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March, 2020
Plymouth Is Out To Win You Over!
President: Dean Yates
Vice President: David Chamberlain
Secretary/Membership: Jonny/ Carolyne Oliver
Treasurer: Joe Brown
Activities / Webpage / Newsletter: Dean Yates
[email protected] http://clubs.hemmings.com/carolinaplymouth
FaceBook carolina plymouth owners club
1928 Plymouth <> 2001 Plymouth
From The Desk Of The President & Editor
Spring is in the air here in North Carolina. Well we
still have a few weeks of old Winter left but the days
are getting longer. We only have a few more days before Day Light Saving Time starts (why can we not
just keep it on DLST?). The flowers, trees, and the
weeds in my yard are budding out especially the wild
onions that were gotten rid of last year but they
always come back the next. But don’t let all this nice
like weather fool you because as we all know the Old
Man Winter can always surprise us with more of his
nastiness. Below are a few pictures from around the
house. This lets me know the better weather is just
around the corner.
Our February meeting was held on February 22
nd at
the StreetSide Classics showroom in Concord. We
had a good turnout for the meeting. There was a little
misunderstanding about the time but it all worked
out. The personnel at SSC thought the meeting was
supposed to be from 4pm to 6pm which would have
made it a very long two hour meeting. Our meeting
was scheduled to start at 5pm but I always ask our
members to come early if they want to look over the
large number of cars and trucks at this location. Most
of our discussion centered around our schedule of
activities for 2020, and the Spring AutoFair at the
Charlotte Motor Speedway. There are more details of this meeting elsewhere in this newsletter in the
Club Minutes section.
Tanya and I arrived a little later then planed but still
got there about twenty minutes early to give me time
to take a few pictures of the many vehicles that they
always have at their consignment shop. After the
meeting most of us went to the R & R BBQ
restaurant for some good food and additional
fellowship. Below are some of the many beautiful
cars and trucks that they have in their very large
showroom.
Good Looking Club Members
Sharp Plymouth Duster
Nice 1965 Plymouth Sport Fury Convertible
Beautiful 1938 Plymouth Hot Rod
Nice Plymouth Prowler, Top Hat Edition
Cool 1939 Plymouth Black Family Car
Beautiful Red 1968 Dodge Charger
Nice 1932 Dodge DK Sedan
A Duke Boys 1968 Dodge Charger (Should Be A 1969)
Several CJ Jeeps and A Nice Dodge P/U
Sharp 1938 Dodge Hot Rod
Nice Fast Back 1966 Dodge Charger
A Couple Of Nice Studebakers
These are only a few of the many beautiful cars they
have to offer at StreetSide Classics. They have
almost anything thing you could be looking for so if
you’re looking to buy or sale a car give Zegin Braun
or Matthew Lamb a call at 704-598-2130 and I’m
sure they can fix you right up.
The Spring AutoFair is coming up on April 4th
& 5th
and 21 tickets have been paid for and spoken for.
Let’s all keep our fingers crossed for great weather.
Club dues are now due. Please pay ASAP if you have
not already done so. Also remember your Nationals
Dues.
Our next event will be March 14th
at the Petty Cruise-
In in Level Cross, North Carolina at the Petty Garage
(old Petty’s shop). This should be a great outing for
our Club and weather permitting there should be a
large group of car people there. The start time is 9am
so try to be there early to get a good spot.
Till we meet again, remember to keep those old
Plymouths running and on the road, and God Bless
you all.
President & Editor Dean Yates
311 Branson Mill Rd, Randleman, NC
Meeting Minutes: StreetSide Classics – 2/22/20
The second planning meeting was held at Streetside
Classics on February 22nd
. Members present were
Don and Betsy Fontain, President Dean and Tanya
Yates, Secretaries Jonny and Carolyne Oliver, David
Chamberlain, Sherry Deliso, Gregg Errett and Terry
and Cathy Drumm. The framework for the year was
established at the January meeting. We finalized club
activities for the year in this meeting.
The minutes for last month were read and approved.
Sick Call: No one is on sick call.
Treasurers Report: Our club is in good financial shape for the year.
Old Business:
+ Dean has fliers and business cards advertising our
annual MOPAR show. Pick up some from him.
+ If you are attending the Spring Auto Fair at
Charlotte Motor Speedway, and have not sent your
entry form, send it now. Include your check for
$20.00 and a stamped, self-addressed return envelope
to Dean. The perfectly sized return envelope for
Dean is 6 inches by 9 inches. We currently have 21
entries attending.
+ These are the final additions and changes to our
club's activities calendar.
* Mar 14 Petty Cruise-in at Level Cross NC
where the old race shop is. Meet there at 9:00AM.
* May 9 MOPAR Fun Run at Farmington,
NC. This is a good place to pick up parts for
projects. Drag cars usually show up for the drag strip
there.
* July 18 McCandless Museum in
Burlington, NC. Meet there at 1:00 PM. It will take
about 2 hours to go through it. Herb McCandless ran
MOPAR drag cars with Ronnie Sox for many years.
Many of those race cars are on display. There are
also 1960's MOPAR show cars there. This is a free
visit to the museum.
* Aug 15 China Grove Cruise-in. Meet across
from the barber shop on North Main at 11:00. Then
we will go to the China Grove Family House for
lunch.
* Sept 19 North Carolina Racing Hall of Fame
(HOF). 2:00 PM. It should takes less than 2 hours to
tour. When we were there 3 years ago, Don Miller
gave a guided tour. He was the head of Penske
Racing in Mooresville. At about 4:00 PM, we will go
to Shelton Classics, which is just around the corner
from the HOF. We usually eat at What-A- Burger
in Mooresville after the meeting at Shelton Classics.
There is a charge for this tour.
The complete schedule is in the monthly newsletter.
If anyone wants a printed copy of only activity the
schedule, I can provide by email ([email protected])
or hand out at the next meeting. Let me know before
the next meeting.
New Business: + None
Jonny & Carolyne Oliver,
Club Secretaries
Future Meetings & Activities:
Mar 14 Petty’s Garage Cruise-In, (9am);
Level Cross, NC (See Map)
Apr 4/5 Spring Charlotte AutoFair, (8am);
Concord, NC
May 9 MOPAR Fun Run, (10am);
Farmington, NC
Jun 13 Carolina Plymouth Club Car Show,
(8am); Spencer, NC
July 18 Herb McCandless Museum, (1pm?);
Burlington, NC
Aug 15 China Grove Cruise-In & China Grove
Restraint (11am) Then CG Cruise-In
Sept 19 NC Auto Racing HOF & Shelton
Classics, (2 pm); Mooresville, NC
Oct 17 Fall Charlotte AutoFair, (8am);
Concord, NC
Nov Appreciation Dinner, Julia’s Talley
House, (5pm); Troutman, NC
Others:
Cruise-In: 2nd Saturday, Kannapolis Cruise-In
3rd
Saturday, China Grove Cruise-in
MOPAR At The Rock: 4/17-19; Rockingham, NC
POC National Meet: 6/17-21; Springfield, IL
Carlisle Chrysler Nationals, 7/10-12; Carlisle, PA
MOPAR Nats; 8/7-9; Columbus, Ohio
Don Garlits MOPAR Show: 11/6-8; Ocala, FL
Future AutoFair’s 2021: 4/10; 10/16
2022: 4/9-10; 10/15
Toys & Stuff
This month I have three of my TrueValue IROC Dodge
Daytona & Avenger Racing Champions 1:24 die cast
model cars. Dodge used the Dodge Daytona from 1990
to 1993 and then switched to the Dodge Avenger in
1994 and 1995 before leaving the IROC racing series.
My two Dodge Daytona’s are a yellow number 18 and a
purple number 23. I’m not sure how many of the Dodge
Daytona were available as I have only two. I also have
one of the Dodge Avenger’s which is the black number
2 car. There were 12 of these available numbered 1 –
12 and in different colors. I attended several of these
races during the early to mid 90’s; one at Talladega,
one at Charlotte, and one more (not sure where this
one was as I was attending many races during this time
period.
If you have any toys or unusual stuff, just send me a
picture and a few lines on what it is and I will try to
get it in our newsletter.
Dean
# 18 Yellow Daytona & # 23 Purple Daytona
# 2 Black Dodge Avenger
March Birthdays:
Warren Nelson
Pat Weaver
Andy Woodruff
The History of IROC: International
Race of Champions By: Andrew Nussbaum
Since obtaining his driver’s license back in 1987,
Andrew’s automotive interests have revolved around
late-model, GM EFI iron. Since 2008, he’s been a
freelance writer/photographer for multiple niche auto
enthusiast magazines and websites.
The IROC series called upon drivers from varied
racing disciplines; including Indy Car, Formula 1,
SCCA, World of Outlaw and of course, NASCAR,
which eventually contributed the majority of the
drivers to the mix. Twelve racers were invited to
compete, usually chosen from recent season
championships in their respective series and major
events, such as the Indy or Daytona 500.
The cars were identically-prepared, evenly matched
stock cars of the same make and model, set up by a
single team of technicians (historically, NASCAR
veterans Dick Trickle, Dave Marcis and Jim Sauter)
in an all-out effort to derive a world champion based
solely on driver ability.
Beginning with the 1976 IROC season, a winner was
determined by a total points-system in the four
events. Throughout its three decade-long history, the
nationally-televised IROC races were widely
acknowledged, as some of the most thrilling auto
competitions ever run.
It all started with Porsche:
Kicking-off the series’ inaugural season, the first race
of the 1974 campaign took place at Riverside
International Raceway in Riverside, California, on
Oct 27, 1973. The race was televised via tape delay
on ABC, who provided coverage until 1980 and
again from 1987-2003, splitting the other years with
CBS (1984-86), ESPN and Speed Channel (2004-
06). The first cars chosen for this automotive duel for
supremacy, was the Porsche 911 Carrera RSR.
Fifteen RSR’s were built, all basically race-tuned
versions of the street-going RS model.
The power plant propelling the potent Porsches, was
a race-ready version of the RS’ 3.0L flat-six with the
famous “High Butterfly” injection system making
320hp. Wielded by a five-speed manual transmission,
the 2100-lb. racecars combined RS and RSR
components; including wide-panel bodywork, a
fiberglass whale tail, Fuchs forged wheels, 4-piston
aluminum brakes and a sparse all-race interior with
plastic door handles to save weight.
First to claim IROC victory, would be 1972
Indianapolis 500 winner Mark Donohue in his #2
Porsche. Unfortunately this was the racing legend’s
final win, as he lost his life the following year in a
practice race for the Austrian Grand Prix.
Chevy Camaro 1975-80:
For IROC’s second season-1975, the decision was
made to change from the pricey Porsches to a
homegrown platform. With the absence of competing
pony cars by 1975 leaving the segment wide open to
Chevrolet, the 2nd-Gen Camaro was chosen as the
great equalizer for auto racing’s best.
The first Camaros from 1974-’76 were production-
based, steel bodied cars, specially prepared by Penske
Racing and IROC. Roger Penkse was no stranger to
the Camaro, having found success with Chevy’s pony
car in the 1968-’69 SCCA Trans-Am-Series. Initial
power came from a Traco Engineering-built, 336ci
Holley-carbureted Chevrolet small block making
440-horses and wielded by a T-10 Borg Warner 4-
speed manual.
In 1977, Penske and IROC commissioned legendary
NASCAR driver/builder Banjo Matthews to build
new Camaros from the ground up. The new machines
were complete tube frame racecars covered
predominantly with fiberglass panels, powered by a
re-worked, Traco-built 350-cid Chevy mill good for
450hp. The bodywork, T-10 4-speed gearbox, race
suspension, Hurst-Airheart 4-wheel disc brakes and
steering box came straight from GM’s parts bin.
Fifteen IROC 2nd-Gen Camaros were built, racing
the series until 1980.
During the Camaro’s first IROC tenure, open wheel
drivers would dominate the series. Here are the
victors:
1975-80 IROC Camaro Champions:
1975-Bobby Unser, Indy Racing
1976-A.J. Foyt, Indy Racing
1977-A.J. Foyt, Indy Racing
1978-Al Unser, Indy Racing
1979-Mario Andretti, Indy, F1 Racing
1980-Bobby Allison, NASCAR
IROC Camaro Z28/IROC-Z 1984-89:
After a four-year hiatus, 1984 would see IROC
picking up where it had left off. Now co-sponsoring
the series with Anheuser-Busch, Goodyear and True
Value Hardware, Chevrolet offered-up the 3rd-
generation Camaro Z28. This iteration of Chevy’s
pony car would later become synonymous with the
name, IROC.
The new racecar was built on a Banjo Matthews,
IROC –fabricated, Grand National-style tube frame
chassis like that of a full Winston Cup car. The
combination of factory skins and fiberglass panels,
presented a hardcore mirror image of the streetcar.
The fresh setup included: A Katech Inc. race-
prepped, forged aluminum 350 cid Chevrolet small
block motor,390cfm Holley carb, Hedman Hedders,
Richmond “Super T-10” 4-speed manual
transmission, stock car quick-change rearend with
3.50 gears for the oval track or 3.90s for road course.
The engine had a 9:5.1 compression ratio and made
470hp/400lb-ft in the 3350-lb car.
For the 1985 model year, Chevrolet would celebrate
the IROC racing Camaros TV-popularity by offering
a new high-performance IROC-Z production model
as an option package on the Z28. It came equipped
with your choice of two 305 cid. V8s; one with a
4bbl. carburetor, another with GM’s brand new
Tuned Port Injection (TPI) system, good for an
additional 25 hp over the carbureted version’s 190.
It was backed by either one of two gearboxes; a 5-
speed manual or a 4-speed automatic. Underneath,
was a more taught suspension package that improved
the Camaro’s handling substantially.
On top of the Z28’s stiffer suspension, more
aggressive front fascia devoid of intake slots, ground-
effects and rear deck lid spoiler, IROC-Z’s were
fitted with: Front fog lights with lower ground-
hugging front air dam and body-color ground-effects
skirts. New ornamental hood louvers, “IROC-Z” door
decals, call-out badges and ground-effects striping
Lowered ride height with special Delco-Bilstein rear
shocks, tuned struts/springs, larger diameter
front/rear sway bars, rear stabilizer bar and a “wonder
bar” steering/ front frame brace Specific 16×8-inch
five-spoke aluminum wheels with different front and
rear offsets wrapped in 245/50/VR16 Goodyear
Eagle GT performance tires.
Changes in decal placement, interiors, wheels,
options and safety equipment took place during the
IROC’s tenure, with its basic appearance and appeal
remaining the same. Few American production cars,
especially from the much-maligned 1980s, have
solidified such a reputation and legacy, as the
Camaro IROC-Z.
With Chevrolet choosing not to renew its contract for
1990, 1989 would be the final year for the Camaro in
IROC racing. This would also mean the end of the
IROC-Z street car, as Chevy was not licensed to use
the IROC name after Jan. 1, 1990. This resulted in a
IROC Camaro Champions, 1984-1989:
1984-Cale Yarborough, NASCAR
1985-Harry Gant, NASCAR
1986-Al Unser, Jr. IRL-Indy Racing*
1987-Geoffrey Bodine, NASCAR
1988-Al Unser, Jr. IRL-Indy Racing*
1989-Terry Labonte, NASCAR
*Al Unser, Jr. would be the last non-NASCAR-based
IROC champion.
The MOPAR ERA: 1990-95 IROC Dodge
Daytona & Avenger:
With GM and Chevrolet’s sponsorship of IROC
ending with the 1989 season, a new era and racing
platform was introduced for the 1990 campaign. Now
stepping into to the batter’s box, Dodge provided its
Daytona sport coupe as IROC’s chosen steed. The
new car was no slouch, immediately making a name
for itself, recording faster average speeds than its
predecessors.
Still built on a Banjo Matthews tube chassis frame,
with the new bodywork provided by Diversified
Glass Products, the Daytona utilized much of the
same IROC/Winston Cup car set-up as before with
power now provided by a Dodge 355-cid V8 making
450 hp.
Not unlike Chevy’s efforts and thinking with the
IROC-Z, Dodge sought to capitalize on its IROC
racing status, with a street version of its own. Based
on the front-drive Dodge Daytona and powered by
either a 3.0-liter V6 or turbocharged 2.5-liter engine,
the IROC models differed from lesser versions, by
adding decals, ground effects and specific alloy
wheels.
Also of note, many IROC Daytona’s from 1991-93
were labeled as “Shelby” Daytona’s – basically the
same car, except for the decals and a slight change in
the VIN code sequence; G743/IROC, G74J/Shelby.
These Daytona’s were the last Chrysler production
cars bearing the Shelby name, increasing their rarity
and cult-like following. Ninety-three would mark the
end of Daytona production and its final campaign in
IROC.
In 1994, Dodge provided IROC with its new-for-’95
Avenger sport coupe. The new racecar had basically
the same set-up as its Daytona predecessor with a
new body shell from Diversified Glass
Products. Dodge did not offer an Avenger IROC
production model.
Two IROC seasons later, the Avengers time had
come and gone, as did Dodge’s contract.
Dodge Daytona / Avenger Champions 1990-1995
1990-Dale Earnhardt, NASCAR
1991-Rusty Wallace, NASCAR
1992-Ricky Rudd, NASCAR
1993-Davey Allison/Terry Labonte, NASCAR*
1994-Mark Martin, NASCAR
*Davey Allison was tragically killed in a helicopter
crash after three races were completed. Terry Labonte
was asked to step in and drive, finishing the last race
and combining his points with Allison’s winning the
IROC title.
Pontiac Firebird Trans AM 1996-2006:
1996 marked the return of GM sponsorship; now
utilizing its other F-body pony car, the Pontiac
Firebird. In the words of great TV chef Emeril
Lagasse, IROC was, “kicking it up a notch – BAM!”
The Firebird racecars were brand new from beak to
tail, with only the braking components carrying over
from the previous platform. Without a doubt the most
powerful IROC car to date, two-dozen Firebird Trans
AMs were built, once again to Winston Cup Busch
Series specs. The new ‘Birds were fitted with: A 350-
cid GM Motorsports racing engine with CNC-
machined Brodix-cast aluminum Pontiac heads. A
new tube frame chassis built by Laughlin Racing
Products-designed for use with non-bias ply tires.
Titanium intake and stainless steel headers/exhaust,
with a 750-cfm Holley 4bbl carburetor. Suspension
with independent unequal-length control arms, coil
springs, anti sway bar and rigid axle, Jericho 4-speed
transmission with Dana aluminum quick-change rear
end with 3.16:1 axle ratio, New Goodyear Eagle
racing radials. Compression ratio of 9.0:1 making
500hp/445lb-ft, with a curb weight of 3500-lbs.
Diversified Glass Products once again continued to
provide the bodywork, successfully recreating the
sleek, aerodynamic lines of the Trans Am street
machine and even updated the Ram Air hood/front
fascia design with the ’98 model when the time came.
Now an IROC sponsor, Du Pont Automotive Finishes
made sure that all of the new birds had brightly
colored-feathers for their TV appearances. Where the
Camaro Z28 IROC racecar provided a great
opportunity for Chevy to bring a production version
to pass, the opposite would be true for the Firebird
Trans AM.
With its already iconic SCCA race-derived name,
aggressive styling and Ram Air power, the Trans AM
transitioned to race form seamlessly and was a
perfect fit for IROC. The new racing Firebirds looked
right at home on the tracks – like it was meant to be.
One company did however take advantage of the
IROC T/A’s status. Famed Firebird tuner SLP (Street
Legal Performance, now rechristened Specialty
Vehicle Engineering), offered a new IROC-style rear
spoiler for its fierce Firehawk models in 2001 and
2002.
As a testament to the match made in racing heaven
between IROC and the Firebird, the series continued
to run the Trans AM-bodied cars, even after GM and
Pontiac pulled the plug on F-body production in
2002. Devoid of any manufacturer I.D., the Firebird’s
would race-on till the end in 2006.
Here are the drivers who piloted IROC Firebird
T/A’s to victory and some notable stats:
1996-1998-Mark Martin*
1999-2000-Dale Earnhardt*
2001-Bobby Labonte
2002-Kevin Harvick
2003-Kurt Busch
2004-Matt Kenseth
2005-Mark Martin*
2006-Tony Stewart
*Mark Martin is the all-time leader in IROC race
wins (thirteen) and championships (five), winning
three in a row and four totals in a Firebird.
*After winning back-to-back IROC championships in
’99 and 2000 driving a Firebird and running the first
race of 2001, Dale Earnhardt was tragically killed in
a crash at the Daytona 500. Second only to Mark
Martin, the “Intimidator” has (eleven) IROC wins
and (four) championships. After his death, IROC
completed the 2001 campaign with eleven cars
instead of twelve.
*Under Crown Royal sponsorship, a 2004 rule
change allowing drivers to use their own racing
numbers had one exception; anyone using the number
“3” would have to use “03” instead.
END OF THE ROAD:
With the first two races of the 2007 IROC season
postponed because of lack of sponsorship, the season
never got underway and went on an infinite hiatus all
together. Without sponsorship, a fresh car and a
supporting manufacturer, IROC was finished.
In March of 2008, IROC auctioned off all of its tools,
equipment and cars and went out of business. Like its
last ride of choice, the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am,
IROC racing faded quietly into the sunset of
automotive history, leaving behind an iconic legacy
of exciting memories.
