The Boss

The Boss, a photo by William 74 on Flickr.

A genuine former Trans-Am Ford Mustang Boss 302. And yes, that does seem a bit long winded, so we'll just call it "The Boss".

The Trans-Am was derived from the SCCA's sedan championships, and generally followed the FIA's Group 2 Touring regulations. Divided into over- and under-2 liter categories, the Trans-Am featured a broad array of European and American sports cars, and resulted in some of the automotive world's iconic cars.

Looming large among these is the Boss, Ford's factory racer for the '69 season. Over-2's were limited to 5.0 liters displacement, which rounded out neatly to 302 cubic inches. This resulted in a lightweight, high revving, powerful engine, and one of the more sought after Mustang variants (along with the Camaro Z-28 and the Challenger T/A).

This is an original Trans-Am car from the late 60's, run by the Bud Moore team. It's parked on the grid at Road America about a year ago. I like how the driver has his arm hanging out the window as he's sitting waiting for the start. Just chillin', no big deal!

Grumpy's Toy

Grumpy's Toy, a photo by William 74 on Flickr.

With a no-nonsense attitude, Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins was well known as a Mopar engine builder before starting his own Chevrolet team in the sixties. Running in the popular Super Stock classes, his "Grumpy's Toy" racers were always well presented and quick.

This is a well-done replica of "Grumpy's Toy IV", a Chevrolet Camaro.

D-Gas

D-Gas, a photo by William 74 on Flickr.

Stickers and writing in the quarter window of a beautifully presented '55 Chevy 150 gasser. Gas class racing started off to allow guys with hot street rods a place to race, but eventually it morphed into more modified, stock bodied racers. High straight axles, wide slicks, and colored plexiglass side windows were all hallmarks of a gasser. It's probably my favorite style of hot rod, even more than the classic roadster.

Factory Experimental

Factory Experimental, a photo by William 74 on Flickr.

Growing out of the Super Stock class (drag racing the family car!), Factory Experimental cars were heavily modified from stock. Big engines, blowers, straight axles, and altered wheelbases all featured to make these doorslammers real quarter mile weapons.