Wine Country Classic vintage pics/6/1/08

[musclecarjohn]

I thought I'd post these here because I know some of you guys dig this stuff.

In no particular order,but mainly concentrating on the stars of the show...the vintage Trans-Am cars.
So,grab yourselves a cold one and sit back as we review the WCC from Infineon Raceway in beautiful Sonoma,CA:

First time this '68 Javelin has been run in a long time.
Last time I saw it out was several years ago @ Laguna when it was an unrestored racecar...it got balled up there and then was sold.It has obviously undergone a fantastic restoration as evidenced by these pictures.The '68 bodystyle is one of my all-time favorites:














Canadian Sunoco-sponsored '70 Camaro,not a Penske car:








Vic/Christy Edelbrock during Sunday warm-up.Vic's car is by far the loudest T/A car out there:




I think we all know this car...






Trans-Am Alley:




Tom McIntyre's beautiful '68 Penske Sunoco Camaro which combined w/Tom Armstrong's car won 10 of 13 races for Penske during the 1968 season to obviously clinch the title.
This car won 8 of the 13 races that season.In talking to Tom,I asked him how he acquired the car...which he's had since 1979.He told me a friend of him called him and told him he had a '68 Camaro for sale w/Penske history...which Tom highly doubted.The friend needed to sell and told him there were some kids that were interested in it and wanted to make a street car out of it.Tom was skeptical and wasn't interested in it so he passed.About two weeks later,his friend called back,told him the kids couldn't come up with the $3K he was asking for it and that he really needed to sell it...and would Tom help out.Tom told him that he would.
With photos and books in hand,Tom went to see the car which was in storage in LA.Upon closer inspection,Tom soon realized that yes indeed...this was the Penske car.Tom,being the gentleman that he is,told his friend that the $3K offer was no longer valid and that this car was worth far more then that...agreeing to pay $15K for it,a pretty tidy sum in 1979.
Tom says the car is completely original except for one rear quarter which he's had re-created.Even the flat steel hood is original.
An amazing story...and an equally amazing car:
















Tom Armstrong's #8 '68 Penske Sunoco Camaro which one the 1st 2 of 13 races for Roger:


More T/A cars:






Yes...drum brakes:










Ken Epsman's stable:Sam Posey '70 Challenger and championship winning '71 Penske Javelin.
Noticeably missing is the championship '69 Sunoco Camaro which is undergoing yet another restoration after last years slight mishap:









A gagle of AMC's:


Picture-perfect weather:










F-5000 cars,the featured marque...which ran from 1968-1976:












Here's some detail for you...










Did someone say Can Am cars...?


Tom Armstrong's beautiful Lola T70:










Historic Stock Cars...and there were a ton of them this year.Seems like there was no interest in these just a short time ago...not anymore:








Group 8 cars (Cobra's/Corvette's):








Hope you guys enjoyed seeing them...I know it's not Cousin Brucie behind the lens ,but I do my best.

Now I just can't wait for the Historics to get here in August but I'll be ready...with camera in hand.

[47Hammer]

I for one always loved the Road Race look of this Camaro and tried to duplicate it on two of my first Gen Camaro's.







I think we all know this car...




John, Great pictures man, good job!

[YenkoYS-199Stinger]

Great shots. Thanks for taking and sharing with us.




Trans Am has always been my favorite series.

[GenOne]

Very nice - thanks for the post!

[Xplantdad]

John...AWESOME! Thanks for the GREAT pics!

[COPO 70 RS/Z28]

Super Cool !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks

[DarrenX33]

amazing pictures.

[musclecarjohn]

[ QUOTE ]
John...AWESOME! Thanks for the GREAT pics!

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks Bruce...coming from you that is quite the compliment...

I shot well over 100+ pics but narrowed it down to these.I have 100's that I have taken of these cars over the years @ both Sears Point & Laguna Seca...just can't seem to get enough

Will take more of hopefully some new cars during the Pre-Historics & Historics and of course,all the happenings in and around Monterey THE wknd that is certainly car crazy over here.

[1970Bluel78]

[ QUOTE ]
Great shots. Thanks for taking and sharing with us.




Trans Am has always been my favorite series.

[/ QUOTE ]

Rumors are afloat that the Nationwide series may run Mustang/Camaro/Challengers in 2010

[YenkoYS-199Stinger]

I have heard the same rumor coming out of Texas Region SCCA.

How c l would that be.