SCCA regional events in Texas etc. 1960s-70s through the lens of Jerry Melton

[Ray Bell]

And what of this one?

https://i.postimg.cc/yxfC0mw6/0106-Daytona.jpg

Just a car I saw on a trailer while I was driving along...

[khyndart in CA]

I still enjoy seeing the early Chevrolet C 1 Corvettes and there were some at this 1967 Texas event.
1957 and earlier Corvettes had single headlights.
(Example)
67770

# 44 C 1 Corvette
67771

From 1958 the C1 Corvettes had dual headlights.
(Example.)
67772

A C1 Corvette ahead of a Lotus Cortina.
67773

A C1 Corvette ahead of a Sunbeam Alpine.
67774

(Jerry Melton b&w photos in 1967 at GVR)

(Ken H)

[Paul B]

And what of this one?

https://i.postimg.cc/yxfC0mw6/0106-Daytona.jpg

Just a car I saw on a trailer while I was driving along...

Daytona Coupe, very cool machine, fantastic race history, guess its a repop?

[Paul B]

Love the C1 twin headlight model, has to be "one of" the most beautiful cars made. in my opinion anyway. I'll have one of those for my shed too please!
Cheers

[Roger Dowding]

Love those C1's " From 1958 the C1 Corvettes had dual headlights. "
They got the kickup tail in 1961-62 - which was carried over to the C2 " Stingray ".

Thanks Ken H [ for Jerry Melton ] a great collection of photos.

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by Paul B
Daytona Coupe, very cool machine, fantastic race history, guess its a repop?

I really doubt that...

It had the Halibrand wheels and everything, it didn't look new either. I would like to know which one it is, actually, as there was only six of them built. I caught it on a freeway in Lichtenstein (or was it in Switzerland) in June, 2016.

I see that 'Factory Five' reproductions are available now, Bill has one of those in Holland, Michigan.

[khyndart in CA]

I keep referring to the "Big Bore " race which as you can see it was not a handicap race and anything over 1500 cc was allowed to run !
A photo of the start shows two McLaren Can-Am cars leading a very diversified field. (To say the least !)
67789

This input will be aimed towards the Shelby Mustang GT 350s that were in the field and the next will devoted toward the McLaren M1B # 4.
I wonder what the asking price was on this GT 350 # 6 ? It also seems that the handling and suspension need to be improved.

67790

67791

67792
# 18 was not for sale.

67793
A GT 350, a McLaren M1B and a Lotus Cortina. (Now that is a diversified field !)

(Jerry Melton 1967 photos.)

(Ken H.)

[Roger Dowding]

You must really like those GT 350's Ken H.. the post came up twice down here !! He he.. Good one Mate..

[Roger Dowding]

The First Corvette came out with a 6 cylinder engine in June 1953 and was not a success until Zora Arkus Duntov and Bill Mitchell found a bigger motor in 1955-56 [ 265 then 283 V8 ]. It also had small fins with the tail light at the peak.

As Ken H mentioned the C1 changed with later a rounded tail [ fins removed ], then, twin headlights, and finally a kicked up tail - that carried over to the '63 Stingray.

Variations of the V8 C1, photos from Ken H archives 1957 and 1958-actually a 61-62 and a recent photo by Nigel Watts -middle photo

1957 [ 1956 - 1957 ]
67812

1958-60/61
67813

1961-62
67814

The Nigel Watts photo at the Te Aroha Cruise In recently - Rego MHP222 -
" Year: 1958
Make: CHEVROLET
Model: CORVETTE
Colour: GREY
Body Style: Convertible
VIN: 7AT02R05X19104277
Plate: MHP222
Engine No: COVERED
Chassis: J58S104277
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car/Van
Seats: 2
CC rating: 4,637cc "

Cheers Ken H and Nigel - hijacked the thread a bit !!

[khyndart in CA]

At Green Valley in 1966 was a driver from Kansas named Bobby Aylward. He was a wealthy man making a fortune from the oil industry and gun dealing.
He liked to drive older cars trying to beat newer models for fun. In 1966 he had a 1960 Maserati "Birdcage" Tipo 61 chassis # 2464.
The Maserati engine had been replaced by a 4.7 V-8 Ford engine and was raced in the US Southwest for several years.
The car was prepared by his mechanic, Ernie McCoy and after Bobby retired from racing he gave the Maserati to Mr. McCoy. ( Now that is a good boss to have !)

67836

67837
Bobby Aylward in his Maserati # 4. at Green Valley Raceway. 1966.
(Jerry Melton photos)

A little more of the history of this Maserati Tipo 61 at this site.

http://buildraceparty.com/1960-maserati-tipo-61-birdcage/

67838


(Ken H..)

[khyndart in CA]

In February and June 1967 Bobby Aylward was back at Green Valley Raceway now driving a 1965 McLaren M1B # 4.
67840

67841
Bobby Aylward preparing to do battle with his rival, local driver Joe Starkey also in a McLaren M1B.

67842

67843

67844
A nice photo of Aylward approaching the corner in his McLaren M1B.
(Bobby Aylward photos by Jerry Melton.)


(Ken H..)

[khyndart in CA]

For 1968 Bobby Aylward had a new McLaren M6B (Chassis # 50-05)which he drove with success in the SCCA series and won the 1968 SCCA Midwest Division National A Sports Racing and also the 1969 SCCA Midwest Division National A Sports Racing with this car.

67860
(Photographer unknown..)

But things started to go badly for Bobby. Later in 1969 he wrecked the car during a race in Oklahoma when he hit a tree. He was seriously injured as was the car. Again what remained of his McLaren was given to his mechanic, Ernie McCoy.
As quoted in a McLaren chassis registry. " The remains, minus tub which had been damaged beyond repair, were purchased by Leonard Janke. In a partnership with Craig Pence the car was rebuilt and in 2007 it was sold to Lilo Beuzerion. He raced the car for a few years and sold it to someone in Belgium or France without the provenance or ownership trail. Beuzerion then built a very inaccurate M6 with no original parts and now claims this car has the provenance and is therefore the original car. He has been racing this car or several years as 50-05."

Bobby Aylward never did completely recover from his injuries but he continued his work in the oil industry but sadly in 1978 at the age of 43, Robby was murdered during a gun deal that must have gone terribly wrong.


(Ken H)

[Roger Dowding]

Ken H, great to see the McLaren photos, and a good story, Sad about Bobby though !

[khyndart in CA]

Roger,
You could almost write a movie script about Mr. Aylward.

Joe Starkey was a good driver and a good family man and this race in February 1967 was one of his last before retiring.
67867
Joe Starkey in his McLaren M1B # 51

67868
Joe Starkey on the right looks on while his crew try to figure out the suspension failure during practice. He was soon out again ready to race.

67869
Starkey out ahead of Aylward during the "Big Bore" race.

67870
A man at work.

67871



67872
(Note how little crowd protection there was as these Can-Am cars thunder by !)
(Jerry Melton..!967 photos..)

Ken H

[khyndart in CA]

In 1965, Joe Starkey drove a Chaparral Mk 1 (Chassis 003 ). .
It was the car that Jim Hall and Hap Sharp drove at Sebring in 1963 where it had to conform to ridiculous FIA-mandated side fences and high windshield and a new nose.
67918
(Jim Hall in 1963 at Sebring.)

When Joe Starkey brought the same car to Green Valley Raceway in 1965, Jerry Melton was there with his camera to capture a very rare race car that is now worth a fortune.

67915
Joe relaxing with a cigarette as the car is prepared to go racing.


67916
(Getting out on the track.)

67919


67917
It was not long before Joe was well in the lead.
(jerry Melton photos..1966 )

[khyndart in CA]

Joe Starkey had one last drive at GVR in 1966 before moving on to his McLarens.

67922

Jerry Melton 1966 photo.

I don't think this Chaparral was raced again and it was finally restored years later and is now a very valuable car.
Here is a link about Chaparral 1 chassis # 003.
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/2013/12/09/ex-jim-hall-chaparral-1-heads-to-auction.
(Now back to the original front nose panel.)

67923


(Ken H...

[Ray Bell]

Are there any pics of the G-Modified Lotus 23 of Homer Rader, Ken?

[Roger Dowding]

Never seen a Chaparral in Red, only White - thanks Ken H

[khyndart in CA]

Are there any pics of the G-Modified Lotus 23 of Homer Rader, Ken?

Ray,
I found this unnamed Jerry Melton photo. Homer drove a blue Lotus 23 # 61 so I am sure this is him in action.
Did you know him ?
He seemed like a good humble man on reading his "Nostalgia Forum".
67928
Jerry Melton photo at GVR in 1963.

67929
Homer Rader at work with good help at his side.

(Ken H..

[khyndart in CA]

Roger,
Here are some Austin Healey photos from 1966 at GVR.

67935

67936

67937
Austin Healey # 52, battling with an OSCA sports car # 23
( OSCA sports car
O.S.C.A. (Officine Specializzate Costruzione Automobili—Fratelli Maserati S.p.A.) was an Italian manufacturer of racing and sports cars established 1947 in San Lazzaro di Savena, Bologna, by the Maserati brothers, and closed down in 1967. Its name is usually abbreviated to OSCA or Osca.)
"Wikipedia"
(Jerry Melton photos..)


(Ken H..)

[Ray Bell]

Ken, that was great to find that...

No, I never met him, nor heard of him except reading that he owned this car, which came to Australia later.

I've decided to help Marc Schagen find pics of cars competing overseas before they came to Australia in case he ever gets to do another edition of this book:

https://i.postimg.cc/K8vn9hd7/1020marclotusbook.jpg

It has photos - both static and action - of all the cars but frequently misses out on having overseas owners in them. And there's quite a lot of Lotus cars have been imported after starting racing elsewhere.

[Roger Dowding]

Ken H,
Thanks for the Austin Healey shots - more " borrowed " to the archive - which is getting rather large ..

[khyndart in CA]

Some of the Loti in 1966 at GVR

67954
A Lotus 11.

67955
Ed Hugus in his Ferrari powered Lotus 23. # 88

67956
Mason O"Kieff in Lotus 23 # 17

67957
Mason would come back later in the year driving a McLaren Elva M1B. # 98

(The space / race helmets were popular at this time before Bell helmets came along.





(Jerry Melton, 1966 photos..)


(Ken H )

[khyndart in CA]

More Loti in 1966 at GVR.

A Lotus 30 # 24.

67962

# 24 going past two brave "flaggies"

67963

Lotus 30 # 44

67964

67965
(Jerry Melton 1966 photos )


(Ken H)

[khyndart in CA]

Some Lotus Sevens in action.

67976
Jimmy Johnson in his Austin Healey # 2 looks surprised as Jim Kaufman passes on the inside in his Lotus Super 7 # 21.

67977
Jim Kaufman in his Lotus Super 7 # 21

67978
A Lotus Seven # 47

67979
Lotus Seven # 7


67980
A 1966 tow job for Lotus 7 # 23


67981
A Lotus Elan # 17


(Jerry Melton photos 1966.. )





(Ken H..)

[Ray Bell]

Maybe that's a 26R... a Lightweight Elan?

I was looking at the Sevens and there are those with wobbly webs and those with steel wheels. And the one behind the tow truck has both.

[Roger Dowding]

Enjoying the photo's Ken H .. and you keep finding Healey's for me, Thanks.

GVR appears to be a well used venue in the 1960's, and now I know where it is [ was ].

[khyndart in CA]

Ray,
I found this 1962 Lotus Seven that could be yours for just $ 50,000 US.
Plus it is RHD so you could take it home !

"The Lotus still retains the Original Factory Roll Bar, Woodrim Steering Wheel, and Factory Wobble Magnesium Wheels. It truly is unique to retain these original features."


67987


I got into this site and I could get lost in it for hours.
I hope others can enjoy it too.
I might hang onto my 1962 Austin Mini Cooper for a while yet after converting some of these prices !

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1093684


Cheers Ken H..

[Ray Bell]

I could, Ken, but there are many of them here and many more original...

As can be seen with every pic of a Seven above, that cannot be an 'original factory roll bar'.

[khyndart in CA]

Here is to the two "flaggies" who risked life and limb in sunshine or rain to do their volunteer job at Green Valley Raceway in 1966.
Thanks to all flagmen everywhere.

67988
A Spitfire and a Sprite

67989
An Elva Courier

67990
An MGA passing by.
(Jerry Melton photos..)


(Ken H )

[khyndart in CA]

As can be seen with every pic of a Seven above, that cannot be an 'original factory roll bar'.

Ray,
The 1965 photos of the Thompson's Lotus Seven seem to show a roll bar very similar to the 1962 Seven on sale although perhaps not as sturdy. So could not that type of roll bar have been a factory option in 1962 ?
BTW That 1962 Seven for sale is actually just 60 miles north here. (See below.)

67995

67996

67997
(Jerry Melton photos.)

67998

Check this site;
https://www.britishcarclassifieds.com/autos/lotus/super-seven/1962-lotus-super-seven-1324.html

(It has even been lowered in price. )


(Ken H)

[Ray Bell]

I would suggest, Ken, that the factory had no regular rollover bar for these cars in 1962...

https://autopics.com.au/63052-bill-march-lotus-super-7-bathurst-easter-1963-paul-manton-collection/#gallery-1

https://autopics.com.au/65315-lorraine-hill-lotus-super-7-warwick-farm-1963-paul-manton-collection/

https://autopics.com.au/65331-bob-beasley-lotus-super-7-fred-gibson-lotus-elan-oran-park-1965-photographer-lance-j-ruting/

https://autopics.com.au/66200-fred-gibson-niel-allen-lotus-elan-syd-howard-lotus-super-7-catalina-1966-photographer-lance-j-ruting/#gallery

These pictures from '62 to '65 show four different cars (there are others I found, but no online pics to give you) without any rollover protection.

It was a coming thing in 1962. 1961 had seen rollover bars mandated for F1 and it all moved on from there. But these cars came from the Australian distributors (Derek Jolly or the Geoghegans) with none. I think it likely that they were mandated earlier in the US than here.

[khyndart in CA]

Ray,
Indeed rollover bars certainly began to appear and grow during 1961.
For example;
January 7th 1961. NZGP at Ardmore and Stirling Moss in his Lotus 18 # 7 has no form of rollover bar at all.
68003

By May 1961 at Monaco the Lotus of Stirling Moss had developed this roll bar.
68004

By September 1961 at Mosport in Canada Stirling's Lotus 19 had a roll bar as shown.
68005

Also at Mosport in 1961 was this Lotus Seven with a roll bar that looks similar to the one on the Lotus Seven on sale in San Luis Obispo, California today.
68006


(So there is my input on the development of roll bars during 1961. )

(Ken H )

[Ray Bell]

It was a new rule for F1 that year...

I'm not sure whether FJr mandated them in '60 or '61, but one or the other.

[khyndart in CA]

Some Jaguar at GVR in the mid 60s.
I like photos that have all the information on the side of a bus !
David Dooley in his XKE # 41.
68011
With lights set up for the Enduro event.

68012
# 41 in the rain.

68013
# 41 on a nicer day in 1965.

68014
Another XKE.

68015
AN XK 120

68016
AN XK 150

(Jerry Melton photos in 1965-66.)


(Ken H..)

[khyndart in CA]

John Mecom was a wealthy Texas millionaire who also had interests in the Jordanian oil industry.
John helped many drivers get established, including: Roger Penske in the Zerex Special and then selling that car to Bruce McLaren.
He often entered cars at events at GVR.

Plus AJ Foyt drove for Mecom Racing in a 7 liter Can Am car known as the Hussein and based on a Cooper Monaco chassis.
68030

With some info. at this site.
https://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z11315/mecom-hussein-mk-i.aspx

Another Mecom Formula C race car.
68031

============================================================================
A Mecom race car on a trailer.

68032

I think this is a description of the car on the trailer.

Bill Frank's car also had a strong Mecom connection as Frank was the Firestone race tire Manager for Mecom and purchased his car from the team to run as a privateer. It was fitted with a 3-litre Ford V8. Mecom is known to have had three De Tomasos in 1964, a Formula Junior with Holbay engine, a Formula Senior car with a 1300cc Alfa Romeo engine and the cast monocoque ex-F1 car with a 256 ci or 289 ci Ford. This last car was ordered by Mecom in 1963 as an Indy project and initially fitted with a 4.2-litre Ford Fairlane engine and is the most likely of the three to have become Frank's Formula A car.
(A Jerry Melton photo..)


(Ken H )

[Ray Bell]

256 Ford?

That cast magnesium monocoque chassis was first see, as I recall, at the'62 Italian GP. It may have been '63. De Tomaso had built the whole thing, including the 1.5 V8.

[khyndart in CA]

Ray,
I found this info. on a 256 ci Ford engine. (Wikipedia )

" Ford Y-block engine..

The Y-block engine' is a family of overhead valve V8 automobile engines produced by Ford Motor Company. The engine is well known and named for its deep skirting, which causes the engine block to resemble a Y. It was introduced in 1954 as a more modern replacement for the outdated side-valved Ford Flathead V8 ' was used in a variety of Ford vehicles through 1964.

256 engine.
The original Mercury Y-block, introduced for the 1954 model year, displaced 256 in³ (4,194 cc). Advertised as the "V-161" engine, it ran a bore and stroke of 3.625 x 3.1 in. The compression ratio was 7.5:1, and the rated power was 161 hp (120 kW) at 4,400 rpm. Torque was 238 lb⋅ft (323 N⋅m) at 2,200 rpm.[3] The engine breathed through a Holley model 2140 (4V) carburetor. The 256 in³ version of the Mercury Y-block was only available in 1954 models and was replaced by the 292 in³ in 1955. "

(Ken H..)

[Ray Bell]

That's certainly not the engine in that car, then, nor should it be if there was any logic...

The 221 came out in 1962 or 1963, it was a very much lighter engine and held a lot more promise. It went to 260 before too long, then 289. The inlet port spacing in the photo is much more in keeping with the 221/260/289 family engines.

[khyndart in CA]

An ad for a 1961 De Tomaso Formula Junior, similar to what raced at GVR.

68040



( Ken H.. )

[khyndart in CA]

The well-known Mexican driver, Pedro Rodriguez, entered in events at GVR in February 1966.

First, in a preliminary race driving a Mini -Cooper # 51.
68066

Then in the main event Pedro was driving a GT 350 Mustang # 7
68050

Pedro's driving skills took him to victory.

68051

(Jerry Melton photos.. )



(Ken H )

[khyndart in CA]

In 1965 Ed Servabjian came to GVR with his 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport # 00.

68058

68059

68060

68061[/ATTACH

[ATTACH=CONFIG]68062
Ed battled throughout the race with the handling and braking issues.

68063
Finally toward the end of the race, Ed had the rear brakes lock up which took him off the track.
As shown in the local newspaper.

(Jerry Melton photos )


(Ken H..)

[khyndart in CA]

The #1 car at Sebring in 1963 was 003, which Mecom had sold to Ed Sevadjian from Arlington, Texas.
Sevadjian raced it in SCCA's SW Division.in 1965.
68064

68065
The Grand Sport as it is today.
type Racing Car
production years 1962 – 1964
engineers Zora Arkus-Duntov
production 5
engine V8
position Front Longitudinal
aspiration Natural
block material Cast Iron
valvetrain Pushrod OHV, 2 Valves per Cyl
fuel feed 8 Sidedraft Weber 58mm
displacement 5358.57 cc / 327 in³
body / frame Fiberglass Body over Steel Tube Frame
driven wheels RWD
front tires Goodyear 8.20×15 Stock Car
rear tires Goodyear 8.20×15 Stock Car
front brakes Girling Discs
rear brakes Girling Discs
front wheels F 38.1 x 20.3 cm / 15 x 8 in
rear wheels R 38.1 x 20.3 cm / 15 x 8 in
steering Rack & Pinion
f suspension Wishbones w/Transverse Leaf Spring, Shock Absorbers
r suspension Transverse Leaf Spring, Shock Absorbers
curb weight 863 kg / 1900 lbs
transmission Borg Warner T-10 4-Speed Manual
1960s1962ChevroletChevrolet CorvettecorvetteV8

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Untold Stories of the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport #003
Ultra-Rare Racer: Untold Stories About One of the Most Illustrious Corvettes Ever — the ’63 Grand Sport.

http://www.superchevy.com/features/1507-untold-stories-of-the-1963-chevrolet-corvette-grand-sport-003

Note the rather colorful descriptions of what it was like to drive this car and perhaps that is why
Ed Servabjian had his crash at the Green Valley Raceway in 1965.


(Ken H..)

[Paul B]

That's certainly not the engine in that car, then, nor should it be if there was any logic...

The 221 came out in 1962 or 1963, it was a very much lighter engine and held a lot more promise. It went to 260 before too long, then 289. The inlet port spacing in the photo is much more in keeping with the 221/260/289 family engines.

Ford was playing around with the 221/260 block and developed some variant racing engines in the early 60s. I have some literature on them somewhere, they did a lot of modifications and it was a very high revving motor. They even used a modified 272 Y block rocker assembly in one engine. many failures too. Likely it may have been that engine?

[khyndart in CA]

Paul,
I got my piece that mentions the 256 ci engine, from this site which I have found reliable.

https://www.oldracingcars.com/fa/1966/southwestdiv/

Thanks for your input.
Cheers,
Ken

[Roger Dowding]

Ken H, my Man..
Thanks for the Corvette Grand Sport photos - I had a question about the first post #292 race # 00 what was the Chassis number but in post #293 you answered it - Chassis #003.
Have a great interest in the GS cars that started when I bought the Dave Friedman book " Corvette Grand Sport " at the Orange County Fare in 1988.
The copy with its now faded spine binding - too much sun sits with several other Corvette Books, and close by are my 10 1;43 scale models.
One each of Chassis' #001 and #002 the Roadsters and all three Coupes #003, #004, #005 in their Nassau 1963 guise - the first races, and then 5 others being 003, 004 and 005 from other races including Sebring 1964.

The Book front cover
68067

There is a famous quote by A J Foyt when passed by one of the Grand Sports at Sebring in 1964 -
" What was that damned Dinosaur ? It went by me like I was stopped ".
The photo and quote - back cover
68068

A couple of them at Sebring in 1964 - photo from the book - with the models in front.

68069

and as you always say
" Thanks for your input.
Cheers,
Ken H "

Roger

[Roger Dowding]

Ken H - of course I have " borrowed " the Jerry Melton photos, and the coloured ones you have posted.

PS ..
Taupo
Had plans to get there 23 - 24 January but things have gotten [ as they say in the US of A ] in the way.. Will be in Auckland.
Was going to stand in for you in 2021 but again an Epic Fail

Cheers

Roger

[khyndart in CA]

Thanks Roger, that was a very nice gesture. Perhaps we can hit Taupo tgether in Jan. 2022.

Note in 1963 at Sebring before fuel injection had been sorted out, the two types of Webers on Ford and Chevrolet.

68072
1963 Ford Cobra carburation at Sebring.

68073
1963 Corvette Grand Sport carburation at Sebring.
( Was that in the days of gallons to the mile or miles to the gallon ? )


(Ken H)

[Paul B]

Love those Webers Ken. Cant choose which ones I like best!
The 63 Vette split window is such a beautiful car, it was my favourite when I was a kid and still is.
Keep well
Cheers

[Ray Bell]

Definitely the crossover DCOEs...

They always look so good and they go well too.

[Paul B]

Robin Tanner had a set of those on his 39 Corvette Ford Coupe.

[Bruce302]

and a friend had the same setup, briefly, on his 350 HT Monaro.

[khyndart in CA]

A rare car competing in the 1966 Enduro race at GVR was a 1966 Vetta Ventura 5000 GT.

68130
(Jerry Melton photo..)

This was an American car that looked like a Ferrari 275 GTB.

68131

More about the Vetta - Ventura at this site.

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/italo-american-delight-1966-vetta-ventura-5000-gt



( Ken H..)

[Roger Dowding]

Ken H,

Car looks familiar ! - The same car -
There was a similar looking " Buick " powered Sports Coupe built in the early 1960's - remember seeing a story / road test in a Road and Track or other US magazine. Apollo GT.
Magazine bought with my pocket money whilst still in short pants at High School- 1961 - just started at KBHS in form 3

Photo of a couple of the cars recently from the link below.

68132

Looking at the Ken H link the open car could be one as well !

" https://mycarquest.com/2011/08/the-apollo-gt-italian-craftsmanship-powered-by-buick.html "

A related story to the Hemmings one post #303 Vetta Ventura ,,

Ken H- this is the Road and Track article I remember,
- in your link , Cheers.
Think I still have the magazine, somewhere - in the archives.. boxes in the garage - as ERC does, but not so many at the moment.

68133
** Interestingly Buick used the name Apollo as a model in the 70's /80's -maybe even earlier.

KBHS - Kelston Boys High School, Kelston West Auckland

[khyndart in CA]

Thanks for that info. Roger.

Not all of them are in pristine condition.
68134
But you may have missed out on this one.
https://bringatrailer.com/2016/04/14/see-where-they-rust-1967-vetta-ventura/

You would be pretty cool running down to the Omokoroa store in a Vetta Ventura / Apollo.
I remember the guy that played in the A/C-D/C band lived near Omokoroa in 1990 and he would cruise down to the store in his genuine Ford GT 40.



(Ken H..)

[khyndart in CA]

Back to SU and Zenith-Stromberg carbs and a bit of British at GVR.

A MG TC at speed.

68135


A Morgan.

68136


Some AH Sprite action.

68137

68138


68139



(Ken H)

[khyndart in CA]

TR 3 action on the track and in the pits.

68144

In for a pit stop.

68145

(Jerry Melton photos..

[Roger Dowding]

Ken H,

Saw a nice TR3 yesterday, and a TR4A, *** as well as a BJ8 model Austin Healey with the Rego " ROGBJ8 ", at the Tauranga Vintage Car Club " Car Show and Swap Meeting " at their Clubrooms on Cliff Road, - an old Bowling Club. You may know the place ?
There were in excess of 100 cars there, photos to come .. probably on the Vintage thread ..

This by David Tomlinson - a Rolls Royce guy. " ROGBJ8 " and friends..

68151

I Post a lot about Healey's but am a TR man as well -
Cheers
Roger

[khyndart in CA]

Closing out Jerry Melton's Green Valley Raceway photos with some TR 4 action.

68152

68153

Gary Bishop enjoyed driving his TR 4 there in February and June1966.

68154

68155

68156

Thanks Jerry Melton.


(Ken H.)

[khyndart in CA]

About 20 years later in 1984-86 the Green Valley Raceway was shut down and the area has been developed.
One of the last big races held there was this 1984 SCCA Trans-Am series race. October 28 1984.
One can appreciate the Melton photos taken before all the concrete barriers were installed. (As one reader put it as a "Crap" course !)
Enjoy the video clip.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxDYqSx-IZw



(Ken H..)

[khyndart in CA]

The concrete barriers that were installed were from what was used at the Dallas F1 Grand Prix in July 1984.
This was the time the US was building temporary race tracks for Formula One in cities such as Long Beach, Detroit, Dallas and even in a
parking lot in Las Vegas !


One of the glory days at Green Valley Raceway was the 1967 Trans- Am race which produced this fantastic finish as the closest in Trans Am history.

68161

On This Day in Trans Am History: Gurney edges Jones by "three feet"

https://racer.com/2020/04/16/on-this-day-in-trans-am-history-gurney-edges-jones-by-three-feet/


This race was also covered well by Jon Mello with Jerry Melton photos at this site.
http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=8946.0



(Ken H)