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Attachment 71202
( Ken H photo)
The owner driver of this 1965 Shelby Daytona Coupe # 9 (Chassis # CSX 2286 ) is Rob Walton, heir to the Walmart store chain.
( So that means I have supported this race car over the years ! It was valued at $ 15 million in 2012 )
The history of this car is at this site;
https://supercarnostalgia.com/blog/s...assis-csx-2286
The sister car (Chassis # CSX 2287 ) had a very interesting existence over the years. It was first sold after racing in 1966 for about
$ 4000 dollars and that owner was pleased when he sold a few years (1970 ) for 3 times what he paid for it.
This is the ad. for this machine.
Attachment 71203
Some information on CSX 2287.
" Chassis # CSX2287 - The Original[edit]
Chassis #CSX2287 was the very first prototype Cobra Daytona Coupe, and is the only coupe that was built entirely at the Shelby American race shop in Venice, California. It has an extensive race history, competing at Daytona, Sebring, Reims, Spa Francorchamps, Oulton Park TT, Le Mans, Tour de France and Bonneville Salt Flats. It was driven by Dave MacDonald, Bob Holbert, Jo Schlesser, Phil Hill, Jochen Neerpasch, Chris Amon, Innes Ireland, André Simon, Maurice Dupeyron, Bob Johnson and Tom Payne.
Chassis CSX2287 won the GT class at the 12 Hours of Sebring in March 1964 with MacDonald and Holbert behind the wheel. The race at Sebring marked the first victory for a Cobra Daytona Coupe. At Le Mans in June 1964, the car was finished in Viking Blue metallic very distinctive white painted front fenders. The drivers were Amon and Neerpasch. They led the GT class until the car was disqualified in the 10th hour for an illegal jump start due to battery and alternator failure.
This coupe ended its racing career by setting 25 USAC/FIA world records at the Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, in November 1965, while driven by Craig Breedlove, Bobby Tatroe and Tom Greatorex during a Goodyear tire testing session. Shortly thereafter, it was reconditioned and was advertised for sale.
Slot car racing magnate, Jim Russell bought the car from Shelby in 1966 after seeing an ad in the newspaper, for about $4-$5k. Russell eventually listed the car for sale and music producer Phil Spector bought it from him. The car was not suited for street driving, however certain features were added including traditional rear-exit mufflers and interior carpeting, in order to make if more user-friendly. It is unknown if these were added by Spector or Russell.
All trace of CSX2287 was lost by the mid-1970s, with car historians and collectors fearing the car had been destroyed. In 2001 the car was rediscovered in a rental storage unit in California.[7] The owner Donna O'Hara had committed suicide by burning herself alive.[8] The car had remained undiscovered for almost 30 years. Due to its estimated worth of over $4,000,000 the car was part of an extensive legal battle between her mother who sold the car to Dr. Frederick A. Simeone, and a friend of Ms O'Hara who was the recipient in her will of the contents of the storage unit. An earlier owner of the car appears to have been music producer Phil Spector who had been known to drive it on the streets of Los Angeles.[9] Built for high-speed sprints, the cab became uncomfortably warm as the car engine heated up, among other problems. "It wasn't a street car; it was a race car", Shelby said. Still, Spector drove it on the streets, and legend is that Spector racked up so many speeding tickets, his lawyer advised him to get rid of the car before he lost his license.
CSX2287 is the only Daytona Coupe which has not been restored. It has been preserved and mechanically reconditioned. It is part of the permanent collection at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in Philadelphia, PA, USA.[10]
In January 2014, CSX2287 became the first vehicle added to the Historic Vehicle Association's National Historic Vehicle Register in the United States.[11] Concurrently it became the first automobile to be recorded under the United States Secretary of the Interior Standards for Heritage Documentation, kept on file in the Library of Congress.[12] In November 2014, CSX2287 won the International Historic Motoring Awards "Car of the Year", which is voted on by the public. In addition to being the first American car to win the award, the Cobra Daytona Coupe is also the first American car nominated for this award.[13]"
From this site .. http://slotblog.net/topic/88160-cobra-daytona-coupe/
(Ken H..)
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Thanks for taking all the great photos Ken, it looks like a fabulous event that will rival the Rolex Monterey Historics.
Nice work.
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One more photo of Mr. Walton driving down through the Corkscrew in his 1965 Daytona Coupe # 9
(John Adams photo.)
Attachment 71224
(Thanks Bruce for your kind support. I still have a ways to go with my inputs for this event.
Perhaps one day we will meet again at Laguna Seca. I might bring "Peter" along just to add excitement to the occasion ! )
Cheers,
Ken H
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Well if you bring "Peter" along to Laguna or anywhere else then you will be responsible for him. As fun as he is.
I look forward to catching up again n the not too distant future.
Thanks for all the pics and event coverage Ken.
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5 Attachment(s)
These are cars that raced at LeMans, Sebring, Spa, Daytona etc. 1982 -1995. IMSA GTP FIA Group C & C2 Class...
Attachment 71242
David Donohue, son of Mark, driving a 1995 Porsche Kremer K8 # 10
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1984 Lancia LC2 # 4 being prepared by the good guys of United Autosports for their boss Zak Brown to drive.
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Zak Brown getting strapped into # 4
(Ken H photos..)
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Bruce Canepa driving a 1989 Porsche 962 C # 14
(John Adams photo )
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Two quick Gurney All American Eagle Toyotas. Both numbered 99.
Rob Kauffman driving a 1990 AAR Toyota Eagle HF89.
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Charles Nearburg drove his 1991 AAR Toyota Eagle Mark 3 GTP.
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(Ken H photos.)
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(John Adams photo..)
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One of the highlights at Laguna Seca was watching the McLaren F1 two seater in action. It began life in 1998 as a McLaren MP4/98T
powered by a fabulous sounding Mercedes V-10 engine.
Attachment 71286
It was shown in a memorable 1998 clip with Murray Walker and Martin Brundle at Silverstone before the circuit was modernized.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUhkIRu_zfM&t=16s
The car has now been updated to modern day colours and trim.
Attachment 71287
When I first saw the car it was driven by McLaren's promising young Indy car driver, Pato O'Ward
Attachment 71288
Pato said jokingly that I was one of the first New Zealanders he had met not named Scott (Dixon and McLaughlin)
A most pleasant young man with a big future.
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The Mercedes V-10 engine in the twin seater F1 McLaren.
Attachment 71285
(Ken H photos..)
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The evolving McLaren Kiwi logo was seen in various forms at Laguna Seca.
From a 1972 M8 F Can Am rear wing,
Attachment 71423
To the door of the McLaren garage
Attachment 71424
as seen on the 2012 McLaren F1 car driven by Lewis Hamilton.
Attachment 71425
A later version on the nose of the Tandem F1 car
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Even on the wheel centre of the latest McLaren super car.
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(Ken H photos )
More on the changing McLaren Kiwi logo.
https://www.mclaren.com/racing/herit...of-the-marque/
Attachment 71428
(Ken H)
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Although this site is for motorsport history and historic racing please excuse me for inserting some modern day vehicles with a great name and of great value that were seen in abundance at this event.
For instance this line up of 4 McLaren Speedtails total up to a value of close to 10 million US dollars !
Attachment 71474
For a privileged few they were given rides around the circuit at a pretty good speed.
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The 2014 P1 McLaren are rare and keep going up in value. This is a beautiful example..
Attachment 71478
Just in case you have a few dollars to spare here is a 2021 price list in US dollars.
Attachment 71479
(Ken H photos..)
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Later in the day it was time for a second Historic Trans Am practice.
The always friendly Richard Goldsmith in his 1970 Doge Challenger # 77 originally driven by Sam Posey.
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(Another thumbs up from Richard, all set for the next day.)
Richard also enjoys having his son, Daniel, racing with him in the HTA class as well, in his 1968 Camaro # 92.
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(Ken H photos..)
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Two quick Historic Trans Am Mustangs
Ken Adams, 1969 FORD Boss 302 Mustang # 45
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Another look at Ford CEO, Jim Farley, in his 1969 Ford Boss 302 Mustang # 1
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(Ken H photos..)
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This 1972 Trans Am AMC Javelin #2 is driven today by Ken Epsman.
Originally Driven by Roy Woods, Mark Donohue, George Follmer and Vic Elford.
Attachment 71521
As per Historic Trans Am website.
" This car was built by Penske for the 1970 season with Mark Donohue and Peter Revson as the drivers. The Donohue Javelin finished 2nd in points behind Parnelli Jones' Mustang in the Championship Standings. The car was sold to Roy Woods Racing at the end of the 1970 season with updated sheetmetal and run in 1971 by Roy Woods, Vic Elford, and Peter Revson... in yellow colors.
In 1972, Roy Woods inherited the AMC sponsorship when Penske went NASCAR racing and Woods again fielded the same cars in the AMC red, white, and blue, and won the Manufacturers Championship with George Follmer and Roy Woods as drivers.
It has been restored as driven in 1972.."
Attachment 71522
Attachment 71523
(Ken H photos..)
The 1972 Trans Am season was the last of the muscle car type and Ford and Chevrolet did not provide any factory support but the AMC (American Motors Company ) did and that proved to be a winner as the AMC Javelin won the 1972 championship.
This shows the first 1972 field and although large it did not have the quality of the previous seasons.
Attachment 71524
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The silver 1971 Camaro # 71 was first sold to GM Corvette Division employee Robert Clemens as a Rally Sport street car and started as the family car but after a year and with his wife’s support Robert developed the car into a SCCA Trans Am race car. It first raced at the 1972 Trans Am race at Watkins Glen on June 17th.1972.
Attachment 71618
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(Sideway drift by Ken H.) I had just arrived in the United States at that time and was eager to follow how Graham McRae did at the same Watkins Glen meet in the Formula 5000 race. It was another win for Graham in the L&M 5000 Series in which he would go onto win the championship that year. (I told everyone I could, about what a great driver he was as he was a virtual unknown over here.) I always was impressed that a NZ driver could build and race his own car and win major races in countries around the world. We may never see anything like that again. I was disappointed that there was no coverage of that Watkins Glen weekend where I stayed in California, just a rerun of the 1972 Indianapolis 500 )
The # 71 Camaro is now driven by Chip Fudge.
Attachment 71620
(Ken H photos )
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This 1967 Chevrolet Z/28 Camaro # 7 was first sold in early 1967 from the Alan Green Chevrolet dealership near Seattle, Washington.
(Price new was $ 2400.00 before being prepared by the dealership to go racing.)
Attachment 71632
(Ken H photo.)
The first race driver was Gary Gove who used the same mechanic as I did !
Attachment 71633
Tony Hart is the present driver of this well prepared machine.
(Ken H)
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1968 Camaro #67 driven at Laguna Seca by Jere Clark.
Attachment 71639
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Attachment 71641
(Ken H photos)
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Ken, I have messaged you.
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Well known local driver, Bruce Canepa, in his 1970 AMC Javelin # 6, originally driven by Mark Donohue.
Attachment 71708
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(Ken H photos )
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The # 6 AMC Mark Donohue Javelin and the Parnelli Jones Mustang # 15 feature in this You Tube 1970 movie of the 1970 Trans Am Series.
( Sorry for the rather poor quality )
The actual cars at Laguna Seca this year.
Attachment 71746
Attachment 71747
(Ken H photos..)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHyE_qzDuwQ
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BUDEJOVICKY BUDVAR
The Mechanic was descended from the Legendary " Bud Var ", The name got changed in the USA, because of the American Brewery, not allowing the Original Czech Brewery to us the name. " Budweiser Budvar ".
Attachment 71748
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I rest my Case .. or 6 pack or dozen..
This is how they are labelled in NZ and Europe, but not the USA, and it is Damn Good Beer too !!
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