Fantasy Junction

Description

1970 Chevrolet Camaro IMSA GT Race Car
s/n 124870N592791
Metallic Blue with Black Interior

For decades, the International Motor Sports Association GT class was North America’s premier Gran Touring Championship. In contrast to the Trans-Am series, the races had focus on long distance events, and sought to highlight the battle between European and domestic manufactures. The series enjoyed cross-over participation with European teams and drivers attending the famous 24 hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring, and American teams attending the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which inarguably represented the pinnacle of Sports Car and Gran Touring racing anywhere on the globe. The cars needed to be fast, but also reliable, and the latter often stressed simplicity as a better platform for success. In the early days, the series was dominated by the now-household names of Gregg, Holbert, Haywood, and Redman. In more recent decades the series has seen a number sanctioning body and rules changes, into what is today IMSA’s GTE Class. Despite the changes over time, it continues to be a world stage where auto manufactures chose to highlight their abilities against stiff competition.

This particular car participated in select IMSA GT events for over a decade, from 1972 through 1982. A 1970-manufactured Camaro by chassis number, the car was converted by Craig Carter to racing trim from salvaged street car which was a flood victim of Hurricane Agnes in 1972 (confirmed by a letter on file from Carter). Throughout its career it saw regular modification and improvements until its retirement in the early 1980s, at which time it was competing with the current Peerless Machine and Tool Co. livery.

Craig Carter was on the driving team for nearly all of the 30+ races this Camaro participated in during its racing heyday. An active racer with a slant towards long distance events, Carter enjoyed a career-best finish of 4th in class at the Daytona 24 hours, but perhaps more importantly, was a ten-time participant of the event up through 2001, and also competed in the 12 Hours of Sebring four times. Carter was even entered at the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans at one point, but did not start.

Under the current custodianship the Camaro has enjoyed a comprehensive restoration to the 1978-period specification, and has proven immensely competition in historic racing events on the west coast. The engine is a fresh 478c.i. aluminum BBC 700+ horsepower unit with a Brodix block and Dart CNC Pro 1 heads, Crower custom roller cams and lifters, which for which the total cost was over $28,000 to build, but just $8,500 to refresh. The 4-speed T-101 dog box transmission is also fresh, and power is ultimately fed through a fresh Ford 9” rear end. The shocks are also fresh.

After restoration, this period racecar went on to log victories at the Monterey Rolex Reunion (2014), as well as the Sonoma Historic Reunion (2016) where it succeeded against stiff competition from other tube-frame cars, as well as a field of historically significant and technologically advanced Porsche 935s. While perhaps not as much of an outright precision tool when compared to the Porsches or other in-class competitors, this example is fast, reliable, and allows its owner to successfully compete against such cars at a fraction of the investment and hourly running costs. Said to be louder than anything else on the track, it was nicknamed the “Scaremaro” by comedian Adam Carolla when it roared by at the way to victory at the Rolex Reunion at Laguna Seca.

Presently the car is in need of nothing mechanically, and is displaying excellent race car cosmetics. It is accompanied by select spares including a smaller set of wheels (requiring the fitment of different brakes). More importantly, a wealth of paperwork accompanies the car including letters from Craig Carter, period newspaper clippings, articles, bills of sale between previous owners, dyno results, and much more. Additionally, the lucky new owner will have the option for a day of driver coaching with Indy 500 veteran J.R. Hildebrand.

Perfect for horsepower reliant events such as the Daytona 24 Hour Classic, among other premier North American historic racing venues, or if FIA/HTP papers could be obtained, European events such as Le Mans Classic, this Big Block Chevrolet with period racing history will place its brave new owner in a position of intimidation- intimidating the competition!

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608