A singular 1968 Chevrolet Camaro racecar with chief race history has been put up for auctioneer by Silverstone Auctions.
The car is highly regarded in motorsport version having achieved significant conquest and podium positions at British and otc European events in period, including an haunting performance in the historic Iberia Award Race at Crystal Palace progression, forever immortalised as one of the BBC’s ‘100 Superlative Sporting Moments’.
As well as proved success and racing history, the car has had due two owners in its life.
“This dandy Camaro has the stance and presence of a severe racing car, and rarely do competition motor vehicle with this history and birthplace come to market,” explains Xtc Rutter, specialist car consignor, Silverstone Auctions, who has habituated the car a pre-sale estimate of £65,000 to £75,000.
The Camaro was inaugural purchased by Bill Shaw Racing to be prearranged specifically for the 1970 British Pub Car Championship season. Fitted with a 5-l small-block V8 engine, the English muscle car began its racing lifetime at the hands of none other than Roy Pierpoint, the quondam British Saloon Car champion, linked by Martin Thomas.
For the 1971 period, the Camaro was then passed into the efficient hands of Martin Thomas who went on to vie on home soil as well as foreign, securing victories at the International Continent Meeting at Magny-Cours, the Beechwood Trophy at Silverstone, the Miller Foxiness meeting at Thruxton and a string of otc fine podium finishes.
Notwithstanding, it was at the BSCC Iberia Trophy Relay at the now defunct South London journey of Crystal Palace where the Camaro fabricated its most historic and memorable arrival to date. Racing alongside Microphone Crabtree in a Ford Escort RS1600 and Gerry Lawman in a Vauxhall Viva GT in a tense and riveting battle, the three drivers raced pry-to-tail for the entirety of race. Apostle and the Camaro held onto inaugural position for almost every lap, until moving out during the penultimate lap, leaving Crabtree to hybridisation the line in first position.
Astern two further seasons the Camaro was old from racing in 1973 and preserved by Thomas. However, in the early 1990s, he positive to rebuild the car and return it to circuit, operation a 5.0-litre V8 engine paired to a four-speed close-correlation Muncie ‘rock-crusher’, with a sassy, blue livery which it yet retains today.
In 2004 the car was so sold to the current owner, who has continuing to successfully compete the Camaro at the Inheritance Grand Touring Cars, the Aston Actor Owners Club Masters and Graeco-roman Sports Car Club events.
The Camaro has too been part of a number of characteristic appearances, including the 50th Anniversary of the BTCC at Silverstone, BBC’s Top Cog-wheel 50th Anniversary of Touring Cars and a definite recreation of the famous 1971 Peninsula Trophy Race , as part of ‘Motorsport at the Palatial home’ in 2014.
“This Camaro has a strong pursuit and reputation and is well known on the racing vista”, continues Rutter. “I have no question that it would be welcomed by organisers anyplace and it is the perfect candidate for blue ribbon events like the Gerry Lawman Trophy at the Goodwood Members Concursion, or perhaps the HSCC Historic Touring Car Title. BSCC fans have a single opportunity here to own a really especially car.”
The Camaro is supplied with a distich of steel doors, old FIA papers, publication and a wonderful history file. The Silverstone Auctioneer is to be held at Race Retro Outside Historic Motorsport Show at Stoneleigh Grounds, on 24th February 2017.
To find out more almost the car and Silverstone Auction’s sales at Slipstream Retro, visit http://www.silverstoneauctions.com/chevrolet-camaro-canal-car—ex-martin-thomas.
