The first ever Trans-Am race was held at Sebring Florida, in 1966. The over 2.0 liter class winning car was the Group 44 Dodge Dart piloted by Bob Tullius and Tony Adamowicz. The Trans-Am series would go on to become one of America’s best racing series; some might argue perhaps one of the best racing series in the world. There were 2 classes of cars for the original Trans-Am series; over 2.0 liter engine displacement cars and under 2.0 liter cars. Our good friend Tony Adamowicz would go on to win the 1968 2.0 liter championship in a 911 Porsche. This Story will focus however, on that 1966 Group 44 Dodge…the class winning car of the first ever Trans-Am. It is perhaps important to point out that the Group 44 Dodge was not only triumphant at Sebring, but also at the 12 hours of Marlboro and at the Daytona Trans-Am race; making the car THE most successful Chrysler product ever in the history of Trans-Am racing!!!!

 “We” called Tony a2z and asked him if the old Dart was still around. His opinion, and that of others, is that the car no longer exists. The car had been sold after the 1967 Trans-Am season, turned into a dragster and from there was most likely lost to the world. Hummm, “we” thought…..someone really ought to rebuild that car, it is pretty important….

“We” bounced the idea off a2z and a round table email discussion started. Before we knew it, we had most of the original Group 44 team members interested in the project; a2z, Steve Knoll, Don Breslauer and even Bob Tullius’s son Russel. There are others involved as well; Marc Zurlinden, an absolutely gifted driver/builder/mechanic who built a2z’s Porsche 911 tribute car and Alan Lewis. Alan is our living Mopar encyclopedia…there is not much that Alan does not know Mopar-wise…good guy to have when all involved insist on an authentic build.

The first hurdle was to determine if the original car did exist, rumor had it that the real car was in the South East somewhere. The second challenge was to find rust free, straight 1966 Dart donor car that could be built into this tribute project. It had to be a Dart, not a Dart GT, it had to be a 1966 as the ’65 and ’67 cars were different. It had to have a V8, yet most of them had slant 6’s. 4 Speed manual gear box…sure….an 8 ¾ inch rear end AND it had to be white…yeah we’ll find that one laying around…. we did…kind of.

“We” located a car in Nevada. It was white, had a V8, was indeed a 1966 model, was straight and rust free and had a 8 ¾  rear end….4 out of 5…not bad. At this point, we were into the project about 2 weeks. We were still not sure if the real car was out there somewhere. It would be pointless starting the project if the real car was still alive and could or would be resurrected and raced again. What to do? Do we pass on this car in Nevada? What are the chances of finding another- particularly this clean? Do we buy it with the hope that the car in the South East is NOT the real McCoy? Steve Knoll got in his Porsche and drove to Orange County from Northern California. Steve, a2z and I went to dinner and talked about…what else!!!

The next morning, we drove to Nevada. The car was a clean, straight and rust free, though it does have a few running condition issues; we drove the car home. Steve followed though he made a call to a friend of his who had a truck and trailer just in case the sum-bitch did not make it back. About half way home…smoke from under the dash…..oh S&^%!!!!! Stopped the car, unplugged my phone charger from the cigar lighter…no more smoke…Cool! We stopped at Bob’s Big Boy in Baker (you know…where that huge thermometer is)…seemed apropos with this car. J

The car made it. Last week we were informed that what was believed to be the “real” car on the East Coast is NOT the Group 44 Dodge Dart….excellent news, the project goes forward.

In the mean time, and as good fortune would have it, we were introduced to a couple of great guys from the marketing department at Chrysler. We were left with the distinct impression that they have a real interest in our project. Their involvement would be fantastic and most certainly a win-win for all involved.  

The goal is to have the car built in time for the 2010 vintage race season…. the Group 44 /Quaker State/ Dodge Dart will have won the inaugural 1966 Trans-Am race 44 years ago. Coinidence or destiny?  The Plan is that we put a2z back in the car and do well enough that an invitation to participate at this years Monterey Historic Races comes our way. This is a big project…and a very important car.

To be continued….

Should anyone have an interest in becoming involved with or participating in this project, (though not as a driver …we already have three J J J) please contact:

Klaus Kindor

kk@occarenthusiast.com

714-396-6688

O.C.C.E.