Trans Am Camaro auctioned for AU$1.3 Million

The first of two prepared by Roger Penske's team for competition in the 1968 Trans Am season, the auctioned car was powered by a 302 Traco-Chevrolet V8 with dual four-barrel carbs and a Cross-Ram intake manifold (delivering around 420hp - 315kW).

 

These Penske Camaros were also fitted with an M22 "Rockcrusher" 4-speed transmission, Koni adjustable shocks and Corvette disc brakes on all four wheels.

 

First driven in the 24 Hours of Daytona by Mark Donohue, Craig Fisher and Bob Johnson to 12th overall and second in its class, this car also went on to finish fourth overall at the 12 Hours of Sebring.

 

By this stage, a second 1968 Camaro had been built, which Donohue used to dominate the remainder of the '68 Trans Am season, while the first car was mainly driven by Sam Posey to a number of podium finishes.

 

For 1969, the car was retained by the Penske squad and cosmetically upgraded, but sold off midway through the season, spending the next two decades in the hands of a string of British owner-drivers who raced it at iconic circuits like Silverstone, Spa and Hockenheim.

 

In the late 1980s, the Camaro came back to the USA and was subjected to a five-year restoration, including a repaint in its original Penske Sunoco livery, that was completed in 1994. Since then, this car has competed at numerous historic race events.

 

At Amelia Island, the Donohue connection (albeit slight) and the authentic C1968 restoration saw the Camaro sell for US$990,000 (AU$1,306,800 approx.).

 

Another notable piece of American muscle from this auction was a 1963 Shelby 289 Cobra, which sold for US$1.15 million (AU$1.52 million approx.), while the top-seller was a 1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica LWB Aerodinamico that sold for US$4.4 million (AU$5.8 million approx.).