Jack Bayer
 

My old friend Jack Bayer, racer, engineer, engine builder etc, passed in December. He graduated GMI and went to work for Chevrolet in the 50s. He and another young engineer designed the airflow system to deliver outside air over the headlights and into the passenger compartment in the 57 Chevy. I think it saved Chevy a couple of bucks a car and he was rewarded with a free lunch. Later he worked for Jim Hall on the Chaparral project while on Chevrolet payroll. He raced a Z11 and after switching to Ford he was provided a Thunderbolt. He set many records on the dragstrips as a driver and engine builder during the 60s and 70s and continued building engines and cars until the last few years. I learned a lot from him. RIP Jack.

Sorry about the loss of your friend, Phil.

Rip

Sorry to hear about this news. It looks like your passed friend had lots of experience in different areas. RIP

I have recently purchased the remains of the Jack Bayer 1963 Impala Z-11 pictured above. I’m trying to get more information on this car and its history. With the passing of Jack I’m at a loss for information from the source. I would like to get in contact with any family, crew members, associates, friends who may have any information to share. I would like to also obtain artifacts from this era including pics, videos, awards, appearances etc to assemble together to document both him and the car during 1963- -1965 when the car was sold. Looking for information as to who the car was sold to. Also GM documents and Bader Chevrolet documents that might still exist. Even the smallest recollections can help to put the pieces together.


Thanks in advance

Bill

So sorry about your loss.

I bet my dad knew him. His shop was on Rush also in the 70's and later he moved it to Reamer st in the 80's.

RIP sir.

Cheryl Bedford, the owner of Sunset Auto Center (Chevrolet dealership) in Lompoc, CA is the daughter of Bill Bader. You might contact her for possible historical information on the car. She is a car enthusiast and they have shown off a lot of performance cars old and new in their showroom.

So here are several new photos that have showed up. Presumably the second owner which makes this 1965- (?). Winternationals at Pomona. Car is relettered with “Ranger ll”
Dyno Tuned by Jack Bayer changed to Engine by Jack Bayer. Note the Ramcharger scoop now on the hood. Car has changed classes and running B/MP. Does anyone recognize the car in this configuration and may know who the owner was? All I know is he is referred to as “Barstow rich kid” on another forum. If the starting line pic is during eliminations then there surely is a record of who the owner was. Where would I look for all the class competitors and not just the winners?

Thank you for the lead on Cheryl. I have put a message for her at the dealership today. Hopefully she’ll respond back.

So here are several new photos that have showed up. Presumably the second owner which makes this 1965- (?). Winternationals at Pomona. Car is relettered with “Ranger ll”. “Dyno Tuned by Jack Bayer” has changed to “Engine by Jack Bayer”. No new drivers name on roof. Note the Ramcharger scoop now on the hood. Car has changed classes and running B/MP. Does anyone recognize the car in this configuration and may know who the owner was? All I know is he is referred to as “Barstow rich kid” on another forum. If the starting line pic is during eliminations then there surely is a record of who the owner was. Where would I look for all the class competitors and not just the winners?

Thank you for the lead on Cheryl. I left a mssg at the dealership Sunday. First thing Monday morning I received a call from her. I spent a half hour on the phone with her and her brothers involvement as Bader Chevrolet. She said that Jack was an employee at the Fontana dealership as a technician. He was the in house engine builder and dyno tuner for their performance shop. She remembered the car but little to add. She left the dealership but the bros took over when dad retired. The dealership move to several location before it was sold to a new owner. One of the brothers in now deceased but she gave a number for the other and an employee of Bader. I have not been able to contact the brother as yet. He apparently doesn’t have voicemail setup on his phone. The other person didn’t have any information to add but will contact me if something comes up.

Cheryl was an absolute delight to speak with. She said she was 80 years young and said she was “High Perfomance Chevrolet, all the way!” She was genuinely interested in my efforts to resurrect the car from what remains. I have multiple lines on the missing pieces I’m needing to build an accurate tribute.

If anyone has further information to share regarding the Jack Bader Z-11 or his involvement at Bader Chevrolet during the early ‘60s please feel free to share it. Even the smallest seemingly insignificant piece of information can lead me in a new direction.
no matter how insignificant

I wish to acknowledge Robert L , my longtime HS friend, for whom the acquisition of these rare pieces would not have occurred. He helped to save some very rare parts and keep them intact as a package so they didn’t get pieces out and scattered into the wind with their history becoming forever lost. This project will move forward

Cool.. I'm glad you made the call and found some further avenues to explore. Best of luck with the project.

Another Jack Bayer link in this thread...

https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=158769

It was brought to my attention on the 348-409 Website that the pics of Ranger II are not that of the jack Bayer /Bill Bader Chevy Z-11. The cars Are very similar in appearance but it was noted that the Ranger II is a ‘63 Impala SS with a radio as seen by the antenna on the right rear quarter panel. Though the overall paint schemes Ana’s lettering are quite similar on there layout.

I’m still looking for more family information re Jack Bayer. I have been in contact with Cheryl Bedford in Lompoc She was an absolute delight to talk with. But she didn’t have much information to share about Jack Bayer. Jack was the tuner and engine builder in the performance shop at Bader Chevrolet.

Ive made several attempts to contact Larry Minor but reached a dead end.

Car from Jack Bayer
 

Anyone familiar with this 57 Corvette. that Jack Bayer when racing with Dave McDonald at Marchbanks Sppeedway, told someone that someone who raced this car at Laguna Seca had for sale? That person bought the car and raced it in the Fresno/Madera area.

So the previous post of the Ranger II Impala was misinformation. This was not the Bayer Z-11. It was a Bayer built engine in this car.