Trans Am Racers
 

We have a resident expert on site, I figured I'd could ask a few questions?

How many of us have wanted to build a Period Correct Trans Am Style Road Racer?

What are the Licencing requirements to put such a car on the track?

Re: Trans Am Racers
 

Contact david and check out his site. I think he could answer most if not all your questions on what are the licencing requirements
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homep...ge_transam.htm

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Thanks for the info. Jeff.

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Stefano, I am not sure what type of Trans Am car you would like to build, but there is now another expert on site, of sorts, I own a vintage Trans Am car, I purchased an estate belonging to a former Kar Kraft(Shelby) employee who was also part of the Shelby American/Terlingua race Team. I have every blueprint from Kar Kraft for every Trans Am Mustang built from 67 to 70, as well as tons of specs and information relating to the same and to the main competitor, Donahue/Penske Camaros. If you are seriously interested in getting into that sport contact me by PM and I will give you my Toll Free number. That is how I came across the document I have listed in Memorabilia for sale, the Ford letter of which I have many related items comparing the big three high performance programs. Anybody else looking for info on this subject or NOS Shelby Trans Am parts contact me.
Thanks. [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

Re: Trans Am Racers
 

You might also contact Tim Boles, who is the boss of the UK Camaro Club and an accomplished vintage racer in his 68 Z28 Camaro, nicknamed "Butch". [email protected]

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Also drool over this: Historic Trans Am Car and Driver Roster

http://www.historictransam.com/images/transam01.jpg

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Stefano, Not too far from here is a national committee person for SCCA, Jeff Moore. He is in charge of licenses for both car and driver. We took Don's IMSA car to him to have it checked out, to see what we needed to do to actually race it. He is very involved in vintage racing, including Yenko Stingers. He has the Stinger convertible and sold Tim Allen his stinger.

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NICE PHOTO! I was lucky enough to have driven the 67 Shelby team Prototype car you see coming around the corner in the back of the photo, car #68, I had a chance to drive it a few months back at the vintage race on Coronado Island in San Diego. The owner, Jim Philion is a friend of mine, his car and my 68 Team Shelby car are going to be auctioned off together at Russo and Steele's auction in August in Monterey. Great photo!

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Stefano, David Pozzi's website is great, lot's of info and he'll email you back on any questions you have. He's a great guy. I have a 69 Camaro I am going to build into a T/A replica, it's a wrecked 6cyl so I wont feel too guilty about chopping it up. The problem is, to race in the Vintage races I believe the car has to have a racing heritage i.e. an old race car. I don't think they let just any car in. P.S. the Pozzi website has a old Car Life magazine article on the Penske Camaro that is great. It shows just how simple but what a fantastic racecar it was. Brent

Re: Trans Am Racers
 

Brent, I dont believe that to be true about a car having to have a race history to run in the vintage races, in does have to have a race history in order to be in the Trans Am Registry, to race one that dosent have a race history it has to be built to meet period specifications and present safety standards. A good example is the car I mentioned in my last post on this subject, Shelby Team Car #68 was the prototype for the actual team competing cars in 1967 but it was never actually entered into a race that can be documented so far, the car belongs to a friend of mine, he races it on a regular basis, but it is not listed in the Trans Am Registry since there is no record of it officially being entered in a race. If you seriously want to build one contact me and I can provide more info on the rules and requirements. Thanks.

Re: Trans Am Racers
 

I spoke to Jeff when I was searching for info on YS071 and discoverd that he is into road racing, thanks for the additional info.

As far as transam projects, I complete more projects in my mind then actually ever get done, but still would like to do it.

For now, I'll just settle for racing Ed Cuneen and Tim Allen around Laguna Secca with the Stinger. [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

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Motown, that's good news. My info came from a fairly old car mag about the car having to have a history to race. I want to build the car with my son who is all of five so I'm putting that third in line. I'll finish the other 2 cars first to pay for it. Pozzi has an article on "cheap big front disc brakes", I cant wait to try out. I have been gathering the pieces to try out on my current project.

Re: Trans Am Racers
 

Brent, If I can be of any help let me know. Always happy to see another Father/Son project come together and always happy to see another Camaro tail panel looking through the windshield of my Shelby (LOL). [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

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Who owns the 69 Penske/Sunoco Z/28's? These cars have always been of high interest to me, I think that these cars were one the most important camaros in 1969, and that is not to say that any of the other Supercars of that year were not, just that these cars and drivers accomplished a lot!

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Check the link in my earlier post with the picture.

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There are several race series that have a Historic Trans Am class......SVRA, VSCDA and HSR. If you have never been to one of these events, you should! They could be habit forming!!!

I have one of the 1969 "Canadian" Firebirds (a Z-28 Camaro, with Trans Am sheet metal) that we have raced in the VSCDA series for the last couple of years. The engine is a dry-sump 302 Chevy (actually 304.2) that will rev to 8800 rpm with ease. It is essentially a 302 version of a Winston Cup engine.

I am the Roger Penske of the operation.............the car owner $$$$ ! My oldest son "JB" drives for us and does a great job for the team. The current issue (Feb, 2003) of High Performance Pontiac Magazine has a nice article on the car and our team.

For 2003, we will compete in the HSR race series. The first race of the year will be at Road Atlanta. Hopefully, I'll see some of you there!

Jim Mattison

Re: Trans Am Racers
 

Hey Jim,Your car wasn't owned or driven by Craig Fisher at one time was it? He told me that they did a number of Camaro/Firebird cars in '68 and '69.

Re: Trans Am Racers
 

I am sorry to disagree BUT you absolutely have to have pre`73 race history to race with the SVRA at Mid-Ohio, Watkins Glen and VIR in group 6. The SVRA Road America event is "open" as are the other two R/A vintage events although the fastest vintage group 6 cars in the country usually ALL show up at R/A in July for the BRIC. I also believe (for some strange reason) all cars with "Shelby`s" name on them are considered "race cars" and don`t need race history to compete in SVRA. You also are not going to compete in any historic Trans-Am reunion events on the west coast as they require SCCA Trans-Am history NOT just SCCA regional/national pre`73 history. The "price of admission keeps out the riff-raff". ...redvetracr

Re: Trans Am Racers
 

I am certainly not going to argue with someone who knows what they are talking about, and it sounds like you do. I am new enough to this sport that I am learning as I go along. Maybe the "Loophole" you are referring to as far as "Shelby" is what has been confusing me, I was basing my conclusion on the 67 Shelby Group II #68, which was the prototype with no race history, and if what you say is true about Shelby cars being raced with no history while others cant doesnt seem quite fair. I have a mountain of vintage trans am paperwork I aquired, from what I have seen so far I should be able to help out some guys if it is questionable as to if their car had race history or not. I have nothing to worry about with my car as it was raced the first 10 races of 68 by Horst Kwech, Parnelli Jones, David Pearson, and Dan Gurney. My car will be on the auction block next August by Russo and Steele in Monterey, same weekend as the Vintage race and Fords 100th anniversary in racing.

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I was under the impression that a car had to have the SCCA (certification or plate) on the rollbar showing that the vehicle was actually raced back in the day. I guess that helps keep out the riff-raff, but there could be a lot of cars that were built back then that never officially entered an event that could still be in hiding. [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

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Jeff, There are a LOT of cars that are missing from the TA history, when these cars were registered for an event they were registered with there VIN number so it is possible to go back in the records and track down a specific car. Many didnt have titles, but all had a manufactuer VIN and some like Shelbys also had a # from Kar Kraft stamped in the roll bar as well as other locations. I will get with your friend and see if I can track down his VIN having been entered in any races, which will also provide vital information as to owner, team, etc. [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

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The "plate" you refer to was a brass tag riveted on (Trans-Am cars) and easily switched (yes there are scam artists in vintage racing) Race results, dated pictures, SCCA log books are all items of verification. Things get tricky with log books as they were just starting to be used 71-72 and the SVRA wants pre`73 history but anything raced in any type of SCCA (wheel to wheel) competition should have a log book AND the corresponding number stamped in the roll bar (main hoop) ..redvetracr

Re: Trans Am Racers
 

Redvetracr, apparently Dave Rex and Dave MacClymont had submitted race history of my car to SCCA years ago. Do you know of any way to access the records of SCCA? Road America has researched their records from the years my car competed and won at that track and they are forwarding this information to me.
To all, if you want to have the most fun you can have without doing something illegal, head to Road America for the vintage races in July.

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Redvetracr, I've heard about some of the "TA cars" for sale that turn out to be the SCCA tag and original VIN from a wrecked car. So guys can build a car with those pieces and go racing. It's a shame this kind of stuff happens, but it always seems to be about the money. On the other side, it's a shame to see a vintage car that is wrecked not be replaced somehow in the race circuit.

Re: Trans Am Racers
 

JeffH,
Being a "Camaro guy" maybe you remember a Camaro driven (in Trans-Am) by Carl Shaeffer (late 60`s/early 70`s out of Shaeffer farms in southern Illinois)it was a`69 later raced (for many years)in SCCA by Beloit WI radio personality Jerry Dunbar and sponsored by Super America gas stations?? One year at the SCCA runoffs (Road Atlanta) the back side of the track was dry but on the front half it was raining well a bunch of cars got wrecked coming down the hill leading onto the front straight, one being the Dunbar Camaro, the car was totaled!! it was bent so bad it sat on three wheels and the roof looked like a tent in the middle, well Dunbar sells it to a guy who strips it and TAKES IT TO THE JUNK YARD!! Title and all!! BUT he sells different parts to two or three guys, the tag went one way and the roll bar went another and the front frame another, one guy even offered this guy $50 for the Super America poster of Dunbar that was hanging in the guy`s son`s room!! I have heard there are two or three guys restoring the ex Shaeffer farms/ Jerry Dunbar Camaro. And Dunbar has told me he had lost the SCCA log book. So yes cars are "recreated" and I know all this because I got the Revolution/Compomotive modular wheels off the car. ...redvetracr

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The Shelby Registry has many stories of Cobras being junked and then being rebuilt as two different cars. It is great reading.

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<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>
The Shelby Registry has many stories of Cobras being junked and then being rebuilt as two different cars. It is great reading.

<hr></blockquote>

Boy, that statement brings back memories...nightmares, actually. We sold a '66 Shelby Mustang not too long ago that was involved in a similar fiasco. The Shebly club has dropped the ball more than once. Don't even get dad started!

Re: Trans Am Racers
 

Here are some shots of the "Tag" from the 67/68 "Lightweight car".......

Steve

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Another......sorry before digital [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Steve

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One more pit shot with the Dana Camaro and Winkel Camaro (I think).

Steve

Re: Trans Am Racers
 

Hello- I'm new to this site. Thanks go out to Motownmadman for telling me about it and I plan to join in on the T/A Racers topic soon.
Steve-

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How's it going Steve. Just don't tell these guys you like Mustangs! [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Re: Trans Am Racers
 

Jeff H- Hmm. Would it help if I mentioned I've owned a 67 RS Conv, 68 Camaro, 67 L79 Malibu, 72 Chevelle wagon race car tow vehicle with a big block/TH400 and plans for another Camaro in the near future?
Steve-

Re: Trans Am Racers
 

Nice stab Jeff, cant say I wouldnt have done the same myself. All BS aside though, I have been a Chevy performance fanatic all my life and have owned and still do own some nice examples. You cant tell me that if came across a Shelby Team TA Mustang you wouldnt at least give it some respect? [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Besides, from the financial standpoint I will be able to buy a few top dollar Chevys from the proceeds of this old Ford [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/wink.gif[/img] By the way Vern, I do have the car and the prints, oh how news travels! Steve, welcome to the site, I notice you did not go in to any detail about that super rare Camaro, I guess all in good time, eh?

Re: Trans Am Racers
 

I'd be the first one to jump on a nice Shelby or Boss 302 Mustang(if I had any money). Those fastbacks make some sweet looking race cars. Without the competition, the Camaro might have been downright boring. Ford had just as many trick parts as GM so it made for some great racing.

Re: Trans Am Racers
 

By the way, any of you guys want a set of Mini-Lite wheels you may want to contact our new member Steve, aka FIAracer, it seems he is the National Distributor? for Mini Lites, something like that, sorry steve if I got the title wrong. [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/confused.gif[/img]

Re: Trans Am Racers
 

Hmm,
I was contemplating a set for the Stinger??

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Jim Cowles put an early set of mini-lites on my 66 Shelby when he restored it, when did these begin production? I believe mine are from around 1970.

Re: Trans Am Racers
 

Minilite wheels started production in 1962. Magnesium only at first and cast aluminum in about 1974 with their Sport wheel. Now we offer the look of the vintage magnesium wheel but in aluminum. Our 15"x 8" Trans-Am wheel being the most recent addition.

Re: Trans Am Racers
 

Steve, I need a set for the Shelby 350 Notchback TA Mustang, I have a set of Magnesium, which are fine for showing the car, but with the age and who knows what type of stress they have had I would not feel comfortable out on the track with the originals considering the value of my car and everyone else's car around me. Do you have them in stock? I need to get with you about this soon as the season is just around the corner. I will give you a call sometime next week, I am also working on the other project, I think I may have a lead.
Thanks,
Matt [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif[/img]