By David S. Wallens
Dec 6, 2024
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Ford,
Ford Mustang,
Trans-Am
Photography Courtesy RM Sotheby's
The door on golden era of Trans-Am racing slammed shut towards the end of 1972.
Blame the exodus of the factory efforts, blame the 1973 oil crisis, blame the declining interest in pony cars, blame the rising popularity of tube-frame race cars, blame the inclusion of FIA cars.
No more Mark Donohue Javelin, no more George Follmer Mustang. Both, in fact, had left the series a year prior.
The last race of 1972 featured the series’ traditional, much-loved mix: Ford Mustang Boss 302, Chevy Camaro Z28 and the American Motors AMX.
So, what would fill the forthcoming Trans-Am grids? The 1973 season-opener featured a new look for the series: Porsche 911 and Corvette, Ford Escort and Ferrari Dino 246 GT. Peter Gregg would win in a Porsche 911 Carrera RSR; second went to Al Holbert in another Porsche 911.
Third place, coming home one lap behind the winner, was a Corvette driven by Marshall Robbins. Fourth place, a Camaro, finished three laps behind Gregg. Fifth? A Ford Escort RS 1600, crossing the checker another three laps back.
Coming soon–well, eventually–to this reformulated Trans-Am? Cars like this 1973 Mustang.
The shape can be called Mustang-ish–definitely more radical than its predecessors that filled the Trans-Am grids. Droop snoot, reworked body contours, raised tail. It was based on plans by Kar Kraft, at the time Ford’s unofficial competition arm.
This particular car was built and campaigned by Ed Hinchliff. It was part of a matched pair, with the other going to Warren Tope, son of a Ford VP. (The younger Tope later perished behind the wheel of a McLaren Can-Am car during the Wide Track II, an all-comers street race held in Pontiac, Michigan, in July 1975.)
Records show Hinchliff campaigning the Mustang a few times during the second half of the ’70s and through the 1980 season. Its competition record isn’t full of wins and championships, though, with the Mustang trading hands about five years ago through an RM Sotherby’s sale for about $50,000.
A Mustang with legit, golden era Trans-Am history usually fetches six figures–maybe more. And for those later cars? Perhaps one day they’ll get their due.
Trans pulled me away from Volvo 544s & 122s when I saw the BRE Datsun 510s coming up the hill at Watkins Glen trans AM. Bought one Monday morning. That was a long time ago. Loved the racing. My wife got a ride in Ron Fellows treas Am car. I was not invited so I bought a 240Z. Still have it today, but my real love has always been Morgans. The Rover [Buick] makes the difference.
Goodwood Trans-Am https://youtu.be/FzET8dM_Wtc?si=QZbif3SZWIY0ZtQ0
This car popped up in my search feed while looking for something else. What I was looking for, I forget, but I recall seeing these cars before. As I started to poke around for a minute, I saw that there was a story there worth sharing.
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