Tags: Avanti / Chrysler 300F / DeSoto Adventurer / Dual-Ghia / Fiat Abarth / Flajole Forerunner / Hemi engine / Lark / Mike Matune / Motor Tour / St. Michaels Concours / Studebaker Golden Hawk / Volvo P1800S

CHESAPEAKE BAY: ’15 ST. MICHAELS CONCOURS!

- Minggu, 04 Oktober 2015 No Comments

Mike Matune represented the Car Guy Chronicles at the ninth-annual Concours d’Elegance and Motor Tour along the shores of the Choptank River in Maryland.

Held on the fairways of the River Marsh Golf Club at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay, the St. Michaels Concours d’Elegance Concours blends pre and postwar European and American classics into an eclectic mix of automotive art, all for the benefit of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation. Shot of the show field, top, gives you an idea of what we speak. In the background, a boater takes his pride and joy for what could be its last jaunt of the year before it’s laid up for the Winter. The Dual-Ghia, above, was Eugene Casaroll’s dream of combining Italian coachwork, American running gear and show car styling. Built on a Dodge chassis with body by Ghia and styling by Chrysler’s Virgil Exner, about a 100 would see production between 1956 and 1963. They became the darlings of the rich and famous, from politicians like Ronald Regan, Richard Nixon and Lyndon Johnson to actors like Sterling Hayden and Desi Arnaz to just about the entire “Rat Pack.” Joan and Sonny Abagnale finished their restoration just in time to debut it at the St Michaels Concours.

Doug Dressler’s ‘56 DeSoto Adventurer is an outstanding example of the limited-edition model introduced in mid-1956. The Adventurer featured a dual-quad Hemi with performance upgrades, HD suspension, an over the top interior and distinctive two-tone paint schemes. Dressler’s car boasted two notable options. A clock was mounted in the steering wheel hub that would wind itself as you turned the wheel. Under dash was a record player designed to use records unique to the unit.

The debate as to what constitutes a Muscle Car and who built the first one will go on, likely without ever being resolved. But let’s talk about one contender for both honors, the Chrysler 300 “Letter Car” series. Built from the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s, they were Chrysler’s entry into the premium high performance market. The BHA Automobile Museum’s ‘60 300F sports buckets seats and console, high-performance 413-inch Wedge engine and distinctive badging. On special order, an higher horsepower engine and four-speed manual were available.

Whether or not the Flajole Forerunner Concept Car actually improves on the styling of the Jaguar XK120M upon which it is based can be debated. But as with all concept cars, you need to look further to see more practical ideas they may incorporate. In this case a Plexiglas roof retracts into the tall tail, the seats feature integral headrests and the rear-view mirror is mounted atop the windshield to provide a panoramic view out of the car. On the side, contrasting fender coves predate their incorporation into production car designs. Today the AACA Museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania is the Forerunner’s caretaker.

Ann and Paul Rose brought their unrestored Studebaker Avanti to St Michaels. The Avanti was something of a last hurrah for the once proud Studebaker brand. Designed by Raymond Lowey and built on a shortened Lark chassis, they would feature knock-out styling and aircraft-inspired interior with an integral roll bar and standard front disc brakes. Drivetrain combinations include supercharged engines and four-speed transmissions. The Avanti continued on in a number of guises after Studebaker ceased manufacturing.

The Studebaker Lark achieved notoriety as the first American compact car and was a sales success until the competition caught up. Less well known is the Lark’s place in racing. where it made use of hi-performance parts from other Studebakers. They were found in international competition, as the Lark was the second American badge homologated as a production car by the FIA. Danny Jones’ Lark is an unusual supercharged convertible.

Mark James’ Golden Hawk is the third Studebaker in the Car Guy Chronicles’ coverage, surely a record. Studebaker, lacking the resources of its bigger rivals, had to make use of “creative” restyling rather than depend on all new body shells to update its line. Such is the case here, where the Starliner coupe was updated with a prominent grille and tailfins. The hood bulge and louvers accommodate a “Sweepstakes” 289-inch V8 with “Jet Stream” supercharger. Inside full instrumentation in an engine-turned dash panel helps to freshen the car’s feel.

Ken Swanstrom’s Fiat Abarth 750 coupe illustrates how a tiny car often makes up in speed and agility what it lacks in size! A product of Karl “Carlo” Abarth, it showcases “tuned” pedestrian Fiat mechanicals cloaked in light, streamlined Zagato bodywork. Abarths became the stalwarts of small displacement racing classes, and on occasion giant killers when the situation demanded more than brute power.

The Volvo P1800S is an interesting mix of robust Swedish mechanicals wrapped in a shape that has withstood the test of time. Patricia and Robert Stadel’s example has had a number of careers over their long-term ownership. As a vintage racer it competed successfully at 18 separate venues. Now it is a Concours award winner. The car is still driven, most recently as a participant on the St. Michaels’ Motor Tour, the day before the Concours.



Our thanks to George Walish, St. Michaels’ Chairman and Founder, as well as the entire Concours staff for putting on, what is becoming, a staple on the east Coast Concours’ calendar.



Words & Photos: M.M. “Mike” Matune, Jr.



For more information, please visit: http://www.smcde.org/

http://chesapeakebay.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html

http://www.mscf.org/

Tags: Cadillac CTS racecar / Crossle Formula Ford / Datsun 240Z / Don Yenko / Fiat 128 / Lola / Mike Matune / Mustang Cobra R / Racing Corvettes / SVRA / Trans-Am / VIR Gold Cup / Yenko Stinger

‘15 GOLD CUP: GOING FOR SVRA GOLD AT VIR!

- Jumat, 02 Oktober 2015 No Comments

Mike Matune stays dry long enough to bring us coverage of the wet and wild 

Gold Cup weekend at VIR.

With a nod towards poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge, the story of the 2015 Gold Cup weekend at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) could be wrapped up in the phrase, ”Water, water, everywhere …”. The point is illustrated by David Pintaric’s Corvette, above, with its grille full of VIR landscape and water teaming off every inch of the car as it drags a cloud of spray behind. A torrential downpour covered all three days of the race weekend. SVRA and Trans-Am competitors carried on through frequently arduous conditions to provide visuals only seen during wet weather racing.



David Nettleship splashes through Turn 6 in his Crossle 45F Formula Ford, right, throwing rooster tails off all four wheels. Normally in this corner racers ride the curb, sometimes all the way over to the “Gator Teeth” but the rain line required them to move further from the apex to avoid the standing water.

A rain tire can pump a considerable amount of water off the road surface; one source claiming that a Formula 1 rain tire displaces something like 60 liters (15 gallons) per second. Looking at the spray behind Chip Vance’s Lola T87/90 (Indy Lights) confirms this.

Rain can be the great equalizer on a racetrack, frequently resulting in the emergence of Giant Killers. The role is often taken by small, closed, FWD sedans like Shea Brown’s Fiat 128. Brown’s car started off as a “Chump Car” he found and decided was much too nice to spend its life in that venue. Since its conversion to a vintage racer, it has shown increasing speed as driver and car development have progressed.

Logan Dernoshek drove his Dad, Warren’s Yenko Stinger in its debut appearance. The car has actual Stinger DNA, although it was re-bodied when the rust worm proved to be too pervasive. Its preparation level mirrors that common when the cars were new with allowances for modern safety issues. The elder Dernoshek’s affinity for Stingers comes naturally as he served as one of Don Yenko’s race mechanics during the heyday of racing at Yenko Chevrolet.

Mike Unger describes his Datsun 240Z as an “Old Soldier” having been run in the 1980s in ITS, before he acquired it about 15 years ago and began its conversion to an SVRA Group 8 vintage racer. Along the way it made occasional forays into SCCA E/P. Watching Unger on track reminded me just what an impact these cars made on the racetrack and on the street, helping Datsun (Nissan) in particular, and Japanese manufactures in general, establish themselves “up market” from the econo-boxes for which they were initially known.

Production car racing is constantly evolving with series, sanctioning bodies, cars and manufacturers coming and going. But along that journey some stand out, like the Motorola Cup and the Cobra R. The Motorola Cup featured frequently televised events with close racing. The Cobra R was Ford’s contribution to the factory Special. Bill Foster deserves Kudos as he and his Cobra were frequently on course carving up VIR while making wonderful noises despite the continuous rain.

As mentioned, Trans-Am cars shared the bill with SVRA’s vintage racers. Today’s Trans-Am is a 12-race series for three classes of cars categorized by preparation levels. Both American and international manufacturers are represented. Kerry Hitt’s Cadillac CTS is an example of the fastest class. These cars feature 850 horsepower engines, tube frames with live rear axles and facsimile fiberglass bodywork.



Words & Photos: M.M. “Mike” Matune, Jr.



For more racing information, please visit: http://gotransam.com/

http://www.svra.com/    http://virnow.com/

Tags: '40 Ford / Bentley Continental / Gyronaut X-1 / Mike Matune / Packard Carribean / Pontiac Bonneville / Porsche 911 carrera RS / Radnor Hunt Concours / Ruxton / Scaglietti Corvette / Subeam Tiger / Triumph Italia / Volga Gaz

RADNOR HUNT CONCOURS: SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!

- Kamis, 24 September 2015 No Comments

Our Mike Matune was on the field with 100 select cars and motorcycles, celebrating divergent eras and types.

The Radnor Hunt Concours d’Elegance in Malvern, PA again entertained and informed Concours goers with top attractions. Here we have Alan Anspaugh’s ‘60 Triumph Italia 2000 GT. These were built at the behest of the Italian Triumph distributor who envisioned TR3 chassis wrapped in Italian coachwork. While the results of Giovanni Michelotti styling and Vignale’s coachwork are impressive, it was another concept with great intentions wiped out by market forces. In the end only about 330 of the planned 1,500 were built.



When we think of traditional “Concours Fare” we think of highly-styled cars of the classic era combined with art and fashion. A ‘32 Ruxton Model C Four Door Sedan certainly fits the bill. While only a blip on the automotive timeline, the Ruxton made a splash with FWD allowing a lowered profile to set off a distinctive striped paint scheme. Owners Celesta Pappas-Bosés and Scott Bosés dressed to complement their car.

But high style wasn’t confined to the classic era as shown by Marlene & Gene Epstein’s ‘62 Bentley S2 Continental Sport. Combined with its impressive top-down style, it has an array of high-end appointments to provide fast, luxurious touring. Included are things like bespoke luggage and a custom picnic hamper. Perhaps unique to this car, there are heated vests that plug into the dash, allowing comfortable motoring even as temperatures drop!

The motorcycles featured included BMW’s, Police bikes and Land Speed Record machines. Sandra & Steve Tremulis brought the instantly recognizable Gyronaut X-1. The car’s history reads like an automotive who’s who: styled by Alex Tremulis with a body constructed by Vince Gardner and a chassis by Logghe Stamping. Along the way racing names like Maynard Rupp, Roy Steffey and John Marsh left their fingerprints. Powered by two Triumph vertical twins, it carried Bob Leppan to a World’s Fastest Motorcycle record of 245.667 MPH. at Bonneville in 1964.   Unfortunately, deteriorating salt conditions have led to fewer and fewer races at Bonneville in recent times.  For more information on plans to remedy the situation, please visit http://www.savethesalt.org/

Perhaps more out of the realm of traditional “Concours Fare” was the addition of pickup trucks to the Concours show field. Today the pickup is a bedazzled boulevard cruiser but its origin lies in a more utilitarian place. They were once the domain of farmers, tradesmen and other commercial users. Vince Tague’s ‘40 Ford V-8 pickup displays that point in time with its simple, minimally adorned, body lines.

A Concours can also give you a chance to compare and contrast what was happening in the automotive world in different parts of the world.  Here is the former Soviet Union’s version of automotive luxury, a ‘57 Volga Gaz-M21V, owned by Dimitri Shevetsov. This was the largest, most luxurious car produced in Russia for consumer consumption and was the conveyance of the rich, powerful and famous.

Now compare the Volga to George Weaver’s ‘58 Pontiac Bonneville. Like the Volga it sports two tone paint and white sidewall tires, but similarities seem to diminish after that. Weaver’s car is a highly optioned convertible with a Tri-Power V8. Included options were power windows, a tissue dispenser under the dash and a radio that could be removed and used as a portable. The interior sports four bucket seats.  Chrome accents abound.  Size wise it dwarfs the Volga. Clearly Americans had a different take on what was considered a “necessity” in their car design.

Occasionally, the same concept is used to solve a different issue at another time. With all of the emphasis on electric and hybrid cars today, remember that they are not a new idea. Detroit Electric was a successful manufacturer of electric cars in the early part of the Twentieth Century. Richard Amuso’s ‘23 Detroit Electric 97B Brougham uses fourteen six-volt batteries to power the car to speeds of about 20 mph with an 80-mile range. It is said they found acceptance among women of the time as they were quiet and didn’t require hand cranking. The electric car of the time, however, fell out of favor when speeds and distance expectations of the automobile increased. Today they have returned to favor as a potential solution to environmental issues.

The “Homologation Special” category has been around for a while and a number of manufacturers have produced them, perhaps none as well as Porsche. A Homologation Special is a street version of a car made with certain options and in such a configuration so as to fulfill production requirements for race components. Steven Midgett owns this ‘73 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS. Porsche produced about 500 with bigger engines, upgraded suspensions and various aerodynamic improvements. In order to lower weight, normal production components, unnecessary for racing, were left off. It wouldn’t be the last time Porsche sold a limited run of cars with less equipment for more money!

Radnor Hunt recognized and celebrated the cars of Packard this year. A marque now gone from the American automotive lexicon, it once occupied a lofty position in the industry, known for styling, luxury and engineering excellence. To illustrate the point, here is David Markel’s ‘53 Packard Caribbean Convertible. These were limited-edition cars with highly distinctive styling and finishes. Just some of which includes wire wheels, leather upholstery and special paint. With an over-$5,000 price tag and limited 750 unit production run, they weren’t common.

 In 1959, three sports car enthusiasts in Texas sent Corvette chassis to the Italian coachbuilder, Carrozzeria Scaglietti. The plan was to duplicate a concept used extensively by Ferrari, whereas a sleeker, lighter racing body covered a production chassis. The cars would then take on Ferrari’s own 250 Berlinettas.  Alas the effort fell victim to politics; in Italy where Ferrari was not too happy with “his” coachbuilder doing a competitive car and in the U.S. where GM’s anti-racing philosophy put the kibosh on the project after just three examples had emerged. Today we are left with a striking shape as proven by J. W. Marriott’s example.

Rob Barnes Sunbeam Tiger is an early example of a Type II Tiger, after production had shifted to cars powered by a Ford 289-inch V8. Raced early in its life, it has migrated to the show field. The aluminum wheels, side stripes and red-striped tires help tell us it is a car of the 1960s. For those of us who are aficionados of the Total Performance era, Car Guy Chronicles’ Editor Marty Schorr’s new book , Ford Total Performance: Ford's Legendary High-Performance Street and Race Cars, due out in November, promises to provide a perspective on those heady times from someone who lived it. The book is available for pre-order on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Ford-Total-Performance-Legendary-High-Performance/dp/0760348588



Words & photos: M.M. “Mike” Matune, Jr.



For more information, please visit: http://radnorconcours.org/

http://www.radnorhunt.org/  http://www.thorncroft.org/

Tags: AC Ace / Alfa / Chasing Classic Cars / Elva / MG / Mike Matune / PIBRRR / Porsche 911 / Porsche 914-6 GT / Porsche racing / Put-In-Bay road races / Sprite

PUT-IN-BAY (PIBRRR): ROAD RACES REUNION!

- Selasa, 08 September 2015 No Comments

Mike Matune covers the 1950s-era road racing reunion, celebrating classic ‘airport & street racing' at its finest.

The starter waves the green flag as the field accelerates down the front straight during the 2015 Put-in-Bay Road Races Reunion on South Bass Island in Western Lake Erie. In period, the racers at Put in Bay occupied an important spot on the racing calendar for small-bore production and race cars. Its recreation as a vintage event has involved perseverance and dedication by the community, spectators, organizers and participants, who are all to be congratulated for their accomplishments.



The anticipation begins even before you step onto the island, as you take the Miller Ferry over shared with race and street cars of all ilk, trucks, trailers and transporters. The ferry trip gives one a chance to begin decompressing as you enjoy the company and the views, both the scenery and the automotive eye candy aboard.

Part of the festivities includes an Original Course Tour. Here Joe Bojalad and his son share their AC as they negotiate Cemetery Corner. The Bojalad’s AC was featured in an episode of “Chasing Classic Cars” after Joe, Jr. found the car and had it restored for his Dad to once again drive at Put-in-Bay; reprising Joe Sr.’s 1955 win in the same car.

To accommodate racing today, the race has been moved to the Put-in-Bay Airport, tying together two sports car traditions, the through-the streets and airport venues, both of which figured prominently in post-WWII sports car racing. Here Kurt Niemeyer’s Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spyder negotiates the chicane between the runway and the South taxi way. Niemeyer’s Alfa is another example of the traditions of PIBRRR, having been run by his Dad in the original event and making its reappearance on the Island after recently being reacquired by Niemeyer.

Airport circuits all have a few of the same things in common; wide open flat concrete surfaces, courses marked by hay bales, hangers, airplanes and speeding race cars. This shot of Rick Frazee and his Sprite illustrates all the elements of the airport circuit genre. 

At the end of the front straight, a 180 degree sweeper moves you back onto the runway. Klaus Selbert sets up for that turn in his Porsche 911 under the watchful eyes of corner worker Jeff Knapp of Lake Erie Communications. The sign reminds one that this is an active airport. Accordingly, racing was delayed each morning until the mail plane departed and ended in the late afternoon as the airport reopened, the course being set up and dismantled accordingly.

What do you do when you and your ultra-rare Porsche Carrera Speedster have an altercation with a hay bale? Why you take it back to the Paddock and make repairs so you can drive it home, just like “Doc” Weiss does here. Weiss has been racing this car since 1962. Such is the nature of PIBRRR where camaraderie, a laid-back atmosphere and reliving the sports car traditions of the past are the event’s guiding principles and where your ego very much takes a back seat.

Joe Bojalad’s Elva Mk VI Prototype is steeped in racing lore. Marking the transition from front to mid-engine sports racers, this Mk VI enjoyed success in England and on the Continent before being imported to the U.S.  Here Bunny Ribbs, perhaps better known as the Father of noted racer Willy T. Ribbs, raced it to a West Coast Championship. He was an accomplished racer.

While PIBRRR certainly exudes a laid-back aura, the participants took the racing seriously, perhaps not fixated on results, but certainly interested in the challenge of the course. Here Paul Adams in an Elva Mk II looks for the apex while Michael Barstow in an MG TD looks for a way around Adams. Of interest, is that both of these cars traveled from California to Ohio. 

 In period, the original organizers of Put-in-Bay concentrated on lower-displacement cars. The current races mirror that car selection, limiting most racers to small-displacement cars built before 1964 with some exceptions. To add interest and expand participation, classes for Guest Street cars and Racing Exhibition Entrants have been added. An example of the later is the Porsche 914-4 of Scott Sadowsky.  Here he illustrates one of the quandaries of the circuit; just how close can I get to that hay bale and not hit it? Hitting a hay bale will get you at least a stern lecture from the stewards, if not an invitation to take the next ferry off the island.

Tom Cole gives us an example of the Guest Street class in his Porsche 912. Cole‘s car is a Concours award winner, but that didn’t keep him from trying his hand at the Original Course Tour as well as making the over 450 mile round trip from his home in Southwestern Ohio. Put-in-Bay is developing a draw and a lucky few have discovered it.

 Before racers head home on Wednesday, they participate in a car show well attended by race goers and participants alike. Cars are divided into street and competition categories. Awards recognize not only appearance and provenance, but also the spirit in which competitors take part in the event.



Words & Photos: M.M. “Mike” Matune, Jr.



For more information, please visit  http://www.pibroadrace.com/

Tags: '69 Camaro / Allard / Audi Quattro / Ford Falcon racecars / Formula 5000 / Greenwood Corvette / Laguna Seca / Mike Matune / Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion / SCCA / Shelby GT350R / Shelby Mustang / Stroppe Comets / Trans-Am

LAGUNA SECA: MONTEREY MOTORSPORTS REUNION!

- Minggu, 23 Agustus 2015 No Comments

‘When it comes to historic racing, it doesn’t get much better than the premier Rolex event in Monterey,’ blogs Mike Matune.

 As August arrives, summer begins to wind down, but not before the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion (RMMR) treats us to its annual celebration of the racing automobile. Among their celebrated groups this year was Formula 5000. You get a sense of the international character of RMMR when you consider Philip Lewis travelled from Denmark to compete in his ‘72 Matich A50. The car came from the fertile brain of Frank Matich who designed and built the car that achieved noted success in its native Australia and in the U.S.



Didier André brought his ‘77 Greenwood Corvette. A sister car to the one that raced Le Mans and one of five built, the car appeared in only one IMSA race in its day, making it a well preserved time capsule. André made outstanding use of all of the Corvette’s horsepower, slick aerodynamics and road-holding ability to take Second in the Group 4A feature race.

Formula A or 5000 was a late-1960s creation combining stock block pushrod V8s for the most part with Formula car chassis from a variety of constructors. Until its demise in the mid-1970s it played host to big name international stars competing around the world.



Rick Parson’s ‘76 Lola T332C, right, is the actual North American series winning champion with Brian Redman behind the wheel of the Jim Hall/Carl Haas entry. Here Parsons appears to be reprising Alex Zanardi’s infamous “The Pass” on Bryan Herta from the 1996 CART season finale at Laguna Seca!

In addition, RMMR acknowledged the 50th anniversary of Carroll Shelby’s GT350 Mustang. Built from the bones of Ford’s “Ponycar”, the GT350 featured just enough modifications to make it a sports car in the eyes of the SCCA. Today they are both highly prized collector cars as well as formidable vintage racecars. Their appeal is nearly universal, Terry Lawlor bringing his example all the way from Australia where it has resided since 2004. Originally a street car, it was converted to a racecar early in its life and ran at tracks across the U.S. It just came off an extensive restoration in preparation for its appearance at Monterey.

Official results showed 35 GT350s competing in Saturday’s feature race with even more present at the track. Here Ross Myers of 3 Dog Garage fame is shown at the bottom of the “Corkscrew” on his way to another quick lap. Myers’ car is one of about three dozen racing GT350Rs. These featured modifications further removing it from its Mustang roots and making it into a no holds barred racecar. To make it even more special, it is the actual car with which Walt Hane took the 1966 SCCA BP Championship. By the way, a tour of Myers’ 3 Dog Garage in Boyertown, PA is a rare treat and certainly worth adding to the Car Guy things to do list. 

Now a little history lesson: When the Mustang and GT350 came along, they pushed Ford’s Falcon from the fore as a competitive weapon in Ford’s arsenal. In the early years of Ford’s “Total Performance” movement, Falcons competed the world over in races from ovals to road courses to drags as well as on the international rally circuit. Before they slipped from view, they would contribute their underpinnings to their successor, the Mustang. Michael Eisenberg’s ‘63 Ford Falcon Sprint is a good example of this, having competed in a couple of Trans-Am races, a rally in Mexico and on the SCCA trail before being squirreled away for an extended hiatus. 

Mike Eddy’s Falcon started life as a 1963 model in SCCA sedan racing and was re-bodied to take advantage of a weight break for 1964 Falcons. It gained some fame as a “ringer” in the 1966 Trans-Am race at Riverside where it was entered expressly to keep points from the Mustangs’ competitors. Then its travels took it to Europe before returning to the U.S. to live out its active retirement as a vintage racer.

Not to be outdone, Mercury Division tried their hand at motorsports with the Falcon’s cousin, the Mercury Comet. Bill Stroppe would convert Comets into rally cars and test their mettle in one of the meanest events of all, the East African Safari rally. While results weren’t what they had probably originally conceived, two did finish. Following its return the U.S., the car saw action as an SCCA sedan racer. Today Greg Umphenour is the car’s custodian.

While it was a Shelby year to be sure, the Bowtie contingent was amply represented. Here we have Bob Paterson cresting the Rahal Straight on his way into the entry to the “Corkscrew” in his ‘57 Chevrolet Corvette. The car boasts an extensive race history, both in period and lately in the vintage ranks. It appeared back in the day at such legendary venues as Paramount Ranch and Pomona. By 1957 Zora Duntov and his merry band at Chevrolet had the Corvette moving towards competition success with options like mechanical fuel injection and four-speed.

Stuffing an American V8 into a sports car chassis has always been a popular pastime. Here are two examples from the early post-WW ll period in racing history. Steve Schuler’s Allard (4) is the actual car that finished third at Le Mans in 1950 before finding its way stateside to compete at such places as Watkins Glen, Sebring and Torrey Pines. Close behind is Tom Claridge’s Kurtis 500S (88). Frank Kurtis used technology from his Indy cars coupled with Chrysler Hemi power to good avail. The car’s first owner was actor Keenan Wynn, who actively campaigned the car with success around the West and Southwest U.S.

Shoehorning an American V8 into a sports car chassis idea didn’t end there as can be witnessed by Chip Fudge’s ‘68 Bizzarrini Strada GT. Under the sleek Italian lines lies a small-block Chevy sporting a brace of side-draft Webers. The engine sits back almost under the windshield making it something of a front, mid-engine design. Four wheel discs and fully independent suspension complete the package. Unfortunately the car’s lack of development and finances netted little actual racing success, an oft repeated story among specialty car builders.

Bruce Hudkins steals a glance over his shoulder as he passes under the vehicle bridge on his way downhill towards Turn 6. His ‘22 Ford Model T Speedster was rebuilt from a wrecked racecar and has been a vintage competitor for about 25 years. The livery pays tribute to the Ford dealership that Hudkins’ family owned in Kansas in the early part of the 20th century. RMMR covers a broad spectrum of racers from the Pre-1940 to 90s FIA and IMSA competitors.

Do you remember Audi’s venture into Trans-Am racing in the late-1980s with its 200 Quattro? Conventional wisdom said you needed a Ponycar with big V8 horsepower and rear wheel drive, but here came Audi with a sedan sporting four wheel drive and a turbocharged 2.1 liter five cylinder engine. The world quickly learned that putting 500+ horsepower to the ground through twice the wheels made sense, especially when the weather was less than optimal. Steve Ziotkin reintroduced us to that marvelous turbo-chirp sound.

We’re going to let Greg Johnson and his ‘69 Chevrolet Camaro say goodbye from the 2015 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion for us. His black Camaro looked sinister. The multiple front driving lights giving a clue to the cars history as an endurance racer at venues such as Sebring and Daytona. At the top of the windshield, mounted on the roof is an orange light designed to identify the car to its pit crew during the nighttime hours of an endurance event.



Words & Photos: M.M. “Mike” Matune, Jr.



For more information about events at Laguna Seca, please visit http://www.mazdaraceway.com/