history - then and now
A Historic Trans Am Icon that Steals the Show at Every Event
A Historic Trans Am Icon that Steals the Show at Every Event
A Historic Trans Am Icon that Steals the Show at Every Event
One of the most unique and iconic Historic Trans Am racecars - the-one-of-one “Gray Ghost” 1964 Pontiac Tempest.
After Pontiac's withdrawal from Trans Am racing at the end of the 1970 season, legendary Pontiac designer and engineer Herb Adams, then the head of Pontiac Special Engineering, and a cadre of Pontiac’s top engineers wanted to
One of the most unique and iconic Historic Trans Am racecars - the-one-of-one “Gray Ghost” 1964 Pontiac Tempest.
After Pontiac's withdrawal from Trans Am racing at the end of the 1970 season, legendary Pontiac designer and engineer Herb Adams, then the head of Pontiac Special Engineering, and a cadre of Pontiac’s top engineers wanted to continue the progress they had made for the following year. As the story goes, Pontiac management told Herb that they would be fired if they ran a Firebird, as the company didn’t want it to seem like a back door effort - which Herb heeded, to the extent that they wouldn't race a Firebird!
The solution was in Herb’s driveway - his wife Sandi’s 1964 Tempest. As part of the GTO program, Pontiac had homologated the car with the FIA as a Group 2 Sedan. Herb and his crew worked nights and weekends converting the car into a state-of-the-art 1971 Trans Am car.
They pulled out all the stops, taking extra advantage of the "unsanctioned" nature of the project in ways Smokey Yunick would be proud of. Nearly every suspension mounting point was changed to increase front camber gain and anti-squat. A three-piece cambered rear end housing and 4 wheel disc brakes were added. The 303 ci engine was set back as much as allowed.
The car was fitted with four equally sized wheels and tires (by putting rears on the front as well) under handcrafted fender flares that aided even further in its exceptional handing.
This one-of-one car is as close to a factory racecar as is possible, built to the latest generation spec of Historic Trans Am cars, but is being made available at a significant discount to a Bud Moore Mustang or Penske Camaro.
It’s no wonder that no car gets such attention at the race meetings! This is a testament to the ingenuity and dedication of Herb Adams and his team, who were able to create such a remarkable vehicle under challenging circumstances. Their efforts truly embody the spirit of innovation and passion for racing.
Early Racing History
A Historic Trans Am Icon that Steals the Show at Every Event
A Historic Trans Am Icon that Steals the Show at Every Event
Built on nights and weekends by Herb Adams and a cadre of Pontiac engineers, the Gray Ghost was barely ready for the 1971 season opener at Lime Rock.
Bob Tullius, of British Leyland Group 44 fame, agreed to drive the car (as a bonus, he lined up a tire deal and some commercial sponsorship). Tullius had never driven the car before and, duri
Built on nights and weekends by Herb Adams and a cadre of Pontiac engineers, the Gray Ghost was barely ready for the 1971 season opener at Lime Rock.
Bob Tullius, of British Leyland Group 44 fame, agreed to drive the car (as a bonus, he lined up a tire deal and some commercial sponsorship). Tullius had never driven the car before and, during practice, he misdiagnosed a minor fan-belt issue as a failing motor. He missed qualifying while the engine was being torn down, so he had to start from the back.
No problem. A deluge soaked the track on race day, and Tullius – an acknowledged rain-meister benefiting from the big front tires and the negative camber of the rear tires – scythed through the field. By lap 86, he was second to Mark Donohue’s factory-backed Javelin, prompting the track announcer to liken the Tempest to “a gray ghost” emerging from the mist. Although a head gasket failed with a handful of laps to go, a star had been born.
The Ghost ran in 7 of the 10 races (missing the Canadian rounds and Riverside due to budget constraints) and scored three top five finishes after it's heroic debut against the best factory-backed teams and drivers of the Trans Am era.
At the end of the season the car was sold to Louis Spoerl, a Pontiac-Cadillac dealer, who continued to race the car in A Sedan and GT-1 races into the 80’s.
Modern Racing History
A Historic Trans Am Icon that Steals the Show at Every Event
Modern Racing History
Bought directly from the Spoerl family by long-time Historic Trans Am competitor John Hildebrand, the car received a body-off restoration in 2016. It has been successfully raced in the Historic Trans Am group since then, typically qualifying, racing, and finishing in the top five in a 25 to 40 car group with several race wins.
The Gray Gh
Bought directly from the Spoerl family by long-time Historic Trans Am competitor John Hildebrand, the car received a body-off restoration in 2016. It has been successfully raced in the Historic Trans Am group since then, typically qualifying, racing, and finishing in the top five in a 25 to 40 car group with several race wins.
The Gray Ghost has participated in every Monterey Rolex Reunion from 2016 to 2023 (and accepted for 2024), further cementing its place in the Historic Trans Am racing scene. Its performance and the attention it draws on the track are testament to its enduring legacy and appeal.
The Gray Ghost continues to be a symbol of innovation and passion in the world of racing.
Please see the video section for examples of the car's performance and the attention the car draws on track.
Press Coverage
Speedhunters
http://www.speedhunters.com/2016/08/gray-ghost-rides/
Bangshift
https://bangshift.com/bangshiftapex/the-defant-ones-part-3-the-gray-ghost/
Motorsport Magazine
San Francisco Chronicle