Helidoc,

I'm sorry to hear you parted with the 962, but I understand given the circumstances. I happened to stumble across this thread by accident while searching for something else and spent hours reading every post in here. I cannot believe that as soon as I finished reading it, I saw your last post. What were the odds.

I would like to thank you for taking the time to post your knowledge and experiences with your 962. It's definitely one of my favorite threads. Thanks again!

Helidoc -

Your passion, expertise and generiosity are greatly appreciated here by me and I am sure all who has been following this thread!

In any event, best of luck with your new ventures!!
Bob

Helidoc,
Wanted to chime in and join the majority who wish you the best. To take on such a monumental task of rebuilding the 962 AND put up with our unrelenting questions, is a most noble effort.
I hope you return to the sport you love so much. Like you said, there seems to be an upswing with buyers with more ego and money. I have to agree. The vintage races are becoming more and more like parades on race tracks. We need more like you, not less. Whatever your next endeavor, I wish you continued success.

When I got a notice that this thread had been "updated" I had so hoped to see the 962 engine buttoned up in your shop, Doc! Well, best of luck and thanks for starting one of the most interesting threads. I really enjoyed the pictures and the stories...

Best,
Jeff

Hey, Doc, is there any chance that the new owner would be willing to continue this thread? At least with a couple of update pictures once the engine is complete. There is a lot of interest in this car, engine, and project.

West

Is it an East Coast or West Coast party? Just curious...
Metro Racing Systems in FL had a nice 962C at the HSR Races at VIR over Labor Day.

Any ideas on why the 962 popularity has increased so much recently?

Although not the main reason, Dauer is in part. I don't dislike the company in any way nor what they're trying to achive. But I do dislike their choice of car to "hack". Sourcing out owners with 962's for road worthy conversions, paying a pretty penny for them, then removing the car's soul just to be able to stick tags on it. Personally I think it's a horrible way for a purebred race car to see it's final days, let alone a 962. The only legal way to utilize a 962's potential is really on the track, so why not just leave it at that. I'd rather see a 962 ripping around the Glen or R.A. than get passed by one on the street.

Personally if I wanted to drive something like a 962 on the street I'd rather take a beat 911, build a one off street legal tube/mono hybrid chassis and body from that VIN and get 50-60% of the 962's performance. Why detune such a wonderful car, put leather seats and a fancy shifting system in it.

Just goes to show you TOO much money can ruin a good thing. I'm ranting here.....I'll stop now.............


Adam Hennessy
Knight Time Autoworks
ERodTech Rides

Interesting. I didn't realize this. Is this what you're refering to:
http://www.fastcoolcars.com/962_dauer.htm

You bring up a very good point. Something which I've never even imagined. I had assumed the Dauer chassis were all from his racing days and not bought on the second hand market. It's a shame for a piece of history to be resprayed and converted to something it was never intended to do.

This reminds me of the McLaren F1 GTRs. For whatever reason, some want their race history liveries painted over in orange to look like an F1 LM. I was very angry when one of my favorites, BMW factory works car, had this done.

I hope the new owner isn't looking for street use and just wants to preserve it for what it is.

In my opinion....unfortunately yes.


I do know that a few Mclarens we're done this way in leiu of sponsor logos on the car itself. Don't ask me why, as I too don't understand why free adverstizement is a bad thing let alone leaving the car as it was. The MCF1's are without a doubt beautiful cars too. If you like the MCF1's I have some good shots of the FINA #39 car. Give me a minute and I'll post them online....

Don't worry about the pictures. I think I have over 3,000 F1 pics. I'm working on my 917/956/962 chassis categorized pics :D

I don't think it was a problem with previous sponsors of the car not wanting it made for the road. Have any prior sponsors been against 956 and 962 owners running their cars at tracks with those liveries?

I know the owner of FINA GTR wanted the LM look and thought all the logos would be tacky and too much for the road. Go figure...

I can't say for sure as I haven't had the pleasure of owning one :( Others could probably chime in here, but i can probably say no and be safe. Although some sponsors can have their quirks time to time.

I'd like to know who owns these 962's on this site

www.kojotemotorsport.com

A very good customer of mine(Donald Kahn) ran with these guys and is trying to put me in contact with one of the owners. just another 962 fanatic looking for some really odd and upclose photos of the car for a future project of mine.

I have Akin's car.. I can tell you I am getting calls every day with people trying to part my death grip on this car...all of them are either guys who want to race the car or brokers.. guys like Canepa etc.... so I do not think it is because of Dauer... also the Group C gig in Europe is growing rapidly.. ... I know a few guys running that show that are from the US.. and if a group C car is not available ,get an air car.. plus air cars are less expensive to run..

I have not seen a 962 for anything much less than 500k and 935s are going through the roof with lots of them priced at 800-1,000,000 now ! People want to race these old cars. That is what is driving the price IMHO

An acquaintance of mine used to own a 962 and he had to sign documents that indicated he would never run the car with a certain livery on it before he could finalize the purchase.

Greg A

I spent all afernoon reading this awesome story with a bad ending.

Neil Harvey sent me an email letting me know that he is going to finish T.W.'s (Helidocs initials) assembly for the new owner and than dyno before the motor goes back into the chassis. He wants to know if I want to lend a hand and finish documenting the process for you guys (the new owner has apparently given his blessing).

I would love too but unless he wants to do it after hours (which I highly doubt) there's no way I can swing it...:(

What I will try and do is swing up there a few times (he's about 30 minutes away) and take some pics (or have him send me some images to post) just to keep the thread going but I promise I will be there when it goes on the dyno and will videotape the power runs and put the link up here for interested parties to view.:)

Ralph

Ralph, "you are the man!!". Thanks for your genersoity to help keep as much of the documtation of this rebuild alive.
The Pelican community is indebted to you!!
Bob

That would be most awesome, Ralph!!!!