Trans Am Paddock '66-'72 Sights & Sounds

Happy July 4th! If you have speakers plugged into your computer, turn it up. Hopefully you have a subwoofer, too! This footage is me walking through Vic Edelbrock's collection of vintage Trans-Am racecars as they're being prepared for the Group 7A races and enjoying the sights and sounds...

The Trans-Am Series is an automobile racing series which was created in 1966 by Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). This was the proving ground for all American manufacturers to compete with race-modified production cars. It ran until 1972 when at the height of Richard Nixon's incompetence dealing with OPEC, we had a gas shortage which was compounded by an embargo levied against us. Syria, Egypt and Tunisia didn't really like Nixon re-feuling their arch-enemy, Israel. Rather than address the shortage, the auto industry was heavily regulated to curb consumption. Further restrictions placed on the oil industry by an other rocket surgeon, Jimmy Carter, left us unable to further develop our own oil supplies which cemented these changes to the auto industry. These events changed muscle cars as we knew them into complete turds for over a decade while US auto makers struggled with the regulations and re-learned how to produce decent cars again... but for the "pony cars", it was the beginning of the end. The oil embargo of 1973 changed the shape of not only the auto industry, but all forms of auto racing to follow.

You used to be able to afford these cars. I remember when... back when I was in high school...

But it's 2010 now. This race celebrates all the classic cars you've dreamed of owning or being seen in. These things auction in the 6+ figures now (because of their race history). Enjoy this parade of '60's and early '70's model Ford Mustangs, Chevrolet Camaros, Plymouth Barracudas, Mercury Cougars, AMC Javelins, Pontiac Firebirds, and Dodge Challengers. This event required that they be in their original race condition in order to run with the Group 7A cars, so the contest to follow is all about how much compression these 40+ year old cars have left, and who's driving it. These beauties have been meticulously preserved by the best collectors, engineers and mechanics in the industry. I hope you guys can appreciate it because this is off my normal subject material.

I just wanted to change things up and post something American on Independence day. This one's for the Veterans.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• 2010
• Rolex
• Monterey
• Motorsports
• Reunion
• SCCA
• 1966
• 1967
• 1968
• 1969
• 1970
• 1971
• 1972
• Trans
• Am
• Series
• Group
• 7A
• paddock
• pits
• Laguna
• Seca
• California
• Historic
• Races
• Monterrey
• Ford
• Mustang
• Chevrolet
• Camaro
• Plymouth
• Barracuda
• Mercury
• Cougar
• AMC
• Javelin
• Pontiac
• Firebird
• Dodge
• Challenger
• race
• racing
• exhaust
• cars
• speedway
• automobiles
• engine
• motor sports
• extreme driving
• vehicle
• Jafro
• Jafromobile
• America
• American
• USA
• July
• 4th
• Independence
• Day

[slimshadie1290]

to bad most of those have a hard time with corners.

[Jafromobile]

@slimshadie1290 Actually, these cars all do quite well. It's the non-race versions that had trouble. What these things can do in turns in the hands of a professional driver can embarrass most modern cars. You have to throw them around, but if you can, it works to their advantage in cornering.

But you make a very valid point... Not every DRIVER can do it. I wouldn't blame the cars. Laguna Seca is one of the world's most challenging tracks and they came out without incident. :)

[Basjuhdeuil]

WISH I COULD BE THERE

[Jafromobile]

@Basjuhdeuil You can be! It's happening again August 18-21 in Monterey, CA. There's still time to get tickets and airfare, but good luck finding a hotel anywhere near the track. I know the Netherlands is a trek, but it happens every year about that time, and well worth planning a visit! I have to fly 3200 miles to see it, used to go every year.

This year's event.

"HMSA Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion featuring Jaguar and the Jaguar XKE. Laguna Seca, Salinas, CA 818-249-3515"

[Bevoin1970]

4:35 Mini Moke !! wow :-)

I can honestly say there is no way I could choose any one of those cars to take home, they were all very desirable... :-)))

[Jafromobile]

@Bevoin1970 lol!  If I had known someone would pick it out of the crowd, I'd have spent some time getting footage of it. I'll have to publish the rest of the stuff I saw out there... but I have 5 more hours of footage to mull over and edit.

[watchforfinger]

thumbs up for vic edelbrock !

[97GSXsilver]

I love those Boss 302 Mustangs!

[wwjoshdew]

those cars are beautiful!