Interview with Gary Morgan, Trans-Am racer

[Jon Mello]

Here's a little write-up from the Spring 2012 Mecum Auction which shows the past auction history of Gary's car
plus what it sold for in 2012.

[z28z11]

Jon,

Another "thank you" for posting this interview and details on the car, which for me, personally, is the car that started me on the path to Camaro ownership and the years I have enjoyed researching and working on my small collection. I started this whole deal when I saw the Gulf No-Nox commercial so many years ago, and saw the Camaro rounding a corner on the track and fishtailing coming out of the turn; the sound of the small block winding up is still unlike any other sound in my memories. Funny how things stick with you - I have wondered for years if a copy of that commercial still existed - too many years I suppose before video tapes were affordable to save commercials, since most tapes were erased and reused many times.

Regards,
Steve

[Jon Mello]

I'm glad you enjoyed reading this. I have looked on youtube to see if anyone has posted a copy of the commercial but so far it hasn't happened. Maybe someday.

[SMKZ28]

I found this picture at the Revs Digital Library.  It shows the Gary Morgan Camaro Z28 parked in the grass with its hood up a few cars above the van with the ladder on its roof.  Is that the air cleaner assembly on the roof?  Click on the link and use the zoom-in tools to get a closer look.

http://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/collection/p17257coll1/id/360386/rec/581

[Jon Mello]

Wow, good eye picking out Gary's car, Scott.  I think you may be right about the air cleaner assembly.

[oldtransamdriver]

What did Kent Fellows do with this car after he bought it?  Official T/A results show him
T/A racing with Warren Agor, but not till 72 - doesn't say what year camaro.

Is this car still alive somewhere in vintage racing?

Robert

[SMKZ28]

Robert, I believe it was originally restored as just a show car 25 years ago.  I questioned at the time why it wasn't restored to go vintage racing.  I have never seen it in person at any of the vintage events held at Road America, but that doesn't mean that it isn't racing on the East or West Cost.  I'm sure Jon would know more. 

On a side note, you can currently purchase a GMP produced 1:18th scale version of the car lots of places including Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/1967-Chevy-Camaro-Heinrich-Chevy-Land/dp/B0733LHXK5

[Jon Mello]

This Gary Morgan '67 Z-28 was indeed raced by Kent Fellows in the early '70s but I believe he had a '69 Camaro as well.  Don Wattie restored the car and never raced it. It was sold to a few people who also did not race it but a few years ago it was sold to an owner in Europe who raced it over there.  I have heard that the car is now up for sale and the owner would like for it to return to the US.

[Steve Holmes]

My wife and I are currently travelling around Europe. I visited Autoworld museum in Brussels yesterday and this was among the cars on display:

[Jon Mello]

Timely post, Steve. Thanks!

[oldtransamdriver]

Steve, was there any info about these 2 cars?  Real race cars or replicas?

Robert

[Steve Holmes]

Hi Robert there was no info but the Mustang was a replica. I'm certain the Camaro is the original Gary Morgan car.

The museum had an American car theme at the time of my visit. They had a huge collection of American cars on display including a section where they'd created a 1950s diner and drive in theater.

The Camaro and Mustang were among a line up of race cars that included a 289 Cobra, Lola T70 etc.