This is a great looking car, and typical of many of the quality privateer cars that contested the Trans-Am series. Remember, the SCCA used their own A/Sedan rules for the Trans-Am, and these rules were used throughout the US and Canada in countless regional competitions and championships. The Trans-Am was really just a high-profile nationwide version of these smaller regional events. And of course, the Trans-Am had the manufacturers involved.
But even in 1970, which was the biggest and most successful year for the Trans-Am in terms of manufacturer support, factory entries usually didn't even break into double digits. Ford, Chevrolet, Pontiac, American Motors, Dodge and Plymouth all supported factory teams in 1970, the only year this happened. But only Ford, Chevrolet and AMC had 2-car representation throughout the entire season. Most others just ran a single car.
And so the Trans-Am series relied heavily on the support of numerous privateers, or independents, as they were known. A few well-heeled privateers actually ran the full series, but most just picked the races that were closest to where they lived. They'd enter without a hope in hell of winning, but they'd usually pick up a reasonable amount of prize money if they finished well. And then there was the added bonus of racing against the million dollar factory teams.....
The car pictured here is the 1969 Mustang raced by Warren Tope. This was a privateer entry, but Warren and his father Donald had some good connections within Ford Motor Company, so were privy to a few extras the regular privateers didn't have. Tope only ran this car for one season, then switched to one of the Bud Moore factory cars from 1970. In fact, it was the George Follmer car pictured above that Tope raced from '71.
This particular '69 Mustang still exists, and now races with the Historic Trans-Am group. Here is the guff from its profile:
This car was an inter-company transfer to Transmission & Chassis Division from Ford Motor Company. Donald Tope (Warren's father) was head of that division.
The car was built as A/S in 1969, and then underwent more development in 1970. It was worked on at Kar Kraft and at Warren's shop in that area which he shared with Ed Hinchcliff. Later the car was worked on at Bud Moore's shop. Donald Tope often asked some of the Kar Kraft engineers to work on Warren's car, including Lee Dykstra, Lee Morse, and Mitch Marchi. The car got some very special attention and was built well.
Warren Tope Drove in the following 1970 Trans-Am races: Mid-Ohio (17th), Donnybrooke (DNF), Road America (12th), Mt. Tremblant (9th),& Watkins Glen (DNF).
At the end of the 1970 season Warren purchased the 1970 X Follmer car and drove it in 1971 and 1972, but continued to own this car and rent it out to Gene Harrington at several races during 1971.
Late in 1971, at the SCCA runoffs, Warren had a problem with the Follmer car and had his original car delivered to the runoffs. He won the SCCA A/S in this car. This has been verified through Gene Harrington. In 1972 Warren sold this car to Dick Roe who entered two Trans-Am races.
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