Bill Thomas /race cars

[Jon Mello]

Bill Thomas Race Cars catalog, believed to be from 1965. Lots of neat stuff contained within. (Jon Mello Collection)

[Jon Mello]

[Jon Mello]

[janobyte]

Always something interesting. I love these old ads. How some of the innovation forged ahead, and some passed.

I've never seen it mentioned on this site or anything remotely recent pertaining to the Camaro's history. Years ago I read an article stating much of the Camaro's lines were "borrowed" from the Corvair. I was probably in high school at the time, and have no recollection of the reference.

[PURESS]

as a little tyke...Cheetah was my car on our HO slot car track...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zKV2H5epNE        not a very good you tube  but our track was about the same size and the car was the same color   memories... precious

[MO]

Excellent post Jon!

[69Z28-RS]

Always something interesting. I love these old ads. How some of the innovation forged ahead, and some passed.

I've never seen it mentioned on this site or anything remotely recent pertaining to the Camaro's history. Years ago I read an article stating much of the Camaro's

Just look at the '65 and later Corvair side by side with the first gen Camaro...  the similarity in 'body lines' is obvious...  I think initially, Chevrolet wanted the Corvair to be their 'pony car' entry, but Nadar-crap pooped in that cereal.   

[Jon Mello]

as a little tyke...Cheetah was my car on our HO slot car track...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zKV2H5epNE        not a very good you tube  but our track was about the same size and the car was the same color   memories... precious

     I had an HO scale Cheetah slot car as a kid too. Certainly one of my favorite cars at a young age and I still think they are pretty awesome.

[Jon Mello]

November 1963 Car & Driver article I posted previously but worth putting into a devoted Bill Thomas thread. My folks had
a '63 Corvair when I was a kid, but unfortunately Bill Thomas had not worked his magic on it.  (Jon Mello Collection)

[group/7]

Jon, you always come up with the coolest stuff ! there was also "Bad Bascom" a Chevy 11 with Corvette engine & rear suspension. that was quite neat. Thomas also built some Fastback Novas for drag racing. he really was quite prolific, in many fields.

Mike...group/7 in canada

[Jon Mello]

Thanks, Mike.

Bad Bascom was a really neat car. A fuel-injected 327 Corvette engine and independent rear suspension in a Chevy II road racer.
Here's a short article on it from the same issue of Car & Driver magazine.  412 horsepower and 2130 lbs. How much fun could
you have with that?      (Jon Mello Collection)

[Jon Mello]

Original Bill Thomas waterslide decals.

1966 and earlier style


1967 and later style

[crazyamc]

Very cool!! - Does anybody have a set of the Mickey Thompsen rockers, aluminum or magnesium, ?   Ever seen a set?   The AMC Group 19 catalogue lists with a picture those rockers with no reference as to who might have supplied them.  Kaplan and M/T were both old salt and Indy rats....  Any pics of real ones?  Thanks!  Ken

[Jon Mello]

Here's a set of what I assume are Bill Thomas magnesium rocker arms. They've been for sale on ebay for at least a couple of months.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-MAGNESIUM-THOMAS-ROCKER-ARMS-SBC-HOT-ROD-CUSTOM-GASSER-NOSTALGIA-RACING-/310949930910?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item48660f679e&vxp=mtr

I've seen M/T rocker arms but it has been quite some time since I last did.

[crazyamc]

again, VERY COOL!!  The M/T's in the ad are stud mount though......  I might be trying the Thomas ones for my Camaro if I was keeping it....     Happy Thanksgiving everybody!    Ken