There is too much information for Facebook, so I am posting on GMMG Forum.
I am thinking it will be easier to follow if I do multiple posts.
December 20, 2024
I was visiting with a few car pals this week & we discussed…….
Keep scrolling & scrolling down - a lot of info to keep you busy for a while. Enjoy.
Why GMMG’s are more collectable than other 4th Gens & are solid investments.
Matt Murphy
Racing: Jim & Sandy
This led to some Sandy stories.
Jim's GMMG's on-the-road videos
GMMG You Tube video links
Matt Avery GMMG videos
One of the guys asked if I would write something up & post on Facebook so here goes.
GMMG’s:Why are GMMG’s good investments…………
The build numbers are low (about 500) built.
400 Camaro’s:
Dick Harrell wide-body, ZL1 Supercar, DEI Intimidator, Berger SS, Hot Rod Edition, Performance Edition, Tom Henry
100 Pontiac TA’s / Blackbirds:
Blackbird, Year One, CETA, Year One Formula, 35th Anniversary, Home Depot Truck
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The GMMG performance package upgrades to the 4th Gen Cars: (over & above the cost of the car)
Many MSRP were north of $60k.
C5R 427/454 engine $25k+
Dick Harrell wide-body: $57k upgrade – some of the DHs has MSRP over $125k. (way more money that a Corvette back in the day)
The GMMG’s have been going up & it is difficult to find any GMMG under $40k now.
I do not see GMMG’s going down & are solid investments.
Jim Smith
Last edited by daytonajim on Sat Dec 21, 2024 7:48 am, edited 5 times in total.
Dick Harrell # 9, 18 (Organic Green) #27 (Vic Edlebrock's) - Bobby Labonte Blackbird #38 - Johnny Benson Berger SS #72 - PE Brickyard PR1 (red) - DHPE#4 Brickyard - silver - DEI #54 - 3 of 4 'real' 2000 Daytona 500 GTP Pace Cars
During my lifetime I have had a lot of track time & instructing others. (Drag Strip, autocross, some dirt, some asphalt)
Many of our GMMG’s & other cars have been @ speed at many NASCAR Tracks.
I would always autocross & race on the Hot Rod Power Tour.
I plan on racing my GMMG’s @ the 100th Berger Anniversary Show on Friday. If you need some pointers I can help out.
In 1968 I factory ordered a 1968 Chevelle for the strip in ‘H’ Pure Stock.
I put a few break-in miles & won my first trophy 3 days later. I held the ‘H’ Pure Stock record @ Twin City Speedway & North Star drag strip for about 18 months.
To this day (Dec. 20, 2024) the Chevelle is an unrestored, original paint, numbers matching & motor has never been apart.. How's that for original?
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In a past life, I was an instructor for the MN Corvette Club & the club would help out with SCCA weekend @ BIR- MN & then we would get a track weekend to play. I strapped Paul Newman in his SCAA car many times & after the first time he always asked for me. He was a super nice, gentle man until he got in the race car & then hang on. Paul was really a good racer.
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Sandy & I would autocross the Corvette’s a lot.
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Jim's GMMG's on the Track:
Berger SS #45 On the Power Tour - Union Grove, WI. Unloaded car, street tires, no tune 1/2 tank of gas & ran12.4 - 113.78 mph.
I raced the car 9 times on the Power Tour. Fastest time was 12,4 & slowest was 12.51. Very consistent.
SS#45 is now with Scott & Sarah in Wisconsin (not far from Union Grove).
Dennis & Jim on Power Tour in Racine, WI
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PE #37
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HRE #2000
All HRE #2000 burnouts are from original owner Jeff.
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Crank it up.
HRPT - Jeff
Spanking the '57 Wagon @ Bristol
SS #45 on NASCAR Bristol Track
Last edited by daytonajim on Fri Dec 20, 2024 2:26 pm, edited 23 times in total.
Dick Harrell # 9, 18 (Organic Green) #27 (Vic Edlebrock's) - Bobby Labonte Blackbird #38 - Johnny Benson Berger SS #72 - PE Brickyard PR1 (red) - DHPE#4 Brickyard - silver - DEI #54 - 3 of 4 'real' 2000 Daytona 500 GTP Pace Cars
Sandy – Racing:
The guys wanted to know about Sandy. A tribute to honor Sandy.
She was a perfect fit for me & we had a blast with the cars.
Sandy could drive anything, loved the cars & loved the speed.
She rode snowmobiles, UTV’s, Golf Cart & was a great boat driver.
1996 Master Craft LT1 Corvette motor
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Sandy was in her element & wheelhouse when she was behind the wheel of a GMMG or auto crossing one of the Corvette’s.
This girl could drive!
We used to autocross the Corvette’s & she usually had fast time for the women, & top 5 fast time for the day. I often had quick time. We have a lot of trophies & plaques.
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She taught school for over 30 years & did a math section on cars. RPM’s, gear ratio’s cubic inches, horsepower & anything car related.
At the end of the session, she would bring a fun car to school & do a little burnout.
Her students thought she was the coolest teacher.
Sandy taking CETA #4 to school for a little burn-out for the kids.
Sandy with CETA #7 in AZ
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NASCAR ride-along Las Vegas Speedway:
We were staying @ Lake Las Vegas & I asked her if she wanted to drive over to Nellis AFB to see if they were flying the fighter jets. She was all in.
After Nellis we drove across the road to the NASCAR track & when I drove by the tunnel the green light was on.
3 Laps in a NASCAR:
I turned into the tunnel & she said they were going to throw us out. A few minutes later we were on the track going 165mph in NASCAR ride-along.
She loved it & I enjoyed her hand gesture wanting more speed & comment at the end. My husband drives almost this fast.
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I was in the car behind her. She wanted to drive but we didn’t have time for the training.
A couple more Sandy stories......
We visited Gary & Georgia in Colorado a few times to see the Dick Harrell Collection. Sandy & Georgia hit it off right away.
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On the last visit I wanted to buy a home in AZ. Sandy said no - why don't you just buy some cars? What is some?
We visited with Gary & I asked about DH #18. Gary said I'd have to also take DH #9
Sandy loved Vic's DH #27 & Gary said if you want #27 you also have to take #20
All the way home I was trying to figure out how to make that happen.
Back to the question - What is some? In my mind it was more than two cars.
I visited with Gary, ended up buying four Dick Harrell's & also bought GMMG Brickyard PE #PR1.
Five was my number. I told Sandy & she was excited helping me live my dream & bringing five cool GMMG's to the collection.
Five cars arrived the Monday after her Memorial Service on Saturday.
Sandy never got to see the cars in our showroom, but she knew they were shipping.
If there was ever a day in my life when I needed something it was that Monday when everyone was gone & I was alone in home.
The 5 cars kept me busy for weeks & weeks & kept my mind of her passing. WOW!
After Sandy died I knew I couldn't keep all 4 DH's & ended up selling #7 & #20.
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In her honor we donated any money & donations to the Milltown Library where Sandy always took the grandkids to get books.
Sandy's Reading Nook is a great memorial & we take the grandkids there all the time.
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She was so nice to everyone - even to me & is missed by everyone that knew her.
Hands down, this is the most difficult think I have ever had to deal with.
Let's bring on tomorrow, how bad can it be? I've already had the worst day of my like.
What hurts the most for me is knowing the grandkids have lost the most influential person that will ever know in their lives.
This is not a dream & just sucks! Find the keys to a fun car & we will be going for a ride when I get there.
Love you. Jim
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Five GMMG's arriving on that Monday.
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Attachments
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Last edited by daytonajim on Fri Dec 20, 2024 10:18 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Dick Harrell # 9, 18 (Organic Green) #27 (Vic Edlebrock's) - Bobby Labonte Blackbird #38 - Johnny Benson Berger SS #72 - PE Brickyard PR1 (red) - DHPE#4 Brickyard - silver - DEI #54 - 3 of 4 'real' 2000 Daytona 500 GTP Pace Cars
