Chevrolet Camaro 1969, Estados Unidos

Chevrolet Camaro 1969, Estados Unidos
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The truth of the matter was that Chevrolet was supposed to be out of racing by 1969. Camaros like this existed solely because management at the corporate offices knew that “win on Sunday, sell on Monday” still held true. Roger Penske and Mark Donohue were doing just that in SCCA sports car events using the specialized equipment that this RPO code added to the F-body model. Moreover, the production Z28 was not some mild-mannered model, but a serious street car that, with some minor upgrades, could be road- or drag-raced. Dealers shied the uncommitted buyers toward SS models, but those who had read the magazine reviews knew that this version of the Camaro was exactly what they wanted.

The most famous part of the Z28 package would be its high-compression, free-winded 302 CI small-block that boasted “only” 290 HP—true, yes, but someplace far lower on the RPM band than redline. This engine mandated the cowl-induction hood (RPO ZL2) as part of the package, with the air cleaner mated to the functional hood opening via a rubber seal. The engine had excellently matched reciprocating parts, special heads, a large-port intake and a high-volume Holley 4-barrel carburetor.

Backed by the Muncie 4-speed and a 4.11:1 Positraction rear end, this Camaro is painted in LeMans Blue with contrasting white stripes and a black vinyl interior that features bucket seats, a deluxe center console with gauges and a Hurst shifter, optional tachometer and 140 MPH speedometer, an in-dash clock and an AM radio. In addition to these pieces, this Camaro has the F41 sport suspension, front fog lamps, and the SCCA homologation front air dam and rear spoiler. The 15-inch Rally wheels are a great touch, upgraded to BF Goodrich Radial T/A white-letter-tires.

Chevrolet Corvette Callaway 25TH Anniversary 2012, Estados Unidos

Chevrolet Corvette Callaway 25TH Anniversary 2012, Estados Unidos
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Chevrolet commemorated its 100th Anniversary with a year of celebrations, highlighted by a special Centennial Edition option package that was available on all Corvette models and came with an all-black color scheme and unique design elements; but the powers that be had another, more exclusive special-edition Corvette to add to the mix: the Callaway 25th Anniversary Edition.

Limited to just 15 coupes and 11 convertibles (including one pilot car), the Callaway 25th Anniversary Edition was created to mark the quarter century since the first Callaway Twin Turbo Corvette was added to the factory option list in 1987. The 2012 Callaway Corvette was a different beast altogether, one that added almost three times as much to the bottom line than the first Twin Turbos in 1987. For $52,980, the Callaway buyer began with the excellent Grand Sport platform that shared its extra-wide bodywork, flared fenders and brake cooling scoops with those of the high-performance Z06. The Grand Sport’s track-focused suspension and massive ventilated disc brakes were also a perfect fit for the Callaway formula. After delivery to Old Lyme, the Grand Sport’s 6.2L/436 HP LS3 engine received an intercooled TVS2300 Roots-type supercharger on a high-flow intake manifold, high-ratio rocker arms and upgraded valve springs and pushrods. A new high-flow fuel pump and injectors were also installed, along with Reeves Callaway autographed carbon fiber injector covers and distinctive Double-D-tipped stainless steel exhaust. The resulting 620 HP completely transform the Grand Sport in both performance and demeanor.

This sinister-looking Callaway 25th Anniversary from the Vannoy Collection also shows off the special Callaway carbon fiber hood with “SUPERCHARGED” emblems, carbon fiber splitter and rear spoiler, red Corvette brake calipers and Michelin Pilot Sport tires on Callaway Black wheels. Riding 1.5 inches lower than stock, this 2012 Callaway Corvette combines a Cyber Gray exterior with an Ebony interior, power seats, windows and locks, Callaway floor mats and commemorative dash plaque, completing a transformation into one very exclusive edition of America’s Sports Car. This special car has been driven 277 miles since new.

Dodge Daytona 1969, Estados Unidos

Dodge Daytona 1969, Estados Unidos
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They came to do one thing—win. Indeed, when Dodge boss Bob McCurry first saw it, he only asked if it could finally give Dodge that big Daytona superspeedway title. The engineering guys said yes, and cars like this spectacularly refreshed Charger Daytona showed up in late 1969, among the ultimate “win on Sunday, sell on Monday” American supercars from this era. One of 503 Daytonas produced, this car is documented with its original broadcast sheet and window sticker. Moreover, the exacting nut-and-bolt rotisserie restoration is to correct as-built specs, making this streamlined example of the upscale Charger R/T design even more attractive.

Beneath the hood is this car’s matching-numbers 440 Magnum V-8 engine, pumping out 375 HP complete with its 4-barrel carburetor and dual exhaust. This is backed by the legendary A727 TorqueFlite transmission as part of the A36 Performance Axle Package, which added the 8.75 Sure Grip differential with 3.55 gears. Equipped with power steering, this car showcases more than its aerodynamic enhancements (wing, nose cone, flush rear window and air extractors). It is covered in deep R6 Red with a white wing and black vinyl interior. Inside are bucket seats and a center console with shifter, Music Master AM radio, the sport steering wheel, tachometer with clock, and a remote driver's mirror. The exterior is enhanced with the tinted windshield, flip-top gas cap, hood pins, Daytona wing graphics and script Charger chrome trim. This car rides on styled road wheels and Firestone redline tires, which nicely complement the body color.

Sold new at Western Dodge Inc. in Marion, Indiana, this Charger Daytona and its kin were part of a single production run, one that Dodge would never revisit. Alas, the hoped-for Daytona win was not part of its legacy (Plymouth’s similar Superbird got that honor in 1970), but the model helped Dodge win the Grand National series Championship with Bobby Isaac, and this example has faithfully continued that legacy ever since.

Plymouth AAR Cuda 1970, Estados Unidos

Plymouth AAR Cuda 1970, Estados Unidos
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A single production run was how most of the homologation specials of the supercar era worked, and for Plymouth, the single season of 1970 was when cars like this AAR Cuda arrived. As Ford budget cuts took hold, legend Dan Gurney and his All American Racers joined the popular Chrysler brand in late 1969, and with a new E-body Barracuda platform being offered, he became the point person for a run at the SCCA’s extremely popular Trans Am series. The AAR was created for this effort as a special package of body and suspension components coupled to a now-legendary rendering of the LA-series 340 V-8 engine.

Noted by the letter “J” in the VIN, this car has a 340 that features a 6-BBL carburetion setup, three 2-barrel Holleys on a special intake, which was offered only one time in Plymouth’s history—the AAR. Here, it is backed by the desirable 4-speed manual transmission. Moreover, this AAR features Sassy Grass Green paint with AAR strobotic graphics, the front and rear spoilers, the black fiberglass hood with accompanying top fender blackout and centered NACA-design functional scoop, and the special exclusive-to-AAR side-exit exhaust with chrome tips, making it instantly identifiable. Coupled with the black vinyl top, the black interior was an excellent choice in this car with its bucket seats, Hurst Pistol Grip shifter, auxiliary fire extinguisher and Cuda floor mats. The Rallye dash features the 150 MPH and factory tachometer, while the outside hosts hood pins, a rear-mount radio antenna, dual body-color mirrors and fog lamps.

Not visually seen is the special fast-ratio steering, performance suspension and power brakes. One final special aspect of the AAR was the offset tire sizes, with Goodyear Polyglas GT white-letter F60-15s up front and wider G60-15s in the rear, all on 15-inch Rallye wheels. Furthermore, this AAR Cuda won AACA Senior honors in 2004 and is documented with the broadcast sheet.