Original T/A racing photographs, late 60's & early 70's

[1109RWHP]

[1109RWHP]

[Oldtimer]

I hope this is appropriate here, there are a few shots with Camaros and Mustangs.

For Christmas 1967, a skinny seventeen year old got a Kodak Super 8 movie camera. This budding race car enthusiast performed his initial practice with the device at the 1968 Sports Car Club of America Polar Prix, held at Green Valley Raceway, in Smithfield, Texas.

If you ignore the first half to two-thirds of video 1 (we had an ice storm that year, and the kid and some of his friends had a Snow Day from school), you should see some interesting video; including pictures of at least one real Corvette Grand Sport (and maybe another faux version); some vintage road racing coverage, and pictures of a TV star getting his SCCA National License.

Go through the Videos in order, 1 through 4, as that takes you in sequence from practice and qualifying on Saturday into the racing on Sunday.

Remembering that it was been almost 50 years since this film was taken, some of my recollections might be a little cloudy, but feel free to ask questions once you have had a chance to enjoy them.

And please forgive the quality (and that it was the cheapest Super 8 camera Kodak made), thankfully I did not pursue a career in cinematography.

Enjoy!

https://flic.kr/s/aHsm8Dxkqz

[69Z28-RS]

Thanks Jim!   

I enjoyed the videos (and I've seen much worse camera work before - I think you did a very good job!)..  but I sure wish they had sound!! 

I had to look up 'Smithfield, Tx' and the dates for that race..  date seems to have been 15/16 June, and Smithfield has since been gobbled up by 'Richmond Hills, TX' (just north of Fort Worth)..  The raceway and drag stip apparently shut down in 1986 and is now site of 'subdivisions and houses'..

I had been 'living' in Texas just prior to that (Lackland AFB, San Antonio) if you can call basic training as 'living'..     but I completed that phase in early May of that year...

[oldtransamdriver]

Taken at the 71 Michigan International T/A during practice or qualifying. Unfortunately early during the
race, the camaro developed a severe missfire under acceleration that never went away.  Finished the
race way down. in hindsight I should have parked it and saved wear and tear on the car.

I am still looking for the slim young driver.

Robert

[Trans Åm]

That is such an awesome photo. You're a lucky guy Robert.

[MO]

That is such an awesome photo. You're a lucky guy Robert.

No kidding!

[oldtransamdriver]

Yes, it was all rather amazing how a D sedan Mini driver got to run with the
Big Dogs - many thanks to Big Al and his crew.

Robert

[Trans Åm]

Yes that is true, the man and the car are only a part of the story, plenty of credit should also go to your crew and friends. Cheers to Al and the gang!


P.S. Did you guys ever find what caused the misfire?

[oldtransamdriver]

I believe it was an ignition problem. Al would know.

Robert

[Jon Mello]

Link to a bunch of old Trans-Am photos.  Primarily Riverside and Laguna Seca.

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/throwback-thursday-100-never-seen-photos-trans-ams-golden-days/

[crossboss]

I hope this is appropriate here, there are a few shots with Camaros and Mustangs.

For Christmas 1967, a skinny seventeen year old got a Kodak Super 8 movie camera. This budding race car enthusiast performed his initial practice with the device at the 1968 Sports Car Club of America Polar Prix, held at Green Valley Raceway, in Smithfield, Texas.

If you ignore the first half to two-thirds of video 1 (we had an ice storm that year, and the kid and some of his friends had a Snow Day from school), you should see some interesting video; including pictures of at least one real Corvette Grand Sport (and maybe another faux version); some vintage road racing coverage, and pictures of a TV star getting his SCCA National License.

Go through the Videos in order, 1 through 4, as that takes you in sequence from practice and qualifying on Saturday into the racing on Sunday.

Remembering that it was been almost 50 years since this film was taken, some of my recollections might be a little cloudy, but feel free to ask questions once you have had a chance to enjoy them.

And please forgive the quality (and that it was the cheapest Super 8 camera Kodak made), thankfully I did not pursue a career in cinematography.

Enjoy!

https://flic.kr/s/aHsm8Dxkqz

Thanks for posting! Your picture quality is not bad at all. That said, IF you want it to be 'broadcast quality' you can have it color corrected while its being transferred to an HD master….btw, that won't be cheap!

[1109RWHP]

[Jon Mello]

Ralph Webb's Camaro getting ready to head to the track for the '68 Meadowdale Trans-Am.


Photo: Mike Jarchow Collection

This car was owned by Arnie Fick and sponsored by O A Fick Tool and Die Works in Chicago.  It is a 1967 Camaro that was a repo. Almost everything was stripped from it, including the grill, so a 1968 grill was installed.

Jon, I am having trouble with my scanner. Can you please post a couple more of the pictures I sent you of this car.  I know there is the rear shot in the driveway and an action shot from the 1968 Trans Am at Meadowdale with Ralph Webb driving.

does this car exist today?? who owns it?? thank you

Update 2020:  Yes, this car raced by Ralph Webb at Meadowdale still exists and is owned by Keith Libby.  It is being restored to how it was at Meadowdale.  Ownership after Allen Hewitt was:
Dale Koch, Lafayette, IN  1973 - 1975
Kevin Koch, Ohio,  1975 - 1984
Harold B. Jackson,  1984 - 1988
Motorsport Sales, Dallas, TX  1988 - 1989
Dave Davis, Young Chevrolet, Dallas, TX  1989 - 1989
Ed Jensen, Des Moines, IA  1989 - 2010  (Ran SVRA events)
Suzette Jensen, Des Moines, IA  2010 - 2012
Colin Comer, Milwaukee, WI. 2012 - 2018

[group/7]

I believe this to be the Bob West '69 ? ? as in post #340 above by Jon at Laguna, this one is labelled as Sebring '69, looks like a

banking in the distance, maybe Daytona ?  are those California tags on the street cars ? ? I'm not sure where it is ?

Mike