The stage is set for the 1971 SCCA Trans-American Sedan Championship. Datsun was about to enter the 2.5 liter challenge for cars with engines under 2.5 liters in displacement (who’d have thought). Alfa Romeo was coming back to the series to defend their 1970 championship victory. Additional competition arrived in the form of BMW’s 2002, Volvo’s 142, and Ford’s new Escort Twin-Cam. While previous years of the Trans Am focused primarily on the muscular Mustangs, Cougars, Camaros, Cudas, Challengers, and Javelins, 1971 saw the withdrawal of nearly all of the factory backed 5 liter cars. The 2.5 liter challenge quickly became the class to watch, and a points race that went down to the final event proved it so. The following video is a lengthy documentary filmed primarily by the Datsun of America propaganda machine, but it is excellent nonetheless. Lengthy though it is, it is definitely worth spending a half an hour in front of your computer. Even if you know nothing about 1970s sedan racing, this video is worth watching for the amazing period video, and even the commercials are good. Keep an eye out for Pete Brock’s outrageously stylish scarves…simply stunning. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5XAP4pCRps&feature=related[/youtube]
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