12 replies to this topic

[Peter Morley]

Does anyone know if there was ever an Iso Grifo pace car used in Can-Am races?

A friend has been offered an Iso Grifo that was originally sold in Europe and then went to the States, where it was apparently painted black and used as a Can-Am Pace car, between 68 & 71.

[RA Historian]

Never heard of it, but it certainly is possible, as each track supplied its own. I have seen stuff as disparate as a Mercedes-Benz SL to a Porsche 914. Perhaps Pete Lyons, if he comes by this thread, can help as he must have been to every Can Am race.

Tom

[Peter Morley]

Never heard of it, but it certainly is possible, as each track supplied its own. I have seen stuff as disparate as a Mercedes-Benz SL to a Porsche 914. Perhaps Pete Lyons, if he comes by this thread, can help as he must have been to every Can Am race.

Tom

Thank you Tom

That surprised me, I was really expecting to hear no way they were always supplied by Chevrolet, or something similar that disproved the story....

I will try contacing Pete Lyons directly.

Peter

[E1pix]

IIRC, it seems the Porsche 914 pace cars that RA Historian mentions above led the field during the 917/10K and 917/30K years of 1972 and/or 1973.

It positively appeared as a 1:2 scale version with the massive Can-Ammers in tow....

Edited by E1pix, 17 September 2011 - 07:41.

[Red Socks]

I'll check with Berdie Martin who clerked every race and for sure will remember.

[RA Historian]

I'll check with Berdie Martin who clerked every race and for sure will remember.

Excellent idea!

In fact, I have a photo which shows Burdie driving a Mercedes SL at the Road America Can Am in 1971.

Tom

Edited by RA Historian, 17 September 2011 - 14:33.

[Peter Morley]

I've e-mailed Pete Lyons and Lorna replied to say he's at an ALMS race this weekend so he'll be in touch next week.

Thank you Red Socks for contacting Burdie Martin it sounds like he will know for sure.

Peter

[Red Socks]

I've e-mailed Pete Lyons and Lorna replied to say he's at an ALMS race this weekend so he'll be in touch next week.

Thank you Red Socks for contacting Burdie Martin it sounds like he will know for sure.

Peter

Berdie tells me that he has no memory of ever using an Iso Grifo as a course car during his time as Cof C., and he has a very good memory.

[Peter Morley]

Berdie tells me that he has no memory of ever using an Iso Grifo as a course car during his time as Cof C., and he has a very good memory.

Thank you for asking him, that is the kind of reply I expected.
Just to confuse things Pete Lyons says he has a faint memeory of one, but Berdie would presumably have been better positioned to know.

Peter

[red stick]

I wonder if this is the source of some confusion:

http://jalopnik.com/...ll-power-bulges

[Peter Morley]

I wonder if this is the source of some confusion:

http://jalopnik.com/...ll-power-bulges

That had crossed my mind.
But could the name have come from a real Can-Am link - in the way that Singer Le-Mans, Porsche Carreras etc were named after a racing connection...

[JacnGille]

I seem to remember Road Atlanta using a Triumph Stag one year.

[jj2728]

1971



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