69 Camaro Drag Car

[JoeG]

I remember a gasser with the large Vitar logo----never saw this car thanks!!

[Clint_69]

Thanks for posting the article. Where did you come across it? Do you know anything else about the car Steve? Cool!

[68l30]

I found the artical in the mag you mentioned.I know there are some ad's with the same car in them,I'm still looking.There is a nice article on the Byrne Bros. Z-28 after this one and a very nice "Meet the Mean Ones" article on Yenko and more on Motion.This is a great mag to get if you can find it.AHRA section has nice pics of the Harrell funney car,two Booth-Arons 67 Camaros and Durhams ZL-1.I really have no other knowledge of the Vitar car except what I have read in these mags.......


Steve

[olredalert]

------I saw Byrne Bros mentioned and thought I would add that "Red Alert" was ordered at their dealership on 11/11/69,and the warrantee book says Bob Hamilton picked it up 1/7/70.Salesman was Bill Barnett.Even though I dont own the ol girl anymore Id love to talk to Bill if hes still around.They were located on Virginia Road in North White Plains,N.Y.Dont know if the dealership is still open or not.Can anyone tell me?.........Bill S

[Salvatore]

Clint, I believe that Vinnie Tarantola had a mechanic/helper by the name of Paul Kauffman. He worked with Bernie Agaman with the killer corvette (1971) 454. Truppi-Kling in Lakewood, N.J. may be able to help you out with locating these people. I think Dan Jessel can help also. Good luck! Sam

[Salvatore]

Clint, Jesel's number is 732-901-1800. He is the valve train guy. He might know where Paul Kaufman or V. Tarantola is. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

[68l30]

I know Barnett was the Hi-Po salesmen at the time....He drove the Bros. Z-28 with the motor built by Truppi-Kling......Good question..Is he still around?

Steve

[JoeC]

My Yenko Chevelle was from Byrne and I met the parts guy Jerry Roberts who worked there in the 60s-70s. He told me that Bill had a restaurant in FL which I found and called and they said a Bill Barnett did own the Restaurant. He was never there when I called and I left messages for him to call me but never did. I am not sure if I had the right guy or not. Jerry was interesting guy to talk to. Still remembers many BB part numbers and said they sold many BB crate motors. Sometimes 4 or 5 would get picked up on a Sat. morning.

[JoeC]

Byrne Bro Chevy closed in the 70s I believe. Another thing Jerry told me was at one point they were selling about one 69 Z/28 a day! This could be true because the original owner of my Chevelle had recalled that when he first went to Byrne the whole place was filled with 69 Zs.

[Clint_69]

The cars are two seperate cars. To my knowlege, the "One Step Beyond" car has not been found. Sam, I appreciate the lead. I already have contact info on Vinnie Tarantola but again, I appreciate the info.
I spoke with the second owner today who campaigned the car under the name "Select Performance". The car was apparently heavily campaigned under the "Select Performance" name in the mid 70s. I have additional pictures on the way when the car ran under that name. Also, I will attach photos of the car when it ran under the "Vitar" name in the next few days.
Vitar Engineering is now called Select Performance. The second owner of the car actually bought the car from Vinnie Tarantola who was his boss at the time. He also bought Vitar Engineering. Real interesting story. I have some old drag footage of the car running too. Neat stuff!
I am still researching the originating dealer. Any additional info is appreciated. You guys have been a great help already. Keep the info coming!