Laguna Seca 1970 CanAm

[Cadillac Kid]

I made these scans from an unmarked tray of 35mm slides that I found at a thrift store yesterday. They provide a unique glimpse of the 1970 CanAm Grand Prix in Monterey, California.


Laguna Seca 1970




Jim Hall's wild 2J Chaparral. Vic Elford was brought in to to handle 'the vacuum'
The 2J was banned after the last event in Riverside.


British Racing Motors 465ci Chevy



Through the corkscrew. Check out that video camera.



#5 McLaren M8D driven by Dennis Holm of England for McLaren Cars.


#77 March Engineering 707


Superbird!

 

[BigElCat]

Cool ! IMHO, CanAm was the ultimate in racing. I did not watch much of it as a kid, it doesn't seem like the TV stations broadcast much of it here in Kansas.

 

[GuyK]

I think I have the title right. Scanned from an unmarked tray of slides that I found at a thrift store yesterday. Pretty neat view of what I think is the 1970 CanAm Grand Prix in Monterey, California. I have about twenty more if anyone is interested. Comments and corrections are welcome.

The Pit:
View attachment 891430



Jim Hall's wild 2J Chaparral was banned after this race. Something about the two fans sticking out the rear.
View attachment 891431

BRM Chevy
View attachment 891432


The race is on. Look at the camera man on the turn.
View attachment 891435


#5 McLaren
View attachment 891439

#77 March Engineering
View attachment 891440

Superbird!
View attachment 891434

The Chaparral 2J wasn't banned because the fans were sticking out the back, per se. They were deemed a movable aerodynamic device, and apparently threw debris at cars behind.

The photos are great! Please post more if you can! The Can-Am is my favorite of all the racing series. Love these old cars!

edit:
I think the 2J was outlawed after the season finished, which was a couple weeks later at Riverside.

 

[mkane]

Went to many CanAm races as a teen. I also have a box of slides. Thanks for the memories.

 

[mkane]

 

[mkane]

you say suck

 

[mkane]

Jim Hall @ VacaValley Raceway. Way back when. Been there as a kid many times.

 

[TPettenati]

@Cadillac Kid - Great pictures. Would love to see more.

Looks like you got the year correct. More pictures from that same race can be found here: https://revslib.stanford.edu/
Limit your search by selecting YEAR=1970, VENUE= Laguna Seca, EVENT = Can-Am

 

[grillebilly]

Thanks for sharing. Big engines with fuel injection stacks. Doesn't get any cooler.

 

[Cadillac Kid]

Thanks to everyone for the comments, links and the photos.

California Native driver Dick Smith


Cris Amon with the March Engineering 707.


Off Road



Peter Gethin gets the Yellow Flag.

 

[Cadillac Kid]

And thanks to the unknown photographer for your wonder images.

 

[nbarber]

Great pix and thanks for the post!

 

[mkane]

For the uninitiated these were the highest hp/wt sports cars ever made.. As much as 1580 hp in qualifying trim. Weight was 1800lbs.

 

[mkane]

Where the rubber meets the road. 0-125 in less than 3

 

[mkane]

And some of you old fart's must remember this. Porsche's first real hot rod. You can have your new Mustang R

 

[mkane]

Thanks Dad for taking us to all these races. California was a hotbed for racing back when. My Father was a very prominent SCCA racer himself.

 

[mkane]

Sorry for gettin' carried away.

 

[mkane]

One more and one of my favorites

 

[Cadillac Kid]

Glad you are enjoying the thread. Here is a list of entries at the 1970 Can Am. McLaren was well represented.

 

[GuyK]

...
California Native driver Dick Smith
View attachment 891954
...

Is this the same Dick Smith that raced Cobras as a privateer?