68 911L What is it worth? Follow up

[Rennman]

I wanted to follow up on the thread that was posted last month here where the owner asked about the car he had bought which when he received the COA showed all the good race options. I was able to buy the car from him. (Thanks Steve) and it is now in a container heading back to the US.

The car is in fact one of the small batch of 911 L Coupes that was built for competition in the US for Trans Am and B sedan racing. I have pieced most of the history together so far. The car was imported into California where Don Pike bought (Confirmed on the Kardex) and raced the car on the West Coast in TA and B Sedan. Don is better known as Caroll Shelby's head engine builder during the heyday and also went on to race bigger cars. I spoke with Don. He is alive and well and he was very happy to hear that his old car was found. His old TA Ford Falcon was also recently uncovered as well. He told me it was fast and won just about every race it was entered. Don sold the car to a friend who raced it but then it dissapeared for nearly 40 years. From what I have learned it was street registered in CA in 1971. Apparently the livery, rollbar and whatever obvious race cues were removed when it was sold and it just drove off into the sunset without anyone knowng it's history or the fact it was built as a special car in the first place. It is truly lucky that it is found and can now be restored which should not be too difficult as it survived pretty well. I have the missing rollbar ect. for it.

I have posted on my site 15 pictures of it back in the day http://www.Porsport.com under collection. I would like to thank Dave Conklin for getting me the pictures and contact information. Dave sped up the research process big time. Thanks Dave! The photos are a great window into racing in the 60s. I thought you guys would enjoy seeing them and knowing more about the car. Keep the faith. They are still out there!

Best,

Don

[CurtEgerer]

How lucky to have such good photos available for the restoration! Love the Mohawk Gasoline livery.

Check this out too:

TSOA Newsletter, March 1969

[edmayo]

Good to hear that one is coming back this way for a change. Assume you'll post pictures of it when it arrives back.

[72targa]

For my own education, what engine should be found in this car? One from the factory or one built by the original owner/driver?

Interesting driver history:

http://www.racingsportscars.com/driv...-Pike-USA.html

[Chuck Miller]

WOW !!!! Great find Don

Is this the same car driven by Don Pike under the Don Burns banner?

BTW, the Alfa GTA behind Don's 911 in your second to last pic, is the Vic Provenzano/John Shankle right hand '68 B-Sadan champ.
I pitted for Vic in '71

- Don Burns/Don Pike 911S on the cover of my '68 Santa Barbara program
- Don Pike with friend and fellow competitor Scooter Patrick a couple of years ago at the Fabulous Fifties Race Car Concours

Cheers

[Grady Clay]

Congratulations on rescuing another.

The Don Pike car is wonderful.

Is there a list of the VINs for this group of racers?
Please post the info you have on original engines and transmissions.

I have a lot of pictures of ’68 & ’69 Trans Am and some later. I know I have pictures of the TA cars driven by Alan Johnson and Tony Adamowitz.
There may be some pictures of me helping Tony and Alan at CDR in late ‘68.
I think I still have my ‘Crew’ pass.
Here is an image from:
http://www.a2zracer.com/page13.html


Note the Solex carbs.

The Trans Am rules of the day said you could “remove the bumpers” so 911s lost some significant weight in the rear. There was a lot of ‘discussion’ about this interpretation.

My 911 was parked just behind and to the right of the photographer.

Best,
Grady

[Rennman]

Thanks guys. Chuck I am not sure if it is the same car. It sure looks like it could be. I will ask Don. Grady I will look up and post the engine serial number sequence. I know this car is the third engine in the 28 L Rally engines produced in 68. The gearboxes were not in series. More to come.

Don

[Allen Henderson]

Don,

Thanks for the info. Wow! you came up with a lot of good info. quickly. Be sure to keep us posted as to progress. Would be fun to find the engine! Thanks.

-Allen-

[Rennman]

The engine is still with the car. I will verify that once it gets here.

Don

[fryardds]

Congratulations Don! The period photos on your site are fantastic. Can't wait to see it once it lands in NY.

Is this a car part of the same group of cars that included Barry William's '68 911? If so, look like your car has more significant race history. Thanks for sharing.