It's a long way.-..to the GT40 if ya wanna educate italians..

I LOVE GT40- Paolo · 09-19-07, 05:05 AM

my morning thought looking in my shop

...the wonderful model of George Follmer Mustang mach 1 wide body, a real fury at only 25 euros in 1/18 scale (die cast model).

Nobody understands..I dont care

.
Over my entrance I have the wonderful poster of Veek's Cav GT in blue with my name on...and it is too cool listen people and then

GOSH..thats a replica...mamma mia...

isnt a beauty?:

troppe volte la gente non capisce proprio un cazzo...

Gary Kadrmas · 09-19-07, 01:02 PM

Paolo,

Most of the trans-Am Mustangs raced back in the late 60s and 70s have been restored by rich Rodeck in Sanoma, California. Both Orange cars and many others.

A friend of mine (Roy Richards of oakland, California) had Rodek resurect a Mustang notch back car, and make it into a Trans-Am Notch Back....which was never originally made, but for the case of Richards, it was done. It took 3 years to complete, and was finished in Grabber Blue. His car has been featured in munerous magazines!!!Looking at the car when it was finished was a thing of art. Craftsmanship plus.

While Richards car was at Rodeks shop, Roy took me for a visit to Rodeks shop.....and low and behold, in his shop were both the #15 & #16 Orange Trans-Am Mustangs!!!! It was a treat to see that much history setting in one spot. Truely a time to remember!

dfreeman95 · 09-19-07, 02:06 PM

Hi Paolo,
Nice to see that somebody on the other side of the pond has an interest in the old Trans-Am series. I am proud to work on one of the original Boss 302 T/A cars ( albiet an independant fielded car ) and know the owner of the car you posted. He runs with our group on the west coast of the U.S. We often get between 30-42 of these original cars for our vintage races. This group tries very hard to field cars that truly represent the way the cars were run in period and not highly modified to current standards. You may find this website interesting viewing. Historic Trans Am Index
We are the number 83 car.

These cars are incredibly fun to drive and this group puts on a great show. The greatest quote I have ever heard about them was when we had about 15 of them running in the garage for warm-up. A spectator commented to me that he believed that this whas what it would sound like when the world comes to an end!

Gary Kadrmas · 09-19-07, 03:07 PM

dfreeman,

Thanks for the link. Many wonderful pictures, with smiles on everyones faces.

Even saw my old Trans-Am Cougar (Black Burien #14 Seattle WA). Sure looks much better than the days it was parked in my garage! I think Rich Rodek now owns it if I am not mistaken!

I LOVE GT40- Paolo · 09-19-07, 04:36 PM

those are really too nice real MUSCLE cars....I just try immagine the engine sound..:P:P

dfreeman95 · 09-19-07, 05:18 PM

Paolo,
The sound of forty 5 litre, high compression, unmuffled V8 screaming by at 7800rpm is definately something to behold. Likely second only to a F1 engine for the greatest engine sound in my opinion. If you ever make it over here, perhaps to the Monterey Historics, try to make it on a year that the Trans-Am group runs. You will not be disappointed.

Gary,
I love that Cougar. It is a great looking car. You are correct that Richard now owns the car. I believe he will begin racing it with us next year. You are also correct about the quality of the work that he turns out. Truly high speed works of art and a quality guy as well.

Neal · 09-19-07, 08:04 PM

This era of Trans Am is at it's best. The current vintage grids are a blast to watch. Very competitive. Gary, you have good taste in cars!

Rob · 09-19-07, 09:19 PM

Paulo.. Tu ha buon gusto pe la machini mio amico......

I have one juuussstt like that.

Ok...so not quite "just" like it, but really close.

Ok...so it's not even close "YET", but some day....

So many cars...so little time...

Ciao

I LOVE GT40- Paolo · 09-20-07, 05:05 AM

ehehe..really too nice ones,Trans am cars looks really as body builders ones..

IMHO The only modern thing near to theme is the too cool australian v8 champ

I LOVE GT40- Paolo · 09-20-07, 09:53 AM

and look at this:

YouTube - 1971 Saloon car championship "PART 1"

Brian Hamilton · 09-20-07, 10:57 AM

My boss, Jim Whelan, ran a 1969 Boss 302 in Trans-Am back in the day. He was a private driver with his own team so he didn't beat the car as hard as the factory guys did, but he wrapped his motor to about 9500 RPM and it barely idled at 3000 RPM. Wish I was alive back then to hear that thing!!! He went on to modify the body by taking a little pit out of the overall height and angle of the car, people really couldn't tell the difference, but they knew something wasn't quite right.
Then the 1970 Boss 302 came out with the spoiler and the 1969's couldn't use it because it wasn't factory. So Jim put on the 1970 front end, filled in the side scoops and made the other necessary changes and entered it as a 1970 Boss 302 and utilized the spoiler, which did make a difference at higher speeds.
Listening to Jim tell his racing stories is really cool, he has owned some of the legendary cars of motorsports such as multiple Shelby GT350's, Original Shelby 289 Cobra, 1963 Split Window Corvette Factory Race Car, several Mini Cooper Race Cars, and the list goes on. It's really a treat to hear him talk about those days.

Laters,

Brian

speed220mph · 09-20-07, 12:01 PM

Watching this almost makes me cry. I had a two-seater, hatchback, 90" wheelbase car on the boards while at Ford in 1967. The platform was based on the RS Escort you'll see
in the video. The high-paid geniuses in Ford's Product Planning said there was no market for the car! The 240Z Datsun came out the following year.

A double whammy is the T/A Mustang. I was at KarKraft when this an many other neat cars were done.

I LOVE GT40- Paolo · 09-20-07, 01:10 PM

ok..once again I ask for a good psychiatric for me

I've just bought a complete serie of american muscle cars kits and Nascar kits from USA.
It is incredible nobody imports theme in Europe (my last chance was my friend Hannats in UK..but noway..they dont import).

So, will manage alone...

,and in 5 days I will have my cars from California...hihihi.
Will also try ask seriously to my custom office how about the import from USA of a model kit in 1:1 scale...without engine...

really suspect I can take it as shop item...

Am I really nut?...yes..and proud to be!