The one, The only 1967 IPC

[olredalert]

Originally Posted by 70 copo

Detail view on an original Firestone Wide Oval D:

----I have been wrong before so won't be embarrased. I have to ask if this particular Firestone is a retread. I remember these Firestone tires so well back before the stripe was moved inward and I don't think I have ever seen the edge so scalloped. The pictures up close in this thread don't show what is shown on the pictured tire. I will trust what ever you may comment!....Bill S

[70 copo]

More Dave Welday, Chevrolet ZONE, and Norwood Trivia: The Pace Car program in 1967 was a local Indianapolis Zone under taking that was backed, in full, by the Central Office.

According to the surviving Zone managers and Norwood Management Blue top was the appearance that Chevrolet Officials actually wanted the Pace Car to look like and there was political pressure involved and friction between IMS and Chevrolet in advance of the race.

Anton Tony Hulman of IMS strictly specified "white cars with white tops" and then after pressure to accept Blue toppers by Chevrolet- Hulman got mad and then pushed back politically He visited Norwood to see the cars being built and further required Chevrolet to pre-deliver two pace car replicas to IMS one full week in advance of the scheduled delivery of the remaining Zone 25 Norwood Built commitment fleet to IMS - all for simple cosmetic approval by Hulman at the track.

Norwood Plant Manager Herb Leitz personally represented Chevrolet at the pre-delivery meeting at IMS.

The Leitz recollection is corroborated by the NICB reports on the commitment fleet indicating that indeed two replica's were released a week ahead of the remaining commitment fleet. These were the cars driven to the speedway for the meeting with Hulman. (Good news: Both of these cars survive today and are enthusiast owned)

Chevrolet then pushed back on the Hulman decree and decided to have it their way with blue top replicas at IMS. These cars made an appearance with Zone managers and Chevrolet Brass driving in the Blue Toppers to the track just prior to the race.

So based upon interviews of Zone personnel, and Management, including the Norwood Plant Manager, - there should be a total of 10 Blue Top Camaro Super Sports used by the 10 Top Indy Metro Area Zone Managers and another batch of 7 or 8 Blue Top Pace Car Replicas that were used for the visiting Brass from Chevrolet Central Office.

Below:

Hulman at Norwood

Indy Manager David Welday with his blue top at IMS with his "Official blue Vest" on.

Ground zero for these last minute shenanigans appears to be Indianapolis dealer Bill Kuhn.

Finally Herb Leitz who was extensively interviewed prior to his passing.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Charley Lillard

Those were gold letter tires. Here is the unused spare.

Look how gray that rally appears; not the bright metallic argent that we are painting them today.

K

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by 70 copo

Good photo of Pete Estes in a replica from the commitment fleet.

Plus some guy from Texas at the wheel.

K

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by 70 copo

Victory Lap with AJ Foyt, his wife and the BW trophy aboard.

Foyt's previous wins were in 1961 and 1964.

I was born in '61; my sister in '64.

Let's just say my parents were kinda nervous when he won again in '67.

K

[70 copo]

Originally Posted by olredalert

----I have been wrong before so won't be embarrased. I have to ask if this particular Firestone is a retread. I remember these Firestone tires so well back before the stripe was moved inward and I don't think I have ever seen the edge so scalloped. The pictures up close in this thread don't show what is shown on the pictured tire. I will trust what ever you may comment!....Bill S

I wondered that myself. This tire is on flea bay now and I grabbed these images simply to show the correct stripe orientation just to save time digging through my images.

Yeah, that looks like a recap. Good eyes you have!

[Keith Seymore]

I have to add - what a great thread, great photos, and great car.

Sure brings back some good memories of the halcyon days at the Speedway. When men were men and racers were bold (but not old).

K

[70 copo]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Look how gray that rally appears; not the bright metallic argent that we are painting them today.

K

Primer Wheel from the factory?

[Keith Seymore]

I don't mean to go too far afield, but two more random thoughts and I'll quit:

Originally Posted by 70 copo

Good photo of Pete Estes in a replica from the commitment fleet.

Mr Estes was a very popular leader, even at the time and even among young people.

When I was at GMI I was in the room of a young lady and she had a photo on her bookshelf.

"Wow" I said. "Your dad looks a lot like Pete Estes".

"That IS Pete" she said.

Originally Posted by 70 copo

Finally Herb Leitz who was extensively interviewed prior to his passing.

At one point both my Dad and I worked directly for Herb Leitz. Dad was in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering and I was in the Engineering Assembly Liaison group.

Mr Leitz had created a new position to place assembly plant personnel in the engineering environment in order to provide up front manufacturing input into the design process. I was only the second person ever to occupy that position.

When I transitioned from Chevrolet Flint Assembly to Chevrolet (truck) Engineering I kept the same title, same phone and same desk at Engineering. The only change was that my paychecks started coming from engineering rather than the assembly plant.

K

[70 copo]

I called Pete Estes widow 12 years ago to request an interview.... boy o boy that was a mistake.

She made it hurt...