[GT182]

Originally Posted by dataway

I think first we would have to define what is meant by "factory".

1. Then there were the dealerships that had the clout to special order a batch of cars with normally unavailable options I imagine.

2. There were probably management types that could order a car with normally unavailable options.

Rental companies could probably order cars with anything they wanted.

There were a lot of paths that might lead to a car with options never documented as available on a particular model car.

3. So would "factory" mean as it left the factory? As it left the dealership? Or would it mean something like "regular production" as in only options listed as available to the average Joe with no alterations post factory?

1, Yes, yes, and yes. Look at the Union Pontiac drag cars. That was all factory as they had the clout to get what they wanted. As in the "Swiss Cheese" frames and other options the racers wanted straight from the factory..... as did many other dealers for drag racing

2. Yes, as it goes with my 1. answer. Shelby, was one and maybe the first to do so. Tho I'm sure.

Individuals changed cars to meet their needs and the wants of the public. Carroll Shelby was the first I can remember with his Shelby Cobras and Shelby Mustangs going to Hertz Rentals. Baldwin Motion in the 70s did it too (maybe even earlier).

3. Yes... as it rolled off the assembly line and loaded for delivery. Nothing changed. Same for regular production. And Factory car or truck with wanted options available from the factory for the public. Anything added by the dealer or owner was not "factory".... even if it was a factory option but didn't leave the factory with it.

When I started hauling new cars out of St. Therese, PQ, just north of Montreal, and other East Coast factories in 1978, we didn't see anything race oriented off the assembly lines going out to dealers. The mid 60s was the start of the changes so NASCAR racers could run factory car bodies approved by NASCAR. At least 500 had to be built so NASCAR would accept them for racing. Hence the Superbirds, Chargers with the sloped rear window in 69 (I believe that was the year), and Pontiac Aero Coup in the Mid 80s, There were others. But being a POF I can't remember them all.

Come on... you guys know of others that I don't.