Tag Archives: Pontiac

Americana – Hillsborough Concours d’Elegance

Geoffrey Horton kindly sent me the images for the next three posts which were all taken at the Hillsborough Concours d’Elegance, today’s post will feature selected American cars, tomorrow selected Ferrari’s and Saturday’s more selections from Europe.

Phantom, Hillsborough Concours d'Elegance

When it comes to revolutionary one off designs few can match the 1938 (Nineteen Thirty Eight) Phantom Corsair which was the brain child of ketchup heir Rust Heinz and Maurice Schwartz that had the driver sit next to one passenger on the left and two more to the right with just two more in the back. The gull wing doors were push button operated as was the electrically operated four speed automatic transmission, the whole car being built on a Cord Front Wheel Drive chassis and powered by a 190 hp Lycoming V8.

Devin D, Hillsborough Concours d'Elegance

The 1959 Devin D was so successful on the race track that Porsche refused to sell Bill Devin motors forcing his customers to acquire their own Porsche motors and install them themselves.

Chrysler 300F, Hillsborough Concours d'Elegance

After the low sales volumes for the Chrysler 300D in 1958 and 300E in 1959 sales picked up again in 1960 for the Chrysler 300F which was powered by a new 413 cu in (6.8 L) Wedge V8 engine that produced 375 hp.

Pontiac GTO, Hillsborough Concours d'Elegance

If one wanted to hop up ones 1964 Pontiac Tempest for US$ 295 one could opt for the GTO options as seen on the example above that included a 325 hp 6 litre / 389 cui V8, dual exhausts, chromed valve covers and air cleaner, three speed Hurst floor shift manual transmission a raft of handling improvements, but standard Tempest steering and drum brakes.

Shelby Cobra, Hillsborough Concours d'Elegance

The #19 competition 427 Shelby Cobra chassis CSX 3010 appears to have been built in 1965, the only in period racing history I have been able to verify for it thus far pertains to the 1968 US Champions race at Riverside which was won by a Peter Consiglio for whom I have also been unable to establish any other results, if you know more about Peter please do not hesitate to chip in below.

Chevrolet Corvette, Hillsborough Concours d'Elegance

Finally I believe the 1967 Chevrolet Corvette above was judged the best in Corvette through to 1989 class.

My thanks to Geoffrey Horton for sharing his photographs more of which can be seen on Ferrari Friday and on Saturday.

Thanks for joining me on this Americana edition of “Gettin’ a l’il psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow for Ferrari Friday. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Americana Paddock Questions – Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival

At the end of May Geoffrey Horton popped along to the Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival and kindly sent a large number of photographs, including those selected today which have an American theme.

Kurtis 500S, Tom Claridge, Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival,

Built in 1953 Tom Claridge’s Kurtis 500 S #022 was originally supplied with a de Soto motor, after an accident in 1954 the car was rebuilt with the current Chrylser Hemi # C53-8-I5990, this car has been seen at the Goodwood Revival meetings.

Chevrolet Corvette, Bruce Miller, Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival,

I am not sure of the racing provenance of Bruce Millers Sunoco liveried 1963 Chevrolet Corvette, but I understand the chassis number is #30867S118408, if you know more please chip in below.

Mercury Cougar XR7, Ike Keeler, Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival,

The racing provenance of cars raced in the 60’s is never easy, there are references pertaining to Ike Keeler’s #14 Mercury Cougar,chassis #7F91C597587, being the Bob Estes sponsored #79 driven by Mark Waco which do not tie up on the dates I have found elsewhere on the internet, a Burien Mercury sponsored #14 Cougar was driven at least twice in 1967/68 by Dave Tatom, again if you can clarify these anomalies please do not hesitate to chime in below.

Doug Schultz, Dodge Daytona, Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival

I beleive Doug Schultz’s #7 Hilton Charger is a 1969 Dodge Daytona driven by 1966 and 1973 NASCAR Camping World Series West Champion Jack McCoy who recorded 54 wins during his career from the late 1950’s to early 1990’s.

Ford Boss Mustang, Jim Hague,  Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival,

Ken Epsman’s #16 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 appears to be the car Bud Moore entered for Peter Gregg in the 1971 Trans Am series.

Pontiac Firebird, William E. (Chip) Connor, Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival

After an accident during practice for a Trans Am race at Road America Jerry Titus lost his life in August 1970 after crashing his #8 Terry Godsall Racing Pontiac Firebird similar to the one belonging to William-E.-Chip-Connor above.

Chevrolet Camaro, John Hildebrand, Sonoma Historic

2011 Indy Rookie of the Year JR Hildebrand was inspired to start racing after watching his Dad John race the #56 Peerless Racing Chevrolet Camaro that I believe was raced by Craig Carter from late 1978 to 1979.

If you have any additional information on any of the vehicles above please do not hesitate to chip in below. My thanks to Geoffrey Horton for sharing today’s photographs.

Thanks for joining me on this “Americana Paddock Questions” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at five favorite Ferrari’s that have appeared at Silverstone Classic. Don’t forget to come back now !

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SUV Powered Prototype – Riley Mk XI #018

In 2003 the Grand American Road Racing Association replaced it’s sports racing class with a new Daytona Prototype class with the intention of reducing costs and keeping cars competitive for longer by keeping a tight grip on permitted technological development.

As we shall see today’s featured Riley Mk XI chassis #018 is a testament to the success of Grand Am’s Daytona Prototype vision, even though to my eye’s these cars have always looked a tad quirky due to their mandated dimensions.

Riley Mk XI, Goodwood Festival of Speed,

Chassis #018 was built with 5 litre / 302 cui Pontiac V8 motor for Pacific Coast Motorsports in 2005 and first raced by Ryan Dalziel and Alex Figge at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Mexico City where they finished 5th in the 250 mile race in November.

At Daytona in February 2006 Ryan and Alex were joined by Jon Fogarty and David Empringham for the 24 Hour race, they qualified 14th but retired the Playboy sponsored chassis #018 with an overheating motor.

Alex and Ryan continued racing #018 for the rest of the 2006 season scoring a best 2nd place finish in the 250 mile race at Phoenix, the car then appears to have gone into temporary retirement as was not seen again until 2010 when the new Action Express Racing team took it to the 2010 Daytona 24 Hours.

Riley Mk XI, Goodwood Festival of Speed,

In 2009 the Brumos team won the Daytona 24 hours with a similar Riley Mk XI powered by a 4 litre / 244 cui flat 6 developement of the Porsche 911 motor.

For 2010 new kids on the block (NKOTB) Action Express Racing, owned by former Brunos associate Bob Johnson, had replaced the Pontiac V8 motor fitted to #018 with a 5 litre / 302 cui Porsche V8 developed from the SUV Porsche Cayenne by Lozano Brothers Porting in Texas.

Riley Mk XI, Goodwood Festival of Speed,

The Action Express Racing international team of drivers João Barbosa from Portugal, Mike Rockenfeller from Germany, Terry Borcheller from the USA was and Britain’s Ryan Dalziel who had raced this same car in 2005/6 qualified 8th for the 2010 Daytona 24 hour race.

The debutant team then went on to win the race from the BMW powered Riley XI driven by Max Papis, Scott Pruett, Memo Rojas and Justin Wilson entered by Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, the team that had dominated this event from 2006 to 2008.

Riley Mk XI, Goodwood Festival of Speed,

João and Terry continued to race #018, for the remainder of the 2010 season scoring a best 4th place finish at Lime Rock.

For the 2011 Daytona 24 Hours João and Terry were joined by J.C. France, Max Papis and Christian Fittipaldi, together they qualified #018 12th and came through to finish 3rd.

Riley Mk XI, Goodwood Festival of Speed,

#018 scored a second victory and final victory, in the Bosch Engineering 250 at Virginia International Raceway in May 2011 with J.C., João and Terry sharing the driving.

#018 was retired after the EMCO Gears Classic presented by Key Bank 2011 at Mid Ohio in September 2011 where J.C., João and Terry qualified 10th and finished 4th.

Riley Mk XI, Goodwood Festival of Speed,

Stock Porsche items used by the Lozano Brothers Porting developed 530 hp V8 include the engine block; cylinder heads, timing chain, hydraulic lifters, head bolts and gaskets.

The work on the SUV Porsche Cayenne V8 by Lozano Brothers Porting in Texas was not sanctioned by the Porsche factory and Porsche has never claimed victory for the 2010 Daytona 24 Hours.

Thanks for joining me on this “SUV Powered Prototype” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again for Ferrari Friday tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Video Equipped Interceptor – Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

In 1993 Pontiac launched the 4th generation Firebird with an even more radically aerodynamic styled body than the third generation Firebirds built from 1982 to 1992.

Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

The 1997 LT1 Trans Am package includes 5.7 litre / 347 cui V8, fitted with dual catalytic converters, which produces 285 hp, enough to take the car from rest to 60 mph in 6 seconds and an electronically controlled 155 mph.

Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

General Motors have paid the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), who own the Trans Am name, $5 for every vehicle sold since 1969.

Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

This particular Trans Am, seen at the Summer Classics Show in Easter Compton, is described as being “fully kitted out as a California Highway Patrol Police Interceptor” with out being specifically described as being an ex service car, a sticker on the back bumper even suggests this is an ex drug dealers car !

Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

Alongside the California Highway Patrol livery and police lights this vehicle is fitted with; Carson sirens, police radio, cb radio, drugs weighing equipment, breathalyser, full video recording front and rear, central laptop loaded with CHP incident logs, handcuffs and American police baton.

Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

On the UK highway the police lights and siren must be electrically isolated to be legal.

Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

The owner, who has had Firebirds for 30 years since he was twenty does not believe he will ever be parted from this car with which he has a lot of fun at show’s, sounds like the ultimate Christmas present for someone.

Thanks for joining me on this “Video Equipped Interceptor” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”. I hope you will join me again for Ferrari Friday tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

Wishing all ‘Psycho On Tyres’ readers and contributors a Happy New Year !

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Summer Classics – Easter Compton

After visiting Queen Square a couple of weeks ago I popped over to Easter Compton for the Summer Classics meeting.

Volkswagen Beetle, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

Representing the home of the Volkswagen, Wolfsburg (Wolfs Castle), was this 1959 Beetle.

Citroën CX 25 GTi Turbo, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

Turbo’s were all the rage in the 1980’s this is a top of the range Citroen CX 25 GTi Turbo from 1985 capable of 130 mph.

Raleigh Safety Seven, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

From 1933 an air cooled twin cylinder Raleigh Safety Seven 3 wheeler, built by the manufacturer in Nottingham better known for building bicycles since 1885 as it does to the present day.

Pontiac Firebird, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

If the signage on this California Highway Patrol car is to be believed this 1997 Pontiac Firebird was converted from a drug dealers car, though I suspect that might just be a bit of PR. If you know different please do not hesitate to chip in below.

Oldsmobile Delta 88, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

Delta was an upmarket trim option introduced to the Oldsmobile 88 in 1965, this Oldsmobile Delta 88 was built in 1972.

Dodge Deluxe Convertible, Summer Classics, Easter Compton Convertible, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

Dodge is celebrating it’s centenary this year, this 1948 Dodge Deluxe Convertible with Fluid Drive transmission was based on a design that went back to 1940 complete with L head side valve motor. These solid Chrysler Corporation D24 cars outsold Fords in the immediate aftermath of World War 2.

Thanks for joining me on this “Summer Classics” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow for a look at another vehicle with Can Am history. Don’t for get to come back now !

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Classic Run Americana – Chipping Sodbury

Just over a week ago a friend mentioned he was taking part in the Chipping Sodbury Classic (Car) Run and I thought it would be fun to pop over to see what was happening.

Chrysler 77 Royale Coupé, Classic Run Chipping Sodbury

There were a trio of Chryslers taking part two late twenties, E80 convertibles and this 1930 77 Royale Coupé a vehicle spold on it’s superior engineering which included standard “weatherproof hydraulics” for the braking system and came in without extra’s at $1725.

Oldsmobile Saloon, Classic Run Chipping Sodbury

By 1937 US cars were displaying a good deal more Art Deco style than they had been just seven years earlier, an Oldsmobile Six also known as as an F37 and also “The Four Door Touring Sedan, a vehicle in US culture by the 1983 low budget made for TV production of “A Christmas Story” which was declared to be “culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant” by the U.S. Library of Congress and selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.

Hudson Commodore 8, Classic Run Chipping Sodbury

In 1942 Hudson was ordered to stop making vehicles for civilian use in order to contribute to the war effort. On the 30th of August 1945 Hudson resumed civilian vehicle manufacture with the mildly face lifted Hudson Commodore 8 at the top of it’s range. The convertible seen above is a 1947 model which was replaced by a completely new design in 1948.

Ford F100, Classic Run Chipping Sodbury

Inspired by the F-100 Super Sabre Jet fighter Ford changed the name of it’s second generation F Series pickup from F1 to F100, the example above was built in 1955 and is powered by a 4.7 litre 286 cui motor.

Ford Mustang, Classic Run Chipping Sodbury

Today’s tenuous link brings together the Hudson Commodore 8 convertible and the Ford Mustang. One of the team who contributed to the design of the pre war Hudson Commodore 8 was Elizabeth Ann Thatcher who left Hudson in 1941 when she married Cadillac designer Joe Oros who went on to become head of the design team at Ford that created the Mustang. The example seen above is a second generation model built in ’67.

Pontiac GTO Convertible, Classic Run Chipping Sodbury

Today’s final featured vehicle is a 1972 Pontiac Le Mans sport convertible with a GTO options including a rare spoiler on the boot / trunk lid. The reason the spoiler is rare is because soon after production of the accessory started the mould broke and the item was subsequently deleted from the options list.

Thanks for joining me on this “Classic Run Americana” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at some Ferraris at the recent San Marino Motor Classic. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Factory Right Hooker – Pontiac Parisienne #1102452

The earliest Pontiac Parisienne was a sub-series within the 1958 Laurentian line, in 1959 the first Parisienne’s were sold as stand alone models in Canada.

Pontiac Parisienne, Classic Motor Show, NEC, Birmingham

With higher taxes, fuel costs and a smaller market GM decided that selling US Spec Pontiacs was not viable in Canada and so they based the Parisienne on a 119″ Chevrolet B Platform and fitted it with a Chevy drive train and shortened Pontiac exterior panels, in this case ’67 Pontiac Catalina, and interior trim. Third generation Parisiennes like the one featured here were in production from 1965 to 1970 and were also built with 2-door coupe, 4-door sedan and 4-door station wagon bodies.

Pontiac Parisienne, Classic Motor Show, NEC, Birmingham

Built with right hand drive at GM’s Oshawa, Ontario production plant this 1967 Parisienne Convertible was destined for the the Australian market but for some reason it was landed at Southampton Docks in the UK from whence it’s original owner bought it.

Pontiac Parisienne, Classic Motor Show, NEC, Birmingham

It is fitted with a 5032 cc / 307 cui which I believe would have produced around 115hp, I have not found any evidence that this engine size was either available in 1967 or fitted as standard to the Parisienne in period, however if you know better I certainly stand to be corrected.

Pontiac Parisienne, Classic Motor Show, NEC, Birmingham

When I saw the car at the Classic Motor Show at the NEC in Birmingham a couple of years ago it was being offered for sale at auction and the sales description included advice that the car had undergone a restoration by “The Romance Of Rust” costing over £15,000.

Pontiac Parisienne, Classic Motor Show, NEC, Birmingham

This Parisienne sold for £15,680 and is currently not on the road in the UK so far as I am aware.

Thanks for joining me on this “Factory Right Hooker” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me for Ferrari Friday tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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