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

[khyndart in CA]

Another connection to Germany was the Volkswagen powered Formula Vee Class.
Again some had a better day than others.









Jerry Melton..1967 photos.

(Ken H )

[Roger Dowding]

Sebring 1963 - the link - and to others years too !!
" ( Ken H) ( I had to do some homework for this one !) "

Ken H, Thanks for that.
It will help with a discussion and comment on an Austin Healey page that I am following.
I posted some of the photos on the Austin Healey thread about the 3000's race #33 and #34 - I commented that they were from the 1964 Race, but there are the number #33 and #34 both AH 3000's.
Now to look at the 1964 list.
The cars were a blue/grey colour as seen in this pic.



Cheers

Roger

[khyndart in CA]

Roger,
There was a A/H 3000 # 34 driven by Warwick Banks and Australian Paul Hawkins in the 1965 race in Class 12

[Roger Dowding]

Roger,
There was a A/H 3000 # 34 driven by Warwick Banks and Australian Paul Hawkins in the 1965 race in Class 12

Must try to find some photos

In the 1964 Race Donald Healey Motor Company entered 3 cars, two Sprites and a 3000 - as pictured here.



Part of the 1964 Entry List that Ken H put the link on TRS


Ken H, do you know where " Green Valley " Track was [ or is ] ??

[khyndart in CA]

Roger,
As mentioned earlier; " Green Valley Raceway was a motorsports race track located in Smithfield, Texas, and was part of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. Designed and built by Bill McClure on his North Texas Dairy, the facility opened in 1960, and was used for over 20 years until its closure in 1986."

There was also an Anglo - American vehicle at GVR in 1967.
A Jaguar XKSS powered by a 'good ol' Chevrolet 327 engine.

https://www.opgi.com/blog/2013/12/the-chevrolet-327/

PLUS some parts pricing to be checked out..









Chasing a Cobra in the "Big Bore" race.

(Jerry Melton 1967 photos )

(Ken H )

[Roger Dowding]

" Green Valley Raceway was a motorsports race track located in Smithfield, Texas, "- found it Ken H - and should have read your notes.
Never been to Texas - Closest I got was Colorado [North of Tx ] and Mexico - but in the West - Baja Peninsula.
Didn't realise how big Dallas - Fort Worth is these days -just Googled it.

Cheers
Roger.

PS that XKSS - looks mean, but in these days what a thing to do to such a rare car.
Don't mention what we did in NZ to Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Tojiero Jaguars et al ..

[khyndart in CA]

Some Shelby Cobras came out for the "Big Bore Race"


Alfred Goldman in his Cobra 289 # 74, waiting to enter the circuit.










A mighty Shelby Cobra 427

(Jerry Melton photos..1967 )


Ken H.

[Paul B]

Great shots Ken.
You are so fortunate to get the pics! And we even more fortunate to see them.

[Roger Dowding]

Agree with Paul B,

Interesting in the Cobra photos #97 in white would be an early 289 ci, plain wheel arches etc .. looks small compared to some of the others.

Cheers Ken H,

Roger

[Paul B]

The early 260 & 289 Cobras are a very nice shape, I personally prefer the original AC design shape of that era. As much as I like the big block FE 427s, the shape was lost a little with the big flares, don't get me wrong, still a very nice machine! and I would love to have any one of those in my shed. Just sayin.

[Ray Bell]

And what of this one?



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)


# 44 C 1 Corvette


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


A C1 Corvette ahead of a Lotus Cortina.


A C1 Corvette ahead of a Sunbeam Alpine.


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

(Ken H)

[Paul B]

And what of this one?



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 !)


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.






# 18 was not for sale.


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 ]


1958-60/61


1961-62


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 !)




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-maser...o-61-birdcage/




(Ken H..)