Firebird and the Trans-Am series

[Trans Åm]

Man that is a great shot of a great looking car. Kinda reminds me of the Todco 1969 Camaro that was also painted blue, with red wheels and a number 7. Odd right?

[Jon Mello]

My understanding is the Camaro was reskinned to be a Firebird for 1970 so they could run the Pontiac engine.

[Trans Åm]

Speaking of Todco, have you heard from Ken lately? I hope he's doing well.

[Jon Mello]

No, I haven't but hope the same.

[Swede70]

Greetings,

Follow the link to examine a history of the B.F. Goodrich 'Tirebird' effort as told by then-crew chief Doug Innes.  It's well done and worth your time survey in detail.  See:  https://bfgtirebird.com/t%2Fg-racing-program

Mike K./Swede70

[Trans Åm]

That is a fantastic read, looks like it came out quite a while back--surprising I haven't heard of it yet!

Pontiac has my heart, but they really were't tried and true like Chevy.

[Trans Åm]

I understand this is rather off topic or random, but I found a nice portrait of Milt Minter from a 1972 Can Am race at Laguna Seca. There are some more photos of the race as well.

https://archive.petersen.org/pages/view.php?search=seca&k=&modal=&display=xlthumbs&order_by=relevance&offset=720&per_page=240&archive=&sort=DESC&restypes=1%2C3&recentdaylimit=&foredit=&ref=507990

[Trans Åm]

Some shots from the Petersen archives taken of the 1971 Lime Rock

Photos by John Lamm
https://archive.petersen.org/pages/view.php?search=1971+trans+am&k=&modal=&display=xlthumbs&order_by=relevance&offset=0&per_page=240&archive=&sort=DESC&restypes=1%2C3&recentdaylimit=&foredit=&ref=413879

https://archive.petersen.org/pages/view.php?search=1971+trans+am&k=&modal=&display=xlthumbs&order_by=relevance&offset=0&per_page=240&archive=&sort=DESC&restypes=1%2C3&recentdaylimit=&foredit=&ref=412530

https://archive.petersen.org/pages/view.php?search=1971+trans+am&k=&modal=&display=xlthumbs&order_by=relevance&offset=0&per_page=240&archive=&sort=DESC&restypes=1%2C3&recentdaylimit=&foredit=&ref=411255

[kgu]

With reference to post #211, this car was the 2nd car built for the 1969 season and driven by Craig Fisher through to end of 1969 season. It was born as a silver Z-28 and painted this beautiful color sometime before the 1969 west coast races. It was not re skinned but sold and raced by Don Duncan as a Camaro the following year. Don sold it to a street racer some time around 1971-72 and it has disappeared. This was my favorite Todco car.
The 1970 Firebird race car  was going to be re skinned as a Z-28 but as John McConnell owned the car and not John Todds, McConnell decided to give, or sell, the car to Tiny Lund and it was never seen again.

[Jon Mello]

Thanks, Ken.  Your input is always greatly appreciated.

[Trans Åm]

Yes, thanks Ken. Although I clearly was not involved with that car like you were, it too was my favorite Todco, and possibly one of my favorite Trans Am cars altogether. Spray can red or not, that car looked sharp.

[Jon Mello]

Image courtesy of Frank Cornell showing the Jerry Titus Firebird in the pits at Lime Rock 1970.

[Jon Mello]

More images of the Titus Firebird, these are from Mid-Ohio 1970.

[group/7]

Jon, great photos, thanks for posting. What was the reason for the rear exit exhaust, better flow, or some aero advantage ? I saw a photo of the restored car, and it has side exhaust.

Mike

[Jon Mello]

You're welcome, Mike.  I don't know why Titus did that but a guess might be to reduce fatigue from the noise when the exhaust exits out the side. I doubt it had to do with aero or performance.