Road Racing Detroit Style - 1970 Trans-Am Doc

[propayne]

I'm putting this under "Shelby American Racing" even tho this is from 1970.

Very cool vintage documentary on the '70 TA season.

As far as I'm concerned, vintage Trans-Am is the shiznit.

- Phillip

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21Rc8AhuBSY

[68GT350roadracer]

Thanks for the link. Love the early Trans Am series.

[shelbydoug]

This may have been the best kind of racing there was to an American kid and making it the battle of Detroit. No high winding Ferarri's or turbocharged un-obtainium Porches. Just something that you could watch race on Sunday and on Monday go buy one from a dealer.

After re-watching this, what amazes me is the red lines on those engines. 7,500 to 8,000 rpm's in 1970 on an American V-8 is impressive.

I didn't see any blown engines, just some blown tires from running out of rubber from running flat out, all the way.

Thanks for posting this. I'd forgotten about it. 

[JD]

Watched a series of those the other night on You tube after Tom H sent me an e-mail. Parnelli Jones was take no prisoners.

When dad took us to see the races at Mid-Ohio in the '60's many of the same guys were running Trans-Am and the Can-Am cars too, when they were in the Trans-Am cars they were dang near bumper cars, less power, and sheet metal - when they got in the Can-Am cars they were not banging and bumping.

When you left the track at the end of the day you where deaf - the Can-Am cars were SO LOUD!

[CSX 4133]

Enjoyed the video Phil, did you catch the one I posted earlier of the Cougars in Trans Am?

[propayne]

^^^ Yes!

I did Steven and I've been meaning to comment  -  thanks for that!

Willing to bet that at some point Mercury thought that their chances of winning the championship were good enough to commission a film documenting the season.

There is one by AMC also.

Haven't studied the credits yet, but this "Road Racing Detroit Style" must of been the work of some entity that wanted to promote all of the factories and the series itself.

- Phillip

[NC TRACKRAT]

Thanks for posting that, Phillip!  Enjoyed every minute.  Have run all three of those tracks so it was even more enjoyable.  They're a lot safer now with better run-offs and lots of ARMCO but I think the racing back then was a whole lot more exciting.

[Bigfoot]

Fantastic vid. Thnx

[69mach351w]

At 11:40, that was some freaking hellacious driving by PJ

Love me some sweeet sounding V8 roaring!!