Author Topic: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?  (Read 245165 times)

T/AracingFTW

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 19
    • View Profile
Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« on: July 07, 2011, 06:05:36 PM »
Hi CRG,

my name is Steve and although I've never raced a real T/A Camaro or any other make race car for that matter due to not enough finances and only being 40 (25 at heart...lol), Trans Am racing is my passion and hobby and I'm trying to do my part in keeping it alive in the gaming community and younger generation as well by founding/co-creating two "as close to real as possible" T/A race series' (Midnight Club LosAngeles and Gran Turismo 5) and am in the process of planning probably what will be the best representation of T/A racing, Forzamotorsport 4 (upcoming XBox 360 title) in the club I am "a" leader of called the Camaro & Classic GM club. (aka...MCLA Camaro Club).  I'm in no way here trying to advertise the club, I'm just explaining who I am and what I represent.

I know, you may be thinking, forget this guy because he's just into games and not the real thing but I want to share with you my story and what I'm about before you discount my genuine passion for the "best" racing series in history in my opinion.  I am a very good driver, and am pretty sure I'd be a good racer in real life but not only can I not afford to own or race these cars which would be my dream even if it was in the "more careful" more current "historic races" but I can't even afford to own a custom car anymore due to family issues I won't go into.  Ever since I was a kid, I've been into muscle and pony cars and recently even owned a '71 Camaro 350 4 spd. which is pretty much my dream car and I had to sell it after owning it for 5 years to my Dad for financial reasons.  In fact my 3 favorite pony or muscle for that matter are the '70-'73 Camaro, the '69 Mustang and the '70 - '72 'Cuda all original Trans Am race cars in their day.  Anyway, I turned to games to satisfy my custom car/hot rod/race car/speed needs as that is my passion and I can't just live without it and I really have no other way.  The difference between why I play racing games and why some others do is that I want "as close to real of an experience as possible" so I'll put approx. 20 hours into recreating T/A cars on MCLA (Midnight Club Los Angeles) or put weeks worth of work into creating realism in mine and my "Virtual Racing Association" friend & co-owner JadeCat95's multiple game Trans Am Racing series'.  I know I'm kinda going on and on but its because I want to make sure I prove that I'm a genuine T/A racing and Pony car lover (especially the Camaro).  I will provide links to our T/A race series web pages & videos and some of the T/A cars I have recreated or created to prove what I'm saying. 8)


My question is, and again its because we want to properly represent the original T/A series and keep it known and alive among the youger generation as well, are there many pictures of the original T/A pace cars back then and if so could someone post some or guide me the right direction to find them? I've searched the internet like crazy because I don't have the money to go buying all the books I need (although I haven't tried the library yet) and all I've seen is a Javelin (can't see it all), a Camaro I think I found in this forum and now the yellow Shelby Mustang in here as well.  This latest Trans Am series in Forza 4 that we are planning allows very detailed paint jobs, engine sounds, handling and race modifications and includes the following accurate Pony Cars that if not the correct year/make are at least are close:  '69 Camaro, '70 Javelin, '70 Mercury Cougar, '68 Barracuda, '71 'Cuda, '73 Trans Am, '70 Boss Mustang, '68 Shelby Fastback Mustang, '65 Notchback mustang as well as the possibility of the under 2.0/2.5 liter class of the Porsche 911, Alfa Romeo Giulia Sedan, Datsun 510, Datsun 240Z, Toyota 2000GT and possibly more so I'm hoping to make this series as real as possible and "seriously" represent the original "real" one that deserves all the recognition and respect it can possibly get. ;D

Thank you for taking the time to read this and hopefully believe I am as passionate as I say I am and there's nothing I would rather do than to race these cars in real life.  Here are a few links to prove I am who I say I am and I along with my good friend and co-owner Jade are serious about realistically representing the best race series in history! (my forum name and Play Station name is RaceGameNut)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFBkZhEVQw4&feature=mh_lolz&list=HL1310060160
http://www.camaroclub-ta.webs.com/
http://www.mccamaroclub.com/ccta-gt5.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLyD_Rodo-E
http://www.mccamaroclub.com/eliterules.php
http://www.mccamaroclub.com/forum-if.php
 

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #1 on: July 08, 2011, 03:40:45 AM »
Welcome. I have not done a whole lot of collecting of pace car photos but here are a couple. The first is from the 1967 Mid-Ohio Trans-Am.
It shows a pretty much unaltered Indy Pace Car Camaro.


Photo by Dave Arnold

The second is not from a Trans-Am but from an SCCA National event at Marlboro Raceway in Maryland.

Photo by Bill Dobbins

If I run across any more, I will post them here for you.
Jon Mello
CRG

Sixteen Grand Sedan #56

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 75
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #2 on: July 08, 2011, 03:54:54 AM »
I'm fairly certain I remember a 69 Camaro with an endura bumper 8) leading the pack towards turn 2 at Laguna Seca in 1969. The picture must of come from Jon at some point. I'll see if I can find it.
Robert Lodewyk

T/AracingFTW

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 19
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #3 on: July 08, 2011, 03:03:52 PM »
Thanks so much guys... any pics are greatly appreciated.   That's very interesting that they used other pace cars such as indys at times.   How often did SCCA use their own pace cars?   I've seen one Javelin pace car but not well in some original '69 T/A footage, a Camaro in an original photo and can't remember where. (probably here.. lol) and finally the Shelby convertible in the picture set that was posted here in the forum recently recently but that's it other than the two new ones in this thread.

Thanks again!  :)

T/AracingFTW

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 19
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #4 on: July 08, 2011, 05:46:54 PM »
...I've seen one Javelin pace car but not well in some original '69 T/A footage, a Camaro in an original photo and can't remember where. (probably here.. lol) and finally the Shelby convertible in the picture set that was posted here in the forum recently recently but that's it other than the two new ones in this thread.

Oops, said the same thing twice...lol!  Sorry about that.  Is there any other good sites to find original Trans Am pics other than www.trans-amseries.com ?  I've been to many sites but they weren't very memorable or I would remember the names.  So far this site and the one I just mentioned are my main sources for everything Trans Am and would love more.  Hopefully this isn't too off topic because I still really badly want to find more T/A pace cars but any Trans Am pics are exciting to see and I've enjoyed every one that I could find on this forum..thanks! :)

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #5 on: July 08, 2011, 08:04:05 PM »
You might try looking through this website and see if he has any pace car photos...

http://gwadagone.fotki.com/trans-am-racing1966/
Jon Mello
CRG

T/AracingFTW

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 19
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #6 on: July 14, 2011, 07:07:20 PM »
Thanks again...I will! ;D

JoeC

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 501
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #7 on: July 20, 2011, 01:51:29 PM »
In 1967 Chevy used their 396 Camaro show car to pace the Can Am race at Road America. It is called the Cherokee and is still around today.
Chevy liked to bring special cars to Road America in the 60s.

I have read that they used the 1968 Z/28 convert built for Pete Estes to pace the Can Am race in 1968 but have not been able to find a pic of it.
may have been used as Trans Am pace car

This may be one reason why the 1968 convertible Z was built

pic is the 1967 Cheerokee Camaro show car built by Chevy with weber carb 396 and plexi glass hood scoop, hood tach, and other custom items

link is Cherokee auction
http://mecum.com/auctions/lot_detail.cfm?LOT_ID=SC0509-79381

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #8 on: September 05, 2011, 03:38:46 PM »
I can't make out the writing on the side of the car but at least you can tell that a '70 Mustang convertible
was the pace car for the 1970 Mid-Ohio Trans-Am race.


1971 Mid-Ohio Trans-Am program
Jon Mello
CRG

T/AracingFTW

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 19
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #9 on: September 20, 2011, 06:00:49 AM »
Sorry I haven't gotten back to anyone here lately.  I've been extremely busy with Family.  I can't tell you how much I appreciate all the Pace car pics and guidance to such an amazing collection of original Trans-Am pics.  Does seem like the pace cars are really hard to catch in the pics but I can at least see what they generally looked like.  I now own an XBox 360 and Forza motorsport 3 and due to there being pretty much as real as you can get paint job creations, I went looking for that one famous T/A car that nobody has really done an accurate enough job on paint job wise to do it justice.  I was quite shocked and amazed that there pretty much isn't one #6 or #9 '69 Penske Sunoco Camaro that anyone has taken serious time to recreate so I've done just that and have at this point about 40 hours or so already into re-creating the Mid-Ohio vinyl top version of the #6 Donohue Camaro and I'll post pics soon.  Thanks again guys for taking me seriously and helping me.  We (the club I mentioned above) are highly anticipating Forza 4 and have now learned that they are going to allow painting of headlights, removal of bumpers etc. to give a true classic race car look to those cars that apply.  I along with alot of help am going to set out as soon as the game comes out to recreate as accurate as possible the dual class Trans-Am race series that we all know and love!!! ;D

JoeC

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 501
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #10 on: September 20, 2011, 12:28:50 PM »
I am still trying to find a pic of the 68 Z convertible pacing the 68 Can Am race.
I remember seeing the pic somewhere but can't find it.

T/AracingFTW

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 19
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #11 on: September 28, 2011, 04:09:18 PM »
Somehow, I missed your post Joe...sorry.  Thanks for trying but its OK, I was only hoping to see some if there were easy pics to find but if its hard work to find them, I would rather not put anyone through trying to.  The main thing is that I get the general idea of what they looked like...thanks guys!

Oh btw, I'll have to dig through those pics you gave me a link to Jon but I found another light blue first gen Cougar pace car in the actual pace lap and somewhere in one of the T/A videos I saw the first gen Javelin one a little better as well.
  :)


Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #12 on: October 01, 2011, 05:37:30 AM »
Glad to hear you are finding some things to help you out. Here is a shot of the '68 Daytona 24hr pace car (SS396) with actor James Garner driving and Nascar boss Bill France in the passenger seat. In 1968, the Daytona 24hr race was part of the Trans-Am race schedule. The upper body color is red, if I remember correctly, and the car does have a rear spoiler (although it is cut off in this photo). This car still exists.

Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #13 on: August 06, 2012, 05:32:16 AM »
Another couple of pics of the '68 Daytona pace car. It was used all season long for the various races there.



Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #14 on: August 06, 2012, 05:34:37 AM »
The 1969 Daytona pace car.

Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #15 on: August 06, 2012, 05:36:55 AM »
A short '69 pace car article.



Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #16 on: September 08, 2012, 07:06:18 PM »
1969 Indy pace car ad from National Speed Sport News. (Jon Mello Collection)


Jon Mello
CRG

MO

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1125
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #17 on: September 09, 2012, 05:03:44 PM »
Interesting reference to the "Super Scoop" hood.

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #18 on: September 10, 2012, 02:04:12 AM »
The raised hood was always called the "Super Scoop" in Camaro advertising in '69. When the Chevelle came out in '70 with a similarly styled hood, GM used the name "Cowl Induction" for it. The cowl induction name has subsequently been used for any car using that style of hood scoop.
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #19 on: October 01, 2012, 09:44:50 PM »
Again, not relating exactly to the Trans-Am series but still, a rarely seen article in National Speed Sport News
showing the hometown celebration for Mario Andretti after he won the '69 Indy 500. (Jon Mello Collection)











Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #20 on: October 28, 2012, 07:56:25 PM »
Here's a picture of the Sears Point pace car for '69, a Shelby GT500, as found in the '69 Sears Point Trans-Am program. (Courtesy of Robert Lodewyk)
Jon Mello
CRG

Sixteen Grand Sedan #56

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 75
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #21 on: October 29, 2012, 05:57:08 AM »
Jon, are your sure that picture is mine :o

I'm sure I would have remembered those boots ;D
Robert Lodewyk

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #22 on: October 29, 2012, 03:33:34 PM »
It came out of the Sears Point program you loaned me, Robert. She was part of a two-page spread featuring girls seen at the track so I'd imagine you had sensory overload.
Jon Mello
CRG

MO

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1125
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #23 on: October 30, 2012, 03:13:49 AM »
Boots???

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #24 on: December 11, 2012, 04:29:45 AM »
Hi guys.  This is my first post here although I've been soaking up the info from the Trans Am section as a guest for several years.  I am a Trans Am fanatic and a Camaro lover & owner.   I also love pace cars (all models) and have found several pics of Trans Am race pace cars on the internet and in books.  I found this picture of a 1969 Camaro SS convertible pacing the October 5, 1969 running of the Mission Bell 250 Trans Am race at Riverside International Raceway in California on the Historic SCCA Pro Racing Trans-Am Series Fan Group Facebook page.  It was posted by Steve Lyman.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #25 on: December 11, 2012, 04:36:50 AM »
I also found this picture on the Historic SCCA Pro Racing Trans-Am Series Fan Group Facebook site.  It shows a Porsche 911 Targa coming up the entrance to pit lane just before the Trans Am cars got the green flag at the July 16, 1972 Trans Am race at Road America, Wisconsin.  Steve Clifton posted it.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #26 on: December 11, 2012, 04:51:22 AM »
Here is the picture that JoeC was asking about back in 2011.  It's the one and only 1968 Z28 convertible ever produced and it paced the first Can Am race of the season at Road America on September 1, 1968.

UPDATE: Looking back at the thread I started at camaropacecars.com about this car, I see that I corresponded with JoeC about this photo earlier this year.  The internet is a small world indeed.
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

69Z28freak

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 364
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #27 on: December 11, 2012, 09:59:17 AM »
Awesome pictures guys. Thanks for posting.
Mike 1969 Grandma Camaro

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #28 on: December 11, 2012, 03:39:25 PM »
Here is a picture of the 1969 Camaro SS convertible that paced the Trans Am race at Laguna Seca Raceway, Monterey, California on August 24, 1969.  I found this picture somewhere on the internet (possibly on this site). 
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #29 on: December 11, 2012, 03:42:14 PM »
Here is a picture of the same 1969 Camaro SS convertible that paced the 1969 Trans Am race at Laguna Seca.  You can see it parked on pit lane while Mark Donohue flashes by the checkered flag.  I found this picture on page 154 of "Trans-Am: The Pony Car Wars 1966-1972" by Dave Friedman.  The last pic is a closeup of this same picture.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #30 on: December 11, 2012, 09:26:53 PM »
Here is a picture of the 1968 Shelby Mustang GT500KR convertible that was used as the pace car for the Bryar 200 Trans Am race held on August 4, 1968 at Bryar Motorsport Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire.  I found the picture somewhere on the internet (possibly on this forum).  I'm no Shelby expert but I would think that a yellow GT500KR convertible has got to be pretty rare.  I wonder if this car survives?
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #31 on: December 12, 2012, 06:39:16 PM »
Here are a couple of interesting items.  This first is a photo of the 1968 AMC AMX that paced the Trans Am race on July 7, 1968 at Meadowdale International Raceway, Carpentersville, Illinois.  The second is an article about how AMC used the Pace Car and 100 replica Javeilns to promote their product.  I found both pics on the internet at: http://www.planethoustonamx.com/stuff/badger-javelin.htm  Interesting to note that the car is an AMX but it says JAVELIN in big letters on the side!
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #32 on: December 12, 2012, 08:08:34 PM »
Here are a couple more interesting photos from the 1968 Trans Am race at Meadowdale.  The first one shows the row of 100 promotional Javelins that the previously posted article talks about.  The second one shows a stock AMX parked in front of the field on the grid.  Which one actually paced the race???  I found both of these photos on the Meadowdale International Raceway Preservation Association Facebook page.  They are dedicated to the memory of Meadowdale International Raceway: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Meadowdale-International-Raceway-Preservation-Association/400782870695?sk=taggednotes#!/pages/Meadowdale-International-Raceway-Preservation-Association/400782870695?sk=photos
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #33 on: December 13, 2012, 05:09:03 AM »
I may have answered my own question on which AMX actually paced the race.  When I posted the picture of the red AMX at the front of the grid in another thread I created for the Meadowdale Trans Am, CRG member MO pointed out that the car had a rumble seat.  I hadn't noticed this before so I decided to do some research and found out that the car is a 1968 Jeffords AMX-R and is the only one ever built.  More info on the car can be found in this article: http://www.hemmings.com/mus/stories/2009/11/01/hmn_feature7.html   
The article states that, "Jeffords convinced AMC to provide him with a pre-production Caravelle Blue 1968 AMX--its 390-cu.in. V-8 carries a December 1967 build date--sometime in December 1967 or January 1968. Jeffords then swiftly shuffled that AMX over to Dave Puhl, the customizer whose name graced Puhl's House of Kustoms in Palatine, Illinois."  This shop would have been less than 15 miles away from the racetrack!  The article also states that, "After Puhl finished it, Jeffords took the AMX-R on the road, mostly to Trans-Am races, and apparently used it as a pace car for a few of those races--at one point, the AMX-R carried the lettering "Official Car" just below the driver's and passenger's windows."  The use of the word "apparently" seems to mean that their is some doubt if the AMX-R actually paced a Trans Am race, so maybe this picture just might be the evidence needed to say that it did?  Does anyone have a picture of the actual pace lap?

In the second attached picture you can see the AMX-R behind the Trans Am Javelin.  This picture is from: http://miroldpix2.homestead.com/68transampage.html  The third picture is how the car looks today fully restored (internet picture).
« Last Edit: December 13, 2012, 05:40:37 AM by SMKZ28 »
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

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #34 on: December 13, 2012, 04:26:02 PM »
Scott, thanks for posts on several more pace cars. A video of the '69 Donnybrooke Trans-Am race, seen here, shows an AMX with a rumble seat as the pacecar. I assume it's the same car as the red one from '68 but don't know that for sure.
Jon Mello
CRG

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #35 on: December 13, 2012, 09:44:23 PM »
That is great footage of the Donnybrooke race.  I remember seeing that for the first time as a kid on a VHS Camaro retrospective back in the 80's.  Unfortunately it doesn't contain the first 4 minutes of the original film which can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr6U4_2PgPE  The film is titled wrong on Youtube.  It should say Trans Am 1969, not 1968. 

Anyway, I don't think the AMX pacing the 1969 Donnybrooke race is the same Jeffords AMX-R that paced the 1968 Meadowdale race.  According to the Hemmings article (link posted above), Jeffords donated the AMX-R to the Brooks Stevens Museum in 1969 where it sat unaltered until it's current owner bought it in 1985.  I believe that the AMX pacing the 1969 Donnybrooke Trans Am race is a stock 1969 AMX that had the rear window removed.  If you click on the link to the first 4 minutes of film, you will notice that at 2:56 you can see the rear of the AMX.  It shows no rumble seat, just a regular trunk lid.  A few seconds later, at 3:22 in the film, someone jumps into the back and goes along for the ride on the pace lap.  The 1968-1970 AMX had no back seat but it did have a shelf in the back directly under the rear window.  If you removed the window someone could sit back there and have the top half of their body sticking out, just like it shows in the video you posted.  This is just my two cents.  Maybe someone else did make another rumble seat AMX.  I'll keep researching.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #36 on: December 14, 2012, 12:45:21 AM »
Here is another pic of the 1969 AMX that paced the 1969 Donnybrooke Trans Am race.  Unfortunately, it does not show the back either.  It came from a thread on this web site.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #37 on: December 14, 2012, 01:10:26 AM »
Here are some photos of the 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T convertible that paced the Trans Am race held at Donnybrooke International Speedway, Brainerd, Minnesotta on July 5, 1970.  Unfortunately I don't know where I found these pics on the internet.  I lost my list that told me this info.  If these are your photos please identify yourself for credit.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #38 on: December 14, 2012, 01:13:06 AM »
Here is another photo of the 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T convertible that paced the 1970 Donnybrooke Trans Am race.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #39 on: December 14, 2012, 01:13:52 AM »
Here is one more photo of the 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T convertible that paced the 1970 Donnybrooke Trans Am race.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #40 on: December 14, 2012, 01:22:27 AM »
It seems that purple 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T convertibles were the pace cars to have during the 1970 Trans Am series.  Here is a photo of the back of the pace car for the Trans Am race at Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin held on July 19, 1970.  This car is different from the pace car at Donnybrooke by having wheel covers and the white rear stripe.  Again, I don't know where I found these pics on the internet.  I lost my list that told me this info.  If these are your photos please identify yourself for credit.
« Last Edit: December 14, 2012, 01:39:30 AM by SMKZ28 »
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #41 on: December 14, 2012, 01:38:38 AM »
Here is another picture of the 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T convertible that paced the 1970 Road America Trans Am race.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #42 on: December 14, 2012, 01:42:41 AM »
Here is a picture of the 1971 Ford Mustang used as the pace car for the Trans Am race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, Ohio on June 6, 1971.  It looks to be a convertible with the top up due to the rainy weather.  I think I found this picture somewhere on this web site.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #43 on: December 14, 2012, 01:51:06 AM »
Here are some photos of the 1971 Chevy Corvette Roadster used as the pace car for both of the Trans Am races at Watkins Glen Grand Prix Course, Watkins Glen, New York on August 15, 1971.  Again, I don't know where I found these pics on the internet.  I lost my list that told me this info.  If these are your photos please identify yourself for credit.
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

MO

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1125
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #44 on: December 14, 2012, 03:31:32 AM »
Great research, posts and links SMKZ28. I'm glad that my observation helped you. That's a neat picture of the AMX-R. I have always liked that car.

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #45 on: December 14, 2012, 03:48:43 AM »
Here is a photo of the 1968 Mercury Cougar paceing the field during the pace lap of the Lime Rock 3-Hour race Trans Am race at Lime Rock Park, Lime Rock, Connecticut on May 30, 1968.  The photo came from this site: http://public.fotki.com/gwadagone/trans-am-racing1966/
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #46 on: December 14, 2012, 03:51:37 AM »
Great research, posts and links SMKZ28. I'm glad that my observation helped you. That's a neat picture of the AMX-R. I have always liked that car.

Thanks MO.  I live for this kind of stuff.
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

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #47 on: December 14, 2012, 02:36:28 PM »
Great additions, Scott. Thanks for posting them.
Jon Mello
CRG

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #48 on: December 14, 2012, 10:51:26 PM »
Here is a picture of the 1970 Chevy Corvette roadster that paced the Trans Am race at Laguna Seca Raceway, Monterey, California on April 19, 1970.  I found this picture on this forum.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #49 on: December 16, 2012, 05:09:49 PM »
While this is not a Trans Am race the attached photo shows the same 1968 Jeffords AMX-R that either paced the 1968 Trans Am race or was part of the pace lap along with the white 1968 AMX shown in the earlier posts.  This picture shows the car pacing the Formula B cars at Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin on July 20, 1969.  This was a support race for the Formula 5000 Continental Championship, so it probably paced the three separate heats that were run for those cars as well.  I found it on page 67 of my book on the history of Road America entitled, "Road America: Celebrating 50 Years of Road Racing" by Tom Schultz.  You can see a flagman in the rumble seat in the yellow shirt.  Since the Hemmings article about this car in an earlier post states that Jeffords donated the AMX-R to the Brooks Stevens Museum in 1969, it must have been sometime after July 20th.  This also proves that this car did not pace the 1969 Donnybrooke Trans Am race on July 6, 1969 since it still looks the same as it did in 1968 and that Trans Am race was only 2 weeks before the pictured race took place.   
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

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #50 on: December 17, 2012, 05:19:50 PM »
The 1967 Riverside 250 Trans-Am pace car had a red & silver paint job to match the Bud Moore Cougars.
I'm not sure what engine was in it. Here the pace car can be spotted above the hood of David Pearson's Cougar.
Jon Mello
CRG

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #51 on: December 17, 2012, 06:54:56 PM »
Cool photo Jon, I had not seen that one before.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #52 on: December 17, 2012, 09:48:01 PM »
The next three posts contain pictures of the Dover White 1969 Chevy Camaro SS 396/RS convertible that was apparently used to pace the Wolverine Trans Am race at Michigan International Speedway, Irish Hills, Michigan on May 11, 1969.  You can see that the top is up because it was such a cold and rainy day.  I say apparently because this is one of the ten 1969 Camaros purchased by Nascar to be used for pacing duties during Nascar events and the photo doesn't actually show it on the first lap.  I found the picture in an article in the June 2000 edition of Mustang Monthly Magazine and it is entitled, "Racing Legends: Jones and Follmer Speak Up and Out." I used my digital camera because my scanner isn't working.

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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #53 on: December 17, 2012, 10:00:02 PM »
Here is a closeup of the Camaro from the previous picture.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #54 on: December 17, 2012, 10:02:59 PM »
This picture shows the car in the two previous posts.  It is from an article entitled, "1969 Camaro Pace Cars" which appeared in the January/February 1992 edition of Muscle Cars of the 60s/70s.  The caption that appeared next to it states, "Michigan International Speedway was a new facility in 1969.  Located about 55 miles west of Detroit, the super speedway used a white 396 powered Camaro as its pace car for one or more events, including the Motor State 500 on June 15 of that year."  I think this picture might prove that the car was also used to pace the Trans Am race more than a month before the Nascar event in June! 

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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #55 on: December 18, 2012, 05:08:24 AM »
They also must have used the Camaro in the previous 3 posts to pace the Can Am race at Michigan International Speedway on September 28, 1969.  Here is a picture of the podium finishers riding along in the Camaro.  You can see Bruce McLaren (1st), Denny Hulme (2nd), Dan Gurney (3rd) and Sterling Moss.  The picture is part of the Dave Friedman Collection at The Henry Ford and can be seen here: http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/options.pl?imageID=118566&productTypeID=62&ckon=imageThumb
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #56 on: December 18, 2012, 05:17:09 AM »
Here is the Michigan International Speedway 1969 Camaro SS/RS pace car again during the Can Am race mentioned above.  You can see it parked across from pit lane.  See a clearer picture of it here: http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/options.pl?imageID=118481&productTypeID=62&ckon=imageThumb  Just click on the picture to magnify it.
« Last Edit: December 18, 2012, 06:50:01 AM by SMKZ28 »
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #57 on: December 18, 2012, 05:20:41 AM »
Here is the Camaro mentioned in the previous posts again during the Can Am race.  See it here: http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/options.pl?imageID=118478&productTypeID=62&ckon=imageThumb
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #58 on: December 18, 2012, 05:24:49 AM »
Here you can see the Camaro after the Can Am race finished parked right next to where the winning McLaren is being pushed into the winners circle.  You can see it here: http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/options.pl?imageID=118455&productTypeID=62&ckon=imageThumb
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #59 on: December 18, 2012, 06:34:55 AM »
Here is the Michigan 1969 Camaro pace car again in a picture taken by Dave Friedman during the 1969 Wolverine Trans Am.  You can see it parked between pit lane and the race track.  See a larger and clearer version here: http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/options.pl?imageID=178890&productTypeID=62&ckon=imageThumb
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #60 on: December 18, 2012, 06:40:03 AM »
Here is the Michigan 1969 Camaro pace car again in a picture taken by Dave Friedman during the 1969 Wolverine Trans Am.  You can see it on pit lane in front of the Trans Am cars.  You can see a larger and clearer version here: http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/options.pl?imageID=178877&productTypeID=62&ckon=imageThumb   Just click on the picture to make it larger.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #61 on: December 18, 2012, 06:44:03 AM »
Here is the Michigan 1969 Camaro pace car again in a picture taken by Dave Friedman during the 1969 Wolverine Trans Am.  You can see it coming down pit lane as it begins the pace lap.  Interesting to see that the top was down.  You can see a larger and clearer version here: http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/options.pl?imageID=178876&productTypeID=62&ckon=imageThumb
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

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #62 on: December 18, 2012, 02:51:33 PM »
Thanks for all the recent additions, Scott.
Jon Mello
CRG

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #63 on: December 19, 2012, 05:00:05 AM »
Here is a second picture showing the 1967 Camaro SS/RS convertible (Indy Pace Car look alike) that paced the Trans Am race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, Ohio on June 11, 1967.  I say look alike because many of the experts on camaropacecars.com believe that this isn't an Indy pace car replica.  Much discussion has taken place about the darker appearance of the nose stripe, and they believe that it appears too dark in the pictures for it to be a blue nose stripe.  They also believe that the door decal is not located on the door in the same place as Indy pace car replicas.  They have come to the conclusion that the same door decal, minus the Indy 500 date, was attached to a regular 1967 Camaro SS/RS convertible with a black nose stripe.  If anyone has a color picture we can solve the mystery.  Nevertheless, it's still cool to see the car pacing the Trans Am race.  The picture was taken by Dave Friedman and is part of the Dave Friedman Collection at The Henry Ford.  A larger and clearer version can be seen here: http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/options.pl?imageID=119234&productTypeID=62&ckon=imageThumb   Click on the picture to magnify it. 

The other picture of this car was posted by Jon Mello in the 1st reply of this thread.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #64 on: December 19, 2012, 05:13:16 AM »
Here is a picture of the 1971 AMC Javelin AMX that paced the Trans Am race at the Mission Bell 200, Riverside International Raceway, Riverside, California on October 3, 1971.  I found it on page 227 of "Trans-Am: The Pony Car Wars 1966-1972," by Dave Friedman.  I took a picture of the photo with my digital camera.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #65 on: December 19, 2012, 05:16:32 AM »
This is a zoom-in on the pace car from the previous picture of the 1971 AMC Javelin AMX that paced the Trans Am race at the Mission Bell 200, Riverside International Raceway, Riverside, California on October 3, 1971.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #66 on: December 19, 2012, 05:24:09 AM »
I was able to find the full sized photo where you can see the entire 1971 Javelin AMX pace car for the 1971 Riverside Trans Am race in the Dave Friedman Collection at The Henry Ford.  See a larger and clearer version here: http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/options.pl?imageID=141278&productTypeID=62&ckon=imageThumb   Click on the picture to magnify it.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #67 on: December 20, 2012, 03:43:43 AM »
Here is another photograph of the back of the 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T convertible pace car for the Trans Am race at Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin held on July 19, 1970.  You can see it braking for turn 6 just under the Corvette bridge.  It's the same car that you can see in Reply 40 and Reply 41 in this thread.  Pete Lyons took this photo and you can see a larger version here: http://petelyons.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/Trans-Am-5-0-cars/G0000i_yvoIZNNlw/I00008uY9dPXf9mQ/C0000wtshQuLzdyY
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #68 on: December 20, 2012, 03:52:01 AM »
Here are two more pictures of the 1971 Ford Mustang convertible used as the pace car for the Trans Am race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, Ohio on June 6, 1971.  This time it's pacing the U2 Trans Am race cars and its sunny and the top is down.  

The first picture was taken by Pete Lyons and a larger version can be seen here: http://petelyons.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/U2-Trans-Am-small-cars/G00008Eo.rrqHP.I/I0000cBXm0rPKVdk/C0000wtshQuLzdyY

The second picture also shows the car during a pace lap.  I cut this picture out of a Vintage Motorsports Magazine several years ago and put it in my pace car scrapbook.  The caption says, "Cameraman Mark Zavad takes up a precarious position in the pace car for the filming of a segment of ABC TV's Once Upon a Wheel."  This was a 1971 documentary on racing hosted by Paul Newman.  Part 1 can be seen on youtube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2dIEXTozbY
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #69 on: January 08, 2013, 09:24:30 PM »
Here are a couple of pictures of the 1968 or 1969 American Motors AMX that paced the Mission Bell 250 at Riverside International Raceway, Riverside, California on September 8, 1968.  The pictures were taken by Dave Friedman and they are a part of the Dave Friedman Collection at The Henry Ford. 

A larger and clearer version of the first picture can be seen here: http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/options.pl?imageID=122830&productTypeID=62&ckon=imageThumb    Click on the picture to magnify.

A larger and clearer version of the second picture can be seen here: http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/options.pl?imageID=122874&productTypeID=62&ckon=imageThumb  Click on pictures to magnify. 

They are mismarked "1969" on the website but they are clearly from the 1968 season.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #70 on: January 09, 2013, 04:23:26 AM »
Here is another photo of the 1971 Chevy Corvette Roadster used as the pace car for both of the Trans Am races at Watkins Glen Grand Prix Course, Watkins Glen, New York on August 15, 1971.  (3 more photos of the pace car can be seen in post #43 of this thread)  The photo appears in the program for the 1972 Watkins Glen Trans Am/F-5000 race weekend.  It was posted on page 62 of the "Trans Am Alfas" thread on the Alfa Bulletin Board by KENGTA: http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/picture-room/17978-alfas-trans-am-62.html
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #71 on: January 09, 2013, 06:02:26 AM »
While searching through the Ohio Valley Region of the SCCA's historical photo gallery I came across this shot of a 1968 Camaro SS/RS convertible pacing the 1968 Mid-Ohio Trans Am race, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, Ohio on June 16, 1968.  A larger version can be seen here: http://gallery.ovr-scca.org/?Dir=%2FHistorical%2FWheel+2+Wheel+Racing&Image=SLD7%5F012%2Ejpg&Page=20

The second picture shows the same car pacing the start of the USRRC (United States Road Racing Championship) Race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on August 18, 1968. This was the last race of the series and it was won by Mark Donohue in his Penske McLaren M6A Chevy. Starting 2nd on the grid, this win sealed the Championship for Donohue.  The picture was taken by Jim Hayes and can be found at his web site: http://www.jimhayes.com/Archives/MidOhio68/MidOhio68-Pages/Image15.html
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

group/7

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 375
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #72 on: January 09, 2013, 02:29:18 PM »
smkz28, thanks for the pics of the 68 camaro pace car at mid-ohio. the link also has a lot of other neat shots from other trans-am & can-am races. bit mixed up, so one has to scroll through them.

   mike in canada

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #73 on: January 09, 2013, 02:35:43 PM »
smkz28, thanks for the pics of the 68 camaro pace car at mid-ohio. the link also has a lot of other neat shots from other trans-am & can-am races. bit mixed up, so one has to scroll through them.

   mike in canada

Your welcome Mike.  Those were pretty neat pics.  I posted a link to the site in the thread entitled, "Websites that might be of interest to us."  For those who didn't see that post, many pics of Trans Am, A/Sedan, and other races from the 60s - 80's at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course are available at the Ohio Valley Region of the SCCA picture gallery:  http://gallery.ovr-scca.org/?Dir=%2FHistorical/Wheel+2+Wheel+Racing
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #74 on: January 10, 2013, 03:39:38 AM »
Here is a picture showing a little bit of the 1969 Camaro SS convertible that was used to pace the 1969 Glen 500 Trans Am race, Watkins Glen Grand Prix Course, Watkins Glen, New York on August 10, 1969.  It looks to be the same car that paced the 1969 US Grand Prix F1 race at the same track two months later on October 5, 1969, but according to the info posted about the car when it was auctioned off in 2011, the US Grand Prix Camaro pace car was built in September. Either there were two identical cars or someone is wrong.  The first picture is from the Dave Friedman Collection at The Henry Ford.  A larger and clearer version can be seen here: http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/options.pl?imageID=178383&productTypeID=62&ckon=imageThumb  Click on picture to magnify.

The 2nd and 3rd pictures show the US Grand Prix Camaro pace car as it appeared at auction in 2011.  More info can be found here: http://mecum.com/auctions/lot_detail.cfm?LOT_ID=FL0111-103053  It is currently for sale but there is no mention of what month the car was built: http://www.rkmotorscharlotte.com/sales/inventory/active#!/1969-Chevrolet-Camaro-SS/132256/110816
« Last Edit: January 10, 2013, 03:58:54 AM by SMKZ28 »
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #75 on: January 10, 2013, 02:19:36 PM »
Apparantly the info listed for the car during the 2011 auction was wrong.  I emailed RK Motors, those who are currently selling the car, to find out when the car was built.  I received a response from  Joseph M. Carroll, President & C.E.O. of RK Motors, LLC stating that the car was a special ordered car built in July.  This makes sense chronologically because in addition to the car appearing in front of the Trans Am grid in August, I also found a picture that shows the car in front of the race cars on the grid for the World Sports Car Championship 6 hour race on July 12, 1969 and a picture of the car driving down pit lane after pacing the Can Am race cars the very next day on July 13, 1969.  Mystery solved!

Both pictures are from the Dave Friedman Collection at The Henry Ford.  A larger and clearer version of the first picture (6 hour) can be seen here: http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/options.pl?imageID=177531&ckon=thumb  Click on the picture to magnify.

A larger and clearer version of the second picture (Can Am) can be seen here: http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/options.pl?imageID=177787&ckon=thumb  Click on the picture to magnify.

Here is the link to RK Motors: http://www.rkmotorscharlotte.com/sales/inventory/active#!/1969-Chevrolet-Camaro-SS/132256/110635.  Not sure why it won't go directly to the car, but if you search for "Watkins Glen Camaro" it should come up.
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

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #76 on: January 10, 2013, 07:44:02 PM »
Here's the link to the Watkins Glen pace car.
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #77 on: February 10, 2013, 07:36:10 PM »
A photo of the '68 Daytona 24-Hour pace car prior to getting it's full pace car paint scheme applied.



A picture of Big Bill France behind the wheel of the car.

Jon Mello
CRG

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #78 on: February 11, 2013, 07:56:29 PM »
Great photos Jon.  I noticed that the second photo was in the program for the 1968 Daytona 24 hours.  Where did the ad for Spence Chevy come from?  Was it a local newspaper?
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

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #79 on: February 12, 2013, 03:56:27 AM »
Thanks, Scott. The Spence Chevrolet ad came from the 1968 Firecracker 400/Paul Revere 250 program and map of the 3.81 mile Daytona course came from that program as well. Everything else came from the 24-Hour program.
Jon Mello
CRG

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #80 on: February 15, 2013, 10:36:20 PM »
In this photo you can just see the back of the light blue 1968 Mercury Cougar that paced the field during the Lime Rock 3-Hour Trans Am race at Lime Rock Park, Lime Rock, Connecticut on May 30, 1968.   Don Feeley posted it on the Historic SCCA Pro Racing Trans-Am Series Fan Group Facebook page: http://www.hs.facebook.com/media/set/?set=o.109038482465812&page=1.   To see a picture of the whole car pacing the field, see my post on the 4th page of this thread.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #81 on: February 16, 2013, 02:31:12 AM »
Here is a picture of the 1967 Mustang convertible that was used to pace the Continental Divide Trans Am at Continental Divide Raceways, Castle Rock, Colorado on August 27, 1967.  The picture appears on page 50 of the book entitled, "Trans Am: The Pony Car Wars, 1966-1972," by Dave Friedman and is credited to the HRM Archives, which stands for Hot Rod Magazine Archives.  I photographed the picture with my digital camera.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #82 on: February 17, 2013, 06:27:51 PM »
Here are a couple of pictures of the 1970 Mustang convertible that pace the 1970 Trans Am race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, Ohio on June 7, 1970.  I paused some footage of the race and took these digital pictures.  You can find the footag on Youtube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kfK2Wj1WwE&feature=youtu.be  You can see the pace lap between 0:20 and 0:57.   

Jon Mello posted a black and white picture of the same car on the first page of this thread.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #83 on: February 18, 2013, 07:58:30 PM »
I have finally figured out what kind of pace car was used during the Schaefer Trans Am race at Lime Rock Park, Lime Rock, Connecticut on May 9, 1970.  It was a 1970 Iso Rivolta.  The car combined Italian styling with a Chevy Corvette 327 engine.  Less than 800 were made between 1962 and 1970.  According to classicandperformancecar.com, "the Rivolta was an example of the Italo-American breed that proved popular during the 1960s and ‘70s and which allowed drivers to sample Ferrari-style glamour and performance without the price. The Rivolta had all the credentials to deliver the goods: Giugiaro styling; Bizzarini chassis and a 140mph top speed from its General Motors-sourced V8. Under the skin its box-section frame with de Dion rear suspension was a recipe for success, and indeed, the Rivolta sold nearly 800 examples during its eight-year production run."

More info on the car can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iso_Rivolta_IR_300

The first picture was taken by Dave Friedman and it is part of the Dave Friedman Collection at The Henry Ford.  A larger and clearer version can be seen here: http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/options.pl?imageID=114876&productTypeID=62&ckon=imageThumb   Click on the picture to magnify. 

The second picture came from footage of the race found on Youtube.  I took a digital picture while it was paused.  You can see the car in the pits and on the pace lap from 3:24 to 3:50 here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYnGb4fcn9w&feature=youtu.be  The first couple of minutes shows footage from the 1972 Trans Am race at Lime Rock but then the rest of the film is from 1970.

 
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #84 on: February 24, 2013, 04:02:59 PM »
Here is a fabulous picture taken by Dave Friedman that shows a 1969 Camaro RS/SS Indy Pace Car convertible pacing the Trans Am cars during a caution period in Les Trois Heures du Circuit at Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant, St. Jovite, Quebec, Canada on August 3, 1969.  The picture is part of the Dave Friedman Collection at The Henry Ford.  A larger and clearer version can be seen here: http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/options.pl?imageID=158732&productTypeID=62&ckon=imageThumb   Click on the picture to magnify.

The same car also paced the Labatt's 50 Can Am race at the same track a month and a half earlier on June 15, 1969.  The second and third pictures are from the Can Am race and they are also from the Dave Friedman Collection at The Henry Ford.   Larger and clearer versions of these pictures can be seen here: http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/options.pl?imageID=157443&productTypeID=62&ckon=imageThumb
and here: http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/options.pl?imageID=157330&productTypeID=62&ckon=imageThumb  Click on picture to magnify.

The third picture shows that the decal on the door was changed by removing the "Chevrolet Camaro" from the top of the door and the "53rd Annual Indianapolis 500 Mile Race May 30, 1969" from the bottom of the door.  They kept the "Official Pace Car" in the middle of the door and added "Le Circuit Mt. Tremblent" above it.  That is Denny Hulme sitting in the car with the checkered flag.  He won the Can Am race in his Chevy powered McLaren M8B.  You can also see Stirling Moss getting in the passenger seat. He is an ex-racecar driver and he drove both the 1967 Cherokee Camaro pace car during the Can Am race at Road America in 1967 and the 1968 Camaro Z28 convertible pace car during the Can Am race at Road America in 1968. He might also have driven this car during the pace laps, although I don't have any pictoral evidence to confirm it.

« Last Edit: February 24, 2013, 05:11:11 PM by SMKZ28 »
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #85 on: February 24, 2013, 11:10:38 PM »
Here is a picture showing the pace lap for the last race of the 1970 Trans Am season.  The picture shows that a 1971 AMC javelin was used to pace the Mission Bell 200 at Riverside International Raceway, Riverside, California on October 4, 1970.  Interestingly, the car looks like it was just a Javelin SST not the top of the line Javelin AMX as raced in the Trans Am.  I found the picture on a thread about the 1970 Trans Am Championship here: http://www.theroaringseason.com/showthread.php?218-1970-Trans-Am-Championship   It was posted by Steve Holmes.
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

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #86 on: February 25, 2013, 06:05:44 AM »
Thanks for your efforts, Scott.
Jon Mello
CRG

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #87 on: March 02, 2013, 07:54:02 PM »
I found this picture on this website on the thread entitled, "1969 Mid-Ohio Trans-Am photos" (http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=8485.0)  It was taken by Ron Lathrop and it shows the pace lap for the Trans Am race that took place at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, Ohio on June 8, 1969.  You can barely see the back of a 1969 Mustang convertible that was used to pace the race.

The second picture shows the front of a mustang in the pits during the Can Am race held at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course a few months later on August 17, 1969.  I think they used this 1969 Mustang convertible to pace all the races held at Mid Ohio during the 1969 race season.  You can see it in the background on the right side of the picture.  People are standing all around it.  The picture was taken by Dave Friedman and is part of The Dave Friedman Collection at The Henry Ford.  A larger and clearer version can be seen here: http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/options.pl?imageID=118852&productTypeID=62&ckon=imageThumb  Click on the picture to magnify.

The third picture shows Denny Hulme and Stirling Moss inside the 1969 Mustang after Denny won the race in his Chevy powered McLaren M8B.  It was also taken by Dave Friedman and is part of The Dave Friedman Collection at The Henry Ford.  A larger and clearer version can be seen here: http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/options.pl?imageID=118643&productTypeID=62&ckon=imageThumb  Click on picture to magnify.
« Last Edit: March 02, 2013, 08:53:25 PM by SMKZ28 »
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #88 on: March 02, 2013, 08:43:49 PM »
Here are two pictures within magazine articles that show the 1968 Shelby GT500KR Mustang used to pace the Bryar 200 Trans Am race at Bryar Motorsport Speedway, Loudon, New Hampshire on August 4, 1968.  Both pictures were posted on this web site by Jon Mello.  You can see the car heading into pit lane in both pictures after releasing the Trans Am cars for the green flag at the conclusion of the pace lap.  The first picture was taken a few seconds after the second picture.

The third picture was taken by Ron Lathrop and shows the Shelby parked next to the entrance to pit lane during the race.  It appears on this website in the thread entitled, "1968 Bryar Trans-Am photos" (http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=8309.0).
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #89 on: March 02, 2013, 08:52:46 PM »
Here are two more pictures taken by Ron Lathrop at the 1968 Bryar Trans Am showing the 1968 Shelby GT500KR Mustang covnertible pace car in pit lane during the race.  They can also be seen here: http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=8309.0
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #90 on: March 02, 2013, 09:32:44 PM »
Here are two pictures of the pace lap for the Trans Am race at Donnybrooke International Speedway, Brainerd, Minnesota on July 5, 1970.  They are part of a photostream posted on flckr by "carpenterdesign," but they are mistakenly identified as Road America.  You can barely see the 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T convertible at the head of the pack.  Better pictures of this car can be seen on the third page of this thread.  See the photostream here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/46104238@N02/with/4240231019/#photo_4240231019  There are lots of other interesting Trans Am photos there.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #91 on: March 02, 2013, 09:55:24 PM »
Here is a picture of the start of the Continental Divide Trans Am race at Continental Divide Raceways, Castle Rock, Coloroado on August 27, 1967.  It shows the 1967 Ford Mustang convertible pace car at the end of pit lane.  The picture is part of a photostream posted on flckr by "carpenterdesign."  You can see a larger version here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/46104238@N02/4402654669/in/photostream  A larger picture of the car can be seen on page 6 of this thread.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #92 on: March 02, 2013, 10:11:30 PM »
Here is a picture of the pace lap of the Trans Am race at Donnybrooke International Speedway, Brainerd, Minnesotta on July 4, 1972.  The picture was taken by Jerry Winker and a larger version can be seen here: http://www.comicozzie.com/gallery2/v/1972/TA/72TA-1+_850+x+618_.jpg.html  The car appears to be an 1972 AMC Matador.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #93 on: March 03, 2013, 05:12:05 PM »
To follow up on Reply #87 on page 6 of this thread, I was able to find some vintage footage of the 1969 Can Am race held at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on August 17, 1969 that shows the 1969 Ford Mustang convertible pace car driven by Stirling Moss.  This is the same car that was used to pace the Trans Am race at Mid-Ohio a few months earlier on June 8, 1969.  See the footage here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Yd-jmoM0hY  In it you can see the 1969 Mustang convertible pace car cooming through pit lane as the Can Am cars get the green flag.  See it between 0:31 and 0:37.

I took a few photos of the car as the footage was paused.
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

T/AracingFTW

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 19
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #94 on: March 12, 2013, 07:05:51 AM »
I can't thank you guys enough for continuing to help with these pics!  You guys are sooo helpful and I don't take it lightly.  I've been so darn busy for so long now because of work and family, I haven't been able to talk on here but I'm currently not employed now so I thought I'd try to hangout with you guys again.  I was utterly amazed to see that this thread is 7 pages long now...lol!  I'm gonna take some time tomorrow and look through it all.

As far as our racing series went on Forza Motorsport 4 as mentioned in the first post, it went fairly well at first then died very quickly because I couldn't put the time into it that I wanted.  I have alot of photos and possibly a little video of the first three races.  The good news is that a friend of mine who is highly interested in Trans Am racing is teaming up with me to do one big (hopefully EPIC) replica only Trans Am race event on Road America which will include a "best replica" paint contest.  The whole purpose of this race will be to replicate as close to real as possible the real thing for video and pics purposes.  I promise at some point I will post the video here since you guys have helped me sooo much with things. ;-)

I do want to share one video with you that my friend and T/A series co-owner/creator did to showcase my crown jewel of my Trans Am paint jobs that was tranferred over to Forza Horizon on an SS model Camaro which consequently took 3rd place in one of the paint contests.  They did some great modeling of cars in Forza games but unfortunately the '69 Camaro didn't get the most accurate treatment and there really were no rims that I could use that looked like the right rims so I had to improvise.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un_mpUXfayc

I also painted the nose chrome on one of my '69 Trans Ams to try to recreate Jerry Titus's #13 car but I need to perfect that paint job before I show it off. ;-)

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #95 on: March 14, 2013, 05:12:23 AM »
Thanks for checking back in and for posting a link to that car you added the Sunoco livery to. I guess I don't understand enough about that program. How can you add the lettering, decals and numbers and change wheels yet not get rid of the SS badging and other such details that are considered incorrect?
Jon Mello
CRG

T/AracingFTW

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 19
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #96 on: March 14, 2013, 08:35:42 AM »
In Forza Motorsport 4 the car is a Z28 with the right hood, badging and all for a stock Camaro including the usually not wanted vinyl top and in some cases unwanted RS trim.  This is the car that I originally created the livery for.  The next Forza game that came out is called Horizon and you are able to transfer paint work you've done from Forza 4 to Horizon.  Unfortunately in Horizon only the RS/SS model was offered hence the wrong badges and such.  All of the actual paint work you see on the car is made from scratch out of shapes.  We can do pretty much anything to a car on Forza paint wise but we're stuck with what they offer us as far as trim and the cars in general usually.  The only reason I'm showing the SS model to you is that's the game my friend decided to surprise me and feature on his youtube page.  I've got other pics of the car on Z28 just not sure if I did video.  The more I think about it though I think I might.  I'm all about accuracy especially with T/A cars but you can only work so much with.  Another great example is that I had to paint the Smokey Yunick Camaro design on a '68 Firebird if I wanted the metallic gold to look right and on the right year car.  I didn't want to but if I painted it on a Camaro it would have to be the '69 and no metallic gold.  >:(

The cool thing about this car is that I hand painted (well electronically) realistic looking hood and "optical illusion" rear trunk pins with chrome look, all the number/font is made from scratch, pinstriping and even painted the gas filler on top of the trunk and emblems again made from single shapes sized, stretched, skewed, adjusted transparency, etc.  The rims is the most frustrating situation for either of these Forza games because they actually do offer a similar wheel to the mini lites but they don't allow it to be painted in color and there's no depth to the wheel.  I'll try to find some more pics of the actual Z28 and get you a link if you still want to see it on a more accurate car model.

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #97 on: March 16, 2013, 05:25:22 AM »
I guess I had thought that since you could paint on the lettering and decals you could add blue paint over the SS emblems to essentially "erase" them. It sounds like that's not possible based on what you are telling me. Strange that you had to go to a different year and model to do an effective Smokey Yunick inspired car. Hopefully the programs will continue to improve and you can get exactly what you're looking for.
Jon Mello
CRG

T/AracingFTW

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 19
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #98 on: March 18, 2013, 07:57:50 AM »
Yeah, I'm all about accuracy and it's definitely frustrating that I don't have the right years and in some cases right models but...

when it comes to console simulators Forza 4 has got THE most selection of cars that were in the Trans Am series and for that I'm thankful.  For example, it's rival, GranTurismo 5 completely dropped the ball by offering two race pony cars, the '69 Camaro and the '70 Challenger and every other car like the Mustang is not a numbered race car and in fact cars like the early Cougar is just a plain jane car that they don't even offer the right custom rims for.  Not to mention you can't do vinyl work in the sim.  Forza 4 has over 16 of the Pony cars alone not including the under 2.0L class.  Although some of them are not 100% accurate year and model wise, they all are vinyl paintable, race modifiable, tunable etc.

I just choose to look at it that way whenever I can.  ;)

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #99 on: March 18, 2013, 08:10:42 PM »
Here are a few more pictures of the 1969 Camaro SS convertible that paced the Trans Am race at Laguna Seca Raceway, Monterey, California on August 24, 1969.  To see the other pictures of this car go to replies 28 & 29 on page 2 of this thread.

The first picture was taken by Dave Friedman in pit lane before the pace laps began. It is part of the Dave Friedman Collection at The Henry Ford. A larger and clearer version can be seen here: http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/options.pl?imageID=111274&productTypeID=62&ckon=imageThumb  Click on image to magnify. Unfortunately it's sideways on their site.

The second picture was taken by Dave Friedman during the race.  You can see the back half of the Camaro parked in the pit lane as the two Penske Camaros go by on the racetrack. It is on the very left of the picture. It is also part of the Dave Friedman Collection at The Henry Ford. A larger and clearer version can be seen here: http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/options.pl?imageID=111308&productTypeID=62&ckon=imageThumb  Click on image to magnify.

The same 1969 Camaro SS396 convertible also paced the Monterey Grand Prix for Can Am racecars at Laguna Seca a month and a half later on October 12, 1969. This race was won by Bruce McLaren in his Chevy powered McLaren M8B.

The third picture shows the Camaro pace car leading the Can Am cars as they head down the famous "Cork Screw" during the pace lap of the 1969 Monterey Grand Prix. This picture shows that the Camaro is equipped with the ZL2 cowl induction hood. It is part of the Dave Friedman Collection at The Henry Ford. A larger and clearer version can be seen here: http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/options.pl?imageID=109317&productTypeID=62&ckon=imageThumb  Click on the picture to magnify.

The fourth picture shows the Camaro sitting in pit lane during the 1969 Monterey Grand Prix at Laguna Seca Raceway waiting to be called on during a caution period.  It is part of the Dave Friedman Collection at The Henry Ford. A larger and clearer version can be seen here: http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/options.pl?imageID=109693&productTypeID=62&ckon=imageThumb  Click on image to magnify.


A few more pictures of the same car will appear in the next post.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #100 on: March 18, 2013, 08:22:05 PM »
Here are a few more pictures of the 1969 Camaro SS 396 convertible that was used to pace both the 1969 Trans Am race and 1969 Can Am race at Laguna Seca Raceway, Monterey, California. 

I found the first picture somewhere on the internet a few years ago.  It shows the Camaro in color pacing the Can Am cars during the pace lap of the 1969 Monterey Grand Prix.  If this is your picture let me know so I can give proper credit.

In the second picture you can see the Camaro parked in front of the Can Am grid, which included both McLarens on the front row. It is part of the Dave Friedman Collection at The Henry Ford. A larger and clearer version can be seen here: http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/options.pl?imageID=109498&productTypeID=62&ckon=imageThumb  Click on image to magnify.

The third picture shows the Camaro sitting in pit lane during the 1969 Monterey Grand Prix Can Am race. It is part of the Dave Friedman Collection at The Henry Ford. A larger and clearer version can be seen here: http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/options.pl?imageID=109694&productTypeID=62&ckon=imageThumb  Click on image to magnify.
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

T/AracingFTW

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 19
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #101 on: March 20, 2013, 06:22:02 AM »
Thanks so much guys!  Really appreciate this.  Hopefully a lot of other people who might be curious about them is getting something from these great pics and info.  ;)

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #102 on: March 21, 2013, 07:50:46 PM »
Here is another picture showing the pace lap for the Mission Bell 200 at Riverside International Raceway, Riverside, California on October 4, 1970.  This was the last race of the 1970 season and you can see another picture of the 1971 AMC Javelin (SST?) pace car in post #85 on page 6 of this thread.  Even though the picture gives a different website, I found the picture here: http://www.boss302.com/smf/index.php?topic=56904.0  There are several other interesting pictures of the Boss 302 Mustangs that participated in the event, both factory and independent.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #103 on: March 21, 2013, 08:39:38 PM »
Here is another picture of the 1971 Ford Mustang Convertible pacing the Trans Am race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, Ohio on June 6, 1971.  The picture appears in the bottom right corner of the December 1971 edition of CircleTrack & Highway on page 46.  I found the picture on this website on page one of a thread entitled, "1971 Trans-Am season review."  It was posted by Jon Mello and the original picture of the full page can be seen here: http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=9705.0.  Other pictures of the car can be seen in this thread on page 3, post #42 and page 5, post #68.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #104 on: March 23, 2013, 05:42:38 AM »
Here are a couple of pictures that show that a 1970 Corvette was used as the pace car for the Trans Am races held at Laguna Seca Raceway, Monterey, California on April 19, 1970.

The first picture shows the Corvette in the pits just as the over 2.0 liter Trans Am cars get the green flag.  I found this on the internet a few years ago so if this is your photo, please let me know and I will give you credit.

The second picture shows the Corvette going through the famous cork screw with the under 2.0 liter cars following on the pace lap.  I found this picture here: http://www.bmw2002faq.com/component/option,com_forum/Itemid,0/page,viewtopic/t,335735/highlight,/sid,857785a8732ab4862aa017fa5f52c819/

You can see another picture of the Corvette pace car in reply #48 on page four of this thread.
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

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #105 on: April 07, 2013, 06:08:51 PM »
This photo was posted on this thread earlier but here is a clearer photo as scanned from my 1972 Watkins Glen program.
Jon Mello
CRG

oldtransamdriver

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 362
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #106 on: April 07, 2013, 08:02:27 PM »
Great photo - looks to be my car in the outside row 10 cars back.  I can barely make out the camera mount plate.  We were dnf with engine problems.  The old 67 had finally run out of steam - was
the last race for it.

Robert Barg

oldtransamdriver

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 362
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #107 on: April 07, 2013, 08:07:59 PM »
Sorry - memory fade.  In 71 the front drive-shaft yolk exploded going down the front straight - reason for the dnf that year.  It was engine failure in 72.

Robert Barg

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #108 on: April 07, 2013, 11:58:27 PM »
What happened when the driveshaft yoke went? Did it polevault the car or just fall out without doing much damage? Seems like many of the cars did not have driveshaft safety loops back then but maybe you guys did.
Jon Mello
CRG

oldtransamdriver

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 362
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #109 on: April 08, 2013, 02:10:33 AM »
When it let go there was a terrific explosion - it beat up the inside of the driveshaft tunnel.  Mist have had a safety loop as I coasted around the large turn at the end of the straight and came to a stop
off to the side.

Robert

69Z28-RS

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5778
  • owner since 4-Apr-1976
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #110 on: April 08, 2013, 03:32:28 AM »
.. instead of a loop, might have had just the same sort of angle iron lower stop that was on the Lagod camaro.. which was based on the tunnet being the 'upper stop'..  :)   
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

oldtransamdriver

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 362
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #111 on: April 08, 2013, 04:06:28 AM »
That sounds more like it as the tunnel was really beat up.

Robert

oldtransamdriver

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 362
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #112 on: April 10, 2013, 08:11:48 PM »
Note that Jerry Lagod Q 19th and went out with engine trouble and I Q 20th and dnf with the driveshaft problem.

Robert Barg

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #113 on: April 10, 2013, 09:40:51 PM »
Lady Luck was not smiling on row 10 that day.   :(
Jon Mello
CRG

group/7

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 375
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #114 on: April 13, 2013, 01:07:29 AM »
SMKZ28, back in post #80 you had a link to the facebook trans am site. there are a lot of cool shots there, thanks for that. there have not been any updates on that link for a while, I guess we are locked out ?

group/7

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #115 on: April 13, 2013, 09:53:12 PM »
Here are two more pictures of the 1971 Chevy Corvette roadster that was used to pace both the over 2 liter and under 2 liter Trans Am races held at Watkins Glen International Raceway, Watkins Glen, New York on August 15, 1971.  It shows the pace car in front of the under 2 liter field as they were leaving for their pace laps.  The scene is from the period movie, "Against All Odds," which is a 26 minute documentary on the Peter Brock owned Datsun BRE 1971 Trans Am U2 Championship season.  See it on Youtube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5XAP4pCRps

I took the pictures with my digital camera while the footage was paused at 13:34 in the film.
« Last Edit: April 13, 2013, 11:18:09 PM by SMKZ28 »
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #116 on: April 13, 2013, 09:59:22 PM »
SMKZ28, back in post #80 you had a link to the facebook trans am site. there are a lot of cool shots there, thanks for that. there have not been any updates on that link for a while, I guess we are locked out ?

group/7

Very strange!  You are right.  Only the pictures can be seen, not the Facebook conversations, etc.  Not sure if they are still maintaining it but here is an updated link to the photos page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=o.109038482465812&type=1
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

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #117 on: May 13, 2013, 05:11:28 AM »
The 1968 Continental Divide Trans-Am had two identical '68 Mustang pace cars. Photo courtesy of Craig Fisher.


Craig Fisher Collection
Jon Mello
CRG

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #118 on: May 13, 2013, 02:06:11 PM »
Great color picture of the 1968 Continental Divide Trans-Am grid.  Thank you Jon and Craig!

One of the Mustangs also appears in this shot from Craig Fisher.  It was posted by Jon Mello in the 1968 season review here: http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=10304.135
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #119 on: May 25, 2013, 12:44:10 PM »
Here is a picture of the grid for the 1971 Mission Belle 200 Trans Am race held at Riverside International Raceway, Riverside, California on October 3, 1971.  At the head of the field you can see the back of the 1972 AMC Javelin AMX that was used to pace the race.  Notice the attached yellow flag.  The picture was taken by John Ryals and posted by Jon Mellow in the Riverside thread: http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=9431.30.  Other pictures of the car can be seen on page 5 of this thread in replies #64-66.  In these earlier posts I mistakenly identified the car as a 1971 model, but since the race took place in October of 1971, it is probably a 1972 model since new car model years usually start in the fall.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #120 on: May 28, 2013, 07:01:37 PM »
While watching my DVD entitled, "The History of the Trans Am Series: 1966-1995 I noticed a tiny snippet of footage that shows Mark Donohue driving his 1968 Penske-Hilton Camaro Z28 into the pit lane after winning the 1968 Les Trois Heures du Circuit, which was a Trans Am race held at Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant, St. Jovite, Quebec, Canada on July 21, 1968.  This footage shows the 1968 Camaro SS/RS convertible that was used by the track to pace the Trans Am race and the other supporting races held during the same weekend.

The first picture was taken with my digital camera while the DVD was paused and you can see the back end of the Camaro pace car in the upper left hand corner as Donohue drives past.

The second picture shows the same 1968 Camaro SS/RS convertible pace car sitting on pit lane. The Cobra is on the grid because it was taken during one of the support races for production cars that took place during the Trans Am weekend.  I found the picture here: http://www.autocourse.ca/index.php?file=photos.html, under the year "1968."

In the third picture you can barely see the Camaro pace car behind the guard rail wall in pit lane as the Formula cars take off at the start of the race. The Camaro is sitting in pit lane because these types of cars began their races with a standing start and did not use the pace car. This was also one of the support races that took place during the Trans Am weekend at St. Jovite. I found it here: http://www.autocourse.ca/index.php?file=photos.html, under the year "1968."







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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #121 on: September 21, 2013, 12:55:28 PM »
Here are some great shots of the 1969 Camaro SS 396 convertible (non RS) that was used to pace the Trans Am race at Laguna Seca Raceway, Monterey, California on August 24, 1969.  The pictures were taken by Delmar Evans and were already posted by Jon Mello in the thread entitled "1969 Laguna Seca Trans-Am photos (http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=11190.0) but I wanted to include them here in the Trans Am pace car thread as well. 

The first picture shows the car on the pace lap.  That is George Follmer on the pole with Parnelli Jones next to him, both in Mustangs. Mark Donohue and Jerry Titus are in the second row in their Camaro and Firebird respectively. The third row consists of Ed Leslie in the second Penske Camaro and Ron Grable in the Javelin.

In the second and third photos you can see the white 1969 Camaro SS 396 convertible on the left side of the photo between the red Corvette and the yellow pickup.

You can see additional pictures of this pace car on this thread.  Go to page two, replies #28 and #29 and page seven, replies #99 and #100.
 
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #122 on: October 18, 2013, 09:59:30 PM »
Here is a great color photo that was taken at the Bryar 250 Trans Am race held at Bryar Motorsports Park, Loudon, New Hampshire on August 6, 1967 that features a white, base model 1967 Camaro convertible pace car.  This must be the start of the race because the pace car is heading to pit lane and the front row consists of Jerry Titus who started on pole in his #17 light yellow Mustang and Peter Revson who started second in his #15 red Cougar.  Behind them in the second row you can see Milt Minter in his #78 darker yellow Mustang and Ed Leslie in his red #98 Cougar.  They must have gotten the green flag just after this picture was taken.  Notice the corner worker on the track signaling something to the drivers.  It also appears that it was raining at the start of the race as well as during the whole race.  Notice the wet track and the windshield wipers are being used on the pace car as well as the Revson Cougar who would eventually win the race.  The picture was posted by Derek Sutton at the Historic SCCA Pro Racing Trans-Am Series Fan Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=694312197249795&set=o.109038482465812&type=3&theater  I'm not sure who took the photo.  I've never seen it before and it does not appear in the thread entitled, "1967 Bryar Trans-Am photos" on this web site.  To see this thread click: http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=8287.0
« Last Edit: October 18, 2013, 10:19:50 PM by SMKZ28 »
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #123 on: October 19, 2013, 12:54:24 AM »
Here are a couple of pictures that were taken at the Marlboro Double 300 Trans Am races, Marlboro Speedway, Upper Marlboro, Maryland on August 12, 1967.  Behind the Mustang of Jerry Titus, you can see the 1967 Ford convertible (Galaxie or Fairlane?) that must have been used to pace the race.  The pictures were posted by Don Struke at the Historic SCCA Pro Racing Trans-Am Series Fan Group Facebook page.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #124 on: October 19, 2013, 03:03:12 AM »
Here is another picture of the 1968 Mercury Cougar that paced the Lime Rock 3-Hour Trans Am race, Lime Rock Park, Lime Rock, Connecticut on May 30, 1968.  Apparantly they had a touring event around the track for a local car club or something as part of the pre-race activities. 

The second picture was already posted on this thread but I wanted to post it here again to give credit to the actual photographer.
 
Both pictures were taken by Bob Weston and can be found here: http://www.timelessracer.com/Photo_Galleries/Date_Location/0024June_Aug_68_Lime_Rock.html
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #125 on: October 19, 2013, 04:37:29 AM »
Here are a couple of pictures that were taken at the Marlboro Double 300 Trans Am races, Marlboro Speedway, Upper Marlboro, Maryland on August 12, 1967.  Behind the Mustang of Jerry Titus, you can see the 1967 Ford convertible (Galaxie or Fairlane?) that must have been used to pace the race.  The pictures were posted by Don Struke at the Historic SCCA Pro Racing Trans-Am Series Fan Group Facebook page.

You can see the 1967 Ford convertible pace car in front of the field during the pace lap of the 1967 Marlboro Trans Am race from :59 to 1:04 in this footage of the race: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0h9OLNQDxwk&feature=related

In addition, you can see a blue 1965 or 1966 Corvette roadster with two yellow flags flying from the rear being used to pace the field during a caution period from 5:07 to 5:10.  I wonder why they used a different car.
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

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #126 on: October 19, 2013, 06:07:13 AM »
Nice additions. Thanks, Scott.
Jon Mello
CRG

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #127 on: October 19, 2013, 09:15:19 PM »
Here is a picture taken by Dave Friedman at the spot of the wrecked Mustang of Jerry Titus during the Green Valley 300 Trans Am race which took place at Green Valley Raceway, Smithfield, Texas on April 16, 1967.  Just behind the smashed up car you can see the back of a 1967 Mustang 2+2 with a flag sticking from the trunk.  The car seems to be parked in a runoff area behind the accident.  While I haven't found any other evidence to back it up, this might be the pace car used during the race.  I'll keep looking. The photo is part of the Dave Friedman Collection at the Henry Ford and a larger and clearer version can be seen here: http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/magnify_popup.pl?imageID=94933&staticImage=C&ckon=image&alt=0
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

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #128 on: October 19, 2013, 10:40:26 PM »
For the Green Valley 300 Trans-Am race there was no pace lap following a pace car. The race featured a "Le Mans" style start
with drivers running to their cars after the starter gave his signal. Dick Thompson's white #11 Mustang was on the pole due to
having the quickest qualifying time but you will see that he gets off to a horrible start.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Dick Thompson's white #11 Mustang (at the right) shown still sitting there as the majority of race cars are on their way. I don't
believe there was any issue on race day that would have necessitated the use of a pace car however the Mustang fastback that
you pointed out was probably the car that was there to serve in that capacity.

Photo by Jerry Melton
Jon Mello
CRG

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #129 on: October 20, 2013, 02:41:31 AM »
Thanks Jon, I had a feeling it was a LeMans type start from seeing several Friedman pictures of the cars lined up that way before the race.  Is there any reasoning behind why they started that way for this race?  I know they did this kind of start several times in 1966 but none the following years. Did they red flag the race?  It seems strange that all of those corner workers would be standing right in the middle of the racetrack if it was just a local caution.  Maybe they just left the car there for the remainder of the race and this picture taken after the race during the cleanup?
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

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #130 on: October 20, 2013, 04:22:12 AM »
Scott, the '68 Sebring race also had the Le Mans style start. The '69 Sebring race was the last one for the Le Mans start but it was not on the Trans-Am schedule that year. It was a popular thing to do in that era because of the added bit of flair or drama, but there were some obviously dangerous aspects to it so it was done away with. Jerry Titus' Mustang was rolled in practice the day before the race. The picture you posted is not from the actual day of the race.
Jon Mello
CRG

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #131 on: October 20, 2013, 03:35:18 PM »
Scott, the '68 Sebring race also had the Le Mans style start. The '69 Sebring race was the last one for the Le Mans start but it was not on the Trans-Am schedule that year. It was a popular thing to do in that era because of the added bit of flair or drama, but there were some obviously dangerous aspects to it so it was done away with. Jerry Titus' Mustang was rolled in practice the day before the race. The picture you posted is not from the actual day of the race.

Thanks Jon for the clarification, I should have read up on the race instead of just guessing about the accident.

As for the LeMans type start, didn't someone get killed in an early lap accident at Sebring because they started and pulled away before fully fastening their belts?  I seem to remember that this was the final straw that led to the elimination of the LeMans type starts at Sebring for 1970.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #132 on: October 20, 2013, 04:39:10 PM »
Here is a picture taken by Dave Friedman at the Mission Bell 250 Trans Am race at Riverside International Raceway, Riverside, California on September 8, 1968.  Just off to the left of the picture, under the Union 76 sign, you can see the back end of the 1968 or 1969 AMX that was used to pace the race.  The picture is part of the Dave Friedman Collection at The Henry Ford.  A larger and clearer version can seen here: http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/magnify_popup.pl?imageID=122738&staticImage=C&ckon=image&alt=0 

Two more pictures of the car in front of the field on the grid can be seen in Reply #69 on the 5th page of this thread.

Not only did an American Motors AMX pace the race but it seems that during the pre-race activities a group of AMC enthusiasts and important AMC motorsports vehicles were allowed to tour the track and show off.  The 2nd, 3rd and 4th pictures show Javelins, AMXs, an AMX drag car on a trailer and possibly two AMC NASCARs on ramp trucks.  These pictures are also part of the Dave Friedman Collection at The Henry Ford.  Larger and clearer versions can be seen here:

2) http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/magnify_popup.pl?imageID=122583&staticImage=C&ckon=image&alt=0
3) http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/magnify_popup.pl?imageID=122597&staticImage=C&ckon=image&alt=0
4) http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/magnify_popup.pl?imageID=122577&staticImage=C&ckon=image&alt=0
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

oldtransamdriver

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 362
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #133 on: October 20, 2013, 05:01:41 PM »
I remember we had a false Le Mans start for the 69 Sebring race.  There was a timing mix-up and we had to run across the track again.  It kind of took the edge off, having to do it twice.  I made sure I was
belted up and waited till most of the cars had left.  Didn't want to get involved in any nonsense right at the start.

Robert Barg

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #134 on: October 22, 2013, 02:58:34 AM »
Thanks for your recollections Robert.

I was mistaken, it wasn't Sebring it was the 1969 24 hour of LeMans race where "John Woolfe was killed in the first lap of the race at the fast Maison Blanche corners, when he was thrown out of the car because he had not fastened his seat belts due to the traditional Le Mans start procedure. The procedure was abolished the next year."  The organizers of the Sebring race must have changed for 1970 due to this accident.

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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #135 on: October 22, 2013, 03:13:03 AM »
Here is a picture taken by Dave Friedman during the 1967 Sebring 4-Hour Trans Am race, Sebring Circuit, Sebring, Florida on March 31, 1967.  In the background, behind the Camaro, you can see a 1967 Ford Fairlane GT with writing on the doors.  This might be the safety car that was used during caution periods during the race and for official track business.  This car did not "pace" the begining of the race because this race began with a standing start.  Instead of a rolling start with a pace car or a LeMans type start where the drivers run to their cars and drive away, this particular race began with all the cars standing on the grid waiting for the flag man to wave the green flag.  The picture is from the Dave Friedman Collection at The Henry Ford.  A larger and clearer version can be seen here: http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/magnify_popup.pl?imageID=155350&staticImage=C&ckon=image&alt=0
« Last Edit: October 22, 2013, 03:39:51 AM by SMKZ28 »
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #136 on: October 22, 2013, 03:34:19 AM »
In two pictures taken during the pre-race ceremonies for the 1966 12-Hours of Sebring, Sebring Circuit, Sebring Florida, March 26, 1966 you can see a 1965 Mustang convertible that was probably used as the safety car during the race weekend.  Neither the Trans Am race or the 12-Hour endurance race used a rolling start to begin the race, so this Mustang was not used to "pace" the race.  It was probably there to be used during any full course caution periods and other official track business.  While this picture was taken the day after the Four Hour Governor's Cup for Sedans (Trans Am), this same car was probably used in the same capacity during this first ever Trans Am race.  The first two pictures can be found here: http://www.sportscardigest.com/1966-12-hours-of-sebring-race-profile/3/  (Thanks Jon for linking this article in the 1967 season thread.  I forgot I had these pictures from it.)

In the third picture, you can see two identical 1965 Mustangs parked behind Chris Economaki in the pit lane during the 1965 12-Hours of Sebring.  One of these cars must be the one in the photos from the 1966 running of the race.  I found the third picture somewhere on the internet a couple of years ago.  If it is yours please identify yourself for proper credit.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #137 on: October 24, 2013, 03:32:47 AM »
Here is a picture taken during the pace lap of the 1970 Herald-Traveler Trans Am Race that took place at Bryar Motorsport Park, Loudon, New Hampshire on May 31, 1970.  In it you can see that a 1970 Ford Torino GT convertible was the pace car.  I found the picture on page 30 of the March/April 1996 edition of Vintage Motorsport: The Journal of Motor Racing.  This particular issue is dedicated to the 1970 Trans Am season.  The second picture is just a close up of the same picture.  No photographer was credited in the magazine.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #138 on: October 27, 2013, 04:47:23 PM »
Here is a picture of the pace lap for the 1969 Glen 500 Trans Am race held at Watkins Glen Grand Prix Course, Watkis Glen, New York on August 10, 1969. You can barely see a white 1969 Camaro convertible pace car at the head of the grid under the yellow Dunlop sign. See a larger version here about a third of the way down the page: http://forums.autosport.com/topic/121287-trans-am-racing-and-25-challenge-memories/page-4

You can also see a picture of the car at the head of the field in Reply #74 on page five of this thread.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #139 on: October 27, 2013, 07:25:41 PM »
I came across something interesting when I was looking over my old magazine articles about Trans Am homologation specials.  I found an article from MuscleCars Magazine from the early 1990's featuring a 1970 Panther Pink Challenger T/A that was originally used as one of two pace cars at Donnybrooke Speedway, Brainerd, Minnessotta during the 1970 racing season. 

The article states that, "this was originally one of two pace cars (the other one was Plum Crazy) used at Donnybrooke Speedway during the 1970 season.  In addition to its pace car duties, it was also used for promotional purposes at varoius national events.  At the end of the season it was sold...  It's somewhat surprising that most of the original Donnybrooke lettering and other factory equipment was still on the car...  As for the lettering, [the owner] was careful to document its color and placement, but he decided not to put it back just yet." 

Does anyone have any pictures of the pink Challenger pacing any races at Donnybrooke during the 1970 season (possibly Can Am in September)?  The pink Challeger was probably the backup pace car during the Trans Am race so it might appear in pictures from the race, although I haven't found any yet.

The Plum Crazy pace car referenced in the article is the 1970 Plum Crazy Challenger R/T convertible that was used to pace the 1970 Trans Am race at Donnybrooke International Speedway, Brainerd, Minnesotta on July 5, 1970.  Pictures of this car can be seen in replies #37 & 38 on the 3rd page of this thread as well as reply #90 on page seven.  Incidently the pictures in replies #37 & 38 were taken by Tim Winkler and can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/tim.winker/media_set?set=a.1486226766682.2062688.1564295363&type=1    When I originally posted them I couldn't remember where I found them.


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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #140 on: October 28, 2013, 08:35:09 PM »
I have located a pretty cool photo taken by Pete Lyons at the 1970 Mid-Ohio Trans Am weekend at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, Ohio on June 7, 1970.  In it you can see a 1970 Mustang Pace Car just in front of the Under 2 Liter Alfas, BMWs, etc. on their pace lap.  See a larger version here: http://petelyons.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/U2-Trans-Am-small-cars/G00008Eo.rrqHP.I/I0000SuntpXIS3Jw/C0000wtshQuLzdyY

You can see the same car pacing the Over 2 Liter cars during the pace laps of their race in reply #8 on page one of this thread and reply #82 on page six.  The color movie footage referenced in reply #82 shows that this car was painted red.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #141 on: October 28, 2013, 09:27:44 PM »
Here is a cool shot that was captured from the original movie footage of the 1969 Trans Am race held at Donnybrooke Internaitonal Speedway, Brainerd, Minnesotta on July 6, 1969.  In it you can see the 1969 AMC AMX that was used to pace the race.  I found the picture on the Historic Trans Am Racing Enthusiasts web site: https://plus.google.com/communities/113063570193846187414/stream/c820c43a-df9a-4c4e-9636-f217468f76f1

The second picture was taken by Pete Lyons and it shows the same 1969 AMC AMX pacing the Formula 5000 cars through some speedy dry in their race at Donnybrooke a little over a month later on August 10, 1969.  See a larger version of the picture here: http://petelyons.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/F5000-1969/G0000OP_LhWFuAtk/I0000Xlk8Mp5rxZ8/C0000kmuffHpLUlo

You can see more pics and the link to the movie footage in replies #35 & 36 on page three of this thread.
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

klvn8r

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 100
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #142 on: October 31, 2013, 04:28:13 AM »
That would be the Jeffords AMX-R  (Ramble seat where the trunk was).  Notice the photogs in back. 

klvn8r

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #143 on: November 01, 2013, 04:27:05 PM »
That would be the Jeffords AMX-R  (Ramble seat where the trunk was).  Notice the photogs in back. 

klvn8r

klvn8r,  I don't think it is the same car.  See my posts #32 through #36 on page three of this thread and #49 on page four for further info and reasoning.
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

klvn8r

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 100
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #144 on: November 01, 2013, 06:04:51 PM »
Hmmm,  I'm not familiar with the museum donation info, could be true, I suppose.  But at the 55 second point in the video, the guy in the back of the car is clearly OUTSIDE of it....pretty sure there weren't two of those cars built.   Strange.

klvn8r

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #145 on: November 01, 2013, 07:49:34 PM »
Hmmm,  I'm not familiar with the museum donation info, could be true, I suppose.  But at the 55 second point in the video, the guy in the back of the car is clearly OUTSIDE of it....pretty sure there weren't two of those cars built.   Strange.

klvn8r


Agreed!.  It is strange.  I just think they must have removed the back window of a stock AMX and the guy just sat, kneeled or rested his feet on the little shelf behind the seats. 

The fact that the car appeared as a pace car at Road America (picture in reply #49 on page four) in its red with black paint job just two weeks after the 1969 Donnybrooke Trans Am event also demnostrates that the AMX with Go Pack stripes that paced the Donnybrooke Trans Am race could not be the AMX-R.  There is no way they would have painted the car a different color for the Donnybrooke Trans Am race, then paint it again in its original paint scheme for another event just two weeks later.  Also I think you would be able to see the back part of the ramble seat through the windshield in the movie footage and the color shot in reply #141 because it stuck up so much in its open position, but it does not appear to be there (see 2nd picture in this post that shows ramble seat in up position).  The top of the seat is almost even with the roof, blocking visibility behind it.  These two things are the evidence that to me really proves they are two different cars. 

Looking at all the evidence again, I just noticed that the Donnybrooke pace car has different wheels than the picture of the AMX-R at Road America two weeks later (although these could be changed easily) and the special hood on the AMX-R does not appear on the Donnybrooke pace car.     
« Last Edit: November 01, 2013, 08:24:25 PM by SMKZ28 »
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

MO

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1125
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #146 on: November 02, 2013, 03:47:59 AM »
I agree, they must be two different cars. But I don't think they pulled the backlight and were sitting on the package tray. The guy seems to be too far off to the side for that. Maybe they pulled the trunklid and he's standing in the trunk.

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #147 on: November 02, 2013, 01:35:10 PM »
I agree, they must be two different cars. But I don't think they pulled the backlight and were sitting on the package tray. The guy seems to be too far off to the side for that. Maybe they pulled the trunklid and he's standing in the trunk.

MO, good point.  Removing the trunk lid would probably also be much easier than removing the rear window.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #148 on: November 09, 2013, 03:56:59 AM »
While watching the Mercury produced 1967 Trans Am season retrospective entitled "Cougar Caper" on Youtube I noticed that a 1967 Shelby Mustang was used as the pace car for the 1967 Kent 300 Trans Am race at Pacific Raceways in Kent, Washington on October 8, 1967.  I am not sure if it is a GT 350 or GT 500 because you can only see the car from the front but it does seem odd to me that they would still be using a 1967 model year car to pace a race that took place in October of 1967.  By this late date the 1968 model year cars would have been available to the public for several months.  You can see the Shelby on the pace lap from 0:22 to 0:37 in the following footage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TexJQfWCM1Q

I took a photo with my digital camera while the footage was paused.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #149 on: November 09, 2013, 04:51:21 AM »
I also came across this nice shot taken by someone from the Denver Post just at the start of the 1967 Continental Divide Trans Am race at Continental Divide Raceways, Castle Rock, Coloroado on August 27, 1967.  You can see the 1967 Ford Mustang convertible in the pit lane just after the Trans Am cars got the green flag to begin the race.  I found the picture here: http://blogs.denverpost.com/library/category/cars/

More pictures of this pace car can be seen in reply #81 on page six and reply #91 on page seven of this thread.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #150 on: November 10, 2013, 09:52:10 PM »
Here is one of the coolest photos featuring a pace car paciing a Trans Am race I have come across.  This is a beautiful color picture of the 1969 Camaro RS/SS Indy Pace Car convertible pacing Les Trois Heures du Circuit Trans Am race at Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant, St. Jovite, Quebec, Canada on August 3, 1969.   The picture was taken during the caution laps after the huge multi-car wreck.  Check out the missing front end of the Jerry Titus Firebird in third place behind the two Penske Camaros.  I found the picture here: http://www.autocourse.ca/index.php?file=photos.html

See a few more pictures of this car in Reply #84 on page six of this thread.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #151 on: November 12, 2013, 03:33:50 AM »
Here is a picture I found in the 1969 Trans Am season review thread on this web site (posted by Jon Mello) that shows the rear end of a 1969 Camaro convertible as it heads into pit lane after the opening pace laps of the Trans Am race at Bridgehampton Race Circuit, Bridgehampton, New York on June 22, 1969.  I'd be willing to bet that it is the same 1969 Camaro RS/SS Indy Pace Car convertible that was used to pace the Bridgehampton Grand Prix Can Am race three months later on September 14, 1969.

See the footage of the Can Am race here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJI-wnFkVoI

While the footage is entitled, "Bridgehampton 1968 Can Am home video" it also contains footage of the 1969 Can Am race at the same track. I can tell by the look of the racecars that the footage is from two different years. You can see the Camaro in pit lane with Stirling Moss standing by the open drivers door between 8:04 and 8:07. He is the one in the white pants and he was probably the driver of the pace car. Notice the orange door panel, seats, and boot that shows it is an Indy Pace Car. Also notice the after market wheels. You can see the Camaro coming into pit lane as the Can Am cars get the green flag after the pace lap between 8:07 and 8:14.

I paused the footage and took a digital picture of the Camaro in the pits in front of the grid before the pace laps.
« Last Edit: November 12, 2013, 04:27:38 AM by SMKZ28 »
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #152 on: November 15, 2013, 01:47:04 PM »
Here is a picture that appears on page 198 of the book entitled, " Trans-Am: The Pony Car Wars, 1966-1972 written by Dave Friedman.  It shows the winning U-2 class Alfa of Lee Mdgley on his victory lap after the running of the 1970 under 2 liter Trans Am race at Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant, St. Jovite, Quebec, Canada on August 2, 1970.  In it you can see what must have been the pace car for both the under 2 liter and over 2 liter Trans Am races held that day.  Just above the guard rail and neatly framed by the two guys standing on the track to the right of the picture you can see a car parked in pit lane with flags jutting out from the rear bumper.  To me it looks like a 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass, probably a 4-4-2.

I may be seeing things but if you look closely enough at the trunk it appears that there might be twin stripes.  If so, this might be one of the rare Indy Pace Car convertibles with the white convertible top in the up position.  No other 442's came with rear trunk stripes in 1970.  I just can't tell if the side stripe is there. 

The picture is credited to Barry Tenin in the book.  I found a larger image of the picture on the Alfas in Trans Am thread of the Alfa Bulletn Board here: http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/gta-1965-1975/207833-ar613217.html
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #153 on: November 19, 2013, 10:19:06 PM »
Here is an interesting one.  While watching my old copy of the documentary entitled, "Trans Am '70," I noticed that a red Toyota 2000GT was used as the pace car for the 1970 Marlboro 200 Trans Am race at Bridgehampton Race Circuit, Bridgehampton, New York on June 21, 1970.

I'm not sure what model year the pace car is but the Toyota 2000GT is a very rare car.  They were built between 1967 and 1970 and they only produced a total of 351 regular production cars.  Out of these only about 60 came to North America.  On a side note, Shelby raced a few of them in 1968 and two convertible versions were used in the 1967 James Bond movie, "You Only Live Twice."  More info on the car can be seen here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_2000GT

This documentary is also available on Youtube.  You can see the car between 13:23 and 13:28 here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwp-i_OCO1k

I paused the film and took a picture with my digital camera.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #154 on: November 19, 2013, 10:29:35 PM »
The documentary "Trans Am '70," mentioned in the above post, also shows that a light blue 1970 AMC Javelin SST was used to pace the 1970 Kent 200 Trans Am race at Seattle International Raceway in Kent, Washington on September 20, 1970.  It appears to have the special spoiler on the back so it must be one of the 2,501 Mark Donohue editions made.  Interesting to note that it doesn't have the C-stripe on the side that you usually see on these cars.  It looks like they may have altered it in order to put on the special pace car decals.

You can see the Javelin between 0:42 and 0:47 on the Youtube version here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwp-i_OCO1k 

I took some photos with my digital camera while the footage was paused.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #155 on: November 21, 2013, 09:16:18 PM »
Credit for finding this fantastic picture must go to Mike Scott (Group/7 in Canada).  He sent me this picture the other day not knowing where he found it on the internet or what race it was taken at during the 1968 season.  After looking at the picture for quite a while, zooming in on it and doing plenty of research, I have come to the conclusion that this 1968 Camaro Z28 was the pace car for the 1968 Glen 500 at Watkins Glen Grand Prix Course, in Watkins Glen, New York held on August 11, 1968.

Several things brought me to that conclusion.  First, after zooming in on the picture there appears to be a BMW in the last row on the right side and this kind of car only participated in a handful of races during the 1968 season.   A driver named Herb Swan participated in the 1968 Trans Am race at Watkins Glen in his yellow BMW 2002 TI.  Second, the sign on the outside wall of the turn in the background says "Lentheric," which was a manufacturer of perfumes and cosmetics.  This sign appears on the outside wall of the turn nicknamed "the 90" in other pictures of Watkins Glen from 1968.  Third, the shadow on the race track just behind the Z28 pace car undoubtedly comes from the "Dunlop" flag stand that juts out over the start/finish line from pit lane just before the "esses."  Fourth, Watkins Glen had previously used a 1968 Camaro RS/SS convertible to pace the 6 hour race for sports cars a month earlier on July 14th, so the track had a history of using Chevy products and would continue to do so for the next few years. 

In the second attached picture you can see the "Lentheric" sign on the wall in the background, the "Dunlop" flag stand making a similar shadow on the race track, and the 1968 Camaro RS/SS convertible pace car.  It was taken by Dave Friedman before the start of the 6 hour sports car race in July, a little less than a month before the Trans Am race.  A larger version can be seen here:  http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/magnify_popup.pl?imageID=176422&staticImage=C&ckon=image&alt=0

Jon, might this picture have come from the program for the 1969 Trans Am race at Watkins Glen?

Thank you Mike Group/7 in Canada for sending me this fantastic picture.
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

group/7

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 375
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #156 on: November 22, 2013, 01:11:49 AM »
scott, thank you ! for posting the shot from '68 trans-am at the glen. you might very well be right about it being from the program for the 1969 race. I seem to remember it was part of an article on trans-am sedans, and was a two page image. It might even have been from some where like hot rod magazine ! it is worthwhile to look in some other publications, which had stuff on different  racing series. I will PM you as to your questions on the '66 can-am. don't want to side track this thread.

  group/7

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #157 on: November 22, 2013, 04:16:27 AM »
Mike, I don't have the '69 Watkins Glen program but I do believe that picture of the '68 Z/28 as the pace car
is from the 1968 Watkins Glen Trans-Am race.
Jon Mello
CRG

firstgenaddict

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2882
  • caretaker of 1971 LT1's 11130 & 21783
    • View Profile
    • Groome Family Automobiles
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #158 on: November 26, 2013, 07:49:24 PM »
In 1967 Chevy used their 396 Camaro show car to pace the Can Am race at Road America. It is called the Cherokee and is still around today.
Chevy liked to bring special cars to Road America in the 60s.

I have read that they used the 1968 Z/28 convert built for Pete Estes to pace the Can Am race in 1968 but have not been able to find a pic of it.
may have been used as Trans Am pace car

This may be one reason why the 1968 convertible Z was built

pic is the 1967 Cheerokee Camaro show car built by Chevy with weber carb 396 and plexi glass hood scoop, hood tach, and other custom items

link is Cherokee auction
http://mecum.com/auctions/lot_detail.cfm?LOT_ID=SC0509-79381


The Cherokee along with Estes 68 Z conv were at the show in Chicago this past weekend.
I've got some pics that are too large to post, I will get them up later today.
James
Collectin' Camaro's since "Only Rednecks drove them"
Current caretaker of 1971 LT1's - 11130 and 21783 Check out the Black 69 RS/Z28 45k mile Survivor and the Lemans Blue 69 Z 10D frame off...
https://plus.google.com/photos/112392262205377424364/albums?banner=pwa

firstgenaddict

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2882
  • caretaker of 1971 LT1's 11130 & 21783
    • View Profile
    • Groome Family Automobiles
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #159 on: November 26, 2013, 11:38:32 PM »




James
Collectin' Camaro's since "Only Rednecks drove them"
Current caretaker of 1971 LT1's - 11130 and 21783 Check out the Black 69 RS/Z28 45k mile Survivor and the Lemans Blue 69 Z 10D frame off...
https://plus.google.com/photos/112392262205377424364/albums?banner=pwa

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #160 on: November 27, 2013, 04:58:51 PM »
That Cherokee is a sharp looking car. I always liked it. Thanks for posting the pics, James.

I guess there is some question as to whether they made more than one since the interior color is not the same as seen in some of the vintage shots. Did you hear anything further on this at the show?
Jon Mello
CRG

group/7

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 375
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #161 on: November 27, 2013, 07:12:38 PM »
scott & jon, just a quick note on the pic of the grid at the glen in '68 with the pace car. found the same shot, in colour ! in the vintage motorsport issue on the 1968 trans am season, nov/dec 1995.

 wishing all of you in the states a great thanksgiving !

  mike group/7

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #162 on: November 27, 2013, 10:21:16 PM »
scott & jon, just a quick note on the pic of the grid at the glen in '68 with the pace car. found the same shot, in colour ! in the vintage motorsport issue on the 1968 trans am season, nov/dec 1995.

 wishing all of you in the states a great thanksgiving !

  mike group/7

That is fantastic.  Mike you are the best!  What color is the Z28?  I've got the issues covering part one and part five but I don't have the others.  Are there any other pace car pictures?
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #163 on: November 27, 2013, 10:25:33 PM »
In 1967 Chevy used their 396 Camaro show car to pace the Can Am race at Road America. It is called the Cherokee and is still around today.
Chevy liked to bring special cars to Road America in the 60s.

I have read that they used the 1968 Z/28 convert built for Pete Estes to pace the Can Am race in 1968 but have not been able to find a pic of it.
may have been used as Trans Am pace car

This may be one reason why the 1968 convertible Z was built

pic is the 1967 Cheerokee Camaro show car built by Chevy with weber carb 396 and plexi glass hood scoop, hood tach, and other custom items

link is Cherokee auction
http://mecum.com/auctions/lot_detail.cfm?LOT_ID=SC0509-79381


The Cherokee along with Estes 68 Z conv were at the show in Chicago this past weekend.
I've got some pics that are too large to post, I will get them up later today.

I have participated in much discussion on these two cars at the Camaro Pace Car site.  Click on the following links for more info on each car:

1967 Cherokee Camaro: http://camaropacecars.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/3100015833/m/4950009635

1968 "Estes" Camaro Z28 convertible: http://camaropacecars.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/3100015833/m/4581033336

Several pictures of each car as they appeared at the Muscle Car & Corvette Nationals in Chicago this past weekend also appear at the end of each thread.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #164 on: November 27, 2013, 10:42:29 PM »
That Cherokee is a sharp looking car. I always liked it. Thanks for posting the pics, James.

I guess there is some question as to whether they made more than one since the interior color is not the same as seen in some of the vintage shots. Did you hear anything further on this at the show?

This picture, taken by Chuck Derer during the pace lap of the 1967 Road America Can Am, shows that the boot was black back then just like it is now.  Unfortunately you can't see the interior color in the photo.  The picture can be found here: http://rideswithchuck.blogspot.com/2012/12/canam-1967-few-amateur-photos.html#!/2012/12/canam-1967-few-amateur-photos.html

Jon, do you have any other period photos showing the interior in a different color?
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

group/7

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 375
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #165 on: November 27, 2013, 11:02:49 PM »
scott, I am not the best ! but thanks , I apologize ! jumped the gun on that one. it's a colour shot of the start I think. but the pace car does not show. sorry about that.

  mike ::)


SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #166 on: November 28, 2013, 02:23:12 PM »
Jon Mello recently posted these two items on the ninth page of the 1967 Trans Am season review thread and I wanted to include them here as well.  The following two attachments show the 1967 Camaro RS/SS convertible (possible Indy Pace Car replica) that paced the Trans Am race at Mid Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio on June 11, 1967.

The first one appeared in a pictoral retrospective on page 6 of the official program for the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) National Races held at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, Ohio on July 15/16, 1967.

The second one must have been taken at nearly the same time as the one above but from the otherside of the track. It appears in the July 1967 edition of the Mid Ohio track Newsletter.

See them both here: http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=11290.120

A close up view of the first picture appears in post #2 on the first page of this thread and a picture of the car during the pace lap appears in post #63 on the fifth page of this thread.
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

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #167 on: November 28, 2013, 04:10:13 PM »
It looks like the car has a black nose stripe and a blue interior. It has the 396 emblem on the side and the door decal looks like the
Indy Pace Car decal with the date of the Indy race removed.





Jon Mello
CRG

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #168 on: November 29, 2013, 03:24:18 PM »
That's the conclusion the pace car guys came up with as well over at the Camaro Pace Car web site.  They also believe that the placement of the decals on the doors is off compared to the parameters set for factory placement on the Indy Pace Car replicas.  They also pointed out that it is crooked compared to those cars as well.  The thing they can't figure out is if it was just a regular white SS with a black nose stripe, how did whever provided the Camaro to the track get the decals?  Some have claimed that the decal was available to any Chevy dealer and that they would have received a special flyer on how to order them but nobody has seen this special flyer or knows the part number.  Can anyone here shed more light on the subject?  Thanks.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #169 on: November 29, 2013, 09:07:18 PM »
That Cherokee is a sharp looking car. I always liked it. Thanks for posting the pics, James.

I guess there is some question as to whether they made more than one since the interior color is not the same as seen in some of the vintage shots. Did you hear anything further on this at the show?

Here is a cool video taken at the recent Muscle Car & Corvette Nationals featuring the Cherokee Camaro as well as the man who restored it, Charlie Hutton.  In the video he gives a lot of cool information behind the restoration and he also states that the interior is original to the car.  They only replaced the carpeting.  See it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wCGLVc3hj0
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #170 on: November 29, 2013, 11:08:15 PM »
While the jury is still out on what paced the 1967 Daytona 300 Trans-Am race at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, February 3, 1967 these pictures show that there was a 1967 Pontiac Bonneville convertible used during the pace laps prior to the 24-Hour Continental the next day as well as a darker colored 1967 Ford Galaxie 500.  Several Trans Am cars participated in the 24 hour race, so I thought we should include the pace car pictures for this particular race and while I have yet to find any photographic evidence that one of these cars paced the Daytona 300 Trans-Am race, it is probable that one of them did.

The first two pictures show a white Bonneville while in the third picture you can see the back end of a darker colored car, perhaps black or dark blue.  I'm suggesting that the white Bonneville carried photographers in the backseat on the first pace lap with the darker colored car in front of it.  Then by the second pace lap the white Bonneville headed off the track leaving the darker colored Galaxie 500 to pace the field prior to the green flag.  The famous photo of the front row (4th attached) must have been taken by someone in the backseat of the white Bonneville.  See the following post for a picture of the Galaxie 500 at the head of the field on pit lane.  The trim at the bottom of the rear quarter panel is different from the Bonneville and the name of the car appears above that.  Bonnevilles did not have either of these items.

The were taken by John Losee and can be found here: http://www.thevrl.com/photo/albums/daytona-24-hours-1967-1?test-locale=&exposeKeys=&xg_pw=&xgsi=&id=1465153%3AAlbum%3A223088&groupId=&groupUrl=&xgi=&commentPage=&page=1

The second photo came from www.gettyimages.com

I found the fourth photo here: http://www.quincylist.com/1967-daytona-pace-lap

 
« Last Edit: November 29, 2013, 11:32:20 PM by SMKZ28 »
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #171 on: November 29, 2013, 11:20:41 PM »
Here is one more picture of the grid for the 1967 Daytona 24 hour Continental and it shows the 1967 Ford Galaxie 500 at the head of the front row.  This must be the darker colored car seen in the previous post.  The picture is for sale on ebay here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Rare-8X10-Auto-Racing-Photo-1967-Daytona-24-Hours-Starting-Grid-/180801149951#ht_430wt_693
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #172 on: November 30, 2013, 05:20:22 AM »
I just watced some footage of the Trans Am race that took place at Bridgehampton Race Circuit, Bridgehampton, New York on June 23, 1968 and it shows that this race was also paced by a red Toyota 2000 GT.  This must be the same car that paced the Trans Am race at the same circuit in 1970 because they only produced a total of 351 regular production cars and out of these only about 60 came to North America.  What are the odds that the same track would employ two different Toyota 2000 GT's.  You can see the footage on a site dedicated to a Trans Am Porsche 911 race car here: http://kzmotorsports.com/911L-Race-History-Overview.html     Scroll down to the bottom of the page to watch the footage.  The Toyota 2000 GT appears between 0:07 and 0:10.

To see a similar picture of the same car pacing the 1970 Trans Am race at Bridgehampton go to reply #153 on page 11 of this thread.  I know this looks like the same picture but look at the race cars, these are 1968 Trans Am machines.
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

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #173 on: November 30, 2013, 05:46:18 AM »
Thanks for the links to John Losee's photos from the Daytona 24-Hour race. It was interesting to see his photo of
Lorenzo Bandini entering the track driving a '67 Camaro, even though the caption says he is driving a Ford. In the
race of course, he drove the race-winning Ferrari. Sadly he was killed at the Monoco Grand Prix a few months later.
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #174 on: December 14, 2013, 06:14:12 PM »
Riverside's "Raceway" magazine (May '67 issue) had a road test of the 390 GT Cougars that were used as
their pace cars all year long, including the Trans-Am race in September. I wonder if any of the three cars
still survive. (Jon Mello Collection)







Jon Mello
CRG

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #175 on: December 18, 2013, 04:04:54 AM »
Very cool article!  Thanks for posting it Jon.

Jon also posted another picture of one of the Cougars at the 1967 Riverside Trans Am race in Reply #50 on page 4 of this thread.

In addition, here is a picture of one of the Cougars on the pace lap for the 1967 Motor Trend 500 NASCAR Grand National race at Riverside International Raceway on January 22, 1967.  The race was won by Parnelli Jones in a Ford.  The picture appears in the Dave Friedman Collection at The Henry Ford.  A larger and clearer version can be seen here: http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/magnify_popup.pl?imageID=127382&staticImage=C&ckon=image&alt=0

The Cougar was not used as the pace car for this race but it appeared in front of the 1967 Mercury Cyclone convertible pace car on one of the pace laps.
« Last Edit: December 18, 2013, 05:07:54 AM by SMKZ28 »
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

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #176 on: December 23, 2013, 02:36:05 PM »
I'm fairly certain I remember a 69 Camaro with an endura bumper 8) leading the pack towards turn 2 at Laguna Seca in 1969. The picture must of come from Jon at some point. I'll see if I can find it.

Here's that photo, Robert. I knew I had a copy somewhere and finally ran across it last night.
Jon Mello
CRG

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #177 on: December 23, 2013, 09:07:20 PM »
I'm fairly certain I remember a 69 Camaro with an endura bumper 8) leading the pack towards turn 2 at Laguna Seca in 1969. The picture must of come from Jon at some point. I'll see if I can find it.

Here's that photo, Robert. I knew I had a copy somewhere and finally ran across it last night.

What a great shot of the Camaro at the head of the field.  Thanks for posting it Jon.  Did it come out of the 1970 Laguna Seca program?

Additional pictures of this Camaro pace car appear on page two, replies #28 and #29; page seven, replies #99 and #100 and page nine, reply #121.
« Last Edit: December 23, 2013, 09:37:32 PM by SMKZ28 »
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

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #178 on: December 24, 2013, 06:58:46 AM »
What a great shot of the Camaro at the head of the field.  Thanks for posting it Jon.  Did it come out of the 1970 Laguna Seca program?

I suspect it came from that program but don't know that for a fact.
Jon Mello
CRG

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #179 on: December 29, 2013, 03:48:33 PM »
Here are a couple of pictures taken by Stu Brennan at the Schaefer Trans Am events held at Lime Rock Park, Lime Rock, Connecticut on May 6, 1972.  Both pictures show that a 1972 Datsun 240Z was used as the pace car that day.  The first picture is of the pace car in front of the big iron and the second picture shows it pacing the 2.5 challenge cars.  These and several others pictures from both races appear here: http://www.pbase.com/sb_photos/lrtransam72

On the top, right side of the second photo you can see a grabber blue 1970 Boss 302 Mustang Trans Am race car.  Is this the #81 car of Ed Hinchcliff?
« Last Edit: December 29, 2013, 05:28:20 PM by SMKZ28 »
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #180 on: December 30, 2013, 05:39:56 AM »
Here is a really cool photo of the 1968 Camaro RS convertible that was used to pace the Trans Am race held at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, Ohio on June 16, 1968.  Besides being a color close up shot, the driver is none other than Mark Donohue!  I'm not sure if this picture was taken after he won the Trans Am race at the track in June or if it was taken after he won the United States Road Racing Championship race at the track on August 18, 1968.  Either way its a fantastic picture of Mark Donohue taking the Mid Ohio Camaro pace car out for a victory lap! 

You can see two other pictures of this car in Reply #71 on page five of this thread.

I found the picture at the Ohio Valley Region of the SCCA's historical photo gallery here: http://gallery.ovr-scca.org/?Dir=%2FHistorical%2FPeople&page=6
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

MO

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1125
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #181 on: December 31, 2013, 04:13:04 AM »
Some really great pictures you've put up Scott!

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #182 on: December 31, 2013, 04:53:05 PM »
Some really great pictures you've put up Scott!

Thanks MO!
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

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #183 on: December 31, 2013, 06:12:33 PM »
I can't remember where these came from but here are some pictures of the '67 Camaro used as the pace car for the
American Road Race of Champions (ARRC) held at Daytona in November '67. These races determined the national
champions for each SCCA racing class as they brought together the best drivers from each region of the country to
face off in a winner-takes-all race. John McComb and his Mustang were the A/Sedan national champs in 1967.
Jon Mello
CRG

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #184 on: January 01, 2014, 04:30:46 AM »
Jon, not sure where you got the picture of the actual photo (1st picture) but that same picture was used in the February 1968 edition of SCCA Sports Car Magazine (attached).  I remember finding your second picture here: http://www.virhistory.com/cars/arrc/covers.htm  along with another version of  your first picture.

I also have a different picture of the same car but I also don't remember where I found it.   
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #185 on: January 16, 2014, 03:45:26 PM »
Replies #170 and #171 on page twelve of this thread talk about the 1967 Ford Galaxie convertible used to pace the 24-Hour Continental run at Daytona International Speedway on February 4, 1967.  I found some silent home movie footage on Youtube that shows the car out in front of the field as they leave pit lane.  See the Ford Galaxie convertible pace car and the pace lap between 0:56 and 1:35 here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qQUT8BsYV4
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

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #186 on: January 18, 2014, 09:12:48 PM »
Speaking of Ford Galaxie convertibles, here's one that was used as the pace car for the Marlboro "Double 300" Trans-Am race in 1967.
Jon Mello
CRG

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #187 on: January 20, 2014, 04:26:29 AM »
Speaking of Ford Galaxie convertibles, here's one that was used as the pace car for the Marlboro "Double 300" Trans-Am race in 1967.

Great picture of the '67 Marlboro Speedway pace car Jon.

Additional pictures of this Galaxie pace car can be seen in replies #123 and #125 on page nine of this thread.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #188 on: February 04, 2014, 04:52:04 PM »
Here are some more pictures of the 1968 Camaro RS convertible that paced the Trans Am race at Mid Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio on June 11, 1967. They were taken from a program produced by Sunoco in 1969 that chronicled the previous years Trans Am championship and the 1969 Daytona 24 hour race. I paused the film and took the shots with my digital camera.

Steve Shauger posted the footage on Youtube and let us know about them in his thread on this web site entitled, "1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing."

See the Mid Ohio segment here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHuP24D1JB8    The Camaro pace car can be seen between 0:46 and 0:50 on the pace lap.

See more pictures of the Camaro in Reply #71 on page five and Reply #180 on page thirteen of this thread.
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

klvn8r

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 100
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #189 on: February 05, 2014, 01:21:39 AM »
All AMC front row??? ;)

Steve Shauger

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 633
    • View Profile
    • Vintage Certification
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #190 on: February 05, 2014, 03:25:46 AM »
Here are some more pictures of the 1968 Camaro RS convertible that paced the Trans Am race at Mid Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio on June 11, 1967. They were taken from a program produced by Sunoco in 1969 that chronicled the previous years Trans Am championship and the 1969 Daytona 24 hour race. I paused the film and took the shots with my digital camera.

Steve Shauger posted the footage on Youtube and let us know about them in his thread on this web site entitled, "1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing."

See the Mid Ohio segment here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHuP24D1JB8    The Camaro pace car can be seen between 0:46 and 0:50 on the pace lap.

See more pictures of the Camaro in Reply #71 on page five and Reply #180 on page thirteen of this thread.

I have a lot of 1970 Trans Am series footage. I will review and post any pace car footage as well so check back at that link for updates.
Steve Shauger
Vintage Certification™ Program, Providing Recognition And Status To Unrestored Vehicles.  The Supercar Registry-www.yenko.net-

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #191 on: February 05, 2014, 04:06:24 AM »


I have a lot of 1970 Trans Am series footage. I will review and post any pace car footage as well so check back at that link for updates.
[/quote]

Thanks Steve.  Looking forward to seeing the footage.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #192 on: March 13, 2014, 04:07:13 PM »
While I haven't found a picture of the car yet, thanks to Frank Dihartce and Jon Mello we now know what paced the 1968 Kent 300.  On page eight of the program for the race a little blurb states, "Official Trans Am Pace Car -- 1969 Mustang Mach 1"   This appears in the right column, just above the picture of the Goup 44 Triumph TR-250.   See the whole program on page eleven of the 1968 Trans Am Season Review in reply #155: http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=10304.150
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #193 on: April 07, 2014, 09:37:36 PM »
Here are some more pictures of the 1968 Camaro RS convertible that paced the Trans Am race at Mid Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio on June 11, 1967. They were taken from a program produced by Sunoco in 1969 that chronicled the previous years Trans Am championship and the 1969 Daytona 24 hour race. I paused the film and took the shots with my digital camera.

Steve Shauger posted the footage on Youtube and let us know about them in his thread on this web site entitled, "1968 Trans Am Series Videos Penske Racing."

See the Mid Ohio segment here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHuP24D1JB8    The Camaro pace car can be seen between 0:46 and 0:50 on the pace lap.

See more pictures of the Camaro in Reply #71 on page five and Reply #180 on page thirteen of this thread.

I just noticed that I mis-typed the date for the race pictures in Reply #188.  It should be 1968 not 1967.  Sorry about that.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #194 on: April 07, 2014, 10:01:11 PM »
While searching through the Revs Digital Library I found a picture that demonstrates that a 1969 Shelby GT500 convertible was used as the pace car for the Herald-Traveler Challenge Trophy or Bryar 200 Trans Am race at Bryar Motorsport Park in Loudon, New Hampshire on July 20, 1969.   The Shelby can be seen above the Penske Camaro in the first picture.  More info and magnification tools for this photo can be seen here: https://revslib.stanford.edu/catalog/pt383bb3005

The second picture from the Revs Digital Library shows that a 1969 Camaro RS/SS Indy Pace Car convertible was also used in some capacity during the race.  The picture shows the car, with aftermarket wheels, parked with a bunch of Mustangs.  Notice the "Bryar 200" decal on the front fender.  More info and magnification tools for this photo can be seen here: https://revslib.stanford.edu/catalog/bh063ss7943

The 1969 RS/SS Indy Pace Car convertible used by the track can be seen parked between the two trucks behind the row of Mustangs in the third photo if you click on the following link to magnify it using the tools provided there: https://revslib.stanford.edu/catalog/ch527qz9749
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #195 on: April 10, 2014, 02:31:57 AM »
Here are a couple more pictures featuring the 1967 or 1968 Toyota 2000GT that was used to pace the Trans Am race at Bridgehampton Race Circuit, Bridgehampton, New York on June 23, 1968.  More info and a color picture of the red Toyota can be seen on page twelve of this thread, post #172.

Additional info and magnification tools for the pictures can be found here:
1) https://revslib.stanford.edu/catalog/tz713fc1753
2) https://revslib.stanford.edu/catalog/ng834tr6248
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

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #196 on: April 10, 2014, 04:07:00 AM »
Scott, thanks for your diligent work in trying to document the various pace cars for all the different T/A races.
Jon Mello
CRG

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #197 on: April 10, 2014, 03:34:27 PM »
Scott, thanks for your diligent work in trying to document the various pace cars for all the different T/A races.

Your welcome Jon.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #198 on: April 10, 2014, 03:42:42 PM »
Here is a picture of the 1968 Mercury Cougar used to pace the Lime Rock 3-Hour Trans Am race, Lime Rock Park, Lime Rock, Connecticut on May 30, 1968.  Additional color pictures of the light blue car can be seen on page nine of this thread, Reply #124.

I found it at the Revs Digital Library.  More info and magnification tools for this picture can be found here: https://revslib.stanford.edu/catalog/xp313kx6020
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #199 on: April 10, 2014, 08:33:32 PM »
Here is a picture from gettyimages.com that shows the dark colored 1967 Ford Galaxie 500 that was used to pace the 1967 Daytona 24 hour Continental at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona, Florida on February 4, 1967 parked next to the tech inspection line.  The picture was taken a few weeks later during the lead up to the Daytona 500 Nascar Grand National race.  You can see the Galaxie in the background as the Ford of A.J. Foyt goes through tech inspection.  The metadata on the photo states, "FEBRUARY 27: Daytona 500 NASCAR A.J. Foyt's Ford Fairlane getting inspected before the race. (Photo by Bob D'Olivo/Source. Interlink Media/Getty Images)" 

See more info, pictures, and footage showing the Galaxie on page twelve of this thread, replies #170 and 171 as well as page thirteen, reply #185.

I found the picture here: http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/daytona-500-nascar-a-j-foyts-ford-fairlane-getting-news-photo/155882828
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

firstgenaddict

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2882
  • caretaker of 1971 LT1's 11130 & 21783
    • View Profile
    • Groome Family Automobiles
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #200 on: June 08, 2014, 07:37:55 PM »
Here is Elkhart Lake with a 68 Z (stock) with 4 68 Camaro Conv's The 68 Camaros look to be a mix of RS/SS's and Std SS's the interior color is lighter than black would appear as does the hockey stick in other photos...

https://revslib.stanford.edu/item/qc788vz1785

https://revslib.stanford.edu/item/gv783cg0193

https://revslib.stanford.edu/item/pp345tv1130
James
Collectin' Camaro's since "Only Rednecks drove them"
Current caretaker of 1971 LT1's - 11130 and 21783 Check out the Black 69 RS/Z28 45k mile Survivor and the Lemans Blue 69 Z 10D frame off...
https://plus.google.com/photos/112392262205377424364/albums?banner=pwa

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #201 on: June 08, 2014, 07:58:13 PM »
James, those pics were taken at "Le Circuit Mt. Tremblant" in St. Jovite, Quebec, Canada. They are incorrectly labeled and I flagged them for correction back in March but they obviously haven't done anything about it.
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #202 on: June 25, 2014, 01:36:16 PM »
Here are some pics of the '69 Laguna Seca pace car with Ronnie Bucknum at the helm. It seems he was sufficiently
recovered from his car accident to drive the pace car, but not enough to race the #9 as Ed Leslie drove it for this
race (and finished 2nd to Donohue). These photos come to us from the Robert Lodewyk Collection.





Jon Mello
CRG

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #203 on: July 02, 2014, 11:36:43 AM »
Fantastic photos Jon!  Two for one, a Trans Am driver driving a Camaro Pace Car.  How cool is that.  Thanks for posting these from the Robert Lodewyk Collection. 

Additional pictures of this Camaro pace car appear on page two, replies #28 and #29; page seven, replies #99 and #100; page nine, reply #121 and page twelve, reply #176.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #204 on: July 23, 2014, 02:39:56 PM »
A member of the Camaro Pace Car site alerted me to this photo from a Road & Track article of James Garner sitting in the 1968 Camaro RS/SS convertible used to pace the 24 Hours of Daytona on February 3/4, 1968.  He not only paced this race in 1968 but he was also a three time pace car driver for the Indy 500 (1975, 1977 & 1985).  He was not only a great actor, starring in one of the best racing films of all time, Grand Prix in 1966, but he was also an amateur race car driver, race team owner, and all around racing enthusiast and cool guy.  RIP James Garner.  

Other pictures of the 1968 Camaro can be found on page one of this thread in replies #12 & #13 as well as page six, reply #77.

The first picture came from the following link via Getty Images: http://www.roadandtrack.com/go/car-culture/james-garner-dies-at-age-86

The second picture shows him in the 1975 Buick Indy 500 Pace Car and the third picture shows him standing with the 1977 Oldsmobile Indy 500 pace car.
 
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

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #205 on: July 24, 2014, 01:43:35 AM »
I sure was saddened to hear of James Garner's passing. One of my all-time favorite Hollywood actors and so neat that he was a real car enthusiast and a fan of motorsports.
Jon Mello
CRG

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #206 on: July 24, 2014, 06:22:35 PM »
Here is another picture of the 1968 Camaro RS/SS convertible that paced the 1968 24 Hours of Daytona and was driven by James Garner.  I found it at the Revs Digital Library. More info and magnification tools can be found here: https://revslib.stanford.edu/catalog/bj357nm1460  Check out the body roll as it leaves the infield road course and heads onto NASCAR turn one.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #207 on: July 24, 2014, 06:35:47 PM »
Three more images of the 1968 Camaro RS/SS convertible that paced the 1968 24 Hours of Daytona.

The caption from the first picture states, "Daytona Beach, FL - February 4, 1968: A Huge crowd gathers around the winning factory Porsche 907's in victory lane following their 1-2-3 finish in the 24 Hours of Daytona at Daytona International Speedway."    It can be found here:  http://www.gettyimages.com/det...news-photo/112303797

The second and third pictures came from The Dave Friedman Collection at The Henry Ford.  They show the drivers of the winning Porsche 907. They were Vic Elford (middle), Rolf Stommelen (right) and Jochn Neerpasch (left).

A larger and clearer version of the second picture can be found here: http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/magnify_popup.pl?imageID=91635&staticImage=C&ckon=image&alt=0

A larger and clearer version of the third picture can be found here: http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/magnify_popup.pl?imageID=91634&staticImage=C&ckon=image&alt=0
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

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #208 on: July 25, 2014, 01:39:27 PM »
Thanks, Scott.
Jon Mello
CRG

cook_dw

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3981
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #209 on: August 07, 2014, 04:10:58 PM »
Anther shot of what looks like the same 24hr of Daytona 68 Camaro.  But from the video its the 1970 24hr of Daytona.??..


Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #210 on: August 07, 2014, 05:19:34 PM »
Darrell, I think that's a '70 Ford Torino.
Jon Mello
CRG

cook_dw

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3981
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #211 on: August 07, 2014, 05:26:23 PM »
Ahhhh man...!!!!...  





 ;D


janobyte

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1531
  • Before it was called Day 2 !
    • View Profile
68 Z/28  born with: 302, drive line, etc..

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #213 on: August 08, 2014, 03:20:42 AM »
Even though it is not a Camaro it is still a cool picture.  It does have some connection to the 1970 Trans Am season since Penske/Donohue used the race to test their new Javelins so it fits into this thread just fine!  That is definitely the 1970 24 hours of Daytona and it is a 1970 Ford Torino GT convertible.  Just like in 1969 with the Camaro, NASCAR had Ford build them 9 to 12 1970 Torino GT's (both convertible and fastback) to be used at the major NASCAR races for the late part of the 1969 season as well as 1970.  Here are a few more vintage pictures of the cars.

The first one shows the same car pacing the 24 hours of Daytona. 

The second one shows two of the cars used by the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The third one shows one of the North Wilkesboro Speedway cars as it looks today.
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

janobyte

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1531
  • Before it was called Day 2 !
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #214 on: August 08, 2014, 03:27:33 PM »
Agreed, just picking on Darrell a little ;D
68 Z/28  born with: 302, drive line, etc..

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #215 on: August 08, 2014, 07:14:11 PM »
Speaking of Ford pace cars, I ran across this picture of a white 1972 Ford Mustang convertible being used to pace the Trans Am race held at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio on June 4, 1972.  It appears on page 161 of the publication entitled, "The Cars of Trans-Am Racing: 1966-1972," by David Tom.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #216 on: October 29, 2014, 06:55:55 PM »
I just found a couple of great color pictures that show the 1972 AMC Javelin AMX that was used to pace the Mission Belle 200 Trans Am race held at Riverside International Raceway, Riverside, California on October 3, 1971.  The pictures were posted to Flickr by "Carrera RSR."  I'm not sure if this person took these photos or not but I know I have never seen them before.

Other pictures of the car can be seen on page 5 of this thread in replies #64-66 and reply 19 on page 8.  In a few of these earlier posts I mistakenly identified the car as a 1971 model, but since the race took place in October of 1971, it is probably a 1972 model since new car model years usually start in the fall.

The first picture shows the Javelin AMX on the pace lap for the over 2 liter class event while the second picture shows it pacing the under 2 liter class race.
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

klvn8r

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 100
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #217 on: October 30, 2014, 02:16:36 AM »
Very minor differences between 71 and 72 Javelin AMXs.....mainly the taillight lenses (plain red in 71, chrome 'cross-hatch' in 72) and early 71 AMXs had a silver grille (like this picture) and I believe 72 it became black.  But again, tomato, tomAto...

klvn8r

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #218 on: January 06, 2015, 05:10:35 PM »
I posted this picture on the 3rd page of this thread but I mistakenly identified it as the 1971 Watkins Glen Trans Am 2.5.  In reality this picture depicts the start of the 1970 Trans Am U2 event held at Watkins Glen on August 16, 1970.  You can see the 1970 Corvette convertible pace car heading into pit lane just before the cars get the green flag to start the event.  If this Corvette was used to pace the U2 event than it is a safe bet that it was also used to pace the O2 event as well.  The picture came from here: http://transamracing.blogspot.com/2011/02/watkins-glen-trans-am-2.html
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #219 on: October 07, 2015, 09:48:33 PM »
I just found this fantastic color photo of the 1970 Corvette roadster pace car for Laguna Seca at the Revs Digital Library.  While I realize as it sits it is lettered up for the Can Am race it just might be the same Corvette that paced the Trans Am race earlier in the year.  Notice in the black and white picture there is a Corvette pace car with the standard turbine wheel covers.  Those wheels could have easily have been removed and the wheels in the color picture could have been added.  Speaking of the wheels, notice the tires on the car.  They are called "Trans-Am Delta 60"  Pretty cool!  More info and magnification tools for the color photo can be found here: https://revslib.stanford.edu/catalog/zv032zv4813
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

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #220 on: October 08, 2015, 03:45:25 AM »
Thanks for posting that, Scott. It certainly seems like it could be the same car.

Regarding the tires, my first car (back in the '70s) was a '69 Z and it also had Delta 60 Trans-Am tires on it. My brother's first car was a '68 Z, also with the same tires.
Jon Mello
CRG

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #221 on: December 20, 2015, 12:58:50 AM »
I just found a few more fantastic photos of the 1969 Camaro RS/SS 396 Indy Pace Car Convertible (Z11) that was used to pace the Trans Am race at Bridgehampton Race Circuit, Bridgehampton, New York on June 22, 1969.  I found them at the Revs Digital Library.  More pictures from this race have been added recently.  Other pictures of the car can be seen in Reply #151 on page 11 of this thread. 

In the fourth picture you can see the Camaro Pace Car in pit lane way up in the left corner of the picture.  Click on the following links to use the magnification tools for these pictures:

1) https://revslib.stanford.edu/catalog/zh443qf0095
2) https://revslib.stanford.edu/catalog/cp104sy9259
3) https://revslib.stanford.edu/catalog/vc316mw0174
4) https://revslib.stanford.edu/catalog/dc800kc1016
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #222 on: January 17, 2016, 11:34:31 PM »
I found a couple of pictures of the 1967 Ford convertible that was used as the pace car for the Marlboro Double 300 Trans Am races at Marlboro Speedway in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.  The first picture shows the car leaving the track as the the big iron gets the green flag on August 13, 1967 while the second picture shows the pace car ahead of a Porsche 911 in the under 2 liter event held the day before.  They came from the Revs Digital Library.  Click on the following links for magnification tools:

1) https://revslib.stanford.edu/catalog/cn178hx8708
2) https://revslib.stanford.edu/catalog/jn885kb9440
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

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #223 on: January 19, 2016, 03:39:07 AM »
Thanks, Scott.  I appreciate your efforts in trying to get all the various pace cars identified.
Jon Mello
CRG

firstgenaddict

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2882
  • caretaker of 1971 LT1's 11130 & 21783
    • View Profile
    • Groome Family Automobiles
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #224 on: January 28, 2016, 06:43:17 AM »
Are those American Daisy "Coke Bottle" wheels on the 69 396 pacer @Bridgehampton?
James
Collectin' Camaro's since "Only Rednecks drove them"
Current caretaker of 1971 LT1's - 11130 and 21783 Check out the Black 69 RS/Z28 45k mile Survivor and the Lemans Blue 69 Z 10D frame off...
https://plus.google.com/photos/112392262205377424364/albums?banner=pwa

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #225 on: January 28, 2016, 05:05:07 PM »
Are those American Daisy "Coke Bottle" wheels on the 69 396 pacer @Bridgehampton?

Yes they are. I have seen advertisements for them as early as very late 1968.
Jon Mello
CRG

Trans Åm

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 219
  • CA Central valley
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #226 on: March 14, 2016, 01:10:17 AM »
Here are some pics of the '69 Laguna Seca pace car with Ronnie Bucknum at the helm. It seems he was sufficiently
recovered from his car accident to drive the pace car, but not enough to race the #9 as Ed Leslie drove it for this
race (and finished 2nd to Donohue). These photos come to us from the Robert Lodewyk Collection.


I'm adding to Jon's Reply #202

I believe this is the same race, but there are different people driving. 1969 Laguna Seca

https://revslib.stanford.edu/catalog/yk893tj8234

https://revslib.stanford.edu/catalog/gb168yg6391





Completely off-topic: The gentleman who took these or is credited with them is Albert R. Bochroch, and I will post a link that shows all of Revs library of his work.
 I'd like to say that he has some of the "best" photography of any of the revs library, his photos are almost always crisp and clear, and interesting. This guy was a pro!
https://revslib.stanford.edu/catalog?f[photographer_ssi][]=Albert+R.+Bochroch

McLaren mechanic working on a.........small block Chevy!!! https://revslib.stanford.edu/catalog/vv813km8342
(Trying to figure out the head casting numbers)

Mods, you can remove the off-topic stuff if you see it necessary.


Nick

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #227 on: March 14, 2016, 02:45:58 AM »
That is Stirling Moss driving the pace car in those two pics and he was the goodwill ambassador for the Can-Am series in that era. He was a big name draw (retired Formula 1 driver by then) and would drive the pace car and put in an appearance at the races to help drum up spectator interest. So basically, Stirling Moss was driving the car in those pics for the Laguna Seca Can-Am and Ronnie Bucknum was driving the pace car for the Laguna Seca Trans-Am event (different weekend).

I think that is McLaren engine man Gary Knutson and they were still running small blocks that year. 365 cubic inches if I remember correctly. Those are 3890462 heads with '67 dates.
Jon Mello
CRG

Trans Åm

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 219
  • CA Central valley
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #228 on: March 14, 2016, 02:59:17 AM »
Jon, you always exceed my expectations and are simply amazing at identifying the important details, like the engine mechanic. Thank you very much for the help. :)

In addition to these photos, There was a couple '69 Firebirds--some good coverage identified as the Trans-Am Series Bridgehampton on June 22, 1969.
Many pages earlier there were mountains of pictures of very young Roger Penske doing his Zerex special in the early 60's, and young Sterling Moss as well.
Bochroch took LOTS of Gran Prix photos. Again, most of them very good.(but I know nothing of that era)


I can PM you some stuff I've come across in recent days if you'd like. (This goes out to anyone)

Thank you, Jon.

Nick

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #229 on: May 16, 2016, 04:24:38 PM »
I found a cool color picture showing the red 1970 Ford Mustang convertible pace car in front of the under 2.0 liter Trans Am race cars on their pace lap at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio on June 7, 1970.  It was posted by John Webber on the Historic SCCA Pro Racing Trans-Am Series Fan Group Facebook page.  Additional pictures of the car can be seen in reply #8 on page one of this thread, in reply #82 on page six, and in reply #140 on page ten.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #230 on: May 16, 2016, 04:29:05 PM »
John Webber also posted this color shot of the red 1970 Ford Mustang convertible pace car leading the big boys at the Trans Am race held at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio on June 7, 1970.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/HistoricTransAmRacing/?multi_permalinks=1040461789323472&notif_t=group_highlights&notif_id=1463366259369596
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

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #231 on: May 20, 2016, 04:08:59 AM »
Scott, thanks for continuing to add pace car pics to this thread as you come across them. Very nice to see them in color too.
Jon Mello
CRG

Trans Åm

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 219
  • CA Central valley
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #232 on: May 20, 2016, 03:50:55 PM »
At that point in time, you really would have thought Ford would have been supplying Cobra's and Boss 302's for pace cars solely, try to sell as many of those baby's as possible.
Nick

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #233 on: February 05, 2017, 06:47:35 PM »
I found a cool picture on Flickr of the 1967 Ford Galaxie Convertible at the head of the field prior to the start of the 1967 Daytona 24 hour Continental at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona, Florida on February 4, 1967.  Several Trans Am cars participated in this race.  Unfortunately, the picture can not be downloaded so click here to see it: https://www.flickr.com/photos/smuckatelli/32364189416/in/photolist-RiUVXN-RgGN7s-RoyktH-RvM5b5-RoykFX-QeDYao-Rwbvfr-qdkMmo-QKhcnN-R114xm-pE8Fki-Quhk7o-GZKXPF-Qw3nc5-RoyH9N-RsAtgy-G81HU3-RsAucG-Rkr988-RAk5k1-QeYdoN-GZvwBs-Qhtx7t-RsAvzm-RsAwLE-RAxsTh-PVwvDu-FeMMNU-Hzwy5D-Rsyran-GZvwfA-DzMubD-G81GM3-EJE9KM-RrL3R7-HSDuEE-HVAbe8-FuRQge-RfNEUN-C8aA1g-EJsCR1-RrQB4a-QWkxmU-G875yZ-RdQBya-PABED7-R4A6sG-RebtES-QeDYyE-RiVywK

See more info, pictures, and footage showing the Galaxie on page twelve of this thread, replies #170 and 171, page thirteen, reply #185 and page 14, reply #199.
« Last Edit: January 01, 2018, 03:58:01 AM by Jon Mello »
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #234 on: February 12, 2017, 09:49:21 PM »
Here is a cool shot of the 1968 or 1969 AMC AMX Pace Car on the pace lap for the Mission Bell 250 Trans Am race at Riverside International Raceway in Riverside, California on September 8, 1968.  I found it on page 69 of the recently published book entitled, "The History of AMC Motorsports" by Bob McClurg.
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

69mach1auqua

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 4
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #235 on: December 30, 2017, 07:45:04 PM »
Hello I am trying to get pics and info on a 1969 mach1 Indian fire red. A friend has this mach1 one with a decal on the back window saying it is an official pace car at the riverside race track.
I am not sure if it might have been only used as a promotional car to introduce the mach1.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you

VINCE Z28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 760
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #236 on: December 31, 2017, 01:01:14 AM »
Two more.
" He who knows naught, knows not that he knows naught"  It's not you...  It's just the way my brain is wired.

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #237 on: January 11, 2018, 06:58:30 PM »
Here is a color picture of the pace lap for the Schaefer Trans Am race held at Lime Rock Park, Lime Rock, Connecticut on May 9, 1970.  You can see the 1970 Iso Rivolta at the head of the field.  It was posted to the Historic SCCA Pro Racing Trans Am Series Fan Group page on Facebook by Marvin Gray.  Additional info and pictures of the car can be seen in reply #83 on page six of this thread.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #238 on: January 11, 2018, 07:03:40 PM »
Here is a picture of the 1972 Ford Mustang convertible that was used to pace the Trans Am race held at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio on June 4, 1972.  I found it on page 213 of the recently published book entitled, "Trans-Am Era The Golden Years in Photographs: 1966-1972" by Daniel Lipetz.  An additional picture of the car can be seen in Reply #215 on page fifteen of this thread.
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

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #239 on: January 12, 2018, 02:01:37 AM »
Thank you Scott and Vince!
Jon Mello
CRG

oldtransamdriver

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 362
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #240 on: January 12, 2018, 04:10:40 AM »
I remember this race - started 21st along side Carl Shafer. 
By this time, the old 67 camaro was tired and the throttle linkage
broke in the middle of the race.  I managed to get back to the
pits and the crew fixed it, but I probably lost 4 or 5 laps - did
manage to finish 17th.  I think 36 cars started the race.

Even though the factories were gone, 17,000 fans still showed up for this race.

Sadly, there was only one more race for us at Watkins Glen where the engine died
during the race.  It was a sad ending for a tough old car and it was later sold to a
local stock car racer.

Robert

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #241 on: January 13, 2018, 09:32:41 PM »
I found three pictures at the Revs Digital Library that show that a 1970 Ford Thunderbird was used as the pace car for the Trans Am race held at Sears Point International Raceway in Sonoma, California on September 21, 1969.  In the first picture, just above Bucknum's Camaro, you can see the door is open to the Thunderbird and when you use the zoom-in feature at the web site you can clearly see that it says "pace car" written on it.  Next to the Thunderbird is a 1969 Mustang Mach 1 with something also on the door.  With its proximity to the pace car, I'm not sure if this was a back up pace car or just some other car used by the track in some type of official capacity.  You can also see the rear of the Mach 1 in the third picture when you zoom in. 

This same track used a 1969 Shelby GT500 to pace the Wiebel 150 NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model event on June 8, 1969 as evidenced by the picture from the 1969 Trans Am race program posted by Jon Mello in post #20 on page two of this thread, so maybe the Mach 1 was used to pace some other event at the track.  I also have a couple pictures showing that a 1969 Boss 302 Mustang was used to pace the F5000 event held at the track in 1969.  I mention these Mustangs because of "69MACH1AQUA's" recent post about a 1969 Mach 1 Mustang pace car at Riverside International Raceway.  He also PM'd me over at the Camaro Pace Car web site asking me about the car.  Perhaps the MACH 1 he was talking about was used at Sears Point and not at Riverside.  Both of these tracks were/are in California and maybe a previous owner got them mixed up when he said that the car was used as a pace car??  Just a thought.

Picture 1: http://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/collection/p17257coll1/id/151897/rec/50

Picture 2: http://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/collection/p17257coll1/id/163259/rec/22

Picture 3: http://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/collection/p17257coll1/id/134915/rec/17
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #242 on: January 14, 2018, 04:02:22 PM »
Here are a few more cool pictures of the 1968 Camaro RS/SS 396 convertible used to pace the 24 Hours of Daytona on February 3/4, 1968.  This is the car that was driven by actor/motorsport enthusiast James Garner.  He clearly can be seen in the fourth picture going off the track!  I found them at the Revs Digital Library and if you click on the links you can use the zoom-in tools to get extreme close ups if you wish.  Additional pictures of the car can be seen in reply #77 on page six as well as replies #204, 206 & 207 on page fourteen of this thread.

Picture 1: http://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/collection/p17257coll1/id/45913/rec/183
Picture 2: http://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/collection/p17257coll1/id/44484/rec/220
Picture 3: http://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/collection/p17257coll1/id/10881/rec/582
Picture 4: http://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/collection/p17257coll1/id/142314/rec/891
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #243 on: January 17, 2018, 08:43:24 PM »
While not a Trans Am race, here is a picture of Stirling Moss in the drivers seat of the one of one 1968 Camaro Z28 convertible that was used to pace the 1968 SCCA Can-Am event held at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin on September 1, 1968.  I found this picture in the program for the 1969 Road America June Sprints which is currently for sale on Ebay.  You can see an additional picture of Stirling and the car in reply #26 on page two of this thread.  Jon Mello provided the color picture of the car that shows Denny Hulme in the backseat on his victory lap around the track.  I believe he mentioned he found it on Ebay.  The car still exists and the owner has recently applied the Road America Can Am pace car decals to it while displaying/showing it at automotive events.  The third picture shows the car on display at the Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin Concours held in conjunction with the WeatherTech International Challenge with Brian Redman presented by HAWK vintage event at Road America on Saturday, July 22, 2017.  The fourth pictures shows it on display at the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals held in Rosemont, Illinois on Saturday, November 18, 2017.  I took the 3rd and 4th pictures.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #244 on: January 17, 2018, 08:49:14 PM »
Here is the placard displayed with the car for some background info.  I didn't realize when I took the picture that the Mecum family owns the car.  If anyone knows Dana personally let him know that there is another picture of his car in the 1969 Road America June Sprints program.  He might want to purchase one.
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

MO

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1125
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #245 on: January 19, 2018, 03:40:13 AM »
Surprised the font isn't closer to the original.

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #246 on: February 03, 2018, 07:56:50 PM »
Just found color film footage confirming my suspicion that a 1968 Camaro RS/SS convertible was used to pace Les Trois Heures du Circuit Trans Am event held at Le Cirquit Mont-Tremblant, St. Jovite, Quebec, Canada on July 21, 1968.  See the pace lap here in this Youtube footage:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AscdtPH8EsI

The fourth photo shows the Camaro on pit lane after a sports car event that took place on the same day.  It came from http://autocourse.ca/index.php?file=photos.html
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #247 on: February 03, 2018, 08:11:19 PM »
The same contributor also posted film footage of Les Trois Heures du Cirquit Trans Am event held at Le Cirquit Mont-Tremblant, St. Jovite, Quebec, Canada on August 3, 1969.  In it you can see the 1969 Camaro RS/SS Convertible Indy Pace Car edition used as the pace car.  See the Youtube footage here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMU2G-1no-Y   It is mislabeled "1968" but it is clearly 1969.  You can see other pictures of this pace car in Reply #84 on page 6 of this thread as well as Reply #150 on page 11.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #248 on: February 04, 2018, 05:20:32 PM »
Here are a couple pictures I found on a Youtube video entitled, "BRIDGEHAMPTON IMAGES racing in the 60s & 70s" posted by "tfman54"  In the video they are labeled 1969 but they are clearly 1970.  See the pictures here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC7KeO7BM7A 

The first picture shows the red 1967 or 1968 Toyota 2000GT that was used as the pace car for the 1970 Marlboro 200 Trans Am race at Bridgehampton Race Circuit, Bridgehampton, New York on June 21, 1970.  Another picture of this car at this race can be seen in Reply #153 on page 11 of this thread.

The second picture shows a 1970 Camaro Z28 RS with a vinyl top parked on the race track during pre-race festivities.  Although I can't make out what it says, there is something written on the door of the car as well as the front fender.  This coupled with the fact that it is on the track leads me to believe it was involved in some type of official capacity.   
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

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #249 on: February 04, 2018, 05:47:53 PM »
Thanks for your efforts to document these cars, Scott.
Jon Mello
CRG

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #250 on: April 22, 2018, 02:57:38 PM »
Here is a cool picture of a 1968 AMC Javelin decked out in "Pace Car" stickers for the Trans Am race held at Meadowdale International Raceway in Carpentersville, Illinois on July 7, 1968.
It came from the first page of a promotional newspaper mailing that talked about the upcoming Trans Am race.  Previously posted pictures show the 1968 Jeffords AMX-R at the head of the field on the grid, not a Javelin.  See my replies #32 through #36 on page three of this thread and #49 on page four to see other pictures and info on the pace car for this event.  I found the picture here: https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/meadowdale-raceway-1968-trans-am-1872439164
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #251 on: April 27, 2018, 03:27:51 PM »
A yellow Maserati Ghibli Spyder was used as the pace car for the Bryar 200 Trans Am event held at Bryar Motorsport Park in Laconia, New Hampshire on May 31, 1971.  This is a rare car.  Maserati only produced approximately 125 Spyders models between 1969 and 1973. 

1st picture: Ebay
2nd picture: cropped version
3rd picture: Current picture of a yellow Ghibli Spyder with the same wheels.  With only 125 produced, perhaps it's the same car???  The pace car does seem to have a mirror on the drivers side front fender that the car in the current picture does not have. (Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maserati_Ghibli)
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #252 on: January 17, 2019, 01:07:55 AM »
After the heads up given to us by Jon Mello about the new Petersen Publishing Archive digitization project I have been able to find several more pictures of the pace cars that were used in the Trans Am races.  Stay tuned for more.  Thank you Jon!

Here are four pictures showing the 1968 or 1969 AMC AMX that was used to pace the Mission Bell 250 at Riverside International Raceway, Riverside, California on September 8, 1968.  Additional pictures of the car can be seen in reply #69 on page five of this thread, reply #132 on page nine and reply #234 on page 216.

Notice in the last two photos all the AMC Javelins and AMX's going around the track in a parade prior to the start of the race.

I found them at the Peterson Auto Museum SEMA digitization project web site here: https://archive.petersen.org/pages/home.php
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #253 on: January 17, 2019, 01:12:16 AM »
Here are three more pictures of the 1968 or 1969 AMC AMX that paced the Mission Bell 250 at Riverside International Raceway, Riverside, California on September 8, 1968.  They also came from the Peterson Auto Museum SEMA Digitization Project web site: https://archive.petersen.org/pages/home.php
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #254 on: January 18, 2019, 03:35:21 AM »
At the Peterson Auto Museum SEMA digitization project web site I was also able to find 3 pictures showing the white 1969 Camaro RS/SS convertible that was used to pace the Mission Bell 250 Trans Am race held at Riverside International Raceway in Riverside, California on October 5, 1969. 

https://archive.petersen.org/pages/home.php
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #255 on: January 19, 2019, 11:08:10 PM »
Here are two photos showing the 1971 or 1972 AMC Javelin AMX that was used to pace the Trans Am Two-Five Challenge event held at Riverside International Raceway, Riverside, California on October 3, 1971.  This is the same car that paced the larger class. 

They were found at the Peterson Auto Museum SEMA digitization project web site: https://archive.petersen.org/pages/home.php

Additional pictures of this pace car can be found in Replies #64, 65, & 66 on page 5 of this thread as well as Reply #119 on page 8 and Reply #216 on page 15.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #256 on: January 20, 2019, 03:26:42 PM »
Here are two pictures of the 1970 Chevy Corvette convertible that paced the Trans Am race at Laguna Seca Raceway, in Monterey, California on April 19, 1970.

They were found at the Peterson Auto Museum SEMA digitization project web site: https://archive.petersen.org/pages/home.php

Additional pictures of this car can be seen in Reply #48 on page four of this thread as well as Reply #104 on page seven and Reply #219 on page fifteen.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #257 on: January 20, 2019, 07:12:34 PM »
Check out this cool color photograph of the 1969 AMC AMX that was used to pace the Trans Am race held at Donnybrooke Internaitonal Speedway, Brainerd, Minnesotta on July 6, 1969.

I found it at worthpoint.com which mentions that it was an original 35mm slide sold on Ebay on May 12, 2018.

Additional photos and video of the AMX can be seen in Replies #35 & #36 on page three of this thread as well as Reply #141 on page ten.

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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #258 on: March 22, 2019, 05:34:49 PM »
Thanks to CRG Member Swede70 we now know that the 1970 Ford Torino GT convertible that was used to pace the 1970 Trans Am Race at Bryar was painted blue.  The only other picture I have seen was in black and white.  The event was known as the Herald-Traveler Trans Am and it took place at Bryar Motorsport Park, Loudon, New Hampshire on May 31, 1970.  He posted the link in another thread to some newly posted footage of the event on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8P3Fn6rnN9M  See the pace lap for the Bryar event between 4:35 and 4:45.

See additional photos of the Torino in Reply #137 on page 10 of this thread.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #259 on: March 23, 2019, 05:19:11 PM »
Also thanks to Swede70 it can be confirmed that the 1968 AMC Jeffords AMX-R was used as the pace car for the 1968 Trans Am event held at Meadowdale International Raceway in Carpentersville, Illinois on Sunday, July 7, 1968.  This is the only Jeffords AMX-R ever built and more info on the car can be found in this article: http://www.hemmings.com/mus/stories/2009/11/01/hmn_feature7.html   The article states that, "Jeffords convinced AMC to provide him with a pre-production Caravelle Blue 1968 AMX--its 390-cu.in. V-8 carries a December 1967 build date--sometime in December 1967 or January 1968. Jeffords then swiftly shuffled that AMX over to Dave Puhl, the customizer whose name graced Puhl's House of Kustoms in Palatine, Illinois."  This shop would have been less than 15 miles away from the racetrack!  The article also states that, "After Puhl finished it, Jeffords took the AMX-R on the road, mostly to Trans-Am races, and apparently used it as a pace car for a few of those races--at one point, the AMX-R carried the lettering "Official Car" just below the driver's and passenger's windows."  The lettering onthe door can actually be seen in the footage!

Swede70 posted a link to some really cool color footage of the event posted on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltof03Knlm0

Additional pictures of the car can be seen in Replies #32 & #33 on page 3 and Reply #49 on page 4 of this thread.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #260 on: March 23, 2019, 05:38:58 PM »
While it wasn't the pace car, one of the 1967 Cherokee Camaro concept cars also appeared at the Trans Am event held at Meadowdale International Raceway in Carpentersville, Illinois on July 7, 1968.  This date is 10 months after the last photographic evidence I have of the car being used as a pace car for the third Can Am event held on Saturday, September 13, 1967 at Mosport Park in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada.  Notice the change in wheels to rally wheels with 1968 centers.  I'm not sure if Chevy/General Motors still owned the car in July 1968.  It is known that racing driver Augie Pabst purchased or was given the car by his friend Bill Mitchell but I'm not exactly sure when that occurred.  Either way the car appeared at Meadowdale in July 1968 as either a GM showcar or the personal car of racing driver Augie Pabst.

See the footage here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltof03Knlm0

See more pictures/history of the Cherokee Camaros on pages 7, 8, & 9 of another one of my threads here: http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=16296.0
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #261 on: August 12, 2019, 09:33:49 PM »
The first picture is a cool color picture of the 1968 AMC Jeffords AMX-R that was used as the pace car for the 1968 Trans Am event held at Meadowdale International Raceway in Carpentersville, Illinois on Sunday, July 7, 1968. 

The second picture shows a lineup of 1968 Javelins that were there to help promote AMC and the race.

They were posted on June 8, 2019 by Greg Long at the Historic SCCA Pro Racing Trans-Am Series Fan Group on Facebook.  He posted 21 other great color photos of the event as well: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10215603764540759&set=pcb.2233655420004097&type=3&theater&ifg=1

Additional pictures of the Jeffords AMX-R can be seen in Replies #32 & #33 on page 3, Reply #49 on page 4 and Reply #259 on page 18 of this thread.
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

crossboss

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 779
  • ^ New engine project
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #262 on: August 13, 2019, 01:17:10 PM »
Thanks to CRG Member Swede70 we now know that the 1970 Ford Torino GT convertible that was used to pace the 1970 Trans Am Race at Bryar was painted blue.  The only other picture I have seen was in black and white.  The event was known as the Herald-Traveler Trans Am and it took place at Bryar Motorsport Park, Loudon, New Hampshire on May 31, 1970.  He posted the link in another thread to some newly posted footage of the event on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8P3Fn6rnN9M  See the pace lap for the Bryar event between 4:35 and 4:45.

See additional photos of the Torino in Reply #137 on page 10 of this thread.




Ahh, good 'ol Super 8 Kodachrome! Btw, if transferred/color corrected on a HD telecine, Super 8 has a 35mm quality to it. Thanks for posting stills from the film, and to the YouTube link.
Just another T/A fanatic. Current lifelong projects:
1968 Olds 442 W-30
1969 Mustang Fastback w a Can-Am 494 (Boss 429)

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #263 on: August 22, 2019, 03:48:53 AM »
In another picture taken during the Trans Am race at Meadowdale you can see both the 1968 AMX-R pace car and the 1967 Camaro Cherokee lined up behind the guard rail along with a mid year Corvette and 1950's Mercedes SL Gullwing.  I had posted this picture years ago in the thread on the Meadowdale Trans Am race but never noticed the Cherokee because I didn't know until recently that it had made an appearance at the event.

The picture was originally posted to the Meadowdale International Raceway Preservation Association Facebook page years ago by Ronald Spannraft.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #264 on: November 10, 2019, 03:34:07 PM »
Here are two more photos of the 1968 Shelby Mustang Gt500KR convertible that was used to pace the 1968 Bryar 200 Trans Am race held on August 4, 1968 at Bryar Motorsport Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire.  They have recently been added to the Revs Digital Library https://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/

Additional black & white and color pictures of the yellow pace car can be seen in reply #30 on page 3 and replies #88 & #89 on page 6 of this thread.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #265 on: November 10, 2019, 03:39:00 PM »
In addition to the yellow 1968 Shelby Mustang GT 500KR convertible used as the pace car for the Bryar 200, photos exist showing that a 1968 Shelby Mustang fastback was also used as an "Official Car."  This fastback was a GT 500, not a KR.  Since it appears to be a light color, this car might also have been painted yellow like the pace car, but I'm not sure.

These photos can be found at the Revs Digital Library: https://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/
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

crossboss

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 779
  • ^ New engine project
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #266 on: November 10, 2019, 03:45:03 PM »
Interesting pictures from 1968. I never knew a Shelby was used for a 'pace car' before. Thanks for posting!
Just another T/A fanatic. Current lifelong projects:
1968 Olds 442 W-30
1969 Mustang Fastback w a Can-Am 494 (Boss 429)

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #267 on: November 10, 2019, 03:47:53 PM »
Photos also document that a few 1968 Shelby Mustang convertibles were used prior to the 1968 Bryar 200 to lead several Mustang club members around the track in a parade of Mustangs.  A few of the Mustang Trans Am drivers even appeared in the Shelby Mustangs.

The first picture came from a Mustang group on Facebook and the others came from the Revs Digital Library.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #268 on: November 10, 2019, 03:54:05 PM »
The first photo shows a Mustang GT with some lettering on the doors that states, "Eastern Director National Council of Mustang Clubs." 

All photos came from the Revs Digital Library.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #269 on: November 10, 2019, 03:59:53 PM »
Interestingly, photos also show that AMC had a contingent of Javelins and AMXs go around the track prior to the 1968 Bryar 200 as well.  For some reason, a photo shows AMC Trans Am drivers Peter Revson and George Follmer riding around the track prior to the event in the back of an Oldsmobile with Miss New Hampshire.  Not sure why they weren't riding in the AMC convertible behind the Oldsmobile.

I wonder if there was a group of Camaros or Firebirds as well.  There is no photo evidence showing these.

Photos are from the Revs Digital Library,
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #270 on: November 10, 2019, 05:59:43 PM »
Interesting pictures from 1968. I never knew a Shelby was used for a 'pace car' before. Thanks for posting!

No problem!  If you want to see other Shelby pace cars check out the following on this thread:

1) Reply #20 on page 2 (1969 GT500, Sears Point)
2) Reply #148 on page 10 (1967 GT350 or GT500, Kent)
3) Reply #194 on page 13 (1969 GT500, Bryar)
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #271 on: December 13, 2019, 02:48:51 PM »
Here is great color picture of the 1972 Ford Mustang convertible that was used to pace the Trans Am race held at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio on June 4, 1972.  It shows that the Mustang pace car was yellow.   I found it at tumblr.com.   Additional photos of the car can be seen in Reply #215 on page 15 and Reply #238 on page 16 of this thread.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #272 on: December 13, 2019, 05:47:15 PM »
Here is another picture of the 1972 Datsun 240Z that was used to pace the Schaefer Trans Am events held at Lime Rock Park, Lime Rock, Connecticut on May 6, 1972.  This picture shows in pacing the 2.5 challenge cars.  See additional color pictures of the car in Reply #179 on page 12 of this thread.

I found it at the Revs Institute Digital Library.  Click on the following to use the magnification tools: https://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/custom/single-image?id=592543&collection=p17257coll1
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #273 on: December 13, 2019, 06:07:14 PM »
Recently posted photos at the Revs Digital Library have led me to finally figure out that a 1972 Buick Skylark convertible was used as the pace car for the 1972 Bryar 200 Trans Am event held at Bryar Motorsport Park in Loudon, New Hampshire on May 29, 1972.  You can see it pit lane as the race cars are about to get the green flag.

Click on the following to use the magnification tools:

Photo 1: https://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/custom/single-image?id=593417&collection=p17257coll1
Photo 2 is a cropped version of #1
Photo 3: https://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/custom/single-image?id=593126&collection=p17257coll1
Photo 4 is a cropped version of #3
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #274 on: December 13, 2019, 06:20:42 PM »
The Revs Digital Library recently added a great photo of the 1969 Camaro RS/SS Z11 Indy Pace Car used as the pace car for the Trans Am race at Bridgehampton Race Circuit, Bridgehampton, New York on June 22, 1969.

Other pictures of the car can be seen in Reply #151 on page 11 and Reply #221 on page 15 of this thread. 

Click on the following for use of the magnification tools: https://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/custom/single-image?id=588413&collection=p17257coll1
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #275 on: January 05, 2020, 03:52:50 PM »
I found an interesting Chevrolet training film (1971 models) that shows a tiny bit of color footage of the Trans Am race at Laguna Seca Raceway, in Monterey, California on April 19, 1970.  This footage confirms that the 1970 Corvette convertible used to pace the race was painted Daytona Yellow. 

The small snippet of the 1970 Laguna Seca Trans Am appears at 1:06:57 in the film.  You can see the #2 Leslie Chaparral Camaro and the Corvette pace car.  See it here: http://www.historicfilms.com/search/?q=laguna+seca&q=laguna+seca#p1t957i0o3988

Additional black and white pictures of this car can be seen in Reply #48 on page four of this thread as well as Reply #104 on page seven, Reply #219 on page fifteen and Reply #256 on page eighteen.
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

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #276 on: January 07, 2020, 04:31:44 AM »
Scott, many thanks for your continuing efforts to document the various Trans-Am pace cars.
Jon Mello
CRG

BSMIT59

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 134
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #277 on: January 10, 2020, 07:19:43 PM »
Does anyone know how many of the 602 1967 Z28’s went to the Trans Am teams and were never used on the street? How many documented 1967 Z28’s are still out there?
Barry     Old guy but still learning.....
Unrestored 67 barn find
67 SS 350 in process  ( in paint booth now)
Looking for 7N243673 to reunite V0320MO block and crank

KurtS

  • CRG Coordinator
  • *****
  • Posts: 5881
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #278 on: January 21, 2020, 04:54:47 AM »
Here's an enlargement of that pacer. Endura bumper car.
Kurt S
CRG

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #279 on: January 27, 2020, 05:33:11 PM »
Here is another picture showing the 1969 Shelby GT500 convertible used as the pace car for the Herald-Traveler Challenge Trophy or Bryar 200 Trans Am race at Bryar Motorsport Park in Loudon, New Hampshire on July 20, 1969.

Use the magnification tools to zoom in on the picture here: https://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/custom/single-image?id=585191&collection=p17257coll1

See an additional picture of the car in Reply #194 on page 13 of this thread.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #280 on: February 06, 2020, 09:18:13 PM »
Recently Mike K./Swede70 posted a link to some great color footage of the 1968 Trans Am races held at Limerock and Bryar.  At the beginning of the footage you can see the drivers as they leave pit lane for their parade around the track prior to the race.  They are riding in AMX's, Javelins, Mustangs, and Corvettes.  See it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZz2AJ_mpRA&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2KTdgUICqIqWUTIMSbkGCYeufS7-Z-gPXc1QedGGrv4MH3iHO3SNmP2zE

In the footage you also get a glimpse of the light blue 1968 Mercury Cougar that paced the race.  Additional photos of this car can be seen in Reply #124 on page nine of this thread as well as Reply #198 on page 14.

The footage also shows an orange Iso Grifo that was used in some official capacity by the track prior to the race.  According to Wikipedia, "The Iso Grifo is a limited production grand tourer automobile manufactured by Italian Iso Autoveicoli S.p.A. between 1965 and 1974.  Intended to compete with Ferrari and Maserati GTs, it utilized a series of American powertrains and components supplied by Chevrolet and Ford to ensure performance and maximize reliability. Styling was done by Giorgetto Giugiaro at Bertone, while the mechanicals were the work of Giotto Bizzarrini.  The first production GL models appeared in 1965 and were powered by American Chevrolet Corvette small-block 327 (5.4-litre) V8s fitted to American supplied Borg-Warner 4-speed manual transmissions.  The 5.4-litre engine developed 300 hp (220 kW) in its standard form and could reach 110 km/h (68 mph) in first gear.  In 1968 the Grifo 7 Litri was introduced with a Chevrolet L71 big-block engine, a Tri-Power version of the 427 engine. The massive power plant required several mechanical changes to the car in order to fit, i.e. strengthened chassis components as well as an enlarged engine compartment with reinforced mounts. A large hood scoop (dubbed "Penthouse" due to its size) was added to clear for the engine's deck height. It produced an officially advertised minimum of 435 hp (324 kW) at 5800 rpm, which was a somewhat conservative rating given the engine's well known and proven performance potential. The factory claimed it could reach a top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph).  In total, 322 Series I and 78 Series II cars were built for a total of 413 Grifos, 90 of which were 7-litre."

In the comment section, "jcalla76" wrote: "That is my father and mother, Skip and Carmen Callanan, in the Iso Grifo pace car, supplied by the GT Motorcar company of Norwalk, CT.  A gold Grifo would also pace the event in ‘69 and can be seen in Jim Garner’s documentary The Racing Scene." 

The comment about the "gold Grifo" pacing the 1969 Trans Am race can not be confirmed because the footage in the documentary shows the "gold Grifo" pacing the Formula Continental/F 5000 event not the Trans Am race.  He might be correct but I don't have any other evidence to prove it.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #281 on: February 06, 2020, 09:57:44 PM »
Color footage from the 1968 Bryar Trans Am event can also be seen in the video posted on Youtube.  In it you can see glimpses of the yellow 1968 Shelby GT 500KR convertible that was used as the pace car.  Footage taken from the back seat of the Shelby on the pace lap can also be seen at 8:45 in the film.

Additional photos of the Shelby pace car can be seen in reply #30 on page 3 of this thread, replies #88 & #89 on page 6 and reply reply #264 on page 18.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZz2AJ_mpRA&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2KTdgUICqIqWUTIMSbkGCYeufS7-Z-gPXc1QedGGrv4MH3iHO3SNmP2zE
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #282 on: February 06, 2020, 10:00:46 PM »
Interestingly, a white 1968 AMX that was used by Bryar Motorsport Park in some official capacity during the Trans Am weekend can be seen "racing" a young man in a brass era type kiddie car at 6:35 in the film. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZz2AJ_mpRA&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2KTdgUICqIqWUTIMSbkGCYeufS7-Z-gPXc1QedGGrv4MH3iHO3SNmP2zE
« Last Edit: February 06, 2020, 10:30:08 PM by SMKZ28 »
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

group/7

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 375
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #283 on: February 07, 2020, 04:04:21 AM »
In post 281, from Bryar '68, that yellow Shelby 'vert is parked at pit in, that Javelin and the blue Mustang are coming in pretty hot

not the best place to park  ::)

Here's another angle of the Oldsmobile in the driver's parade with Revson & Follmer at Bryar '68

Mike

group/7

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 375
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #284 on: February 07, 2020, 04:36:07 AM »
Here's one I have in my files, not sure if this is a pace car...parade car or ? my note says Brainerd 1969.

SMKZ28,  If it's not a Trans-Am race I will delete it.

Mike

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #285 on: February 07, 2020, 02:22:34 PM »
Mike, thanks for adding those cool color photos.  The photo of the orange 1969 Shelby GT 500 convertible is great.  It looks like it was taken on the driver introduction parade lap since the car looks to be filled with people, probably Ford drivers.  Although it looks to be going along at a pretty good clip so maybe it's a fast ride around the track given to some lucky VIP's.  If it is the Trans Am race it was held at Donnybrooke Internaitonal Speedway, Brainerd, Minnesotta on July 6, 1969.   A 1969 AMX was used as the pace car for this event.  Pictures and film footage of the AMX can be seen in Replies #35 & #36 on page three of this thread, Reply #141 on page ten and Reply #257 on page 18.

Unfortunately it's too blurry to make out what the crudely applied sign on the side of the car says.
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

crossboss

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 779
  • ^ New engine project
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #286 on: February 07, 2020, 02:30:16 PM »
Mike, thanks for adding those cool color photos.  The photo of the orange 1969 Shelby GT 500 convertible is great.  It looks like it was taken on the driver introduction parade lap since the car looks to be filled with people, probably Ford drivers.  Although it looks to be going along at a pretty good clip so maybe it's a fast ride around the track given to some lucky VIP's.  If it is the Trans Am race it was held at Donnybrooke Internaitonal Speedway, Brainerd, Minnesotta on July 6, 1969.   A 1969 AMX was used as the pace car for this event.  Pictures and film footage of the AMX can be seen in Replies #35 & #36 on page three of this thread, Reply #141 on page ten and Reply #257 on page 18.

Unfortunately it's too blurry to make out what the crudely applied sign on the side of the car says.




Thanks for posting! Interesting choices SCCA made on the pace cars. Btw, that color, Grabber Orange is very rare (around 11 made!). I used to own a '70 GT-500 with that color….yeh, I know, shouldn't have sold it.
Just another T/A fanatic. Current lifelong projects:
1968 Olds 442 W-30
1969 Mustang Fastback w a Can-Am 494 (Boss 429)

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #287 on: March 12, 2020, 02:47:27 PM »
Another piece of the puzzle has fallen into place.  Recently added photos to The Petersen Automotive Museum Digital Project demonstrate that a 1971 Porsche 914, probably the rare six cylinder version, was used to pace the Trans Am and Formula 5000 events held at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin in July 1971.  This photo shows the pace lap of the Trans Am race that was held on Saturday, July 17, 1971.   

It came from here: https://archive.petersen.org/pages/home.php
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #288 on: March 12, 2020, 02:51:46 PM »
These photos show the Porsche 914 (914-6) at Road America on Sunday, July 18, 1971.  The first two show the car in front of the Trans Am Two-Five Challenge on the grid and the 3rd & 4th show it on the pace lap for the F5000 race that took place on the same day.

https://archive.petersen.org/pages/home.php
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #289 on: March 15, 2020, 04:18:23 PM »
Here is another photo showing the yellow 1970 Corvette convertible that was used as the pace car for the Trans Am race held at Laguna Seca Raceway, in Monterey, California on April 19, 1970.

I found it at The Petersen Automotive Museum Digitization Project: https://archive.petersen.org/pages/home.php

Additional pictures of this yellow Corvette can be seen in Reply #48 on page four of this thread as well as Reply #104 on page seven, Reply #219 on page fifteen, Reply #256 on page eighteen and Reply #275 on page nineteen.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #290 on: March 15, 2020, 04:28:28 PM »
It seems the Laguna Seca Raceway kept the white 1969 Camaro SS convertible they used as a pace car during their 1969 season because it appears in a picture taken at the Trans Am race held the following year at the track on April 19, 1970.  The Castrol Oil decal on the rear quarter panel behind the wheel demonstrates that this is the same Camaro.  You can see the car with its convertible top up in the background directly behind the 1970 Chaparral Camaro.

I also found this photo at The Petersen Automotive Museum Digitization Project: https://archive.petersen.org/pages/home.php

Additional pictures of this 1969 Camaro SS convertible pace car appear on page two, replies #28 and #29; page seven, replies #99 and #100; page nine, reply #121, page twelve, reply #176 and page fourteen reply #202..
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #291 on: March 15, 2020, 05:07:48 PM »
Here are a few pictures of the Porsche 911 Targa that was used as the pace car for the under 2.5 Trans Am event held at Laguna Seca Raceway, in Monterey, California on Saturday, October 16, 1971.  The under 2.5 race was a support race for the Can Am event held the following day.  I believe that the over 2.5 Trans Am cars were never scheduled to run at Laguna Seca Raceway during the 1971 season.

The photos were found at The Petersen Automotive Museum Digitization Project: https://archive.petersen.org/pages/home.php
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #292 on: March 15, 2020, 08:07:59 PM »
While I still haven't been able to find a definitive picture of the car that paced the 1972 Trans Am races held at Watkins Glen International Raceway in Watkins Glen, New York on Saturday, June 17, 1972, I have found a few pictures of a 1972 Corvette convertible pacing the L&M Formula Continental Race held the next day on Sunday, June 18, 1972.  It stands to reason that the same car would have been used as the pace car throughout the weekend.

I'm not sure where I found the first two color photos but the third photo came from The Petersen Automotive Museum Digitization Project: https://archive.petersen.org/pages/home.php
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #293 on: March 19, 2020, 03:06:22 PM »
I just came across a treasure trove of vintage pictures taken at racing events run at Sebring Circuit in Sebring, Florida.  Several of these pictures show multiple different "Official Cars" being used in official capacities during these racing events.  Of particular interest are the pictures taken in March of 1966 showing one of two white 1965 Ford Mustang Convertibles, a black 1966 Shelby Mustang GT 350H, a red 1966 Ford Fairlane, a gold 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado and two 1966 Mercedes-Benz 230SL convertibles.  These "Official Cars" were also featured prominently in advertisements inside the souvenir program for the event.

While most of these pictures were taken during the running of the 1966 12-Hours of Sebring held on Saturday, March 26, 1966, some of them show the cars during the pre-race technical inspection held in a parking lot in the town of Sebring.  However they were used during the 12-hour race is more than likely how they were used during the Trans Am race held at the track from noon to 4:00 pm on Friday, March 25, 1966.  This first ever Trans Am event was known as the Sebring Four Hour International Touring Car Race.  Neither the Trans Am race or the 12-Hour endurance race used a rolling start to begin the race, so none of these cars were used to actually "pace" the race.   

These pictures show one of the two white 1965 Mustang convertibles used as the "Official Car" of "America's Greatest Road Race."  These cars also appeared at the 1965 running of the 12-Hours of Sebring the year before.  Prior to that, it is believed that these two were among the three pace cars used at the 1964 Indianapolis 500.  The third picture shows Alec Ulmann, founder of the 12-Hour race, talking to Florida Governor William Haydon Burns.

Additional pictures can be seen in Reply #136 on page ten of this thread.

These pictures came from: https://sebringrace.com/index.html

« Last Edit: March 19, 2020, 03:54:50 PM by SMKZ28 »
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #294 on: March 19, 2020, 03:10:01 PM »
More pictures of one of the two 1965 Mustangs...

https://sebringrace.com/index.html

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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #295 on: March 19, 2020, 03:17:06 PM »
Here are photographs of the black and gold 1966 Shelby Mustang GT 350H used in some official capacity during the events held at Sebring in 1966.  The first photo shows the car at the pre-race technical inspection held in the town of Sebring, the second shows it on the race track prior to the 12-Hour race and the third is the advertisement inside the souvenir event program.

1 & 2) https://sebringrace.com/index.html
3) ebay
« Last Edit: March 19, 2020, 03:38:22 PM by SMKZ28 »
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #296 on: March 19, 2020, 03:22:56 PM »
Multiple photos show a red 1966 Ford Fairlane GTA convertible being used by "The Clerk of the Course" during the events held at Sebring Circuit in 1966 as well.  The first two photos show the car at the pre-race technical inspection held in the town of Sebring.  The others show it prior to the 12-Hours of Sebring.

https://sebringrace.com/index.html
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #297 on: March 19, 2020, 03:25:55 PM »
More photos of the red 1966 Ford Fairlane GTA convertible prior to the 12-Hours of Sebring.

https://sebringrace.com/index.html
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #298 on: March 19, 2020, 03:27:38 PM »
Here you can see the Fairlane parked in pit lane during the 12-Hours of Sebring.

https://sebringrace.com/index.html
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #299 on: March 19, 2020, 03:32:02 PM »
Here you can see the Fairlane at the site of the fatal accident involving the Ford GT 40 of Bob McLean.  The car "hit a telephone pole and burst into flames. McLean was trapped in the car and perished. Near the crash scene was a fire truck but they only had water and no foam which would have been more effective. Also they only had two 10-pound dry chemical extinguishers which were quickly used up. The car had just made a pit stop right before the accident and was fully loaded with gas. The heat was so intense that the magnesium wheels ignited and burst into white hot sparks. The fire drew a ghoulish crowd of 2000 and police had trouble controlling the mob and the police roughed up some people including a television cameraman."

https://sebringrace.com/index.html
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #300 on: March 19, 2020, 03:37:52 PM »
The first photo is the only one I have been able to locate that shows one of the "Official Cars" on the track during the Trans Am race held at the track.  You can see the Fairlane in pit lane beyond the Mustang on the track.  The third photo shows the Fairlane advertisement that appeared on the back page of the souvenir event program.

1 & 2) https://sebringrace.com/index.html
3) ebay
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #301 on: March 19, 2020, 03:43:21 PM »
A gold 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado was also used in some capacity by the track during the events held at Sebring Circuit in March 1966.  These pictures show the car near the parking lot where the pre-race technical inspection was held in the town of Sebring.

https://sebringrace.com/index.html

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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #302 on: March 19, 2020, 03:45:42 PM »
The first two photos show the Toronado near the track during the 12-Hours of Sebring.  Notice how it has the words "Official Car" on the door.  The third shows the Toronado advertisement that appeared in the souvenir event program.

1 &2) https://sebringrace.com/index.html
3) ebay
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #303 on: March 19, 2020, 03:50:58 PM »
At least two different 1966 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL convertibles were used in official capacities during the events held at Sebring Circuit during March 1966.  The first picture shows a dark colored one with a sign on the door that reads "Official Communications Coordinator."  The second photo shows a tan colored one parked on pit lane during the 12-Hour race.

While checking ebay and worthpoint I was not able to find an advertisement for the car in the souvenir event program but that doesn't mean that one didn't appear in it. 

https://sebringrace.com/index.html
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

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #304 on: March 20, 2020, 03:59:15 AM »
Scott,

Thanks for the tip on the Sebring race photo website.  I'm very appreciative of all the hard work you do posting the pics and info here for all of us to enjoy and learn from.
« Last Edit: March 22, 2020, 01:51:44 PM by Jon Mello »
Jon Mello
CRG

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #305 on: March 20, 2020, 02:14:52 PM »
Mike,

Thanks for the tip on the Sebring race photo website.  I'm very appreciative of all the hard work you do posting the pics and info here for all of us to enjoy and learn from.

Your welcome Jon.  I'm glad there is such a great place for me to post the stuff I like to research.  I'm especially glad that once the information is posted it is basically permanent, meaning that in the future people can refer back to it when ever they need to.  I've been reading and referring to the material you have been posting in the Trans Am section and elsewhere on this web site for almost a decade!  Thank you for all the hard work you and all the others have put into it!

Scott 
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #306 on: March 20, 2020, 02:25:20 PM »
Here is a great color photo showing the 1972 Porsche 911 Targa on the pit lane entrance road just before the field receives the green flag to start the Trans Am event held at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin on Saturday, July 15, 1972.

I found the picture at the Remembrances of Elkhart Lake/Road America Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/147537615666486/photos/

You can see another color photo of the Porsche 911 Targa pace car in Reply #25 on page two of this thread.  The photo on page two must have been taken a few seconds earlier than this one and from nearly the same vantage point.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #307 on: March 20, 2020, 04:08:56 PM »
I forgot about this photo taken during the 1966 Trans Am race at Sebring that shows the 1966 Shelby Mustang GT 350H used in some type of official capacity during the race.  You can see it sitting off to the right of the track at the start of the event. 

https://sebringrace.com/index.html
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

group/7

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 375
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #308 on: March 21, 2020, 09:32:00 PM »
Scott, great stuff as always, here's a photo from the same "Sebring Race" site of that GT350 Official car that I have saved in my files.

Mike

group/7

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 375
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #309 on: March 21, 2020, 09:59:20 PM »
Jon, just to give credit where it's due, it's steve (SMKZ28) that posted the link to the Sebring Race site  ;)

Hope in California you are all keeping safe, and all other members on the forum as well !

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #310 on: March 27, 2020, 02:18:45 PM »
Scott, great stuff as always, here's a photo from the same "Sebring Race" site of that GT350 Official car that I have saved in my files.

Mike

Thanks Mike,

In case anyone missed it a few more pictures of this 1966 Shelby GT 350H appear in Reply #295 on the previous page of this thread.  Also, photos of the 1965 Mustang convertible and 1966 Farilane GTA convertible official cars also appear in the previous page of this thread in Replies #293 - #299.  I had so many photos to post from the events held at Sebring in 1966 that the thread rolled over to a new page and I'm not sure everyone got to see these photos if they are interested.

I also hope everyone is doing alright and staying safe through these uncertain times.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #311 on: March 27, 2020, 02:22:10 PM »
It seems that several different automobiles were used as "Official Cars" at the events held at Sebring in 1967.  Pictures taken at both the 4-Hour International Trans-American Championship Race for the Florida Governors Trophy which took place on Friday, March 31, 1967 and the 12 Hours of Endurance for the Alitalia Trophy run the next day on Saturday, April 1, 1967 demonstrate that a white 1967 Mustang, a silver 1967 Mustang 2+2, a white 1967 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL and a white 1967 Ford Fairlane GTA were all used in some official capacity.  Neither the Trans Am race or the 12-Hour endurance race used a rolling start to begin the race, so none of these cars were used to actually "pace" the race.     

These two photos of Ms. Sebring sitting on the white 1967 Mustang came from here: https://sebringrace.com/
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #312 on: March 27, 2020, 02:26:57 PM »
These photos taken at Sebring during the events of 1967 show a silver 1967 Mustang 2+2 parked in pit lane while the races are taking place.

The 1st & 2nd shots were taken during what looks to be practice for the 12 hour race as demonstrated by the Corvette racing by and the 3rd & 4th were taken prior to the 4 hour race as demonstrated by the team member driving the Cougar through pit lane, as well as the people walking along it.

Photos 1 & 2 came from worthpoint while 3 &4 are from picclick
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #313 on: March 27, 2020, 02:32:16 PM »
The photo from picclick also shows a white 1967 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL also parked in pit lane behind the Cougar Trans Am machine.

The black and white photo from the Revs Digital Library also shows a 1967 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL with "Official Car" on the front fender.  I'm not sure if both of these pictures show the same car or not because the color photo does not show the front fender or the side door.  They might also be 1966 models left over from use by the track the prior year.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #314 on: March 27, 2020, 03:01:40 PM »
A white with red rocker panel stripe 1967 Ford Fairlane GTA was also used in some official capacity during the events at Sebring in 1967. 

The first two images were taken during the 12 hour race.  They came from worthpoint.  The last two were taken during the 4 hour Trans Am event and they came from the Dave Freidman Collection at the Henry Ford Flickr site: https://www.flickr.com/photos/thehenryford/albums/72157632877165631/page15/
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #315 on: April 16, 2020, 05:16:24 AM »
Here is a great color photo showing the 1971 or 1972 AMC Javelin AMX that was used to pace the Trans Am Two-Five Challenge event held at Riverside International Raceway, Riverside, California on October 3, 1971.  This is the same car that paced the larger class in the Mission Belle 200 held the same day.

I found it here: http://japanesenostalgiccar.com/happy-510-day-from-jnc-6/

Additional pictures of this pace car can be found in Replies #64, 65, & 66 on page 5 of this thread as well as Reply #119 on page 8 and Reply #216 on page 15.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #316 on: April 17, 2020, 03:35:51 PM »
Another piece of the puzzle falls into place.  A 1971 AMC Javelin AMX was used as the pace car for the Wolverine Trans Am held on the road course at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan on Labor Day Monday, September 6, 1971.

Paul Castagnoli posted these photos at the Vintage Trans Am Race Cars V-8 1966-1973 Facebook page in January 2020: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1567567723489728/photos/
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #317 on: April 17, 2020, 03:38:50 PM »
Apparently the 1971 AMC Javelin AMX used to pace the 1971 Wolverine Trans Am at Michigan International Speedway still exists!  Here is a recent photo taken of the restored car at what looks to be an all AMC car show.  Can any of the AMC guys tell us more about this car?  I could not find any other pictures or info on it.  Thanks!


It was posted by Randy Warder in September 2019 at the Vintage Trans Am Race Cars V-8 1966-1973 Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1567567723489728/photos/

Also, an advertisement with a similar Javelin AMX appeared on the back cover of the souvenir event program. (worthpoint)
« Last Edit: April 17, 2020, 03:59:12 PM by SMKZ28 »
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #318 on: May 06, 2020, 08:54:06 PM »
Here are a couple of great color photos showing the white 1970 Corvette roadster used to pace both Trans Am events held at Watkins Glen International Raceway in Watkins Glen, New York on Sunday, August 16, 1970.  In both shots you can see it in pit lane just after the field received the green flag to start the race.

An additional picture of the white 1970 Corvette roadster performing pace car duties for the U2 Trans Am event can be seen in Reply #218 on page 15 of this thread.

Several new color photos of the 1970 Trans Am events held at Watkins Glen International Raceway have just been added to the Revs Digital Library web site.  Search "1970 Trans-Am Watkins Glen"

Click on the following links to use the magnification tools for close-ups of the pictures:
1) https://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/custom/single-image?id=616282&collection=p17257coll1
2) https://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/custom/single-image?id=616885&collection=p17257coll1
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #319 on: May 07, 2020, 05:27:45 PM »
Here is a color photo of the F5000 race held at Road America on Sunday, July 18, 1971 showing that the car was painted orange.  This is the same car that also paced the Trans Am Two-Five Challenge on the same day as well as the over 2.0 Trans Am race that was held on Saturday, July 17, 1971. 

I found it on a web site dedicated to the 914/6 so this proves the car was one of the more rare 6 cylinder models: http://p914-6info.net/video_2.htm
 
Additional black and white photos of the car can be seen in Replies #287 & 288 on page 20 of this thread.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #320 on: May 15, 2020, 03:35:05 PM »
I found an image that possibly demonstrates what the pace car was going to be at the Trans Am race scheduled to be held at Dallas International Motor Speedway on Sunday, April 26, 1970.  This event was ultimately cancelled because of dangerous conditions and flooding on the track due to a weekend of torrential thunderstorms.  The picture on the cover of the special Trans-Am section of the Thursday, April 23, 1970 edition of The Dallas Morning News shows a woman leaning against what looks to be one of the red, white and blue 1970 AMC Javelin Trans Am models.  AMC only built 100 of these special models, so this is a pretty rare car.  It might have been the pace car because it has a large "Dallas International Motor Speedway" decal on the door.

I found the first photo at Flickr along with images of the event press kit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/157859435@N04/sets/72157690545236862/

The 3rd photo shows a different 1970 Javelin being used by the photographer on what looks to be a recon mission around the flooded track.  Perhaps this white Javelin was also owned by the race track and used in some official capacity.  The photo came from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/thehenryford/sets/72157632998151945/

Background info on the special 1970 Trans Am Javelin at the registry web site: http://www.tajavelin.com/
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

Oldtimer

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 67
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #321 on: May 15, 2020, 04:27:21 PM »
I was at the DIMS Trans Am, working Timing and Scoring for the SCCA.  I had the good fortune of collecting a full press kit, which included the DMN special section.

It was a shame that the race track was built in a flood plain.  We subsequently held several SCCA Regional and National events there, as well as a F5000 race.

The site is now fully transformed into apartments and retail shops.

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #322 on: May 16, 2020, 04:01:49 PM »
I was at the DIMS Trans Am, working Timing and Scoring for the SCCA.  I had the good fortune of collecting a full press kit, which included the DMN special section.

It was a shame that the race track was built in a flood plain.  We subsequently held several SCCA Regional and National events there, as well as a F5000 race.

The site is now fully transformed into apartments and retail shops.

Thanks for the recollections!  Do you happen to remember if that red, white and blue 1970 Javelin was going to be used as the pace car?  Do you have any photos of the events you mentioned at the track?
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

Oldtimer

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 67
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #323 on: May 16, 2020, 07:54:08 PM »
I was at the DIMS Trans Am, working Timing and Scoring for the SCCA.  I had the good fortune of collecting a full press kit, which included the DMN special section.

It was a shame that the race track was built in a flood plain.  We subsequently held several SCCA Regional and National events there, as well as a F5000 race.

The site is now fully transformed into apartments and retail shops.

Thanks for the recollections!  Do you happen to remember if that red, white and blue 1970 Javelin was going to be used as the pace car?  Do you have any photos of the events you mentioned at the track?

Have to admit, for most of the event (which wasn't much) other than a lunch break, we were in the T&S stand, staying dry (it had a roof!).  Being a starving college student, couldn't afford a camera at the time.

Sorry couldn't help any more than that!

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #324 on: September 09, 2020, 05:08:30 PM »
I just found this color photo showing the red 1970 Mustang convertible pace car during the pace lap for the 1970 Trans Am race held at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, Ohio on June 7, 1970.

Mark Shank posted it on the Vintage Trans Am race cars  V-8 - 1966-1973 Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1567567723489728/photos/

Additional pictures of the car can be seen in reply #8 on page one of this thread, in reply #82 on page six, in reply #140 on page ten and in replies #229 & #230 on page 16.
 
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

crossboss

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 779
  • ^ New engine project
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #325 on: September 11, 2020, 08:39:01 PM »
Thanks for posting. This is why I enjoy this site! You guys have incredible knowledge, and obviously being a Camaro website, enjoy posting other brands of cars. Keep up the excellent job!
Just another T/A fanatic. Current lifelong projects:
1968 Olds 442 W-30
1969 Mustang Fastback w a Can-Am 494 (Boss 429)

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #326 on: December 19, 2020, 04:21:56 AM »
I just found this photo of the 1972 Ford Mustang convertible pacing the field during the Trans Am race held at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio on June 4, 1972.  Additional photos of the car can be seen in Reply #215 on page 15, Reply #238 on page 16 and Reply #271 on page 19 of this thread.  It came from ebay.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #327 on: December 21, 2020, 05:10:08 AM »
Here is a photo showing part of the purple 1970 Dodge Challenger convertible that was used as the pace car for the Trans Am race at Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin held on Sunday, July 19, 1970.  You can see it parked behind the guardrail and beneath the old pagoda building with its black convertible top up.  Notice how it has the words "ROAD AMERICA TRANS-AM" written in white letters on its side.

Additional photos of this car can be seen in Replies #40 and #41 on page 3 and Reply #67 on page 5 of this thread.

Neal Bledsoe posted the photo at the Remembrances of Elkhart Lake Road America Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/147537615666486/photos
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

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #328 on: December 24, 2020, 08:00:17 PM »
Wow, eagle eyes to pick out the hidden Challenger but the lettering helps.
Jon Mello
CRG

MO

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1125
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #329 on: December 28, 2020, 09:20:58 PM »
Wow, eagle eyes to pick out the hidden Challenger but the lettering helps.

I agree, it blends in so well with the background. Good job Scott!

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #330 on: December 29, 2020, 12:33:54 AM »
Wow, eagle eyes to pick out the hidden Challenger but the lettering helps.

I agree, it blends in so well with the background. Good job Scott!

Thanks guys.  I missed it the first time I saw the photo but spotted it the second time I ran across it.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #331 on: February 20, 2021, 04:40:30 AM »
Here is a photo showing the 1968 or 1969 AMC AMX pace car on the pace lap of the Mission Bell 250 at Riverside International Raceway, Riverside, California held on September 8, 1968. 

Additional pictures of the car can be seen in reply #69 on page five of this thread, reply #132 on page nine, reply #234 on page sixteen and replies #252 & #253 on page seventeen.

worthpoint.com
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #332 on: November 11, 2021, 03:22:58 PM »
While perusing Ebay I came across this color photo of the red 1970 Mustang convertible pace car used during the pace lap for the 1970 Trans Am race held at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, Ohio on June 7, 1970.

Additional pictures of the car can be seen in reply #8 on page one of this thread, in reply #82 on page six, in reply #140 on page ten, in replies #229 & #230 on page sixteen and reply #324 on page twenty-two. 
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #333 on: November 18, 2021, 07:43:07 PM »
Here is an image of the 1967 Ford Galaxy convertible used as the pace car for the Double 300 Trans Am races held at Marlboro Speedway.  The image was taken from the start of the under two liter event held on August 12, 1967.  There were no images of the pace car in front of the over two liter field in the film because the film maker was actually inside the pace car filming the start of that particular race held on August 13, 1967.

The second image shows a red 1967 Camaro convertible with some type of sign attached to the passenger door.  This sign demonstrates that it was used at the track in some type of official capacity.  Perhaps it was one of the cars used to chauffeur the drivers around the track during the pre-race festivities.

The images were taken from 8mm color film footage of the events posted recently on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4ij9eaomwE

Additional pictures of the 1967 Ford Galaxy convertible pace car can be seen in replies #123 & #125 on page nine of this thread, reply #186 on page thirteen and reply #222 on page fifteen
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #334 on: December 16, 2021, 04:17:15 AM »
Here is a cool color photo showing the cream 1969 Ford Mustang convertible pace car out ahead of a group of other Mustangs on pit lane just before they went around the track during the pre-race festivities for the Trans Am event held at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, in Lexington, Ohio on June 8, 1969.  Notice the parachutist coming down in the background.

Additional photos of the Mustang pace car can be seen in Reply #87 on page six of this thread and Reply #93 on page seven.

Ebay
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #335 on: December 22, 2021, 03:45:51 PM »
Found another picture with the 1967 Ford Galaxy convertible used as the pace car during the second of the Double 300 Trans Am races held at Marlboro Speedway on August 13, 1967.  You can see it just above the checkered flag and to the left of the red 1967 Camaro RS convertible with the sign on its passenger door. 

https://library.revsinstitute.org/

Additional pictures of the 1967 Ford Galaxy convertible pace car can be seen in replies #123 & #125 on page nine of this thread, reply #186 on page thirteen, reply #222 on page fifteen, and Reply #333 on this page.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #336 on: December 22, 2021, 03:49:57 PM »
Here are two more images of the red 1967 Camaro RS convertible that was used in some official capacity at the Double 300 Trans Am races held at Marlboro Speedway on August 12/13, 1967.  Notice that there is some type of sticker on the drivers side front fender just behind the nose stripe.

https://library.revsinstitute.org/
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #337 on: July 17, 2022, 09:04:15 PM »
Here is a cool color photo showing not one, but two Javelin AMX pace cars used during the Wolverine Trans Am race that was held on the road course at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan on Labor Day Monday, September 6, 1971. 

Marshall Robbins posted the photo on the Historic SCCA Pro Racing Trans Am Series Fan Facebook Group on June 20, 2022: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=3351148011775137&set=a.1398131527076805

You can see addition photos of one of these Javelin AMX pace cars in replies #316 & 317 on page 22 of this thread.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #338 on: November 22, 2022, 10:26:10 PM »
Here are two photos showing the 1972 Buick Skylark convertible on the pace lap for the Bryar 200 Trans Am event held at Bryar Motorsport Park in Loudon, New Hampshire on May 29, 1972.  They were posted by Michael Doran on the Vintage Trans Am Race Cars V-8 - 1966-1973 Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1567567723489728

Additional photos of the car can be seen in reply #273 on page 19 of this thread.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #339 on: December 06, 2022, 07:51:18 PM »
Found a couple more images of the red 1970 Mustang convertible that was used as the pace car for the 1970 Trans Am races held at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, Ohio on June 7, 1970.  The first & second show the car on the entrance to pit lane during the over 2 liter race while the third and fourth show it out front of the under 2 liter cars on the pace lap.  Peter Carell recently posted these photos on the Historic SCCA Pro Racing Trans-Am Series Fan Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/109038482465812

Additional pictures of the car can be seen in reply #8 on page one of this thread, in reply #82 on page six, in reply #140 on page ten, in replies #229 & #230 on page sixteen, in reply #324 on page twenty-two and reply #332 on page twenty-three.
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #340 on: January 17, 2023, 05:47:01 PM »
The first two color photos show the 1969 Mustang convertible pace car on the pace lap prior to the start of the Trans Am event held at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, in Lexington, Ohio on June 8, 1969.

The 3rd and 4th photos show the same car on the pace lap of the Can Am event held at the same track on August 17, 1969.  This photo indicates that the Mustang was provided by Moorhead Ford.


Additional photos of the Mustang pace car can be seen in Reply #87 on page six of this thread, Reply #93 on page seven and Reply #334 on this page.


worthpoint.com
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #341 on: January 17, 2023, 05:59:23 PM »
Here is another color photo of the Mustang convertible pace car at the head of the field on the pace lap prior to the start of the Trans Am event held at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, in Lexington, Ohio on June 8, 1969.

worthpoint
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

MO

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1125
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #342 on: January 18, 2023, 06:31:46 AM »
Awesome Scott! Thanks for your relentless research on these cars and races. Truly enjoyable to see.

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #343 on: January 18, 2023, 03:37:19 PM »
Awesome Scott! Thanks for your relentless research on these cars and races. Truly enjoyable to see.

Your welcome!
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

GMAD_Van Nuys

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 296
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #344 on: January 18, 2023, 09:24:09 PM »
Scott - Do you have any photos of Charlie Thieriot, who drove an Alfa Romero GTA at the 1970 Trans Am races at Road America, Watkins Glen, and Riverside?  Thanks - Mark

Chuck-68-Cam

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 161
  • It is what it is
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #345 on: January 18, 2023, 10:33:13 PM »
You could try this link. I did not have the time to look though it.

https://www.alfabb.com/threads/alfas-in-trans-am.17978/

His name is all over this site.
Chuck

68 Camaro SST 350/TH400

Oldtimer

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 67
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #346 on: January 18, 2023, 11:00:57 PM »
Scott - Do you have any photos of Charlie Thieriot, who drove an Alfa Romero GTA at the 1970 Trans Am races at Road America, Watkins Glen, and Riverside?  Thanks - Mark

Can I assume you have looked on the Racing Sports Car website?

https://www.racingsportscars.com/driver/archive/Charles-Thieriot-USA.html

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #347 on: January 19, 2023, 12:10:12 AM »
Scott - Do you have any photos of Charlie Thieriot, who drove an Alfa Romero GTA at the 1970 Trans Am races at Road America, Watkins Glen, and Riverside?  Thanks - Mark

Mark, I don't have any photos of that particular Alfa.  Most of my stuff consists of the over two liter races, which were separate in 1970.  In addition to the two web sites given by Chuckman4112 and Oldtimer I would suggest going through all the photos at the following sites on Facebook.  If you don't see anything you might join them and ask.  You never know what someone might have.

Remembrances of Elkhart Lake/ Road America: https://www.facebook.com/groups/147537615666486/photos/

Friends of Watkins Glen: https://www.facebook.com/groups/346049228830548/media

REMEMBERING RIVERSIDE RACEWAY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/137363969953355/

Try this site for additional Watkins Glen photos: http://www.glenphotos.com/memories/index.html

Good Luck
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

GMAD_Van Nuys

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 296
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #348 on: January 19, 2023, 12:44:58 AM »
Thank you for all the information about Charlie Thieriot as he and my brother, John, both belonged to the Alfa Romero Owner's Club of Southern California.  Although I never met Charlie, he seemed to be quite a character as he once bought a 1967 Ferrari 275/GTB4 back in the 1970s (when they were somewhat affordable) and joined the local Ferrari club.  When Charlie found that the club members were not as friendly as those in the Alfa club, Charlie took his GTA to a track event at Riverside and had the 3rd fastest time, which didn't go well with the other Ferrari owners.  My brother was at the Trans Am race at Riverside with Charlie and also saw Parnelli Jones win the last 1970 race of the season. - Mark

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #349 on: January 19, 2023, 01:20:10 AM »
Scott - Do you have any photos of Charlie Thieriot, who drove an Alfa Romero GTA at the 1970 Trans Am races at Road America, Watkins Glen, and Riverside?  Thanks - Mark

Mark, here is about a minute and a half of color footage from the under 2 liter Trans Am race held at Road America in 1970 shot from turn three: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoBxQaGphSk
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

GMAD_Van Nuys

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 296
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #350 on: January 19, 2023, 01:46:05 AM »
Scott - Thank you for the footage taken at Road America as I think I saw Thieriot's GTA #95 at the beginning of the film.  Charlie once told my brother that when they used to race the 2 liter cars with the 5 liter cars, during the driver's meeting, they were told to stay out of Parnelli Jones' way! - Mark

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #351 on: January 19, 2023, 03:37:31 AM »
Scott - Thank you for the footage taken at Road America as I think I saw Thieriot's GTA #95 at the beginning of the film.  Charlie once told my brother that when they used to race the 2 liter cars with the 5 liter cars, during the driver's meeting, they were told to stay out of Parnelli Jones' way! - Mark

Good idea!
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

GMAD_Van Nuys

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 296
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #352 on: March 12, 2023, 10:28:30 PM »
I was surprised when someone brought an Alfa Romero GTA to our monthly Cars & Coffee and I didn't have my camera with me to take some photos.  First GTA I've even seen in person.

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #353 on: April 01, 2023, 12:53:11 PM »
Another piece of the puzzle falls into place.  Until now I didn't know that a 1969 Camaro RS/SS Z11 convertible was used as the pace car for the 3rd Annual Kent 300 Trans-American event held at Seattle International Raceway in Kent, Washington on Sunday, September 7, 1969.  This was the 10th round of the championship and Ronnie Bucknum won the event in his 1969 Camaro Z28 fielded by Roger Penske.

Notice that the lettering on the door has been altered to display the information for this particular event.  I believe that underneath the "OFFICIAL PACE CAR" in orange lettering it states "3rd Annual Trans-Am Kent" and "September 7, 1969".

I found this fantastic color image of the pre-race grid at the Vintage Trans Am race cars V-8 - 1966-1973 Facebook site: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1567567723489728/photos/
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #354 on: July 11, 2023, 04:23:54 PM »
I just located this photo that shows the 1971 Porsche 914/6 that was used as the pace car for the Trans Am Two-Five Challenge event held at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin on Sunday, July 18, 1971.  You can see it in pit lane as the field goes by. 

Additional images of the car can be seen in Replies #287 & #288 on page 20 of this thread as well as Reply #319 on page 22.

Ebay 
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

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #355 on: July 11, 2023, 04:40:52 PM »
The same seller on ebay also had this photo showing the purple 1970 Dodge Challenger convertible that was used to pace the Trans Am race at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin on Sunday, July 19, 1970.  You can see it in pit lane as the field flies by.

Additional pictures of the car can be seen in Replies #40 & #41 on page 3 of this thread, Reply #67 on page 5 and Reply #327 on page 22.

Ebay
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

group/7

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 375
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #356 on: July 12, 2023, 02:16:31 AM »
Scott, your research to the pace cars is great ! easy to search with your references to previous post with page # and photo # !

I looked and followed links but I didn't see this image of the Camaro pace car  from the '69 Laguna Seca Trans-Am, I might have

 missed it ? Looks like a screen grab from a film, can't remember where I found it now, it was long ago.

Mike

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #357 on: July 12, 2023, 04:19:30 PM »
Scott, your research to the pace cars is great ! easy to search with your references to previous post with page # and photo # !

I looked and followed links but I didn't see this image of the Camaro pace car  from the '69 Laguna Seca Trans-Am, I might have

 missed it ? Looks like a screen grab from a film, can't remember where I found it now, it was long ago.

Mike

Hi Mike, thanks for adding that cool close-up photo.  I have never seen that one before, so you didn't miss it in my posts.  Neat shot!
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

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #358 on: July 19, 2023, 02:04:20 AM »
Scott, your continuing efforts with documenting the various pace cars is greatly appreciated.  Thank you!  (and thank you to Mike as well)
Jon Mello
CRG

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Trans Am racing pace car pics...are there any?
« Reply #359 on: January 19, 2024, 11:05:52 PM »
A green 1972 Porsche 911 Targa was used as the pace car for the Ron & Eve White Memorial Sedan Race for Trans Am type cars held on August 13, 1972 at Mosport International Raceway in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada. 

In a post about this "non-championship Trans-Am race," Jon Mello stated, "8/13/72, which had been the date of a scheduled Mosport T/A race until it was canceled along with the rest of the series that year (due to George Follmer dominating the '72 Trans-Am series in his Roy Woods Javelin). The race was run instead as a memorial to a well-known Ontario (Canada) couple who had been very involved with motorsports until they died in a plane crash in 1971. Many of the regular competitors showed for the race, and to my understanding, Warren Tope won."  http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=9191.0

Greg Wong posted the photo at the Remembering Mosport Facebook page on January 15, 2015: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mosport/posts/403043589852499/?__cft__[0]=AZXOV8lbdXy5ncbaLz4Gw4XZaY1R2Iof9JzmhhifYmrXk6aTsb_bc04GGfQVTdxJ9e83WupfH0APPmllK8Za52WhEgIPcogUB8tN_v-dS3JfvG3tvxUeNMTroyJcO0Fi7xFMh0H9hzqqvJSQGXjoxjz4yNDufj43lI4F3C8QgaTNq87wWO1ghS1upcFo0Ycw4rM&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R
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

 

anything