Author Topic: Dana Chevrolet  (Read 80708 times)

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Dana Chevrolet
« on: January 23, 2012, 09:44:30 PM »
From my personal collection, this is an interview with Peyton Cramer and also Dick Guldstrand. These were
printed in the August 67 issue of Raceway magazine, which was connected with Riverside Raceway.









« Last Edit: December 02, 2017, 09:41:34 PM by Jon Mello »
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #1 on: January 23, 2012, 09:52:22 PM »
Dick Guldstrand poses with Riverside race queen Pat Breunig for a promotional
photo shoot in advance of the '67 Trans-Am race in September of that year.


Copyrighted photo courtesy of Tim Lopata


Photo: Tomy Drissi Collection

« Last Edit: February 16, 2020, 02:02:17 AM by Jon Mello »
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #2 on: January 23, 2012, 10:24:32 PM »

Jon Mello Collection


Jon Mello Collection


Jon Mello Collection
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #3 on: January 23, 2012, 10:45:45 PM »
For sale ad in Aug 5, 1967 issue of Competition Press & Autoweek.

Courtesy of Ron Lathrop
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #4 on: January 25, 2012, 03:12:23 AM »
Red arrow in "Late News" section of Competition Press & Autoweek shown below points out that Dick Guldstrand and Dana Chevrolet
have parted ways. This is as of October 28, 1967. Guldstrand went on to open his own shop down in Culver City, CA.
Click here to see some pics of Guldstrand's shop preparing James Garner's L88 Corvettes for the February '68 Daytona 24-Hour race.


Courtesy of Ron Lathrop
« Last Edit: January 06, 2018, 04:26:45 PM by Jon Mello »
Jon Mello
CRG

OCTARD

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 263
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #5 on: January 25, 2012, 06:52:39 PM »
The above noted Dana Chevrolet Camaro can also be seen here in a support race during the 1967 Laguna Seca USRRC weekend.  Photo from the Dave Friedman collection, with the full set of the Laguna Seca weekend found here.  Many more A-Sedan cars to be found within this set.

And here is this Dana Chevrolet Camaro in a support race from the 1967 Riverside USRRC weekend.  Photo from the Dave Friedman collection, with the full set of the Riverside weekend found here.  Also many more A-Sedan cars to be found within this set from the weekend.

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #6 on: January 25, 2012, 11:33:15 PM »
Terrific links, Chad. Thanks for posting those. Very exciting to see those photos posted for all to enjoy.
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #7 on: April 02, 2012, 05:11:23 AM »
January 1967 ad for Dana Chevrolet as seen in the Motor Trend/Riverside 500 program.

Bob Sanders Collection, courtesy of Robert Lodewyk
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #8 on: April 02, 2012, 09:22:02 PM »
Another ad for Dana Chevrolet featuring the new Camaro for 1967.

Jon Mello Collection
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #9 on: April 06, 2012, 03:23:32 AM »
Dana Hi-Performance brochure for 1967.




Jon Mello Collection
« Last Edit: December 06, 2014, 08:48:03 PM by Jon Mello »
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #10 on: April 06, 2012, 03:24:37 AM »
More from the brochure...




Jon Mello Collection
« Last Edit: December 06, 2014, 08:48:23 PM by Jon Mello »
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #11 on: April 06, 2012, 03:25:34 AM »
Last pages.





Close-up of the special Dana scattershield with molded-in lettering.

Jon Mello Collection
« Last Edit: December 06, 2014, 09:00:53 PM by Jon Mello »
Jon Mello
CRG

OCTARD

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 263
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #12 on: April 06, 2012, 05:32:59 AM »
Though I like all the DANA Camaro detail, it's also great to see their tube-frame McLarens.  The small block Chevy with the side-draft Webers, bolted to a Hewland LG-500 transaxle, which is sitting on top of a wooden shipping container labeled ELVA (who produced the "customer" McLarens), is pretty cool too.

Great stuff.  Thanks.

-Chad

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #13 on: April 06, 2012, 05:02:14 PM »
Photo taken on the streets of London, April 1967. This is the "sister car" to the Dana Camaro
driven by Dick Guldstrand. It was built at the same time by Bobby Joe McDonald at Dana Chevrolet
and it was driven by car owner and driver Thomas F. Lynch. It ran as car #28 at Sebring and then
left immediately afterward to race in England and Europe over the summer and then returned
Stateside to race in the Las Vegas 350 Trans-Am in the fall of '67. Raced by Tom in Trans-Am thru 1969.


Photo: Mike Haemmig Collection
Jon Mello
CRG

JoeC

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 501
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #14 on: April 08, 2012, 12:03:43 PM »
Jon, great stuff

Dana really had a full plate in 1967 with the Z/28 Trans Am car, the 427 Camaro drag car, the 427 street cars, the ELVA, the L88 Corvette LeMans race car, and running the dealership.

maybe was too much, as they seemed to taper down in 1968

the L88 at LeMans

67 Dana

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 2
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #15 on: April 09, 2012, 04:16:58 AM »
This was a picture taken at Silverstone in 1967 , shortly after the picture of the car on the London streets. Notice how the Dana Chevrolet was removed, as I believe none of the cars ran logos or sponsorships.
Mike-

67 Dana

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 2
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #16 on: April 09, 2012, 04:27:17 AM »
1967 Silverstone with Thomas Lynch driving his Dana Camaro.

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #17 on: April 11, 2012, 06:03:25 PM »
Ron Tonkin Chevrolet in Portland, Oregon sent two 1967 Z-28s to Dana Chevrolet
so that Dana could prepare them for competition in Trans-Am and A/Sedan events.
Below is a photo of Bob Erickson driving one of the Tonkin cars that was prepped
by Dana Chevrolet. This photo is from a support race at a USRRC event at Pacific
Raceways in Kent, Washington in July '67. In August '67, the two Tonkin Z's were
involved in a trailering accident on the way to the Continental Divide Trans-Am and
they never made it to the race. They were sold in 1968 and it's unknown whatever
became of them.
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #18 on: April 13, 2012, 12:50:10 PM »

Bob Sanders Collection, courtesy of Robert Lodewyk
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #19 on: April 25, 2012, 05:27:19 PM »
In February 1968, Pierre Phillips advertised the two Tonkin cars for sale in Competition Press.
When I spoke to Pierre a couple of years ago, he didn't remember actually selling either car
but he did remember being there when Guldstrand brought them up to the Portland race
track for testing and delivery. Pierre did get to take some hotlaps in at least one of the cars.


Later in '68, August or September, Ron Tonkin placed an ad in Competition Press himself.
It appears he is only selling one car here so I assume the other one was sold by then. As I
stated earlier, it is currently unknown who got these cars after Tonkin's ownership. If any-
body has some knowledge of who got them afterward, please let us know.
« Last Edit: April 26, 2012, 03:08:35 PM by Jon Mello »
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #20 on: May 02, 2012, 10:13:47 PM »
Dana also ran a drag program for a Camaro in '67 and also in '68. Here's Dale Armstrong in the orange
'68 396 aluminum head (L89) drag car. Dale was from Canada, hence the name "The Canuck" on the car.

Photo courtesy of Ron Ogilvie


Photo below courtesy of Tim Lopata.
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #21 on: May 05, 2012, 06:23:32 AM »
Here's a fresh Traco engine ready to go into Dick Guldstrand's Camaro back in '67. Notice the RC cast steel bellhousing,
the Bill Thomas headers and the Impala or Chevelle shifter, plus other little details. From Popular Hot Rodding, March 1968.


Here's Guldstrand's chief mechanic and best friend Bobby Joe McDonald installing the motor in Dick's car down at the Dana dealership.
Jon Mello
CRG

Sixteen Grand Sedan #56

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 75
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #22 on: May 05, 2012, 04:33:15 PM »
The emblem holes in that blue 67 would have me believing that was originally a SS. Also noticed the stock motor mount.
Robert Lodewyk

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #23 on: May 05, 2012, 05:13:19 PM »
That's correct. Both Guldstrand's and Lynch's cars were January-built SS350 cars taken off the Dana lot and converted into Z-28 style race cars.
This was told to me personally by Bobby Joe McDonald about 12 years ago. The earliest Z-28 built at the LOS plant that has been found was built
in late February. Dana needed to get started on preparing two cars for Sebring and could not wait around for an LOS-built Z-28 to be made.
Jon Mello
CRG

MO

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1125
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #24 on: May 05, 2012, 05:44:20 PM »
I thought the same thing looking at that picture. I wonder why Dana didn't get cars from NOR? Since four of the first eight Z's went to the west coast and their obvious connections it would seem logical. Any idea how they got around the homologation rules?

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #25 on: May 05, 2012, 06:01:08 PM »
I have no idea why Dana didn't get cars from Norwood, Ohio like Ron Tonkin Chevrolet and Alan Green Chevrolet did. Maybe it had something to do with them being in California that they couldn't ship in a 49-state car? It was not a problem in SCCA for you to race any model of Camaro as long as you ran it with the 302 engine and everything else about it was legal.
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #26 on: September 25, 2012, 12:25:36 PM »
Not a Dana Chevrolet article or ad but a short interview with Dick Guldstrand from a 1972 issue of Corvette News, courtesy of Robert Lodewyk.



Jon Mello
CRG

JoeC

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 501
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #27 on: September 26, 2012, 12:14:18 PM »
here is a pic of the 67 Dana drag car

firstgenaddict

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2882
  • caretaker of 1971 LT1's 11130 & 21783
    • View Profile
    • Groome Family Automobiles
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #28 on: October 12, 2012, 04:39:13 PM »
Does the Orange 68 L89 drag car still exist?
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: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #29 on: October 13, 2012, 06:05:44 AM »
I honestly don't know if it still exists or not. If somebody else does, please let us know.
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #30 on: October 16, 2012, 12:21:52 AM »
Here's a shot of Dale Armstrong with the '68 Dana Camaro drag race car. It looks like the photo was taken in the esses at Riverside Raceway.
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #31 on: December 22, 2012, 05:35:43 AM »
February 21, 1968 issue of National Speed Sport News reports that Peyton Cramer has sold his half of
Dana Chevrolet and gone back to work for Shelby. I believe this left Paul Dombrowski with complete
ownership. (Jon Mello Collection)

Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #32 on: March 06, 2013, 05:50:24 AM »
Here's a September '68 CARS magazine article on Dale Armstrong's '68 Dana drag car. (Jon Mello Collection)













Jon Mello
CRG

Pickle

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 41
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #33 on: March 06, 2013, 07:35:02 PM »
This is why I love this site...Great stuff!
Loud Pipes Save Lives

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #34 on: March 07, 2013, 05:59:26 AM »
Thanks! I thought I might get some flak for an article on a big block drag car.
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #35 on: April 30, 2014, 02:07:14 AM »
Not a Dana car but neat photo nonetheless. Dick Guldstrand piloting a Nascar Chevy at Riverside.
Jon Mello
CRG

oldtransamdriver

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 362
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #36 on: May 01, 2014, 03:57:39 PM »
Dale Armstrong was inducted into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame in 1995.

Robet Barg

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #37 on: June 05, 2014, 01:37:56 PM »
Here's a road test of a 1967 Dana 427 Camaro as found in "Camaro", a one-off special edition magazine
done by Cycle World, owned by Joe Parkhurst Publishing Company. (Jon Mello Collection)







Jon Mello
CRG

cook_dw

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3981
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #38 on: June 05, 2014, 03:10:12 PM »
Here's a September '68 CARS magazine article on Dale Armstrong's '68 Dana drag car. (Jon Mello Collection)

Is this car still around?
« Last Edit: April 21, 2015, 01:09:05 AM by KurtS »

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #39 on: June 05, 2014, 04:02:17 PM »
If it is, I don't know about it.
Jon Mello
CRG

ko-lek-tor

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1858
  • someday I'll get one finished
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #40 on: June 05, 2014, 04:03:13 PM »
Wow! Jon Mello posting big block tech?...I love it! Thanks, Jon...and anything from BITD is OK with me. Maybe I'll try those pipe cleaners in the P. rods?!
Bentley to friends :1969 SS/RS 396 owned 79
1969 SS 350 (sold)
1969 D.H.COPO replica 4spd. owned since 85
1967 302 4 spd 5.13

69Z28-RS

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5778
  • owner since 4-Apr-1976
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #41 on: June 05, 2014, 04:22:43 PM »
Up to five pipe cleaners in a pushrod?   ... *S*   I don't recall hearing that one before...   It was interesting reading about the engine mods.. and use of the CrankShaft Co.  I had a '67 302 build by Hank the Crank and the CSC..  using the DynaRev crankshaft (probably similarly prepped to the 'Thermo-Rev BB crank mentioned in the article,  and also the 'step lock' top rings.. in fact, I  have a brand new set of those 'Step Lock' rings in the Crankshaft Co box (never used since I got them in '71)...   for a 30 over 302 (4.030 block)...   Is anyone interested in them?   They are great for an all out high rpm race engine... :)
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

vtfb68

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 527
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #42 on: June 05, 2014, 07:16:56 PM »
Jon,
 Thank you for posting this, I am currently at work and blocked, but will be all over it when I get home.
    VT
68 05C LA RS/SS U2 712 L34 M21 BR
68 08E LA RS Y2 749 L30 M35
67 11B LA  RS/SS M-1 797-Z L48 M21  Convertible

BULLITT65

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4476
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #43 on: June 05, 2014, 08:17:43 PM »
I noticed the half size battery in the engine compartment, was it allowed/when did guys start relocating the battery to the trunk for weight transfer?

Also the impala NASCAR pic was intriguing, i was surprised that a Chevelle body wouldn't have been preferred, a little lighter, and more race oriented I thought back then?
1969 garnet red Z/28 46k mile unrestored X77
-Looking for 3192477 (front) spiral shocks 3192851 (rear)
-Looking for an original LOF soft ray windshield
-Looking for original Delco side post negative battery cable part # 6297651AV

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #44 on: June 06, 2014, 01:44:47 AM »
You're welcome, VT. I hope you enjoy it.

That pipe cleaner idea is a strange one. Has to be hard enough putting one in there, let alone five!

It indicates sometimes Dale runs with a full trunk including a spare tire, jack and a battery so it must have been legal. As such, I wonder why it wasn't in the back under all circumstances.
Jon Mello
CRG

69Z28-RS

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5778
  • owner since 4-Apr-1976
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #45 on: June 06, 2014, 02:25:44 AM »
I suspect the battery location was an issue with the rules of whatever organization you were running in.   I recall folks relocating their batteries to the trunk about as far back as I can remember...   but the first time I personally did it was in '71 with a Henry J I had..  I ran '000' welding cable from front to rear...  didn't want to lose any juice..  :)
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

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #46 on: June 08, 2014, 05:00:49 PM »
Another Dana 427 road test, this one from Motor Trend. (Jon Mello Collection)





« Last Edit: June 10, 2014, 01:36:17 PM by Jon Mello »
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #47 on: November 12, 2014, 02:03:53 AM »
A real, original Dana Chevrolet license plate frame from the Joseph DeMello Collection.


Photo by Joseph DeMello
Jon Mello
CRG

BULLITT65

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4476
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #48 on: November 12, 2014, 04:03:18 AM »
is that license frame available at all?
1969 garnet red Z/28 46k mile unrestored X77
-Looking for 3192477 (front) spiral shocks 3192851 (rear)
-Looking for an original LOF soft ray windshield
-Looking for original Delco side post negative battery cable part # 6297651AV

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #49 on: November 12, 2014, 04:24:45 AM »
No, it's not for sale.
Jon Mello
CRG

vtfb68

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 527
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #50 on: November 14, 2014, 05:14:52 PM »
Jon,
  Is this the same car from the Sept. 66 Car Life magazine? I know back then the magazines had a long lead time, being a Sept. issue I have always wondered is this car was a early prototype body. Has anyone ever been able to blow up the trim tag picture? or know what happen to the car? and did Bill Thomas race cars supply the motor mounts?
   VT
68 05C LA RS/SS U2 712 L34 M21 BR
68 08E LA RS Y2 749 L30 M35
67 11B LA  RS/SS M-1 797-Z L48 M21  Convertible

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #51 on: November 15, 2014, 05:14:27 AM »
I guess I'm not aware of a September '66 road test of a Dana Camaro. If it's a Sept issue of a magazine, that typically is 2 or more months ahead so you would be talking July '66 or earlier for a road test, which I can't see happening.
Jon Mello
CRG

group/7

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 375
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #52 on: November 16, 2014, 03:03:03 AM »
VT & Jon, I pulled my September '66 copy of Car Life, nothing that I spotted on Dana Camaros.  in the article "The Sudden Sedan" mentioned briefly is the possibility  of there being Camaros in the Trans-Am series next year..'67.

group/7

VINCE Z28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 760
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #53 on: November 16, 2014, 03:56:12 AM »
Jon have you checked out... oldracingcars.com for more information on race tracks back in the day 67" 68" 69".
" He who knows naught, knows not that he knows naught"  It's not you...  It's just the way my brain is wired.

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #54 on: November 16, 2014, 05:43:10 AM »
VT & Jon, I pulled my September '66 copy of Car Life, nothing that I spotted on Dana Camaros. in the article "The Sudden Sedan" mentioned briefly is the possibility of there being Camaros in the Trans-Am series next year..'67.

group/7

     Thanks, Mike.

Jon have you checked out... oldracingcars.com for more information on race tracks back in the day 67" 68" 69".

     Vince, I have not checked out that website in a long time. I probably should post more on some of the tracks that the T/A series raced at back then.
Jon Mello
CRG

vtfb68

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 527
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #55 on: November 18, 2014, 03:41:03 PM »
G/7, Jon,
 I got that date from the " the chevroletcamaro.com" site years ago, it has been updated but still cites the Dana 427 camaro being built 6 months before the first GM 67 396 camaro. Very early, With all the main players being close to GM's R&D department I still wonder if that car was/is a Prototype. It seems that there are prototypes missing and no BB prototypes accounted for. Hmmm.
      Victor
68 05C LA RS/SS U2 712 L34 M21 BR
68 08E LA RS Y2 749 L30 M35
67 11B LA  RS/SS M-1 797-Z L48 M21  Convertible

group/7

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 375
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #56 on: November 19, 2014, 01:32:45 AM »
Jon, in relation to the last couple of posts, just curious, what is the publishing date on that Camaro special magazine from Parkhurst that you put up on this thread post #37, back in June of this year. there is mention of the Dana 427 car there.

Mike..group/7

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #57 on: November 19, 2014, 04:42:41 AM »
Jon, in relation to the last couple of posts, just curious, what is the publishing date on that Camaro special magazine from Parkhurst that you put up on this thread post #37, back in June of this year. there is mention of the Dana 427 car there.

Mike..group/7

      It simply states Copyright 1967. There is no specific month called out.
Jon Mello
CRG

ss jim

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 88
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #58 on: November 29, 2014, 06:02:29 PM »
On a sad note. Dale Armstrong (AA Dale) passed away yesterday. http://www.nhra.com/story/2014/11/28/armstrong-passes/
Jim

1968RSZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6188
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #59 on: November 29, 2014, 06:12:20 PM »
R.I.P. Double-A Dale.

Paul

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #60 on: November 29, 2014, 08:35:03 PM »
Sorry to hear about that. My condolences go out to Dale's family.
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #61 on: December 06, 2014, 08:56:57 PM »
Competition Press & Autoweek article, dated 11-7-66, discussing Dana Chevrolet's new offering of a 427-powered Camaro. (Jon Mello Collection)

Jon Mello
CRG

1968RSZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6188
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #62 on: December 06, 2014, 09:06:34 PM »
I love the way they prioritized the options in that article.  Ending the list with, "and 385hp, 427CID engine."   :)

Paul

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #63 on: December 07, 2014, 04:26:38 AM »
I guess they were saving the best for last.

Here's an 11-13-66 newspaper article showing that Dana Chevrolet began operations in August 1966 after buying out the
former Enoch Chevrolet dealership. They also established themselves quickly as a racing force by sponsoring Chuck Parsons'
McLaren in the later part of the Can-Am series after he had won the USRRC championship earlier in the year.

Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #64 on: December 07, 2014, 05:28:39 AM »
Road test comparison between the Nickey/BillThomas 427 Camaro and the Dana 427 Camaro, as found in Riverside Raceway magazine. (Jon Mello Collection)







Jon Mello
CRG

SMKZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #65 on: February 10, 2017, 06:03:40 PM »
Check out these fantastic Dana ads that were apparently found in the back of local High School yearbooks from 1967 and 1968.  I love the copy that says, "Dana 427 Camaros....the first sensible solution for the car enthusiast with a Ferrari taste and a Camaro bankroll"

See these and over 1,800 other cool ads here: http://annualmobiles.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2016-12-28T07:58:00-08:00&max-results=15&start=30&by-date=false   Just scroll down and click on the ad for a larger version.
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: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #66 on: February 10, 2017, 06:10:01 PM »
Here is one with the 1969's.  Look at all the Camaros and Vettes!!!  See it here: http://annualmobiles.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2016-11-28T06:09:00-08:00&max-results=15&start=60&by-date=false
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: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #67 on: February 11, 2017, 02:16:26 AM »
Great stuff, Scott. Thank you for posting.
Jon Mello
CRG

1968RSZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6188
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #68 on: February 11, 2017, 02:22:48 AM »
Those were the days! :)

Paul

VINCE Z28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 760
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #69 on: February 13, 2017, 12:36:54 AM »
Here is some pictures of Dana Camaro racing at Mont-Tremblant may 21st 1967. Dick Guldstand and Tom Payne were the drivers.
" He who knows naught, knows not that he knows naught"  It's not you...  It's just the way my brain is wired.

1968RSZ28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6188
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #70 on: February 13, 2017, 12:43:20 AM »
Waving to the fans at 100 mph! :)

Paul

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #71 on: November 30, 2017, 01:43:51 AM »
Los Angeles Times article and advertisement show that Dana Chevrolet opened its doors at the 8730 Long Beach Blvd location on Friday, August 26, 1966 selling what was left of Enoch Chevrolet's '66 car inventory. The '67 new cars were not out yet and you couldn't order any new '66's at this point.

(ads and article below courtesy of Andy Elliott)
« Last Edit: December 04, 2017, 06:51:34 PM by Jon Mello »
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #72 on: November 30, 2017, 01:59:49 AM »
Dana Chevrolet was in business less than 5 full years.  One of the last ads for Dana Chevrolet at the 8730 Long Beach Blvd location was seen in the LA Times in March, 1971 and evidence suggests that June 1st was when they closed for good.  The Dana High Performance Center at 9735 Long Beach Blvd had closed down well before this, some time during 1969.  In 1972, Prince Lincoln-Mercury had opened up in Dana's original location.  Evidently, Chevrolet was then no longer represented in South Gate.
« Last Edit: December 02, 2017, 10:08:02 PM by Jon Mello »
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #73 on: December 03, 2017, 12:53:04 AM »
The Dana Hi-Performance Center opened in February 1967 and the last advertisement for it that can be found is from April 1969.

In June 1970, South-Lyn Honda-Suzuki motorcycle shop had its Grand Opening at 9735 Long Beach Blvd.
Jon Mello
CRG

group/7

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 375
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #74 on: December 03, 2017, 02:20:27 AM »

Jon Mello Collection


Jon Mello Collection


Jon Mello Collection

In the first image in this repost of Jon from Jan. 23rd. 2012, that looks like a Iso Grifo (327 Chevy power) in the show room at the left of the Corvette. Note that the ad copy says, "other high performance vehicles"

Mike

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #75 on: December 03, 2017, 04:26:13 PM »
Mike, yes the Dana Hi-Performance Center sold a few brand new Italian exotics as well as a brand new 1966 Shelby GT-350, which Peyton Cramer was able to get because he worked for Shelby prior to opening Dana Chevrolet.
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #76 on: December 04, 2017, 04:00:04 AM »
L.A. Times article from April '67 talking about the Dana Chevrolet racing team. (courtesy of Andy Elliott)

True or not, it is interesting to see the claim that they have built thirty-two 427-powered Camaros up this point.  If so, where are they all?
« Last Edit: December 04, 2017, 06:49:30 PM by Jon Mello »
Jon Mello
CRG

Brant

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 5
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #77 on: January 04, 2018, 05:30:27 PM »
Mike, yes the Dana Hi-Performance Center sold a few brand new Italian exotics as well as a brand new 1966 Shelby GT-350, which Peyton Cramer was able to get because he worked for Shelby prior to opening Dana Chevrolet.

By the way, here is the business card that was found in the glove box of the '66 GT350 that Jon is referring to. The car was sold to Dana as a demo at a 20% discount. It had been used at Shelby American as a company lease car.

Dana apparently kept the car a year before it was sold to the first retail owner.



Also here is a picture of the car shortly after the first retail owner picked it up. It's a bit difficult to see here, but that's a Dana Chevrolet license plate frame.




BULLITT65

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4476
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #78 on: January 04, 2018, 05:56:21 PM »
Welcome to the CRG Brant. very cool pics. What became of the car, and how did you get the pics?
1969 garnet red Z/28 46k mile unrestored X77
-Looking for 3192477 (front) spiral shocks 3192851 (rear)
-Looking for an original LOF soft ray windshield
-Looking for original Delco side post negative battery cable part # 6297651AV

Brant

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 5
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #79 on: January 04, 2018, 06:36:12 PM »
Welcome to the CRG Brant. very cool pics. What became of the car, and how did you get the pics?

Thanks!

I've owned the car since 1999 (after trying to purchase it since 1985). The restoration was completed in 2017. The first retail owner is still in our area and brought me the print posted along with a couple of others.

BTW, if anyone is interested, much of the restoration is documented in our Blog.
http://blog.virginiaclassicmustang.com/search?q=6s033


Trans Åm

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 219
  • CA Central valley
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #80 on: January 05, 2018, 03:32:13 PM »
You bet we're interested! I'm gonna read that blog to death! :D

Nick

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #81 on: January 06, 2018, 04:05:25 AM »
Brant, thanks for posting and contributing to our knowledge of this highly regarded dealership. You are welcome here anytime.

It's interesting that Dana hung onto the car so long before selling it. Did you ever try and see about contacting the original salesman or anybody else who worked at Dana at the time?
Jon Mello
CRG

Brant

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 5
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #82 on: January 06, 2018, 01:36:27 PM »
Brant, thanks for posting and contributing to our knowledge of this highly regarded dealership. You are welcome here anytime.

It's interesting that Dana hung onto the car so long before selling it. Did you ever try and see about contacting the original salesman or anybody else who worked at Dana at the time?

Jon,

I have often wondered that myself, but other than some quick Google searches, I really did not know where to start. I have no contacts for folks who may have been there during that time.

I believe the car was quite "used" at Shelby American before it was even sold to Dana. There are records showing that it was leased to the general manager at SA (his son drove it), then to a gentleman who worked as a painter there, and then to a Ford designer who was working on the prototype '67 Shelby. I have been in contact with the first two guys mentioned. All of this information comes from records from the '65-66 registrar with the Shelby American Automobile Club. Fortunately, they have tons of records on these cars. It's quite helpful.

If any of you guys have some information about its time at Dana Chevrolet or the salesman, Ed Schwab, it would certainly be appreciated.

Not all Ford dealers were Shelby American dealers, so it obviously was quite unusual for a Chevrolet dealer to receive a car. Again, I am guessing that came from the Peyton Cramer connection. Strangely enough, this car was not the only '66 GT350 delivered to Dana. I would have the check the Registry, but there were others.







Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #83 on: January 06, 2018, 05:59:12 PM »
Brant, that is one of the great things about the Shelby cars.  They seem to be very well documented.

I assumed your car was the only GT-350 to get sold to Dana Chevrolet so it's extremely interesting to hear there may have been others.  No doubt it was due to Peyton Cramer's presence. Would any of them have been '67 or '68 Shelbys?

I have some potential contact info for Ed Schwab and I'll email that to you.

P.S. What's the story on back-up lights? I see your car doesn't have any.
Jon Mello
CRG

Brant

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 5
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #84 on: January 07, 2018, 01:44:39 AM »
Brant, that is one of the great things about the Shelby cars.  They seem to be very well documented.

I assumed your car was the only GT-350 to get sold to Dana Chevrolet so it's extremely interesting to hear there may have been others.  No doubt it was due to Peyton Cramer's presence. Would any of them have been '67 or '68 Shelbys?

I have some potential contact info for Ed Schwab and I'll email that to you.

P.S. What's the story on back-up lights? I see your car doesn't have any.

Jon,

Thanks for your email.

I re-visited the fact that other GT350s were sold to Dana. By just looking at the Registry, it would be difficult to go through all of the entries to determine how many cars were sold to Dana. The 65-66 registrar, may be able to "sort them" and give me a list. I would also have to look into the '67-68 models, although I'm much more familiar with the '65-66 cars.

I did look up the other '66 that I knew was sold to them. It too was sold as a demonstrator. I'm guessing that all of the GT350s that Dana got were basically used cars, rather than brand new units. While there was a relationship there with Peyton Cramer, it would have been unusual for SA to sell a brand new GT350 to a non-Shelby dealer, much less a Chevrolet dealer.

The back-up lights? Great observation!

Shelby American needed to release the new '66 GT350 models in the fall of 1965 when all of the '66 model cars were introduced. Since no '66 Mustangs for SA to modify were being produced until late in the summer of '65, they needed some cars to get ready.

252 1965 Mustangs were ordered from Ford to be modified into the first '66 GT350s. These started arriving at SA in July of 1965. As stated, they were actually '65s with 1965 Ford VINs. They were ordered with the GT gauge package, so they had the '66 style instrument bezel. They, of course, all have '65 style interiors (seat upholstery, door panels, and dash pads were different from '65 to '66). Two groups were ordered with folding rear seats, and the other two groups were ordered with rear package trays which were unique to the '66 model GT350s. BTW, most all of the '66 GT350s had rear seats even though they were listed as optional by SA. Only between 85 and 90 of the total '66 GT350 production had the rear package tray.

Back to the back-up lights...they were optional on '65 Mustangs, and no '65 GT350 had them. All of those 252 cars did not have them either.

You can check out more about these cars that are now referred to as Carryover GT350s at the website https://carryovergt350.com/

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #85 on: January 07, 2018, 05:18:45 PM »
Thanks, Brant.  I appreciate the extra information on these cars.
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #86 on: December 08, 2018, 10:23:22 PM »
Here's a relatively recent artlcle on Dana Chevrolet as seen in Muscle Car Review magazine.  https://www.hotrod.com/articles/muscle-car-rewind-dana-chevrolet/

I found it interesting to see the Cragar van parked at curbside and saw that Dana had a display right in their showroom featuring Cragar mags.  I subsequently found out that Cragar Industries was also a Southgate, CA business and only 3 to 3.5 miles down the road. Two local businesses supporting each other.  Since Peyton Cramer had previously worked for Shelby and Cragar mags had been optional on the '65 GT350, this was a very natural continuation.  No doubt a fair number of Dana cars got sold with Cragar mags and maybe even Cragar headers on them.
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #87 on: December 08, 2018, 10:42:36 PM »
More pics of the Dana Chevrolet Hi-Performance Center at 9735 Long Beach Blvd.

Both Trans-Am Camaros shown in the last shot still exist and the white one should be fully restored in 2019. Both went to Sebring in '67 with full sponsorship from Dana.
Jon Mello
CRG

Brant

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 5
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #88 on: December 08, 2018, 11:16:04 PM »
Great pictures!

crossboss

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 779
  • ^ New engine project
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #89 on: December 09, 2018, 12:40:44 AM »
Jon,
FWIW we did a TV interview with Peyton Cramer back around '89-'90 for his Shelby connection concerning the GT-350 Hertz program. The video was called "Mustang Video Magazine"
--Scott.
« Last Edit: December 09, 2018, 01:04:08 AM by crossboss »
Just another T/A fanatic. Current lifelong projects:
1968 Olds 442 W-30
1969 Mustang Fastback w a Can-Am 494 (Boss 429)

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #90 on: December 09, 2018, 02:26:42 AM »
Thank you both.  Looks like "Mustang Video Magazine" has two parts, Vol 1 and Vol 2.

Here's a look inside the Dana Hi-Performance showroom.
Jon Mello
CRG

J_Speegle

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 2
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #91 on: April 27, 2019, 02:14:19 AM »
To add to the Peyton Cramer/Dana/Shelby connection in this long running thread I thought I would add a couple more cars and some additional information.

From interviews it seems that Peyton asked for a Ford dealership in 66 (he later owned about a dozen dealers for all makes of cars it seems) and Ford turned him down based on his lack of experience/history. So instead or in addition he bought in to Dana. I'm guessing he was banking on an approval from Ford which would have made the group of Shelby's make allot more sense but they instead ended up at Dana. Front the records he took 2 (if I recall at this moment correctly) of what we call carry over 66 Shelby's Brant's 6S033 being one of them, an early white automatic car and one of each "new" color a green, red and blue example. All had been company cars fro someone it seems and invoiced typically as demonstrators to Dana. The blue car which had been Shelby's public relations director Don Rabbitt but is unclear how much  or how long he he made have used the car. In any case the invoice below shows the blue and the green 66's.  So six cars in total.




First road in the blue car in 1974 and purchased it about 10 years later. Had a couple of 66 period modifications we've never been able to confirm where they were done. By Dana or the first private owner. Did as much research on this group of cars back when I first got a copy of the Dana invoice back in the early 90's Not many of the Shelby friends recognized Dana or the significance ..... as well as the confusion of why a Chevy dealership would be getting Shelby's but growing up in California in a drag racing family during the 50-70's I immediately knew the dealership and the rich history. Just needed to figure out the story


Just thought I would share 
« Last Edit: April 27, 2019, 04:01:20 AM by J_Speegle »

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #92 on: April 27, 2019, 03:33:28 AM »
Welcome to the forum. I greatly appreciate you adding to the thread.  So cool that you have a Shelby from Dana Chevrolet. The Dana dealership has a unique story and history due to Peyton Cramer being so closely associated with Ford and Shelby.  I wasn't aware of these three other Shelby's that you mentioned being sold through Dana. Do you happen to know the serial number of the red one and, to your knowledge, does the red or green one still exist?

In the description on the invoice it seems to say "RS" for each car. What is that referring to?  Is the "Spec/Whl" the 10-spoke aluminum wheel and the "Chrom/Whl" the Magnum 500?  Sorry for all the questions.
Jon Mello
CRG

J_Speegle

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 2
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #93 on: April 27, 2019, 04:22:40 AM »
Had to refresh my memory so made a couple of correction above.

Welcome to the forum. I greatly appreciate you adding to the thread.  So cool that you have a Shelby from Dana Chevrolet. The Dana dealership has a unique story and history due to Peyton Cramer being so closely associated with Ford and Shelby.  I wasn't aware of these three other Shelby's that you mentioned being sold through Dana. Do you happen to know the serial number of the red one and, to your knowledge, does the red or green one still exist?

Got to find the number of the red car. The other five I have VINs for and believe they are all around (they have lists of owners in the registry. Many since 2000)


In the description on the invoice it seems to say "RS" for each car. What is that referring to?  Is the "Spec/Whl" the 10-spoke aluminum wheel and the "Chrom/Whl" the Magnum 500?  Sorry for all the questions.

Yes Spec/Whl at the time these two cars were built would ahve been the aluminum 10 spokes and the Chrm/Whl would be the wheel used on the Hertz (GT350H) cars. Pretty odd to have them on a non-Hertz but that car was built in the middle of a bunch of Hertz cars. Non-Hertz more often got the painted (gray) magnums 

RS stood for rear seat. Even back then they were charging "extra" for some things. Not much, like getting a radio, but it all added up.

Thanks for the welcome

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #94 on: April 27, 2019, 02:58:08 PM »
Thanks for the further info.  The dealership had only been open a week when the blue and the green GT350s were invoiced to Dana. It would have been an odd sight to see the Mustangs on the lot next to the new Chevrolets and Dana's Hi-Performance Center which was down the street a good 10 blocks was not open for another several months.

What were the period modifications that were done to your car and have any of the other Shelbys sold through Dana exhibited the same modifications? Did your car have the optional stripes on the hood, etc?
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: Dana Chevrolet
« Reply #95 on: December 01, 2019, 04:23:45 PM »
Here's a photo of a '68 Dana 427 with a dealer plate on it.  Looks like it may have Cragar G/T or G/T Plus wheels on it.
Jon Mello
CRG

 

anything