The rear spoiler was pilfered from Pontiac prior to the debut of this car in Trans Am by Chevrolet engineers. The car had a tendency to lift at speed and the low spoiler did not produce enough downforce to plant the car.
It was and I completely agree with you. He’s such a cool guy and I love that he drives his cars. Wait til you see our next one with him and his 1967 Shelby Cobra...wow!!
I love when I find a new car to add to my list of "one day cars". I can only imagine what it sounded like when a pack of these ripped around a track. Your channel is awesome man. We get a little bit of everything.
I wish I would had seen this video when it originally dropped. I use to work on that car. I worked for one of the previous owners. He was the one that originally restored it. Not only is the hood purposely miss aligned like that. The doors were, too. The front fenders door jam edges were slightly out farther than the door's leading edge for heat extraction. Man I would love to see that car up close again one day. Allot of memories. Although I am the dumbest car guy in the world. The then owner of the car told me I could take the car out for a spin at PIR. I said no. I'm not a driver. I'm a mechanic. What the Hell was I thinking 🤔
That car and owner are awesome. Way to have an Iconic ride and use it. That N/A 302 Chevy gets all of it!! I have a old school but built to the hilt 327 L-79/M21 stick in my 68 Camaro and it likes to hammer and rev to the moon. It's impossible to just drive it, the heart races in anticipation because they have nothing down low and then it's Holy Sheite, car going sideways and tire smoke follows.
Loved that car in 1970, love it now! As a youth my automotive heroes were Jim Hall, Smokey Yunick, and Grumpy Jenkins (no particular order). My sbc MGB (500hp@2350lbs.) will be having Donuts tomorrow morning!
It was kinda thrilling to watch the old school getaway driver in his element. Dude looks like he's down for few last street moves. Raw dog, no F's given. Luvvit
The plastic on the nose was made by Lexan which sponsored Chaparral... Specially made skirts for the J vacuum car. So Hall also used it for the Trans-Am Camaro project.
I have been scouring UA-cam for vintage trans am videos just to catch a glimpse of THIS car. Thanks so much for posting this. This is my inspiration for my 73 Camaro build. Thanks AutotopiaLA!
Shawn, that is one of the best car videos I've ever seen! I love historic race cars, and and for the owner to take it on the street, so cool. Thank you from Australia.
I love trans-am cars. One thing that I always found strange how so many people don’t know about it. Definitely a lot of people in Mustang and Camaro group aren’t aware. Every time I bring it up I get the ol “Trans-Am’s we’re made by Pontiac genius!” Comments.
Yeah buddy! All muscle car nuts should know about Trans-Am and the SCCA, if not for them muscle cars would suck! Aside from drag racing Trans-Am is why muscle cars exist. Everyone knows about NASCAR and "Stock Car" racing but Trans-Am is REAL Stock Car racing! Like you said, Camaro and Mustang people don't know about it but those cars were built intentionally to compete head to head in Trans-Am just like the Firebird (people don't get Trans-Am was an option package named for the racing series 😝), Amc Javalin, Challenger, Barracuda and Cougars.
What a joy to hear that roar. These daze it's all about fart cans and resonators to make even a 4-banger, grocery-getter sound "tough," but back then our engines made their own. Basically, when you had it under the hood, you didn't need to announce it. Just let the machine speak. There's nothing like sitting at the line (or at a stop light) hearing the "rump-rump-rump-rump" of that cam turning over...
He drives like me when i was 21 in a 400hp 4 speed 327 chev powered 1974 holden L34 torana weighed about 2612 lbs, burnt the tires at over 70mph in second gear, was a blast to drive hauled serious ass ,back in lat 90s nothing around my hometown could touch it out on the freeway rolling start
I saw Jim Halls Chaparral Camaro AND AutotopiaLA and got super excited. One of my all time favorite race cars, and has given me lots of inspiration on my build.
It’s Sunday morning nothing better than good coffee and older autotopiaLA videos killer and rare car unreal how good that 302 sounds and gets with it all smiles lol
Still my favorite race series of all time. I worked for J Bittle at JBA Speed Shop (former owner of JBA exhaust) who runs the #29 68 Shelby coupe and got to see the IMSA and SVRA racing up close and in the pits. I follow Tommy on IG, love this car.
Thanks again Shawn for another great video. I love to see a guy like Tomy who knows how to drive them 😎This one I paused and put on to my tv and 7.1 sound system 🤘
That sound of an NA Trans Am motor, the provenance of being Jim Halls race car is just such an iconic car, to be able to be the caretaker and to drive it......incredible thrill that must be, T Drissi is such a humble man that likes to share his passion for his craft! What a piece of history right there, I say it a lot ....Shawn you have the best job !
This car is pure bad ass! Gotta love them blowing through the industrial park, going by the 35 mph signs! The SCCA cars are incredible, getting ready to build a 1970 Firebird vintage SCCA car with the Pontiac 303. This video just gets me chomping at the bit to get going on it!
Three generations of us worked for Rohm & Hass company in Bristol Pa. They were the inventors of plexiglass and held GM contracts through the 90’s for airflow and body parts both for general assembly and racing teams.
My early memories of Trans Am race cars are ingrained in me via the slot cars I had as a kid - and I had this one in AFX HO mode. Now I have it in Scale-Extric. It’s my favourite. Great vid. That wailing small block was a symphony of cylinders. Awesome!
I was at Watkins when the car ran the Trans Am. It was driven by Vic Elford. I particularly remember the weekend because I was racing a Corvette Stingray on the Saturday before the Trans Am at Watkins Glen and took third in the B production class after a very heated race with a Shelby GT350-R
Just watched this ep ans Shawn you looked worried, ole mate driving had no issues he loved and could see Shawn so he stepped it up and the bloody sound from that car was awesome
Love old Poncho's! My first car was a hand-me-down 1986 Volvo 264 GL. My second car was a 19701/2 Pontiac Trans Am 455 HO with a Muncie M22 Rock Crusher. My 2nd car was purchased for $1500 in 1989.
I LOVE Trans Am racing!!! There is zero reason NOT to have it again today here in the states. A true Trans series, the big 3 are producing perfect cars for it.
Lexan sponsored the famous Chaparral vacuum downforce CanAm racer in that series, so it was a natural thing for them to make a front spoiler out of the material. Jim Hall was the first racer/ builder to mount rear wing onto the suspension pickups for increased downforce.
At 1:17 & 1:42, notice a wire loop hanging off the RF fender going down to the wheel, an early data-logger reading a toothed wheel on the hub. Thanks for the video.
So cool,this is one of my favorites and I don't mind saying that I'm a little jealous that you got a ride lol. Thanks for what you do,love your videos!!!
ATLAmerch.com/
The rear spoiler was pilfered from Pontiac prior to the debut of this car in Trans Am by Chevrolet engineers. The car had a tendency to lift at speed and the low spoiler did not produce enough downforce to plant the car.
lmao
I love the sound of naturally aspirated engines.
Now that's what a f****** race car sounds like🎧💪💪💪💪🤘
@@codywatts7625 Who needs a big block when you have a small block like that?
High compression short stroke small block Chevy 💪
What a privilege to have a ride in that car and such a cool owner. He's the kind of owner collector's should be.
It was and I completely agree with you. He’s such a cool guy and I love that he drives his cars. Wait til you see our next one with him and his 1967 Shelby Cobra...wow!!
OMG, that has to be the COOLEST SOUNDS I'VE NEVER HEARD BEFORE!
I love when I find a new car to add to my list of "one day cars". I can only imagine what it sounded like when a pack of these ripped around a track. Your channel is awesome man. We get a little bit of everything.
“.... eight if you need it...”
🤘
Finn Green best line in the episode
The baddest ride yet! I worked for Dick Guldstrand many years ago, he had excellent stories from the old days, I miss him.
I wish I would had seen this video when it originally dropped. I use to work on that car. I worked for one of the previous owners. He was the one that originally restored it.
Not only is the hood purposely miss aligned like that. The doors were, too. The front fenders door jam edges were slightly out farther than the door's leading edge for heat extraction.
Man I would love to see that car up close again one day. Allot of memories. Although I am the dumbest car guy in the world. The then owner of the car told me I could take the car out for a spin at PIR. I said no. I'm not a driver. I'm a mechanic. What the Hell was I thinking 🤔
That dude is a legitimate badass. Way too cool. Awesome friggin' car and video.
hes coked out too
I literally said “hell yeah” when he said why can’t we drive it?!?! My man!!!
Having seen this car in person, the sight line down the sides is spectacular, someone with MORE than a little skill did those fender flares
Love the Trans-am cars, and to see one driven hard on the street was a good show....top notch stuff
I absolutely love these old school trans am racers.
Another car that just makes you smile
The sound of this camaro is🔥🔥🔥
That car and owner are awesome. Way to have an Iconic ride and use it. That N/A 302 Chevy gets all of it!! I have a old school but built to the hilt 327 L-79/M21 stick in my 68 Camaro and it likes to hammer and rev to the moon. It's impossible to just drive it, the heart races in anticipation because they have nothing down low and then it's Holy Sheite, car going sideways and tire smoke follows.
Awesome comment and sounds like you have a badass 68 there
Whether it’s got a 327 crank or a 283 crank, a 327 block makes a magic engine. Sure miss mine.
Loved that car in 1970, love it now! As a youth my automotive heroes were Jim Hall, Smokey Yunick, and Grumpy Jenkins (no particular order). My sbc MGB (500hp@2350lbs.) will be having Donuts tomorrow morning!
Love the "your a real badass" shoulder tap, He really is !! Thank you for this video made me so happy.
finally a trans am car! Hell yeah
It was kinda thrilling to watch the old school getaway driver in his element. Dude looks like he's down for few last street moves. Raw dog, no F's given. Luvvit
He’s such a cool guy and yeah, he can drive with no fucks given
The plastic on the nose was made by Lexan which sponsored Chaparral... Specially made skirts for the J vacuum car. So Hall also used it for the Trans-Am Camaro project.
I have been scouring UA-cam for vintage trans am videos just to catch a glimpse of THIS car. Thanks so much for posting this. This is my inspiration for my 73 Camaro build. Thanks AutotopiaLA!
An Amazing piece of history - glad it still exists - also, one of the best looking Camaro's ever ...
Shawn, that is one of the best car videos I've ever seen!
I love historic race cars, and and for the owner to take it on the street, so cool.
Thank you from Australia.
Thanks. I can’t believe we took it on the streets! He’s my new hero!! And more to come with Tomy and some of his historic cars
I think this is the only time I've ever seen Shawn look apprehensive 😁. Few things in life better than a running, driving vintage Racecar!
I love trans-am cars. One thing that I always found strange how so many people don’t know about it.
Definitely a lot of people in Mustang and Camaro group aren’t aware. Every time I bring it up I get the ol “Trans-Am’s we’re made by Pontiac genius!” Comments.
Yeah buddy! All muscle car nuts should know about Trans-Am and the SCCA, if not for them muscle cars would suck! Aside from drag racing Trans-Am is why muscle cars exist. Everyone knows about NASCAR and "Stock Car" racing but Trans-Am is REAL Stock Car racing! Like you said, Camaro and Mustang people don't know about it but those cars were built intentionally to compete head to head in Trans-Am just like the Firebird (people don't get Trans-Am was an option package named for the racing series 😝), Amc Javalin, Challenger, Barracuda and Cougars.
@@JackDaniel617 And Pontiac had to pay the SCCA a royalty for every Trans Am they sold.
Jim Hall was one of my boyhood heroes. Beautiful car.
He was such a forward thinking driver and engineer
What a joy to hear that roar. These daze it's all about fart cans and resonators to make even a 4-banger, grocery-getter sound "tough," but back then our engines made their own. Basically, when you had it under the hood, you didn't need to announce it. Just let the machine speak. There's nothing like sitting at the line (or at a stop light) hearing the "rump-rump-rump-rump" of that cam turning over...
This guy is the real deal, Tommy loves his car! The car is a real historic peice, that still runs!
This is what I have been waiting for!!!
Your face expressions going through that ride along. Lol priceless
I was shocked and felt like a little kid. Couldn’t stop smiling!
AutotopiaLA there’s a million words in facial expressions
Sounds damn good!
Pure race car...the sound was incredibly and perfectly loud!
He drives like me when i was 21 in a 400hp 4 speed 327 chev powered 1974 holden L34 torana weighed about 2612 lbs, burnt the tires at over 70mph in second gear, was a blast to drive hauled serious ass ,back in lat 90s nothing around my hometown could touch it out on the freeway rolling start
Hell yeah smoke em if you got em
This guy is awesome!!!!! And that Camaro is ill!
I saw Jim Halls Chaparral Camaro AND AutotopiaLA and got super excited. One of my all time favorite race cars, and has given me lots of inspiration on my build.
Iconic car I remember from my childhood! Too cool!
Super sweet Camaro love the early 70's design and this is perfection.
I'm a Mustang guy but that was epic! I love the history of that car!
Rewatching this 3 years after my original comment. Still the best sound I can imagine.
It’s Sunday morning nothing better than good coffee and older autotopiaLA videos killer and rare car unreal how good that 302 sounds and gets with it all smiles lol
Legendary Car and Driver
Yes and yes. Loved getting to shoot this car and the owner Tomy. More to come from him very soon
Love it! I have the AFX slot car from the early 70s.
I can't believe you guys got away with that in broad daylight 🤣🤣🤣
When the sun goes down, they rob banks...
Trans Am cars are the best. Ever. Love your show, I am hooked on your videos!
From 1970 to 1973 are the best Camaros in my opinion.
Jay leno, take note Autotopia is what the people want.
Well matched combo of badass car and badass driver! That sound!!!
They’re perfectly matched and I love that he’ll hit the streets for a few mins in it
Still my favorite race series of all time. I worked for J Bittle at JBA Speed Shop (former owner of JBA exhaust) who runs the #29 68 Shelby coupe and got to see the IMSA and SVRA racing up close and in the pits. I follow Tommy on IG, love this car.
Thanks again Shawn for another great video. I love to see a guy like Tomy who knows how to drive them 😎This one I paused and put on to my tv and 7.1 sound system 🤘
No no no ... we’re taking her on the street!!!
Couldn’t believe that happened! He’s the coolest
Soo freakin awesome!! More trans am racing cars!! Would love to see some first gen Firebirds
That sound of an NA Trans Am motor, the provenance of being Jim Halls race car is just such an iconic car, to be able to be the caretaker and to drive it......incredible thrill that must be, T Drissi is such a humble man that likes to share his passion for his craft!
What a piece of history right there, I say it a lot ....Shawn you have the best job !
I want that ride bad!!!! One Snappy little SOB. .... can't believe he was out driving that in La LOL that's hilarious
Awesome car.
Dude must really dig it too, having his teeth painted to match the body color!
This car is pure bad ass! Gotta love them blowing through the industrial park, going by the 35 mph signs! The SCCA cars are incredible, getting ready to build a 1970 Firebird vintage SCCA car with the Pontiac 303. This video just gets me chomping at the bit to get going on it!
When you get it done please show it to us! We were shocked when he said let’s go for a drive. Didn’t expect that at all!!
@@AutotopiaLA I sure will, hope to have it on the track at a vintage SCCA race as soon as I can! Shooting for summer of 2021 right now.
Is this Steve McQueen’s long lost bro ?
Ha that was great Shawn, thank you so Much !!
Best episode so far!!
Three generations of us worked for Rohm & Hass company in Bristol Pa. They were the inventors of plexiglass and held GM contracts through the 90’s for airflow and body parts both for general assembly and racing teams.
My early memories of Trans Am race cars are ingrained in me via the slot cars I had as a kid - and I had this one in AFX HO mode. Now I have it in Scale-Extric. It’s my favourite. Great vid. That wailing small block was a symphony of cylinders. Awesome!
tomy is one cool dude, and an amazing driver. love the trans-am!
I was at Watkins when the car ran the Trans Am. It was driven by Vic Elford. I particularly remember the weekend because I was racing a Corvette Stingray on the Saturday before the Trans Am at Watkins Glen and took third in the B production class after a very heated race with a Shelby GT350-R
It's my favorite episode I watched maybe 20 or 30 times already it's awesome
That's an All- American, American car. I'm proud to watch this
I had an Aurora AFX ho slot car in the early Seventies that was just as fast and fun. Nice to see a winner restored and driven T/Y-
I love that he drives this like it was meant to be driven and also does some historic races with it
That’s the baddest piece of racing history I’ve seen lately. So glad it’s been saved and is still being thrashed and enjoyed.
Thanks for sharing this incredible automotive history, Tomy is definitely a badass!!💨💨💨
Now that was some pretty cool history, and even way more fun hearing that throaty beast tear ass through your town.
Hell yeah man! Love it! I'm sitting here in Michigan wishing the snow will melt so we get our muscle out. Keep it coming I love watching the videos.
Just watched this ep ans Shawn you looked worried, ole mate driving had no issues he loved and could see Shawn so he stepped it up and the bloody sound from that car was awesome
I was nervous about street driving a pure not street legal racecar but it was awesome!!
Awesome.... thank you Shawn & Tomy - "why can't we drive it - we'll come back to you on that" !
"It'll go 8 if ya need it!" Priceless
Love old Poncho's! My first car was a hand-me-down 1986 Volvo 264 GL. My second car was a 19701/2 Pontiac Trans Am 455 HO with a Muncie M22 Rock Crusher. My 2nd car was purchased for $1500 in 1989.
Bet you wish you still had that 455. Those have gone crazy on pricing
@@AutotopiaLA You Said It! Keep dropping the uploads my good man. We Love Them!!!!
I was a fan of Tomy Drissi before. Now the dude is legend!! He tamed that animal and put it away wet!!
He’s my new hero for sure. Wait til you see the episode we shot with his 1967 Cobra...he’s a driver all the way
that sounds sweet i love the rumble
That car is absolutely awesome!! Love the ludicrous sound!!
Damn that car moves....I like the look & the sound...
Fantastic episode.......what fun! Great driver, boss Camaro! He drives that thing like he means it!
He’s a pro driver and knows this car well. What a blast shooting this one!
MORE, MOAR !!!!! Need more vintage T/A race cars. BEST episode ever ! Coolest owner/driver yet. 2 thumbs up
Holy COW! there's nothing like a real deal race car.
Nothing! This thing is truly incredible to be in
Man that is one bad ass car thanks for showing what beast that car is
So happy to see this last effort by Jim, restored and driven !! I want 2 cars in this world. A Ford GT40 MKIV and a Chaparral 2E
Good choices for cars there 👊
Trans Am cars always look so perfect
Yes they do
MY GODDDDD 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍 duddeeeeeeeeee ❤️❤️❤️ this thing is freaking insane!!!!!!!! The owner drives like a boss!!!
He’s such a badass and that car is not only pure race but a legend. Awesome day shooting!!
I LOVE Trans Am racing!!! There is zero reason NOT to have it again today here in the states. A true Trans series, the big 3 are producing perfect cars for it.
Trans Am exists here in the states. Tomy just got P2 at Sebring which was the first race of the season. Check out www.gotransam.com
TransAm never went away.
"I can't believe we just drove that on the street!!??”. Me neither. But I love that you did!!!
I LOVE that car!! 😍
Total bad ass car, I love the sound of 1970 era muscle cars! I can' t wait to see what coming on March 6th which that my birthday
Yeh dude. Quick shut the garage door. Epic.
Eargasm in progress!!! This had to be a unforgettable episode for you, thanks!!!
Lexan sponsored the famous Chaparral vacuum downforce CanAm racer in that series, so it was a natural thing for them to make a front spoiler out of the material. Jim Hall was the first racer/ builder to mount rear wing onto the suspension pickups for increased downforce.
I miss that sound. I remember as kid when the 302 came out. Turning 8k and hadn’t balanced the engine yet. It was one of the coolest Camaro’s
The best looking car GM ever made... The second generation Camaro!! 1st. Place at Watkins Glen, that's no joke, very technical track!!
Agreed. Still my favorite Camaro ever is 2nd gen
The thrill that must've been!
Insane! Was not expecting any of this to happen
At 1:17 & 1:42, notice a wire loop hanging off the RF fender going down to the wheel, an early data-logger reading a toothed wheel on the hub.
Thanks for the video.
That's the best sounding small block I've seen
Spoiler not splitter. Splitters are flat and deep, etc.... A fantastic bit of history. Thanks for posting.
Habit of calling them splitters. You’re right here my friend
Super nice car, I had a 72 30 years ago. They Rockford around really good. Thanks for the show bra
I couldn't stop laughing! Awesome car, nice little test drive. I was in junior high when Trans Am was at its peak. This was what life was all about.
This was such a fun shoot and I still can’t believe we hit the streets in this monster. Loud!!!
So cool,this is one of my favorites and I don't mind saying that I'm a little jealous that you got a ride lol.
Thanks for what you do,love your videos!!!
You know its a good ride when the passenger stays quiet for a while .