Strange Trim Tag

[ds1]

I purchased a car with this trim tag. Any ideas? Any one see something like this one?

[RobR]

Body in white!

[iluv69s]

Ex racecar?

[cook_dw]

Looks like the car got a little hot or at least the tag did.

[PeteLeathersac]

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Way cool, looking forward to more on this one!
:beers:
~ Pete

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[ds1]

It is a Vega. Came from Wisconsin 3 weeks ago

[cook_dw]

Tubbed?

[ds1]

Yes. I wanted a race car about ready to go. So I bought this car. And quickly realized it was not a backyard built car. It looks like an SRD car. 1973 Vega updated to 1977. Front suspension was painted white. Rear is a factory Mopar Dana 60 that was painted red. The body was originally white. That is what I have found so far.

[Xplantdad]

Really cool...we need more pics :)

[iluv69s]

I find it interesting that a body in white trim tag has written that the car 'complies with all safety standards' ??????

[ds1]

They are not the best. I am struggling with a resizing app.

[cook_dw]

This is gonna be very cool.:burnout::burnout:

Send them to me Dan and I can fix and post them.

[cook_dw]

The ones I had were kinda jacked size wise but I got them pretty close in file size.

[cook_dw]

.

[DW31S]

Very, very cool!

[Fast67VelleN2O]

Looks like the car got a little hot or at least the tag did.


Car might have been acid dipped...

[cook_dw]

Car might have been acid dipped...

You are absolutely correct.. :biggthumpup:

[ds1]

I talked to Bruce Larson today and he did not remember what color the rear was in his car. He used red in his chassis. I invited him to look at the car since he lives so close to me.
And Matt is correct that the cars were acid dipped.

[Keith Seymore]

I find it interesting that a body in white trim tag has written that the car 'complies with all safety standards' ??????

I imagine that is over-ridden by other documentation, like the stickers that say "for off highway use only".

Does the car have a production (GM assigned) VIN?

I could picture that a body in white would be removed from the production process before the VIN was established or added and shipped directly to the chassis builder.

If that was the case then the car could not be titled for street use, thereby nullifying the "complies with safety standards" issue.

K

[ds1]

It does not have a VIN. It has a fiberglass dash. Any hidden vins on the firewall would have been cut off. I am looking for a Rod Weideman in Wisconsin to talk to

[ds1]

I have confirmation from Pete Hutchinson that it is an early SRD car and he personally built it

[PeteLeathersac]

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Cool news and best of luck backtracking the history!
Expecting it's not Grump's car but here's some SRD Vega info from his book including Pete Hutch pics also other stuff.
:beers:
~ Pete

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[PeteLeathersac]

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:beers:
~ Pete

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[PeteLeathersac]

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:beers:
~ Pete

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[PeteLeathersac]

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:beers:
~ Pete

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[PeteLeathersac]

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:beers:
~ Pete

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[PeteLeathersac]

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:beers:
~ Pete

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[PeteLeathersac]

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:beers:
~ Pete

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[ds1]

Thanks Pete. The car is a 1973. I bought the car from a guy in Wisconsin. He says his father in laws engine builder knows the cars history. But he has not given me a name. I am afraid to push him too much. He said he owned it about 14 years and bought it from a Rod Weideman. I can not seem to find anything on Weideman but still looking

[Verne_Frantz]

History unfolding. I love it! Good luck with your search.

Verne

[ds1]

I have been all over Draglist.com list of 73 SRD Vegas. I am down to two cars that are 73 and would possibly have white front suspensions and a red Dana 60. I talked to one and he could not remember the color if the diff in his car. The other died about two years ago. Pete threw a big name at me. But I quickly ruled that out because his car was a 72 and mine is a 73. So the search goes on. I have a few leads I am working on and waiting on. The biggest problem now is people's memories.

[ds1]

I will have the car next Saturday July the 8th at the York Nostalgia show. I have also learned the car was bought in the early 80's in the Chicago Illinois area it was white and blue and called Dream Weaver.

[PeteLeathersac]

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Did you see the early 80's listings for Arnie Olivas w/ a '77 Vega "Dream Weaver" on Draglist pages 73&74.
If the same car, obviously the '77 update styling is what's being referred to also this indicates model years noted on Draglist aren't necessarily the actual year of the vehicle so you may be missing earlier entries if searching only '73 cars?
Keep digging and good luck!
:beers:
~ Pete

Draglist Page #73...
http://www.draglist.com/draglist/category.php?VIEW=Extended&SORTBY=ENTRY&ASCDESC=ASC&CATEGORY%5B0%5D=ALKYFC&x=funnycars%2CTRUEMPH+DESC%2CETRANK+DESC%2CTRUEET&page=73


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[Xplantdad]

Pete, isn't the link you provided for a TA/FC (Funny car?)


(I could be reading it wrong) :)

[PeteLeathersac]

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You're right Bruce but could be from the same group or maybe they know of the other Dream Weaver SRD car?
Great backtracking so far and looking forward to more info and history!
:beers:
~ Pete

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[Xplantdad]

Okay..I see what you meant :)

[Rixls6]

There's a Rod Weideman in Lathrop, CA age 70 that may or may not be who you're looking for.

[ds1]

Looking for one in Wisconsin. The engine builder I talked to did not have his number. All the look ups I tried showed either a Rob Weideman or Rod Wideman in the Appleton, Neenah area.

[ds1]

We delivered the car to the York show yesterday. It is under the tent inside of the track. Had a good time talking to the guys that were there. Looks to be a good show.

[GrumpyJeff]

Looked this over real good yesterday at the show . Very cool, So im guessing its one of the pictured cars on the list that haven't been accounted for ??

[ds1]

I heard Schaferoff car is known to exist. Wayne Jessel was great to talk to. Was a nice time. But the search continues

[ds1]

Here are some pictures from the event. Sorry but it was bright.

[ds1]

I was given two supper solid leads today. The car had two owners in the Chicago area. And I think that was it's first home. Going to check a lead tomorrow. Any of you Chicago guys remember a car sponsored by the Chicagoland Chevrolet Dealers and Motor Sport Research . And then owned by Gary Stewart.

[ds1]

Told Bob Olson somtimes drove for Gary Stewart. They both worked for Motor Sport Research.

[Gary Anderson]

I am told this car is Gary Drenk...

[ds1]

Yes. That is Gary. I am waiting to see some of Garys build pictures before I will say for sure it was his car. He then sold it to Gary Steward and driven by Bob Olson.

[PeteLeathersac]

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On YouTube...
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_lWwc8pT5JQ

:beers:
~ Pete


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[ds1]

Yes. Really great video. You just do not know where a search will lead and what it can turn up. I just about gave up after last weekend. I still need to get pictures of the car when it was white and blue and called Dream Weaver. I got some good pictures yesterday. I will post when I am 100 percent sure it is the car. Right now I am 90 percent. I want to see interior build pictures.

[PeteLeathersac]

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Right on and thanks for sharing your research also great how you want to be absolute about confirming the true identity of the car.
That '68 427 Camaro 'Hustler' in the video is cool too also rings a bell...same car advertised in one of the Old Newspaper ads thread? :hmmm:
:beers:
~ Pete



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[Mr70]

Any of you Chicago guys remember a car sponsored by the Chicagoland Chevrolet Dealers and Motor Sport Research . And then owned by Gary Stewart.

Pictures of a 48 year old brochure I have.Check out there clever logo which identifies all 3 of their initials.
There were 4 MSR locations, all owned by the same people. The locations were Waukegan Il., Des Plaines Il.(DP was their Machine Shop),Downers Grove Il..and one in the Milwaukee area on Loomis rd.,circa 1971-74.
Jim Swan was the main guy that started Motor Sports Research.I believe he currently owns or is affiliated with the Yamaha dealership in Downers Grove (DGY Motorsports).
Motor Sport Research later became Pro Motor Engineering and moved to Mooresville North Carolina to Build Nascar Engines.Gary was a founder & sold his ownership to partner Peter Miglin after they moved from Des Plaines to the UOP Shadow Facility at 400 Lively blvd. in Elk Grove Village Illinois. He and Bob Olson were still at the Moorseville facility as of 2006.They both are friends, and have been since the mid 70's. Great people,and VERY good with L-88's.Peter had a 69 JL-8, crossram Z-28 in the early 80's.Peter Guild and Bob Olsen developed MSR into Pro-Motor Engineering.They went on to develop one the first motor leasing companies in Nascar.They were still in business in NC.as of 2006.Some of the old staff included Gary Roden,Rick Gerardi,Dave Pedigrou.There was a women there named Birdie that worked the counter in the Des Plaines location back in the mid-70's.

[ds1]

Found another Illinois owner. Mel Naramore

[ds1]

Here are a few pictures I have been sent

[ds1]

More

[scuncio]

Awesome pics, love the first one.

[ds1]

They are all the same car over the years. It is official, it is Gary Drenks Chicagoland Chevrolet Dealers Association Pro Stock Vega. I have the pictures I needed to determine that it is in fact his car. He built it and went through the Grump to get the car. Body number is 051.

[Lynn]

That car has been reincarnated so many times. Amazing.

[Dave Rifkin]

So now that you have confirmation that it is that car what are your plans? Do you intend to return it to the same condition as the orange one in the pictures? (Personally I like the earlier front and rear end treatments on the Vegas; never cared much for the "cow catcher" grille)

[RichSchmidt]

Are there any 3 link brackets still on the chassis?

[RichSchmidt]

Did you find any foam inside the doors or in between the body panels? SRD used to use it to make the panels less prone to warping and denting.

[ds1]

The three link was replaced with a ladder bar. The car was one of there early cars. It was dipped in California. Gary Drenk took the car there and watched them dip it. Gary kept saying he got the car through Bill Jenkins. He was not the only one that said that. 3 people I talked to in Illinois started our conversation with "the SRD car". The front suspension was stock in 73. Struts did not come until later. The 3 link was Jenkins design. I was told it was very responsive to washer changes. Gary picked the car up at Lordstown Ohio. He said it was a Body In White. Gary Steward has been a big help. He was owner 3 and did not know it was Drenks car despite both having worked for Motor Sport Research at different time. Mel Naramore was the second owner. To this date I have not spoke to him but talked to his brother Jim Naramore.

[ds1]

I have pics but they are to big to load

[PeteLeathersac]

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Awesome news and congrats it's the Chicagoland Dealer car!
Depending on system you're using, can you open the pics and take screen shots of them then try loading those instead of the original pic files?
:beers:
~ Pete


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[cook_dw]

1. Foam in quarters
2. Original wishbone
3. 3 link bracket
4. Original yellow paint in rear wheel well.

[ds1]

That car has been reincarnated so many times. Amazing.

Yes it has. But the bones of the car are largely still in tact. It has been updated along the way. There are remnants of the original wheelie bars and a 3 link mount still on the rear differential. The front steering has been changed. There is square steel added to the main frame to strengthen it up.

[DW31S]

Glad for you that you solved the mystery. Sometimes the research is the most fun! What are your plans for a drivetrain? SBC/Lenco?

[Lynn]

Great piece of history. Will be watching as you bring it back.

[ds1]

Glad for you that you solved the mystery. Sometimes the research is the most fun! What are your plans for a drivetrain? SBC/Lenco?
Initial plans are for an all new sbc Dart 427 to be built and a turbo 350. What was in the car last. Phase 2 will be change back to 73 body as raced. Later may get the Lenco back. This was to be a, cheap car to bridge the gap to get to the 67 Super Stock Camaro

[cook_dw]

From ds1.

"Finally got the Dream Weaver connection. Owner 4 John Pouleson."

[RichSchmidt]

There is a guy here on the east coast who is a heavy hitter bracket racer and he races the heck out of a car that is a well known SRD pro stock VEGA. The car was authenticated and it turned out to be the only 4 link Vega that SRD ever built. He didn't seem to be phased by it and just blast into the 8's with it risking destruction on every pass. I guess not everybody sees things the way we do.

[RichSchmidt]

BTW,I was binge watching You Tube drag racing videos the other day. I was searching pro stock from each year in the 70's as well as some of the national event videos of that era. I saw your car in one of the videos. It was only a shot of it from behind as it rolled up to the starting line and took off. I wish I could tell you exactly what video it was,but all I can say is that it is out there if you want to look for it.

[ds1]

Pete told me Paul Blevins car was a four link. I looked at Pauls car because the tach and cable were in the same place. I purchased a copy of November 73 Super Stock and Drag Illustrated off Ebay. As soon as I saw the cowl and door hinges I knew it was not the car. I talked to guys at the York show and was told Pauls car was not treated correctly after acid dipping and the tail pan was rotting out in 3 years. This has been quite a learning experience. I will run the car. I am having an all new Dart 427 sbc being built for it. My work schedule only allows me to race twice a month. I plan only. To run down to 9.00. Any faster and the chassis will need updated and I will need a competition license. Remember I also have Joe Scott's first super stock 67 RS Camaro, that is the car I want to get done. But I love and respect history. These cars need exercised. Don't just put them in a pedastall and look at them. I am gathering vintage parts for the car. May even build a 331. But it looks like I will need wheelie bars for sure. The Grump said said wheelies sell T shirts. I have some plans there also.

[RichSchmidt]

Yes,now that you mention it you are correct,it was confirmed to be Blevins' old car. Still going strong as a bracket car,I just hope he doesn't wreck it.

[ds1]

It is hard for me to think that a Body in White is a rare piece since I have one. We know of at least 4 Bodies in White. Pete said they built very few cars off non production cars. As time goes on information is harder to get. Gary Drenk said the car was bought through the Grump, owner 2 backed that up and added it was the 3rd or 4th car built, which is consistent with what Pete has told me several times. Pete said that if the car has ties to The Grump it would have gone through Dick Whitman. That is where the problem lies now. They have passed and any of that information is gone. I am lucky that someone from Chicago gave me a huge lead and things went quickly. I am waiting on Gary to scan build pics of the car. He has pics of the body being dipped. My car has been continuously been raced since new, it has had changes and upgrades. So it is not as first built, but enough is still original to know who built it. Along the way I have learned about some interesting dealings and ties these guys had to illegal money. These guys were not a squeaky clean as history makes them out to be. Even the Grump was no angel. I met Bill when we did the Nostalgia races as well as most of the legends. I am glad to have this little piece of history

[ds1]

Adds

[Kurt S]

JohnZ commented:
Yup, I remember when we built those "tacked" bodies and shipped them out on wooden pallets. Nothing used to happen in the plants that the UAW didn't try to screw up - remember that 1973 was two years after GMAD absorbed the Chevrolet and Fisher Body plant at Lordstown, and neither Division existed there any more (I was the Chassis Production Superintendent in 1973),

When it came time to palletize the first "tack" Vega body, the previously-Fisher Body carpenters demanded that job exclusively, and threatened to walk out if any previously-Chevrolet carpenters were allowed to work on the "race car pallets". Ultimately, we (GMAD) got the UAW in Detroit to remind the Union local President that ALL of the carpenters were G.M. carpenters, and management had the right to assign skilled trades work as they saw fit.

John

[Xplantdad]

Interesting info Kurt! :beers:

[ds1]

We are trying to figure out what month the body was built. It is number 051. Would it have been July? I talked to Mike Mathias and he remembered the skids the bodies came on sitting outside SRD shop.

[ds1]

Here she is going into the acid tank

[Mr70]

Thanks for sharing all this with us.
No disrespect to you or the company dipping it whatsoever,but make sure they rinse the heck out of that when done.
I had a door & hood acid dipped years ago and they leached long after they were painted and had to be scrapped.
Business that did it for me went bust,so that says something about them.

[ds1]

It has held up to this point. I read about the process. These are 45 year old pictures. I have a Super Stock car the acid dipping did not last on. We measured metal I cut from up under the dash and it is.023 thick. Factory was around .043 thick Also this car has been updated so it is not 100 percent as originally built. Last updates were about 1980. Little has been changed since then.

[Mr70]

Oh I see,thought that was a current sepia tone photo of what you were doing with it today.

[DW31S]

Many time Super Stock Champion Bobby Warren used to give his sheetmetal a "Carolina Salt Bath".....I think you get the idea. I've often wondered just how much weight is saved by acid dipping. I've seen roofs buckle, 1/4 panels damn near fall off, all kinds of stuff over the years. My class racing years are long behind me and my need for "bending" or "stretching" the rules is also a thing of the past. I'd rather my cars look good and be a tenth slower.

[ds1]

The 67 Super Stock car I have had the front end and decklid acid dipped. It was not treated correctly and rusted out. I had guys tell me that Paul Blevins car was not properly treatext and the tail pan went on it.

[RichSchmidt]

Many time Super Stock Champion Bobby Warren used to give his sheetmetal a "Carolina Salt Bath".....I think you get the idea. I've often wondered just how much weight is saved by acid dipping. I've seen roofs buckle, 1/4 panels damn near fall off, all kinds of stuff over the years. My class racing years are long behind me and my need for "bending" or "stretching" the rules is also a thing of the past. I'd rather my cars look good and be a tenth slower.

When I spoke to the guys from SRD about authenticating my car they said that they used to shoot foam between the panels after acid dipping. They asked me if the doors on my car were still filled with foam.

[ds1]

I started a SRD site on Facebook to help educate on the evolution and how the cars were built. Also trying to see how many are still known to exist. I have since found out the car I have was one of the first built. The wheelie bars were an indicator. I have been told Dale Evans car was in Deleware.

[ds1]

The car is painted and getting buffed now. My pictures are to large to load. I was at S&W last week. Talked to Mike Weney who worked at SRD as a teenager. Going to take the car there to get 8.50 certified and cross member to put the Lenco back in. Talked to the original owner builder, Gary Drenk. He said he thought the body in white cost $900 in the fall of 1972. We are going to hand paint all the lettering back on the car as originally done. Being Chicago Chevrolet Dealers Association sponsored it would be a good fit for MACAN in the future