View Full Version : Question for Jim M. about 69 Trans Am Vintage car
x44d80
08-22-2003, 06:11 PM
I was over at the Year One website and saw an article on the buildup of your 1969 Trans Am used for Vintage events. I was wondering how the car did at the events and if there is any other place with more info on the car? If people haven't seen the website with the car it's worth a look at www.yearone.com (http://www.yearone.com)
MotownMadman
08-22-2003, 09:34 PM
I spent a day at the track with Jim, his son JB who is the driver, and that bad @ss Pontiac. I cant give you all the stats and figures, but at the race I was at the team had NO competition, that car just flat out flies! Jerry Titus jumped in that seat in 69 after leaving the Shelby Mustang team after the 68 season. Look for an upcoming segment on speedvision or similar with interviews with JB about his team and car. I have the #2 1968 Team Shelby Mustang which is currently under restoration to original specs, I would hate to have to meet up with that TA on the track after watching it run. I have some good photos of Jim's TA at the track racing if anyone is interested.
Thanks,
Motown /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif
x44d80
08-23-2003, 12:05 AM
The car is gorgeous. I wish there was more photo's on the YearOne site. Unfortunatly Vintage racing info is hard to come by. I think it is neat the way they flared the fenders on the Trans Am. According to the Penske Camaro article in Car Life in 1970 you couldn't add metal that way to the fenders. They must have used a English wheel or planishing hammer back then.
MotownMadman
08-23-2003, 05:30 AM
As the fenders were flared the car was also lowered down to larger tires then stock, in doing that it allowed for the actual fender material to be used in making the flare since the wheel well opening came 2 to 3 inches higher in the fender. At least that is the deal with the Shelbys as I just did the fronts on my car, I cant imagine that much of a difference on the Poncho or Camaro. Bernie King at Penske Vintage restorations in the Michigan Irish Hills could give you more detail on the GM cars as they are involved with some of the finest Vintage race car restorations in the country. Need a phone # let me know.
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redvetracr
09-06-2003, 03:13 AM
Did I see that car run at Road America ?? There is PLENTY of competition there. ...redvetracr
MotownMadman
09-06-2003, 06:50 AM
RVR, Ran at Road America but retired early with minor mechanical malfunction, the car and driver are both serious contenders.
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Jim Mattison
09-06-2003, 12:23 PM
Yes , we were at Road America, in Elkhart Lake, WI, for the BRIC. That event is our favorite race of the race entire schedule. It is a very well run event, with some great folks and lots of competition!
Our '69 Trans Am is considered to be a "Canadian" Firebird, which is basically a Z-28 with Firebird sheetmetal. The engine is essentially a "legal" 5.0 liter (304.2 cid) version of a Winston Cup motor.
On the last lap of the Friday practice, we spun the #2 cam bearing and some of the bearing material got trapped in our dry-sump. Prior to our mishap, we were a serious contender among the 5.0 liter Trans Am cars (group 6B).
I have some digital photos of our car, but I am having difficulty in scaling them down to be able to post. Any suggestions or help?
If anyone is interested, we will be at the last race of the season at Mid-Ohio, in October.
Jim Mattison
JIM, I will post them for you if you like just email them to me
[email protected]
Any plans to come to Lime Rock CT? I go to Lime Rock whenever the old TA cars are there. Cool cars
MotownMadman
09-06-2003, 05:36 PM
Jim,
I can also scale the photos and post them if you Email them to me, you have my Email.
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pic 3 looks like fun /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif
redvetracr
09-07-2003, 01:30 AM
What "lap times" do you run at Road America???
MotownMadman
09-07-2003, 05:26 AM
Jim,
The photos posted, are those from the weekend at Gingerman? I could swear I was taking photos from the same vantage point. Also, I have a copy of the video ready for you.
Motown /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif
Jim Mattison
09-07-2003, 04:01 PM
During practice at Road America, we were running fairly consistant at a 2:31.5 lap after we "bedded in" the brakes. I think that we were capable of race laps in the 2:28 to 2:29 range, depending on how we caught traffic.
Assuming that our mid-west weather holds out, we will be at the last race of the year at Mid-Ohio, on October 17-19th. However, at that time of the year it can get darn cold and rainy!
Jim Mattison
redvetracr
09-07-2003, 07:52 PM
I understand there is a vintage event at Road America in a few weeks are you going?? I would assume (almost) all the fast guys would be there. ...redvetracr
Jim Mattison
09-07-2003, 09:42 PM
We had originally contemplated going back to Road America for the Elkart Lake Vintage Festival, but we won't be able to run our new motor on the dyno until early next week. Unfortunately, that doesn't leave us much time to get ready.
Additionally, these dry-sump 302's aren't cheap!!! We want to do all of our break-in time and calibration on the dyno, not at the track.
We're planning on going to the last race at Mid-Ohio.
Jim Mattison
redvetracr
09-07-2003, 11:18 PM
Jim M.
I have one final question (actually it`s my wife who has the question) where can we (she) get a stop watch like the one you used?? ...redvetracr
Jim Mattison
09-08-2003, 12:39 AM
Maybe you haven't looked in the rule book lately. Beginning in 2003, it is manditory that all cars be equipped with a TranX260 transponder. All of our lap times come from the scoring tower. We don't use a stop watch much any more.
I'd be happy to sell you our old scoring board and stop watches! Send me a private e-mail.
Jim Mattison
[email protected]
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