Smokey Yunick

[Jon Mello]

Here's an article about Smokey Yunick's trip to Bonneville with three Camaros in late '67
where he smashed 266 speed records with his 302 and 396 powered cars. (Jon Mello Collection)

[MO]

Optional 36 gallon tanks?

[Jon Mello]

It was actually two stock 18-gallon Camaro tanks, one in the stock location and the other upside down in the trunk connected by a hose. They cancelled this option before the '67 Z-28 entered production but Ron Ogilvie of Bill Thomas Race Cars remembers doing these set-ups at the BTRC shop before the cancellation. My gold #1 car ran this double gas tank set-up but the team configured it on their own.

[maroman]

Not sure how I missed this when you first posted it  Jon. These can't be quotes from Smokey, there aren't any bleeps! He was probably my all time favorite racer/bui;der. I enjoy reading anything written by or about him. Thanks, Jon.

[group/7]

jon, thanks for finding that article and posting it so quickly.

  mike

[MO]

It was actually two stock 18-gallon Camaro tanks, one in the stock location and the other upside down in the trunk connected by a hose. They cancelled this option before the '67 Z-28 entered production by Ron Ogilvie of Bill Thomas Race Cars remembers doing these set-ups at the BTRC shop before the cancellation. My gold #1 car ran this double gas tank set-up but the team configured it on their own.

Wow...that's very interesting! I haven't checked the rule book, but I suppose there were SCCA rules specifying fuel tank capacities regardless if they were factory options? The comparison would be to the big tank Corvette option.

[Jon Mello]

Beginning in April '68 (after the Daytona & Sebring endurance races), a 22-gallon fuel cell became mandatory in Trans-Am cars. Prior to that there was not the same sort of regulation on fuel tank size. Craig Fisher's Camaro ran a 40-gallon tank at Daytona in '67.

[MO]

Thanks for the explanation Jon. I am very surprised that the rules were that loose.

[Jon Mello]

I guess you could say the rules were "evolving" in those early years Fred. At the Green Valley Trans-Am in April '67, the tech inspectors felt that the fuel tank capacity was too large in Fisher's car so they told him he had to reduce it. What the team did to reduce the capacity was put plastic balls in the tank. The plastic melted during the race and gummed up the whole system so he ended up not finishing.

[JoeC]

that is a great article - thanks for posting

It is interesting that not much is said about Chevy's role in the building of the cars or sponsoring the record runs but it sure sounds like one of the underground Chevy racing team projects that Smokey did.

[69Z28-RS]

I agree with you Joe....   I never had the impression that Smokey was 'rolling in money'...   and certainly the trip to Bonneville cost someone a LOT of $$... and Chevrolet has also fed money and parts to 'favored son' shops..       (makes one envious thinking about some of that) *G*

[MO]

I guess you could say the rules were "evolving" in those early years Fred. At the Green Valley Trans-Am in April '67, the tech inspectors felt that the fuel tank capacity was too large in Fisher's car so they told him he had to reduce it. What the team did to reduce the capacity was put plastic balls in the tank. The plastic melted during the race and gummed up the whole system so he ended up not finishing.

Great story! You have to admire the determination to make the race.

[Jon Mello]

January '68 Hot Rod magazine article on Smokey Yunick. (Jon Mello Collection)

[maroman]

He certainly never pulled any punches. Thanks Jon.

[Jon Mello]

You're welcome. Here's another Smokey Camaro photo. It is not the same car that appears in on page 105
of the Bonneville speed records article based on that car RS backup lights and rear license plate opening.


Hot Rod magazine photo