Red Dawson's DeKon Chevy Monza 1001

[Steve Holmes]

I've recently been contacted by an enthusiast who has purchased the DeKon Chevy Monza, chassis #1001, from the estate of Scott Carpenter.

For those who aren't aware, this is probably the most significant racing Chev Monza in the world. The car was built by DeKon Engineering (the company founded by Lee Dykstra and Horst Kwech) for the IMSA series' newly introduced All-American GT class, with support from General Motors.

DeKon constructed their first IMSA Monza, chassis number 1001, in 1974. This was the car used in numerous magazine articles throughout the US, and created quite a stir. DeKon planned to produce cars for customers wanting to run them in both IMSA and the Trans-Am.

Chassis 1001 was originally built for Tony DeLorenzo to race, but when his sponsor pulled out, DeKon ran the car themselves, with Kwech driving. Painted white with red and blue stripes, the car made its race debut at the Road Atlanta IMSA race in April 1975, where Kwech qualified fifth behind three Porsches and a BMW 3.0CSL. However, he quickly moved to the front in the race, and was leading comfortably when he collided with a lapped car and was out on the spot.

The Monza was repaired and sold to Maurice 'Mo' Carter, who repainted it in his traditional red and white, and raced it for a few months before then selling it to Kiwi racer Red Dawson, who shipped it back to New Zealand in late 1975, still in Carters colours.

Dawson raced the Monza until late 1976 when he rolled it in a violent crash at Manfeild, ending his career. The car repaired and sold to John Briggs in Australia. It was later sold to Mike Griffin, then Jeff Barnes who made some changes to its layout, and later to Scott Carpenter in the late 1990s, who kept it until the time of his death.

The new owner plans to restore this very important Monza back to its early guise, when it was raced by Carter and Dawson, and is appealing for help both in regards to period photos from when Dawson (or Carter) owned it, and he is also wanting to make contact with any of the crew members who worked on the car when Dawson owned it. Photos from Briggs time with it would also be useful.

If you're able to help with photos, please post them here or please email me at: theroaringseason@gmail.com If you crewed on the car, or know someone who did, or know of someone who did, would you mind emailing me also.

Many thanks. Be great to see this car back out in public once again, restored to her former glory.