1969 PONTIAC Ram Air V
The only 19,000 mile unrestored one of a kind prototype GTO, designed, built, and by Milt Schornack.
Originally
this hardtop coupe was equipped with a 400 Ram Air IV. In
1970, after
the highperformance end of Royal Pontiac was sold, Milt ran his own
business
called Royal Automotive. He
was under contract to help Pontiac in their drag racing efforts.
One of the assignments was to test and tune the Ram Air V for NHRA drag
racing. He was out to prove that you could make a couple of
modifications to a stock vehicle, produce it down the assembly line,
and have a car that anyone could purchase and beat up on those Mopars
and Fords. Since complete vehicles were in short supply at
engineering, he borrowed a
GTO from one of his friends. It was fitted it with a tunnel port engine
and
modified it strickly for drag racing in hopes of capturing a national
title. This car in street trim turned in the 12's with closed exhaust
and street tires. Sadly, it was not to long afterwards that
Pontiac
dropped all funding and development
for the Ram Air V Tunnel Port engine. The muscle car era was
quickly coming
to a close. This car hung around on Woodward for a while.
Match racing was still fun on Woodward and this GTO was seen on a many
nights cruisin around looking for a fight. After a faulty wrist
pin caused a complere teardown, the owner at the time lost interest and
it gathered dust for more than 30 years in a garage in Plymouth
Michigan.
In 2001
Schornack Racing was founded and one of our the first things we did was
to purchase this car. We knew the significance of the
Ram Air V to Pontiac history and wanted to get our hands on it to show
and restore. The parts were still in the
trunk
and were undisturbed until we picked it up! Ram Air V intake, Ram
Air V headers, oil pump, camshaft, etc....Since its purchase we
have put about 1300 miles on it. The cars body
and
frame is a unrestored original from the factory. The engine has
been
restored to bring it back to the street. The debate to have a
complete
body off restoration continues.
Engine
- Completely
rebuilt Schornack Racing super tuned 428 +.060 Pontiac with tunnel port
heads and intake. It
has aprox. 455 HP. This engine is complete
with a Holley 850 CFM 4 barrel, roller lifters, solid roller cam,
10.38 to 1 compression, Eagle rods, K&B
pistons,
new 2.5 inch exhaust system, complete with x pipe and headers.
Interior - This
interior
is in mint condition. It is free of all rips and tears. Radio,
gauges, clock, wipers, lights, turn signals, wipers, and hood
tach, are
all functioning properly and in great condition. The fire extinguisher
was installed per
NHRA rules. A Hurst dual gate aftermarket shifter with console was also
installed.
Body
- The
original exhaust was recently removed. All nuts and bolts came
off by hand. No heat or extreme pressure was needed
to change it. The floor pans and front of dash show only surface
rust and dust in those hard to reach places. Many people have commented
on its fantastic condition. The debate to do a complete body off
continues. Please cast your vote and comments on the home
page. Look for the blue window at the bottom. All original
panels except for the passengers quarter and rear bumper. These were
replaced in 1970 because of a fender bender accident while Milt was
doing some R&D one night on one of the local streets. The
paint is in great condition. It does have scratches and cracks
from
30 years
in a garage but it still shines nicely. The doors and trunk close with
little effort. The glass is in fantastic shape.
Powertrain - Turbo 400
automatic trans. 2000 stall converter, 1960's era Hustler wheels, front
tires 215
75 r14, rear tires 225 60 r15, 4:11 rear end, and positraction.
Design Center patio Employee car show 2004
Woodward Tigers car show 2001
GTO Woodward Tigers car show 2001
