December 31st, 2009, Features
Another decade has gone by….this one a bit more quickly, or so it seems. Or, does it only feel that way to those of us who have been around a little longer? Looking back over the last ten years we (of course) look at what happened in the car world.
What were the most significant cars over the last 10 years? A few come to mind, but only a few, really. First - the BMW Z8; fantastic. We are of the opinion that the Z8 is one of THE most handsome and perfectly proportioned cars built- ever! The Z8 is a great driving car and certainly a great Grand Touring car rather than a full blown sports car. It is a car that one can get a great looking lady and a set of golf clubs in; not having to give up either is a huge plus. This is a very competent car that will take enough luggage for a few days and is comfortable to drive for hours and hours. The car was also built in very limited numbers and for only three short years; a future collectable for sure and one of our favorites of all time.
Porsche Carrera GT; without question the best car we have ever had the opportunity to drive on a track. If we could only choose one car and money being no object, this is most likely the car….yeah, this is the car. Fast? OH MY GOD!!! The noise the car makes….GLORIOUS/ SYMPHONIC! Before we had the good fortune to drive the car at Cal. Speedway (it will always be Cal Speedway, rather like Sears Point will always be Sears Point) we were told that the GT was a handful, that it was tail happy; a “monster”. Not true. The car does exactly what is asked of it…it is simply far more capable than 99.99999% of the drivers who own one. If one checks his/her ego, leaving it in pit lane, and drives the car within ones ability, not the cars, the car is simply fantastic. Push it beyond what you as a driver are capable of…different story. This is where one must admit that he is not Schumacher…regardless of how much money you may have…..but, this is whole different subject. It is also a bloody great looking car!!! An absolute collectable - the price of admission steep, but, if you had an extra $300,000 -$400,000….……
The Ferrari 360 Modena is a fantastic car as well; a car with fantastic balance, great feedback and feel (compared to the earlier cars) and is a seemingly bullet-proof reliable car. The car is great looking and ergonomically friendly. It is also a fantastic track car. We certainly prefer the manual gearbox over the F1 paddle shifter, but, then again we think this true regardless of the manufacturer. Our opinion is that REAL sports cars have real gearboxes that involve the driver, allowing the driver the opportunity to heal-toe and double clutch- you know- drive the car! Paddle shifters…..rather like going to the whore-house to listen to the piano player. The Ferrari 360 is a great car.
What else? I –Pods and I -Pod connectors for cars….LOVE IT! Being music hounds as much as car hounds, this is one of THE best things to happen in the car world. Thousands of songs on tap, no more CD cases with hundreds of CD’s….NICE!!!! No more having to stop and change CD magazines….who would have thunk it? Some of us still remember when 8 tracks were the stuff…..fewer…FM radio!
Motor Sport – We witnessed the first and perhaps only time that a Formula One driver will have won 7 World Championships. Like him or not, Herr Schumacher has accomplished what no-one else had ever done what many thought could never be done. Fangio’s record of 5 world titles was a benchmark that many believed would last for ever, rather like Ruth’s homeruns. There have been many great race car drivers…Schumacher the greatest? Perhaps!
Another First in Formula One this decade….a fantastic new comer ……a certain Lewis Hamilton comes onto F1 as a …who the heck is that …never heard of him…kind of guy and takes F1 by storm. He misses winning the F1 Championship his rookie season by one point and then wins the championship in just his second season as an F1 driver; FANTASTIC!!!
Jimmy Johnson wins 4 consecutive NASAR titles! Ok, NASCAR is not normally our favorite form of motor sport, must of the time it is a 2/1/2 hour left hand turn, but, we will admit that it is THE most competitive form of auto racing – anywhere. What we do like about NASCAR is that any driver can win at any race, starting from any position- even from dead last. So, for a guy to win 4 consecutive championships…..great driver, great team, great team owner. HUGE!
Racing also witnessed a three time transition by one driver; Juan Pablo Montoya. From Indy cars, winning the Indy 500 to Formula One, to NASCAR; a winning driver in all 3 disciplines….is he perhaps the best?
Danica Patrick wins an Indy car race. Not real surprising, she can drive a car! Bernie Ecclestone must have about crapped himself….apparently she does belong in a race car Bernie and not in the kitchen with all the other appliances as you had suggested…what an A@@. Now she may move into NASCAR for the 2010 season as well….It will be tougher there m’dear….much tougher.
There have been a number of fantastic achievements in motor sports this last decade, but none…absolutely none (in our opinion) compare to this: In 1969 a young (if my math is right) 28 year old American driver by the name of Tony Adamowicz steps out of his 1968 Trans-Am championship winning 1850 lb 200 horsepower Porsche 911 and into a 1200 lb 500+ horsepower Formula 5000 Gurney Eagle; talk about a learning curve-kind of like going from a tricycle to a GSXR. Tony wins the F5000 Championship his first year out. Impressed? Flash forward 40 years….this year. Tony climbs back into the very same car that he wins his championship with in 1969- he is now 68. The car is just as fast…if not a bit quicker than it was back in the day, meaning the car is an absolute handful for a fearless 28 year old let alone a seasoned (68 year old) driver. Tony and his Eagle, now owned by Doug Magnon form the Riverside International Automotive Museum win their class in vintage racing this year. Consider this………..in over 100 years of auto racing, no-one has ever ….EVER…won a racing championship and come back 40 years later to do the same thing, with the same car…EVER!!
What is your most memorable car/car event of this decade?
O.C.C.E.
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SOLD
Offered for sale is this fantastic 1968 Porsche race car.
1968 marked the first time that Porsche won a Trans-Am championship. The car was engineered by Mac Tilton, built by Mac, Don Breslauer and Tony Adamowicz and brilliantly driven by Tony. The 2.o liter Porsche beat many of the larger capacity 5.o liter cars often and quite handily.
The orignal car from 1968 appears to have been lost forever. Marc Zurlinden decided that the car was so important however, that it should be rebuilt…reborn if you will. Marc acquired a tub and started the project. Unlike most tribute cars however, the original team members were still available and were consulted for this build and the car built to the same specifications as the original 1968 championship winning car. The car is so true to the original that it was invited to participate at last years Monterey Historics at Laguna Seca…..a very, very rare honor indeed for any car, let alone a tribute car. Not only was the car invited to participate- it was also very,very competitive.
This fantastic turn key race car runs with an HONEST 2.o liter motor and runs Solex carbs as did the original in ‘68. We can not stress enough how much attention was put towards re-creating a nearly perfect copy of the original race car.
Tony Adamowicz has been back in the cars office at both the Rennsport event at Daytona and the historic races in Portland, Oregon. Marc Zurlinden drove the car brilliantly in Monterey; Marc being a very accomplished driver himself.
This car is offered at $95,000 (U.S.) Full build sheet and build photos available. Offers / interesting trades considered.
Please contact:
Klaus Kindor kk@occarenthusiast.com klaus@excmotors.com 714-396-6688 (cell)
Note: A simular “looking” car was recently sold at auction. It is NOT this car.
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November 15th, 2009, Features
The story of Porsche U27 continues;
On Sunday November 8th U27 was loaded onto the trailer for a trip up to the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles; rather uneventful trip really – sorry, but there is just no- way that I can make this part of the cars journey any more juicy. Unless of course you count lighting off U27’s 2.0 liter motor in the parking structure of the museum and then driving up the circular ramp to the 3rd floor……the noise………….GLORIOUS J Damn I love this car !
We would like to thank some nice folks at this time…Jim Jaqua, who got us in touch with the right folks so that the car could be part of this magnificent display and of course Tom McIntyre at the Petersen; who has been nothing but gracious and helpful. Thanks guys!
Our good friend Tony a2z and I drove up to the Petersen last Thursday for the Trans-Am Tribute; what a day!
The original Trans-Am series was, in the opinion of most, THE best racing series that ever happened in the U.S. I can not think of a time in motor sport when manufacturer involvement was greater. How much they were involved and how strong their desire was to win was about to be revealed, and in an entirely new light……reality was that Chevrolet, Ford, Mercury, Pontiac and Mopar knew that winning in this series was going to sell cars….lots and lots of cars!
At 2:00 pm a panel discussion started and MC’ing the event - the ever popular Dave McClelland. Dave has been the voice of motor sport for some 50 years…this man digs cars and it is rather obvious that he knows his stuff and has done his homework. The topic for this panel was “The Golden years of Trans-Am and “creative thinking”. Rather quickly relabeled as “Cheetin’ in the hood”.
Read the rest of this entry »
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Just a gentle reminder that on Thursday November 12, 2009 the Petersen automotive museum will be holding the Trans-Am reunion. If you are or were a racing fan of the late 1960′ and early 70’s THIS IS A MUST ATTEND EVENT!
Please visit the Petersen site for more information.
We will be taking Porsche U27……its gonna be great!
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October 26th, 2009, Features
Damn….getting up early…really early, for car shows is getting tougher. Used to be that 4:30 am wasn’t such a big deal even after a hard night of party….right Jones??? J!!! Now a-days…holy smokes…
Tony and I met at the shop and trailered Porsche U-2-7 to Palos Verdes for the Fabulous 50’s Concours d’ provenance. The Concours is held at the Palos Verdes Botanical gardens in Palos Verdes, Ca; a terrific setting. If you have not had the opportunity to see the gardens; please do.
The show would prove to be yet another milestone for the “Milestone Racing” Porsche 911. Davey Jordan had sent us an invitation to bring the car and it proved to be terrific day of significant cars and the wonderful people who are given the opportunity to care for them.
Davey Jordan and his wonderful wife Norma put on a fantastic event. Add other great drivers like; Tony a2z, Scooter Patrick, Jerry Grant and John Morton- and - well…..it is a very cool get together.
Porsche U-2-7 was positioned next to another significant car…another car that our friend a2z had driven to a championship just one year after his Trans-Am title in the Porsche; his 1969 Formula 5000 championship winning Gurney Eagle. The two cars had never been in one place and at one time. Tony said “I still can’t believe that I went from this (a 200 horse power Porsche) to THIS” (pointing at his monstrously fast F5000 car)…imagine going from a bicycle to GSXR…giddy-up! Now trust us here…..the Porsche is no slouch…the car goes very well indeed, but, by comparison…….WHOA!
There were some fantastic cars presented. Dr. and Mrs. Johnson drove their very rare alloy bodied Healey factory race car to the event from Orange County and received a well deserved class victory. The car is sensational……wonder if Greg would let us do a piece on the car??? Wadya say Greg? John Morton brought his great little Lotus 7 and the Petersen Museum brought their Troutman Barnes Special. A wonderful Shelby Daytona Coupe made its way to the show as well….and folks….this was no kit car.
All in all it was a tremendous event and we are looking very much forward to next year.
Today, more good news for U-2-7 was received. The Petersen museum has confirmed its invitation for the Porsche to take part in the Trans-Am reunion event. This is indeed a fantastic achievement and we look very much forward to bringing the car to the Petersen. The car will be on display at the museum from November 9th to December 13th.
More…….
O.C.C.E.
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October 15th, 2009, Features
We took advantage of our press pass this morning to pre-view the Orange County Car Show - opening tonight at the Anaheim Convention Center. If you are looking for something to do this weekend and cars are your gig…this year’s show is pretty darn nice.
A few manufacturers have brought some pretty interesting concepts cars and a few new production cars as well. Hyundai brought the very interesting looking Nuvis and Lincoln brought their “C” ….we are not sure if “C” stands for “concept” or Citroen….it is rather interesting and quite frankly it does look like something the French manufacturer would do…..it is just quirky enough…Hyundai also brought their new 7 series, S class competitor: the Equus…..careful guys….this car is pretty damn nice and for a whole lot less money. We must also admit that Buick has done something really nice with its Lacrosse…We hate to admit it, but, it is a damned nice looking car.
Cadillac had something interesting on a revolving table as well; something that they are calling the “Converj” It is a rather interesting looking concept. There are certain lines on the car that are actually quite good. We are still of the opinion however, that the Brand ought to consider making a more elegant statement. The angular design and sharp edges don’t work for us- Cadillac’s cars, in our opinion, simply look like the box they came out of. This is a Marque, that at one time, built some of the most luxurious automobiles in the world. Perhaps if they went back to those very roots, they may attract more buyers; our .02 cents.
Lotus bought a great looking new car called the Evora – loved it! The car has fantastic lines and though aesthetically “similar” to its current smaller brother, the Evora is a much bigger car. Its wheel base is nearly 11” longer and the car is much wider. The car is powered by Toyota’s 3.5 liter V6 with modifications made by Lotus. The car, according to the “man from Lotus” should be available in February or March of next year; brilliant! We really want to drive this car!!!
Not wanting to be out done by anyone, Gemballa brought what just may be the ultimate “Super Car”. We would have a difficult time believing that anyone could make a Porsche Carrera GT any better than it was to begin with…..but…..The guy from Gemballa says this thing will do 0-60 in just 2.7 seconds. Knowing that the clutch pack on this car is VERY light indeed…we’d wager good money that it would not accomplish that 0-60 more than a couple of times before someone would have to spend $30,000 plus for a new clutch… , but, then again of you have this kind of dough….it ain’t your last $30k is it J
Chevrolet is presenting a rather neat design study in the “Stingray”; neat car….in a Bruce Wayne kind of way…kind of cool actually…
We must make a comment here. Of all the displays, Audi did the best job if creating an inviting and absolutely elegant environment in which to view their product line. All of the cars are white and staged very nicely; it looks sensational. It also speaks volumes about just how serious they are about kicking butt. Audi, as a company, has proven itself to be one class act….what the hell happened to everyone else?
All in all a pretty nice show…and a special thanks to Uncle Don for the Coffee, Thanks Don!
O.C.C.E.
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October 13th, 2009, Features
4:15 in the morning comes quickly – very quickly…..down to the shop to get Porsche U2-7 ready for its first show here in Orange County. Actually the car was ready to go; I did not want to be late for my ride…..escort….POLICE escort!
Since our shop is in Placentia and we live here, it seemed that displaying the Porsche at the Placentia Heritage Day Car Show would be a good thing to do…after all-the show was right up the street from our shop. The city of Placentia has been holding this car show every year for over 27 years and it really is a great show. It is a very casual family type event that draws well over 200 cars, is free to attend and restaurants from the neighborhood provide some great eats; simply a fun event to participate in.
A few days before the event, I had a small dilemma…I had no way of getting the Porsche to the show as the car is by no means street legal and I did not have a trailer available to me. Note: If you live and work in the same city….get to know your local government officials. I made a phone call to a good friend of ours …he is pretty high up the food chain in our city and I told him of our plight. He was at the shop an hour later looking at the Porsche and apparently liking it- a lot! Greg got on his cell phone, called the chief of police and arranged our “escort” for 0 five hundred on Saturday morning.
U2-7 is a full blown race car….the car has straight exhaust and megaphones and at idle, will curl the toes of your db meter. I knew the car was loud….but……I had yet to hear the car at full song….well anything above 3,000 revs anyway. Officer Larry shows up….on time…gotta love these guys. I explain to Larry that we have no lights…it is still dark; he suggests that I follow him. We plan the route very quickly, I fire up the car….he jumps a bit….I laugh but, there is no way that he can hear me. Off we go…a left turn lane light turns red…his light bar comes on and we are through…down Orangethorpe, right on Rose and up the hill. Hey, it is up hill…..a bit of throttle in second gear….ok, perhaps a little more than just a good bit….5,500 revs and there is no way that anyone within 6 miles of the car is still sleeping…..I do mean NO WAY! Up-shift into third at 6,000 and cruise up the hill…..NICE; the car sounds bloody wonderful! The exhaust note is reverberating off of a cement wall and down the long 16th fairway at Alta Vista Country Club; GOOD MORNING! There is nothing like the music that an air cooled Porsche motor makes; it is simply symphonic! Well, it is to me- I am not sure what the rest of the city thought…
The show itself goes great and U2-7 gets a great deal of attention. The car is quite a bit different than most of the other cars there. In fact, there are only 4 other domestic cars at the show; a fantastic Porsche speedster, a very nice Jaguar XKE, a brilliant Healey and a FIAT 500….everything else is foreign. J
The drive home was exciting too- Officer Chris followed on his “motor.” At a light, he pulls up next to me and with a huge grin, yells…”it is loud, but it sounds great”. People in other cars are looking…they stare; they wonder what the hell is going on. Here is this full blown, very loud race car being followed by the Police….the cop pulls up next to the car at every light ….says something, but, does not pull it over…the expression on the face of other drivers is absolutely priceless….it really does become quite funny. Chris follows me into the shop and I thank him for his time. I explain to him that it feels far better being followed than pursued…..he laughs and goes on his way.
We would like to thank the City of Placentia for all of their help…… THANKS GUYS!
Another milestone for the Porsche…a police escort on city streets…..NOICE!
O.C.C.E
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October 5th, 2009, Features
Not many race cars from the past have survived to tell their tale. After all, what was one going to do with an out-of-date and no longer competitive race car? 40 years ago, who would have ever thought that there would someday be a vintage racing series? I am not sure that too many would have had the vision to believe that old race cars would someday become collectable. Had that been the case, I contend that good old Mr. Penske, a pretty sharp business man, and countless others would have held on to more of them; right Roger? I can think of a couple of Porsche 917’s that I’ll bet you wish you would have tucked away in the corner of a garage somewhere, a certain 512 Ferrari as well…
This is the case with Tony’s 2 liter Porsche as well. No-one knows where the original car ended up; chances are it is no longer intact. The car that we have been describing is a “Tribute car” a recreation if you will, but, a recreation that has been done so extraordinarily well and to such exacting standards that few – if any – would know.
Marc Zurlinden (Race driver, Porsche Guru, builder and manager of this magnificent project) said; “When the project commenced, much the way Tony’s second car of that season came to life, this car started out as a sort of junk yard dog.We did everything to this car that was communicated by the three men (a2z, Tilton and Breslauer) and what we could additionally glean from the Pete Luongo Photos. We treated this project hoping that this car would become the accepted stand-in for the missing original, unmistakably authentic by any scrutinizing viewer, and equally effective on the track.”
A rather interesting side note here: The original car…the original- original was wadded up into a ball at Daytona….the second car, “the junk yard dog”, with some bits and pieces from the first – well, from what-ever was salvageable, is the car that did all the winning.
Marc’s dream of resurrecting the famous 1968 Championship winning Porsche was starting to take shape and with the help of the guys who actually built, campaigned and drove the winning car, his dream would become very real indeed.
A roller chassis came from Dave Bouzaglou at TRE. Marc built a rotisserie for the chassis and the chassis was stripped of all of the under-coating and seam sealer. The rotisserie would later be used for body work and paint as well.
As the chassis work was being done “Tony and Mac were coming through with mountains of detailed information as they recalled the car” says Marc. Marc also notes that the “Blueprint” of the car (information provided by Tony, Mac and Don) became intriguing to him because “as these guys developed the car, many of its modifications were utilized for years to come.”
Stay tuned…..
O.C.C.E.
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October 2nd, 2009, Features
The story behind Porsche 911 U-2-7 continues. Tony and I headed to Monterey to pick up this fantastic car. The drive up seemed short as Tony told stories about the car and those who helped him to win the 1968 Trans-Am 2 liter championship. If you are anything like me and have a true passion for motor sports; having the opportunity to listen to stories about the greatest time in racing (in my opinion) from those who were actually there and competed is – well pretty difficult to describe.
Tony’s recollection of the car is pretty amazing for a car that he last saw almost 40 years ago, but, remember- not only did he drive the car, he had helped build it and maintain it. Note: drivers did more back then J His recollection of all the little bits- the details, are what make the story of the car so interesting. For example how “Milestone Racing” came about…..seems there was a milestone marker on the highway outside the gas station where the car was built and maintained…too easy!
The modifications made to the car for it to become not only competitive but also a Championship winner; were recalled by Tony as though the car were built just yesterday. This will become even more important later in this story.
On the way up to Monterey Tony and I stopped at Mrs. J’s house….some of you may recall that Paul Merigan and I stopping there on the way to Pebble Beach year before last, but, Tony had not yet seen this amazing home- the place is just fantastic and nearly impossible to describe….really! Mrs. J is an incredibly gracious host and after a little tour of the gardens and a snack we were on our way again. Thanks Mrs. J!!!! If you should ever need a chauffer…………….
We arrived in Salinas around 10:30 and hit the hay for a little rest. Breakfast at “Lenny’s” …I keep telling myself never again…I guess they are just too convenient….and we were on our way to Marc’s to pick up the car. Marc and his lovely wife live just past Laguna Seca Raceway…how apropos! As we approached the entrance to Laguna…both Tony and I felt a force pulling us in the direction of the entrance….I think it happens to all race drivers. We both thought….”we really should stop on the way back, but, I didn’t bring my driving gear” In fact when I had called Marc’s wife earlier in the morning for directions she said “you know were Laguna Seca is?…….. and then she instantly said…of course you do….all of you guys do…..as if to say….it is all you guys ever think about. She’s a keeper Marc, she gets it!!!!
After a little struggle getting the car on the trailer….we should have brought a different one…we were on our way. We stopped at the Toro Place café and met Steve knoll there for a little lunch. Great guy Steve, he and Tony have known each other for years and Steve was also instrumental in the resurrection of the Porsche. Steve has a very cool web-site as well www.laprecord.com check it out!
About halfway home we stopped for a milkshake and a piece of pie at Jack’s on route 46. Jack’s is the diner where the James Dean memorial stands….something tugged at me to take the Porsche off the trailer ….weird huh?
The car is in the shop, cleaned and detailed.
Stay tuned….
O.C.C.E.
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