69 Camaro Drag Car
 

This is a question for the drag Race fans in the NY and surrounding area. Does anybody out there remember a 69 Camaro Drag Car that raced with the name Vitar Engineering on the car? I am researching the car and would like some info/pictures if possible. I believe the car ran SS/DA and SS/EA in late 69 and into the early 70s. It had some magazine coverage in or around 1970. Any help or info is much appreciated.

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

Was Vitar Engineering a auto trans shop? They sponsored the Ed Hedrick Yenko Camaro and used it in one of their ads. They sponsored a few cars on the "Grumpys Group" team. I think just the auto trans cars.

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

Yes, you are correct. They were transmission builders. The company changed names at some point in the 70s to Select Performance. I did not realize that they sponsored other cars. Good info.

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

So...is the car gonna remain in the 10 second range?

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

Good observation Rob. Yes, the car will will be kept in the 10 second range. Not many COPOs still running as active drag cars. I will take the car back to its early 70s paint scheme. I will be posting pictures of the car soon. Anybody who has any additional pictures or info on the car please let me know as I am trying to complete my research. The car is amazing with only 215 orlginal drag race miles. The car retains all of its original body panels and the car is spotless. It appears to have always been indoors. The car has never been on the street and always on the track. The car has some early magazine coverage from the 70s as well as some pictures of the car from 70/71/72. Real cool car and I excited about being the new owner. It has misc. placques on the dash and one is from Englishwown and says points leader 1974 and I beleive the car has a win at Indy. Still a large puzzle.

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img] WAY COOL! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

Is it the old AL Olster car One Step Beyond

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

Lets get some pictures! Nothing beats an unrestored original!

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

That's intersting Clint. If this car has been raced recently, it would be a shock if it still had "all original sheet metal". Guys racing today have usually trashed the fenders, hood, & trunk, at least, to save weight. Are you saying none of this was done, and, the car wasn't tubbed, etc? I spoke with a guy in Iowa who claimed to have a car like this awhile back. Was he able to confirm it as a Copo?

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

If you talked to the guy in Iowa about this car, you would know that it was tubbed, right? Did I say it wasn't tubbed? Yes, that is the car in Iowa and yes it is a COPO. The car was tubbed but done very well and they did not "hack the car up" as it was a professional job. It does retain the original body panels as stated by current and previous owners and from what I could see on the vehicle the panels looked to have not been replaced (no seams and there are several remnents of orange paint) . The front clip was "dipped" so the metal is thinner on the fenders and I can only go by what the previous owners say about the fenders being original since it is unlikely that I will find orange paint on them. Other than that, no rust, dents or anything. It is a nice, solid piece. Original cowl hood still has the induction flapper. It is a complete time capsule that is in remarkable condition. It is a full race piece though. Has a cage, with wheel tubs, electronics etc. Car will retain wheel tubs and cage but other than that it will be taken back to what it was around 1970. It has always been a drag car and as long as I own it, it will stay one. I just wouldn't feel right taking it out of it's history as a race car. Are you in the Chicago area? If you are not busy some weekend, have a drive to Cedar Falls and have a look at the car. Maybe you can offer up some info about the cars setup as it may have been in the 70s since you seem to know about these cars. Forgot to mention that I have complete owner history on this car and the original owner is still alive. He purchased and drove the car under it's first name "Vitar Engineering". He appears with car in the February, 1971 edition of Super Street Cars. Won SS/EA class win at AHRA Nationals in August of 1970 and the magazine has pictures and a write up on the car. Still doing tons of research and it just keeps flooding in.

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img] Cool Clint I can't wait to see pics and maybe a vintage pic or two!

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

Just wondering if it was the same car. No one loves old drag cars more than me, so, I agree with your approach. I'm glad you were able to come up with some proof as to it being a Copo. I wasn't able to find anything of substance, so, congrats on some great research work.

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

Sixties,
You must have been too busy chase'in cars in some other part of the country.

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

Most likley chasing some old '70 drag car, and "grumpy" at that. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

He has been a bit "Grumpy" lately.

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

Clint,
Do you know the selling dealer for your COPO race car and how it was equipped when new?

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

All right guys. Quit pickin' on the old guy. This is Clint's thread, so, let's leave my junk out of it.

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

Does any one have any info on the Al Olster Camaro or any good pics, (color)? I have seen a few on www.thevintageracer.com/ but they are limited and don't give any info on the car.

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

Clint, have you ran the car down the track yet? Roger

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

Heres the car..... [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif[/img]

Steve

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

I remember a gasser with the large Vitar logo----never saw this car thanks!!

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

Thanks for posting the article. Where did you come across it? Do you know anything else about the car Steve? Cool!

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

I found the artical in the mag you mentioned.I know there are some ad's with the same car in them,I'm still looking.There is a nice article on the Byrne Bros. Z-28 after this one and a very nice "Meet the Mean Ones" article on Yenko and more on Motion.This is a great mag to get if you can find it.AHRA section has nice pics of the Harrell funney car,two Booth-Arons 67 Camaros and Durhams ZL-1.I really have no other knowledge of the Vitar car except what I have read in these mags.......


Steve

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

The Al Olster COPO Camaro was delivered through Ammon R. Smith Chevrolet at York, PA. in February 1969. The race program got off to a poor start. The car ran 7 tenths off the then current 11.47 SS/EA record. The car suffered through a number of transmission and engine failures. One time Al backed the car off the truck and the engine and transmission both let go! Vinnie Tarantola did some transmission work that improved the performance. There were further problems when a torque converter went at the Super Stock Nationals. More transmission work and engine work were needed. The car qualified with low et. at the Indy Nationals but was ejected because the combustion chambers lacked ONE cubic millimeter.
Dave Strickler ran a 10.97 at 124 in Dallas when the drivetrain from Al's car was put in Dave's SS/J car. Drag racing even with the best of help can be a frustrating and expensive experience.

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

[ QUOTE ]
The car qualified with low et. at the Indy Nationals but was ejected because the combustion chambers lacked ONE cubic millimeter.

[/ QUOTE ]

Geesh...he could have picked up several times that with a simple plug change!

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

here is a pic of Al O car. The Vitar decal is on lower front Q-panel. It has "Grumpy's Group" on rear of spoiler like ED H's Yenko Camaro drag car and other Grumpy tuned cars. It has SS emblem on fender but none on back so maybe Al put it on because 427 COPO should have no SS emblems.

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

Thanks again for the pic Joe, You must have a stack of old race photo's. And thanks for the info Charles [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

Charles did you know Al Olster?

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

Does anyone remember the colors for the Olster car? I assume it's white, not yellow. I've been trying to find a color picture of this car so I can build a diecast replica of it. I searched all over at the York Reunion but there were no shots to be found. I'm a big fan of "Grumpy" Jenkins and have built replicas of the Hedrick Yenko & Musser Bros. Camaro but have been unable to find any color information on the Olster car. Stripe colors? Door lettering? I'd appriciate any information. Click the attachment for another shot of the car.

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

And one more!

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

I'm confused. Is "One Step Beyond I" and "Vitar" one in the same Camaro or are they two separate cars? If they are two cars has "One Step Beyond I" been found?

Mike

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

Clint, I believe that Vinnie Tarantola had a mechanic/helper by the name of Paul Kauffman. He worked with Bernie Agaman with the killer corvette (1971) 454. Truppi-Kling in Lakewood, N.J. may be able to help you out with locating these people. I think Dan Jessel can help also. Good luck! Sam

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

------I saw Byrne Bros mentioned and thought I would add that "Red Alert" was ordered at their dealership on 11/11/69,and the warrantee book says Bob Hamilton picked it up 1/7/70.Salesman was Bill Barnett.Even though I dont own the ol girl anymore Id love to talk to Bill if hes still around.They were located on Virginia Road in North White Plains,N.Y.Dont know if the dealership is still open or not.Can anyone tell me?.........Bill S

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

Clint, Jesel's number is 732-901-1800. He is the valve train guy. He might know where Paul Kaufman or V. Tarantola is. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

I know Barnett was the Hi-Po salesmen at the time....He drove the Bros. Z-28 with the motor built by Truppi-Kling......Good question..Is he still around?

Steve

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

My Yenko Chevelle was from Byrne and I met the parts guy Jerry Roberts who worked there in the 60s-70s. He told me that Bill had a restaurant in FL which I found and called and they said a Bill Barnett did own the Restaurant. He was never there when I called and I left messages for him to call me but never did. I am not sure if I had the right guy or not. Jerry was interesting guy to talk to. Still remembers many BB part numbers and said they sold many BB crate motors. Sometimes 4 or 5 would get picked up on a Sat. morning.

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

Byrne Bro Chevy closed in the 70s I believe. Another thing Jerry told me was at one point they were selling about one 69 Z/28 a day! This could be true because the original owner of my Chevelle had recalled that when he first went to Byrne the whole place was filled with 69 Zs.

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

The cars are two seperate cars. To my knowlege, the "One Step Beyond" car has not been found. Sam, I appreciate the lead. I already have contact info on Vinnie Tarantola but again, I appreciate the info.
I spoke with the second owner today who campaigned the car under the name "Select Performance". The car was apparently heavily campaigned under the "Select Performance" name in the mid 70s. I have additional pictures on the way when the car ran under that name. Also, I will attach photos of the car when it ran under the "Vitar" name in the next few days.
Vitar Engineering is now called Select Performance. The second owner of the car actually bought the car from Vinnie Tarantola who was his boss at the time. He also bought Vitar Engineering. Real interesting story. I have some old drag footage of the car running too. Neat stuff!
I am still researching the originating dealer. Any additional info is appreciated. You guys have been a great help already. Keep the info coming!

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

Does anybody know if the "One Step Beyond" car was a COPO? Again, as a reminder, the "One Step Beyond" car and my (Vitar) car, are two seperate cars.

Re: 69 Camaro Drag Car
 

My screen sux today.
Can anyone tell me what that car is in the lane next to the camaro that Z28fan just posted?
from here I see a GM A-body Convert.,possibly a 1970 Chevelle?