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  1. #1

    Book on Trans-Am Cars

    David Tom has a new book out called "The Cars of Trans-Am Racing 1966-1972." A few comments on Moffet racing sedans in the US. I got to write a little tribute to Warren Tope, a Ford back door privateer that ran a Boss 302 in national races and some Trans-Am races. Anyway, just thought I would mention it. If it doesn't belong in this forum section I am very sorry. Move it or delete it.
    Doug

  2. #2
    Semi-Pro Racer kiwi285's Avatar
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    I would think that it would be quite a popular book here with the support of historic racing in NZ. I will be looking for a copy myself.

    Mike

  3. #3
    It does fit here, and I've got my copy!
    An awesome book, I highly recommend it

  4. #4
    Quote Originally Posted by nzboss View Post
    It does fit here, and I've got my copy!
    An awesome book, I highly recommend it
    Where did you buy your copy?

  5. #5
    For me Amazon books $40.06 us including shipping to Melbourne.

  6. #6
    Semi-Pro Racer
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    The Book Depository .com
    AUD $ 38.15 ...free shipping worldwide

  7. #7
    Thanks you Doug, for the heads-up. I did a search on the title, found it on Amazon, and plan to purchase a copy. This is most definitely the right place to post this. Thanks again.

  8. #8
    x2 on the case and will order a copy.

  9. #9
    Another from The Book Depository.com.
    These guys are awesome to deal with, and priced well.
    .....And with free shipping as already stated.

  10. #10
    Semi-Pro Racer kiwi285's Avatar
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    My copy is on the way from Amazon.

    I haven't heard of the Book Depository but will certainly look it up.

  11. #11
    David Toms' book didn't quite arrive in time for Christmas but is certainly a great read as lead up to NZFMR and HMCs. And Alan Mann's autobiography arrived too which looks to be a fascinating story of '60s saloon and sports car racing. Thanks Santa

  12. #12
    Semi-Pro Racer kiwi285's Avatar
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    My copy has arrived and there are some great period and modern photos of the car and heaps of info on all the tricks that were employed in trying to gain that winning edge. Plenty of info from the engineers about what they were up to and how they hid the results from the scrutineers. Not all tied up with race reports and results.

    A book well worth having for the background info about the series and how it all unravelled.

    Mike

  13. #13
    Interesting that in in Aussie, when I look in Pitstop Bookshop, supposedly Australia's leading motoring bookshop, it says price AUD 66 (plus post) and Availability " Not in stock. Future Release"

  14. #14
    [QUOTE=kiwi285;36952]Heaps of info on all the tricks that were employed in trying to gain that winning edge.

    So who is going to run a Camaro with vinyl roof in HMC?

  15. #15
    [QUOTE=Shoreboy57;36994]
    Quote Originally Posted by kiwi285 View Post
    Heaps of info on all the tricks that were employed in trying to gain that winning edge.

    So who is going to run a Camaro with vinyl roof in HMC?
    Might have to put one on my mustang? Dale M

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by kiwi285 View Post
    My copy has arrived and there are some great period and modern photos of the car and heaps of info on all the tricks that were employed in trying to gain that winning edge. Plenty of info from the engineers about what they were up to and how they hid the results from the scrutineers. Not all tied up with race reports and results.

    A book well worth having for the background info about the series and how it all unravelled.

    Mike


    Ditto what Mike wrote...Good reading

    Mine arrived a few days after Xmas from Book Depository...A$38 inc postage
    Last edited by Ellis; 01-14-2014 at 04:10 AM. Reason: spelling

  17. #17
    Strange things happen when you acid dip a bodyshell Shoreboy!

  18. #18
    The vinyl would be much thicker and stronger than the roof of many Trans Am cars, and vinyl doesnt rust.

  19. #19
    Just one theory (from Car Life Mag in 1970). I'll leave it to the experts to argue its validity:
    The forward part of a car roof is a negative pressure area. Venting the higher pressure cockpit air into that area would noticeably reduce lift. With a vinyl skin covering a series of pin holes, this could have been accomplished without the inspectors noticing (they tested the car with magnets). Nobody ever figured exactly why they ran the vinyl, though and finally got them off on a technicality. (The roofs didn't appear on the homologation papers.) The rules didn't say Penske couldn't use them, so his record was safe.

  20. #20
    Quote Originally Posted by Shoreboy57 View Post
    Just one theory (from Car Life Mag in 1970). I'll leave it to the experts to argue its validity:
    The forward part of a car roof is a negative pressure area. Venting the higher pressure cockpit air into that area would noticeably reduce lift. With a vinyl skin covering a series of pin holes, this could have been accomplished without the inspectors noticing (they tested the car with magnets). Nobody ever figured exactly why they ran the vinyl, though and finally got them off on a technicality. (The roofs didn't appear on the homologation papers.) The rules didn't say Penske couldn't use them, so his record was safe.
    According to Mark Donohue's book, The Unfair Advantage, the vinyl covers were put on the '69 Camaros because the bodies had been left in the acid bath too long to try and get as much weight out of them as possible. The roofs became quite badly dimpled. Also, according to Donohue, because the team repainted the cars usually after every race, by not having to paint the roofs saved them money. I can only assume this is true, as he is quite open about everything the team did to gain an advantage.

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