:38:36 PM »
From the April 1968 issue of "Sports Car", the national publication of the SCCA.



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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #8 on: October 08, 2011, 11:43:06 PM »
From the Spring 1969 issue of Stock Car Racing magazine.







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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #9 on: October 09, 2011, 07:00:06 AM »
From the November 1969 issue of Stock Car Racing magazine.









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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #10 on: December 04, 2011, 04:43:18 PM »








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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #11 on: December 07, 2011, 04:15:30 PM »
Fearing these scans will be too small, nevertheless I have something to share...

An obscure model car publication, this being Model Car Science.  Issues to consider are the July 1970 and December 1971 copies.  The July 1970 issue has a fine '69 Penske Donohue Camaro sans accessory decal markings and sporting period telemetry gear on the front hub - rather racy this.  The July 1970 slot car build up is a bore, with no further period photos afforded.  The December 1971 issue has quite a bit more, with some unseen photography from the initial race of the '70 season at Laguna Seca.  

Check out the Chapparal Camaro front and rear lips in place before they were instructed upon technical inspection to remove the nonhomologated, albeit stock spoilers.  In particular, I don't think this front spoiler was ever seen again, being replaced at some point with the heralded 'unbreakable Lexan' spoiler of much broader section to see the season out.  The small rear spoiler was seen briefly at Dallas before the rain out, while I have a photograph which shows the #1 Camaro at speed presumably at a test wearing the same.  No stripes on the rear spoiler, whereas cutouts for pins and refueling gear is noticed.  

Very sorry I'm slow to understand why all this is so terribly small of scale and difficult to read, for I am not sure precisely what to do to improve matters.  Anyhow, rather fun to examine in total.  Thanks...

Mike K.









...left corner is actually a '70 1/2 Titus Firebird interior photo.



M.K.

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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #12 on: December 08, 2011, 03:59:40 PM »
Thanks for posting those, Mike. Some very good stuff there and these modeling magazines give us a new place to look for photos and information. I had never seen the small spoilers on the Jim Hall Camaros previously. Nice to see something new and different.
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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #13 on: January 30, 2012, 06:18:48 AM »
From the May 9, 1970 issue of Competition Press & Autoweek, courtesy of Craig Wheeldon.








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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #14 on: January 30, 2012, 06:33:38 AM »
Also from the May 9, 1970 issue of CP&A.








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« Last Edit: July 30, 2012, 06:06:14 AM by Jon Mello »
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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #15 on: January 30, 2012, 11:07:53 PM »


Jon Mello Collection
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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #16 on: February 19, 2012, 06:36:25 AM »
From my copy of the 1968 St Jovite program.


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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #17 on: February 19, 2012, 04:44:00 PM »
From my copy of the 1970 Laguna Seca Trans-Am program.







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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #18 on: March 08, 2012, 08:35:23 PM »
"How to Cheat in the Trans-Am".  A neat and informative article courtesy of our own Swede70. Thanks, Mike!







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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #19 on: March 09, 2012, 05:21:44 PM »
Another great article providing insight into the Trans-Am series, courtesy of our friend Swede70. Thanks again, Mike!



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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #20 on: March 13, 2012, 01:49:57 PM »
Many thanks to Mike K. (Swede70) for sharing this look at the AMC racing effort with us.





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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #21 on: March 14, 2012, 02:32:06 AM »
I was gonna send this one in too!!!  Thanks for beating me to the punch!  :)

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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #22 on: March 14, 2012, 02:37:11 PM »
Shoulda, woulda, coulda, Craig.   :D


Here's an article from Road and Track courtesy of Robert Byng. It discusses some of the tech inspection happenings from the start of the 1970 T/A season.








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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #23 on: March 15, 2012, 01:48:05 PM »
Courtesy of Mike K. (Swede70). Thanks again, Mike!















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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #24 on: March 16, 2012, 02:55:35 AM »
CARS magazine article on the '69 Javelin racing team courtesy of Craig Wheeldon. Thank you, Craig!









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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #25 on: March 16, 2012, 03:29:12 AM »
Another 1969 CARS article on the Javelin team, courtesy of Craig Wheeldon.















« Last Edit: April 15, 2012, 01:56:29 AM by Jon Mello »
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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #26 on: March 16, 2012, 03:42:03 AM »
You gotta admit, its pretty funny seeing so much info on the TA Javelin.....on a CAMARO website!!!!  :^)

klvn8r

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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #27 on: March 16, 2012, 01:08:44 PM »
Most of the material in this thread is to give an understanding of "the big picture" of the Trans-Am series at that time.
I think it helps to see and have an understanding of what the other guys were doing. That's why I have been including it.



Another Trans-Am article from Mike K. (Swede70). Thanks, Mike!












« Last Edit: April 06, 2012, 02:53:01 AM by Jon Mello »
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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #28 on: March 16, 2012, 10:42:29 PM »
This is a GREAT page on Trans Am stuff.....I feel lucky to stilll be alive and not flamed to death over my AMC rants.  I appreciate all of the attention to this.  The Trans Am series was a great series for all of the manufacturers, and I love seeing it all viewed here, and not some of the old "legends" being reported as fact.

klvn8r

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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #29 on: March 30, 2012, 06:32:51 PM »
Nice article and some extra bits from "The Complete Chevrolet Book", a Petersen Publishing
magazine that came out in 1970. These pages come courtesy of Mike K (Swede70). Thanks, Mike!






















« Last Edit: March 31, 2012, 05:15:52 AM by Jon Mello »
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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #30 on: March 31, 2012, 06:20:10 AM »
From the 1969 Riverside Trans-Am program.


Bob Sanders Collection, courtesy of Robert Lodewyk
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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #31 on: April 03, 2012, 02:25:25 PM »
YEAH!!  Somebody else has the Car Life "Wagging the Dog" story!   Could someone PLEASE post the left-out pages of the article ?  I have not been able to find my copy for over a year now!  :'(     There is excellent race-to-race info that I need for an upcoming interview this month.   Thanks,   Ken

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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #32 on: April 05, 2012, 01:55:24 PM »
I added those in for you, Ken. Sorry about the initial screw-up.

From the 1969 Riverside Trans-Am program.


Bob Sanders Collection, courtesy of Robert Lodewyk
« Last Edit: April 06, 2012, 02:22:55 PM by Jon Mello »
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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #33 on: April 05, 2012, 02:04:25 PM »
A May 1967 article on "Baby Grands". Grand Nationals were of course the top echelon Nascar cars and the term Baby Grands
was in essence referring to Trans-Am style sedans as a smaller version of those.



















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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #34 on: April 09, 2012, 05:06:16 AM »
An article on the Dan Gurney 'Cudas, courtesy of Robert Byng. Thank you, Robert!




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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #35 on: April 13, 2012, 08:11:13 PM »
A little insight into some of the Javelin race cars being campaigned in 1969 . This info comes
the May 1969 issue of Hot Rod magazine, courtesy of Robert Byng. There is confirmation that
the two different Javelins Bob Tullius drove in '69 were built by two different entities. The few
paragraphs below are taken from coverage of the Citrus 250, a Nascar GT race at Daytona 2-69.




The "other" Javelin Tullius raced in '69, built by Ronnie Kaplan's shop.

Ron Lathrop photo
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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #36 on: April 13, 2012, 10:01:48 PM »
I'm 99% certain that the 33 car above is Revson's #3 car from the 1968 season.  Ted Roberts was in Follmer's #4 car from 68 (Roberts was #55).

klvn8r


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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #37 on: April 17, 2012, 02:28:20 PM »
Good information on the Javs. Thanks for sharing.

Motor Trend's "1968 World Automotive Yearbook" with a nice article on the '67 Trans-Am cars, courtesy of Mike K (Swede70).
























« Last Edit: April 19, 2012, 03:44:26 PM by Jon Mello »
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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #38 on: April 24, 2012, 03:07:21 PM »
Behind the wheel of a Trans-Am Barracuda. Many thanks to Mike K (Swede70) for sharing this with us.










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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #39 on: April 24, 2012, 03:44:24 PM »
Thanks Jon and Swede70 for a great story to start the day! I think we can all relate to a ride along experience!
Bob

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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #40 on: May 04, 2012, 02:33:27 PM »
Glad you enjoyed that, Bob. Here's another one for our reading enjoyment, courtesy of Craig Wheeldon. (May '69 Speed Age magazine)









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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #41 on: May 04, 2012, 03:00:58 PM »
I wish y'all would stop exposing all of the AMC 'secrets'!!!   :^)

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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #42 on: May 04, 2012, 04:14:03 PM »
You AMC boys got a lot of press back in the day.   8)
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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #43 on: May 06, 2012, 05:51:13 AM »
September '71 article, courtesy of Craig Wheeldon.




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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #44 on: May 07, 2012, 05:37:31 AM »
Some good insight into Ronnie Kaplan, courtesy of Craig Wheeldon.


















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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #45 on: May 10, 2012, 03:06:39 PM »
Sports Car Graphic article courtesy of Craig Wheeldon.








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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #46 on: May 11, 2012, 03:09:25 AM »
I'm starting to think that this should be titled  "The T/A Camaro/Javelin Forum".  :^)   
I've noticed that this late 1970 article/photo has NO torque arm/shock in the car, but the "restoration" of it has one now, mounted up on the driveshaft tunnel.  Thoughts??

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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #47 on: May 11, 2012, 02:29:36 PM »
No idea on the torque arm/shock. Maybe they tried it earlier in the season and it did not work as planned or was nixed by the SCCA.
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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #48 on: May 11, 2012, 04:22:12 PM »
Pretty sure it was not there in 1970....the car currently has one mounted on the interior, atop the driveshaft tunnel.

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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #49 on: May 11, 2012, 05:15:38 PM »
I agree, I don't believe it was there in 1970.  In fact, I believe I read somewhere (I think it was a quote from Donohue) that the SCCA didn't want suspension links coming into the interior unless they were covered up (like Gurney's horizontal shocks). Ken Epsman's Posey Challenger has a very similar link coming through the center of the rear seat area and attaching to the rear of the roll cage that was not there in 1970 as well.

Camicia

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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #50 on: May 11, 2012, 07:57:03 PM »
I'm no expert on those cars so I appreciate the input from you guys. Thanks.
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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #51 on: May 12, 2012, 04:43:40 AM »
That is a great article in SCG - thanks to Craig and John.  I had not seen that before or at least didn't remember it.  

I used to wonder how much slower would I be if I had a chance to drive Donohue's car?  at least 3-4 seconds a lap, I'm sure.
Of more interest would have been, if he had driven my old 67 and how much faster in it would he have been?

I raced agaiinst Paul at Mid-Ohio in 71 (Chaffey College camaro).  It poured rain for the first half of the race, then dried up, and we only had the rain tires we started with and they were in shreds by the time the race was over. Paul was 17th qualifier and I was 20th(although qualifying was never a big deal for us - just get on the grid). That's the race I saw him driving the camaro down the road later with the dump cans etc sticking out of the rear window. I think he drove it out from CA and then back!

Milt could, imo, hold his own with the factory guys.

Robert Barg



 
« Last Edit: May 12, 2012, 05:07:34 AM by oldtransamdriver »

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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #52 on: May 13, 2012, 12:57:03 AM »
You're welcome, Robert. I think that is a very good and informative article for those who are into the actual driving of the cars.
No doubt that Milt was a very good driver but it is interesting to see him as part of the ARA team testing the Donohue Javelin
for this test and then ARA did not stick with Milt for the '71 season. Instead they went with Peter Revson and Tony Adamowicz.
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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #53 on: May 17, 2012, 12:49:14 PM »
From the March 1971 issue of Motor Sport magazine. This is the Wiggins Teape Camaro, formerly a Penske
Camaro raced by Mark Donohue at Daytona to start the '68 Trans-Am season and raced by Sam Posey for
Penske in mid-68. It was sold to Sam after he left the Penske team but Roger bought it back from Sam to
keep in reserve as a back-up car during the '69 season. It was not used in '69 and subsequently went to
England after that. It has been brought back to the U.S. and restored as the first '68 Penske car and is
currently being raced by Don Lee in Historic Trans-Am.  (article courtesy of Mike K, aka Swede70)

« Last Edit: November 26, 2017, 03:47:33 AM by Jon Mello »
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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #54 on: June 04, 2012, 05:07:43 AM »
June '69 article from Stock Car Racing magazine, courtesy of Chad (OCTARD).






« Last Edit: June 11, 2012, 03:51:14 PM by Jon Mello »
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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #55 on: June 04, 2012, 07:31:18 PM »
These two tidbits from the May 2, 1970 issue of Competition Press & Autoweek are courtesy of Robert Barg.


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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #56 on: June 05, 2012, 05:02:11 AM »
1. I don't think I have ever seen a dash with that many gauges in it.
2. I don't know when the tall spoiler made it to production, but my Van Nuys 10B 71 Z had the short spoiler.

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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #57 on: June 05, 2012, 07:11:00 PM »
Fred, I think the Javelins only ran that double panel of gauges while they did testing and I believe they did a lot of testing throughout the entire '68 season trying to get the cars to handle and perform like they wanted them to.

As to the rear spoilers for the '70 Camaros, the large spoiler as seen in the photo about was OK'd by the SCCA just a few days after that issue of CP&A came out. They were in use on the Camaros for the second T/A race of the season which was at Lime Rock on May 9th. These were a special order spoiler (not an RPO, regular production option) and the low spoiler was a standard item on the car in '70 and '71. The large spoiler became the only one offered when the '72 model year came around. I don't know the exact tally for how many of the tall spoilers were made for the '70 model year but it wasn't a whole lot. I think the SCCA gave the GM guys a break and doubt they really delivered enough cars with the tall spoiler to satisfy the 2500 minimum by early May.
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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #58 on: June 06, 2012, 03:01:02 AM »
Thanks for the info Jon. I was always under the impression that the tall spoiler was a COPO only item for 70 and became standard D80 sometime in 71.

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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #59 on: June 06, 2012, 01:35:33 PM »
I'm a 1st-gen Camaro lover and my interest falls way off when it comes to the 2nd-gens. I know the tall spoiler was a COPO type of order as that's how it shows up on some of the original build sheets that have been found in those cars. Whether that tall spoiler became standard sometime in mid-71, I didn't think so, but maybe some others with knowledge of that will chime in.
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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #60 on: June 15, 2012, 12:46:50 PM »
A nice article on the Pontiac Tempest that Bob Tullius drove in the '71 Trans-Am series. Thanks to Mike K (Swede70) for sharing this with us.








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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #61 on: June 23, 2012, 06:28:46 AM »
Jerry Titus penned article which scratches the surface on the intricacies of suspension and handling.









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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #62 on: September 07, 2012, 02:12:56 AM »
Motorcade magazine article on engine builders Falconer & Dunn, courtesy of Mike K (Swede70).







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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #63 on: September 07, 2012, 02:35:42 AM »
Pretty amazing insight by Jerry Titus. Reminds me of a story I heard about Mario Andretti telling his pit crew a tire was - 1/4 pound low; turned out to be his handling problem, and he went on to win.

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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #64 on: September 07, 2012, 02:59:17 PM »
I thought that was a pretty good article by Jerry Titus. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Here's another Motorcade article courtesy of Mike K (Swede 70) which covers the '69 Shelby Trans-Am Mustangs.







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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #65 on: September 13, 2012, 04:19:31 AM »
Here's a small tidbit on Bob Tarozzi who prepared the Hurst sponsored Javelin for Bob Tullius
to drive in the Nascar GT division during the '69 season. This came out of the June 4, 1969
issue of National Speed Sport News. (Jon Mello Collection)

P.S. There's a nice article in the June 2012 issue of Mopar Action magazine which discusses
Bob T's experience with the Javelin. Thanks to Craig Wheeldon for pointing that out to me.



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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #66 on: September 22, 2012, 11:40:26 PM »
Panhard rod and rear sway bar installation as shown in one of the Trans-Am Javelins. Since all the pony
cars in the Trans-Am series used a leaf spring rear suspension like this, the advice and information offered
should be of benefit to Camaro, Firebird, Mustang and Mopar owners as well. (Jon Mello Collection)









There does not appear to be a driveshaft safety loop in the Javelin.




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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #67 on: September 23, 2012, 05:20:22 AM »
Car Life article looking at some of the phony-baloney that occurred during the '68 Trans-Am season
and what the plan was to address the problem for the '69 season. (Jon Mello Collection)







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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #68 on: December 16, 2012, 05:47:49 AM »
Another article on the Gray Ghost Tempest, this one from the 1971 MIS Trans-Am program, courtesy of Mike K (Swede70).





« Last Edit: February 02, 2013, 05:42:20 PM by Jon Mello »
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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #69 on: January 19, 2013, 05:34:50 AM »
February '69 CARS magazine article on the '68 Penske Camaro winning the Trans-Am championship, courtesy of Mike K (Swede70).
The author was confused and stated the 302 "made use of a small-cube-block (presumably meaning 283) with a 327 crank assembly"
but we all know that it was in fact the inverse of that --- a 327 type (4" bore) block with a 283 style (3" stroke) crank.

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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #70 on: January 28, 2013, 05:07:48 AM »
AMC Dealership magazine coverage of Trans-Am, courtesy of Mike K (Swede70).

Americana Vol 3 No 6, 1968







===================================================================================================


Americana Vol 5 No 2, 1969











=====================================================================================================


Americana Vol 5 No 6, 1970






======================================================================================================


Americana Vol 6 No 3, 1971
« Last Edit: January 28, 2013, 05:54:41 AM by Jon Mello »
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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #71 on: February 01, 2013, 03:57:54 PM »
March 1970 CARS magazine article on the Trans-Am series, courtesy of Mike K (Swede70).
The "World of Whale Racing" was first referenced by Jerry Titus in an article he penned for
the April 1968 issue SCCA's "Sports Car" magazine. It can be seen in reply #7 of this thread.







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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #72 on: February 02, 2013, 07:34:48 AM »
Feature article on the Shelby American team from the July '68 issue of Stock Car Racing magazine. (Jon Mello Collection)







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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #73 on: February 04, 2013, 04:06:06 PM »
CARS magazine article on the '70 Boss 302 Trans-Am engine, courtesy of Mike K (Swede70).









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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #74 on: February 17, 2013, 06:10:32 AM »
Model Car Science magazine from December 1971, courtesy of Mike K (Swede70).








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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #75 on: February 19, 2013, 05:57:55 AM »
An article from the October '87 issue of Sport & GT Market magazine, courtesy of Mike K (Swede70).





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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #76 on: February 19, 2013, 04:18:04 PM »
So who has the Dale Sale car to-day?

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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #77 on: February 19, 2013, 08:42:10 PM »
Based on the serial number, it is the same car now raced by Dan Lipetz in Historic Trans-Am.
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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #78 on: February 20, 2013, 01:52:43 AM »
That's what I thought, but what is the author of the story referring to in his last paragraph?

Robert Barg

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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #79 on: February 20, 2013, 02:19:39 AM »
I suspect that the known history of what car Parnelli was driving as his primary car back then has evolved since that article was written back in 1987. Any Mustang guys out there that can fill us in? There are a number of us that enjoy this kind of research (i.e. what serial number of what car won what race). I am no expert on the Mustangs but do appreciate learning more about all the cars that participated in the Trans-Am series.
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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #80 on: February 20, 2013, 03:28:32 AM »
This is the best place for T/A Mustang info. and your answer.http://www.ponysite.de/transam.htm

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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #81 on: February 20, 2013, 03:36:47 AM »
Thanks for that link. Great info on that web site.

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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #82 on: February 22, 2013, 05:34:43 AM »
MRRN magazine article on the Posey Challenger, courtesy of Mike K. (Swede70)







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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #83 on: February 22, 2013, 06:16:51 AM »
Interesting profile of Sam Posey, courtesy of Mike K (Swede70).








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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #84 on: March 22, 2013, 04:46:47 AM »
More Sam Posey stuff, courtesy of Mike K. (Swede70)







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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #85 on: March 22, 2013, 05:00:03 AM »
An article on the Boss 302 engine as prepared for Trans-Am racing with the two Holley Dominator carbs, courtesy of Mike K. (Swede70).
The new Hot Rod magazine (May 2013) has a nicely done 8-page article on the ill-fated Ford Tunnel Port 302 used in Trans-Am in 1968.











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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #86 on: April 28, 2013, 09:16:30 PM »
From The Fabulous Mustang magazine, issue No. 1, courtesy of Mike K (Swede70).



















« Last Edit: May 01, 2013, 03:54:38 AM by Jon Mello »
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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #87 on: May 01, 2013, 04:04:24 AM »
More from The Fabulous Mustang magazine, courtesy of Mike K (Swede70).

Man, if you ever want to feel like you're in a wind tunnel, freeze your buns off and generally be a miserable spectator,
Willow Springs (Rosamond, CA) is the place for you.









____________________________________________________________________________________________________________












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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #88 on: May 11, 2013, 05:12:04 AM »
Here are three different insightful articles on the AAR Cuda racing program, courtesy of Mike K (Swede70).































« Last Edit: May 12, 2013, 06:30:56 PM by Jon Mello »
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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #89 on: July 25, 2013, 05:00:01 AM »
An article on Ron Grable and his Dodge Dart, as found in the October '68 issue of CARS magazine. (Jon Mello Collection)











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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #90 on: July 28, 2013, 05:21:01 AM »
National Speed Sport News article on the new AMC Javelin team entering the Trans-Am series. (Jon Mello Collection)

The article text says the Javelin engines were being built by "Taco" in California, instead of Traco.  :D







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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #91 on: July 30, 2013, 05:05:55 AM »
CARS magazine article on the Z-28. (Jon Mello Collection)











Note: That is Chevrolet engineer Bill Howell in the coat and tie holding the cross ram lid amongst the pile of engine parts.
« Last Edit: October 02, 2016, 08:40:14 PM by Jon Mello »
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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #92 on: October 29, 2013, 01:37:01 PM »
Motor Trend named the Mercury Cougar its "Car of the Year" in 1967 and provided the info below in its February '67 issue.





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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #93 on: October 29, 2013, 03:47:32 PM »
Jon,
I just wanted to say thanks for posting all these amazing magazine articles for everyone to read..  Great history and knowledge in those pages..

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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #94 on: October 29, 2013, 07:21:59 PM »
You're welcome, Darrell.  I'm glad you and others are enjoying this stuff.
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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #95 on: November 24, 2013, 02:19:29 AM »
On page 2 the article: ' American Motors' Trans-Am Racing Effort ' contins the following two quoted statements:

“The Javelins were fastest at Michigan International Speedway n the first race of the year, but SCCA banned the engine because AM couldn’t produce enough of them to meet the regulations…

After the last race, Kaplan had his crew pack up what remained of the two Javelins and dropped them off at the local American Motors zone office. He called Detroit, told them where he left them and where to stuff them. Exit Ronnie Kaplan.”


They are almost the complete opposite of other stories I've read where in the first instance AMC failed to produce the proper homologation papers in time to allow the low deck block, 4-bolt main, special port head combination engine to run after Michigan, and in the second, Bob McNealy summoned Kaplan and fired him.

 So which is true other stories outside the ones quoted in the article or the -facts- above?

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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #96 on: November 24, 2013, 05:57:50 AM »
I'll leave official word to some of the AMC experts. I'm certainly not one of them. From what I have read, I believe the second scenario you listed is more accurate.
They didn't get the good engine stuff homolgated due to a new guy coming in an dropping the ball on filing the proper paperwork with SCCA. This was no fault
of Kaplan's. He was busy getting new cars ready to race. I think AMC would have made enough of those engines if that is what they had to do to be legal and the
engine was potent enough to be a winner, which I think it had the potential to be. If Kaplan got more money to operate with and the good engine pieces, they
would have made some noise in '69.
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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #97 on: November 25, 2013, 02:12:13 AM »
I'm fervently hoping that someone that has talked to Kaplan ( hint: Javelin GT ) can set the firing vs. take-this-job-and-shove-it seesaw straight and level.
 I entirely agree that the responsibility for either a) producing enough blocks and/or b) getting the specifications approved by the SCCA's  standard rests entirely on AMC. From what I understand not only did Kaplan have his hands full with getting cars prepared and with the racing enterprise itself, but, he had, at his own expense and initiative, had gotten the blocks that showed up at Michigan cast by a foundry ( one G.M. might have used? )for use in the '69 season.
  

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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #98 on: November 25, 2013, 02:33:56 AM »
Yes, someone did and published it in a book. Ronnie Kaplan has written it out pretty clearly in the new book "The Cars of Trans-Am Racing" on page 105 ;)
The book is very good, I think anyone marginally interested in this part of the CRG site should just buy this book as a basic text book we can all refer to from time to time:)

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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #99 on: November 26, 2013, 12:30:12 AM »
Yes, someone did and published it in a book. Ronnie Kaplan has written it out pretty clearly in the new book "The Cars of Trans-Am Racing" on page 105 ;)
The book is very good, I think anyone marginally interested in this part of the CRG site should just buy this book as a basic text book we can all refer to from time to time:)

It would make a nice Christmas gift for all of us who are interested in this sort of thing!  Tell your family members.
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

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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #100 on: November 26, 2013, 03:44:00 AM »
I believe my copy is arriving through Mrs. Claus via Amazon for Christmas… :-X

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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #101 on: January 16, 2014, 05:04:17 AM »
Interesting little article about Swede Savage getting his start in the auto racing business by working for Holman-Moody as a 21 year old.


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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #102 on: January 19, 2014, 05:12:24 AM »
Interesting article by race driver Peter Gregg on race preparation and strategy for running endurance races
such as those at Sebring and Daytona, as found in the December '71 issue of SCCA's Sports Car magazine.




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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #103 on: February 13, 2015, 05:09:13 AM »
A short write-up on the University of Pittsburgh Trans-Am team and their '69 Camaro, as found in the 1971 Road America Trans-Am program.




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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #104 on: February 13, 2015, 05:41:24 AM »
Nice story, Jon!    Here is a racing photo of the Univ of Pittsburgh TA Camaro...
in 2008, Legendary Motorcars had the car for sale (restored) and was beautiful and expensive... :)
I'm fairly certain they sold it, but unsure to whom or where it is now?
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

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Re: "Inside the Cars of the Trans-Am" and other articles
« Reply #105 on: February 14, 2015, 06:15:14 AM »
Gary, I remember the car was for sale for a fair number of years with no takers. Can't remember what the asking price was and I have no idea who might own it now.

Here's another article from the 1971 Road America Trans-Am program.






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