Alan Barker National B-Production Champion Sting Ray

[grandsport3]

Good Morning fellows,

Almost shipped off a car to the museum before I shot a pic that raced at my home town track Mid America Raceway MAR, Alan Barker's National Champion B-Production Sting Ray. This was a very fast Sting Ray and Alan won the Championship in 1965 or 1966 at Daytona American Road Race of Champions. Heard this car lead the opening lap of the "Big Banger" race all the way around the track, he really had it wound out coming up the back straight and cresting the hill, downshifted too soon and blew the flywheel or transmission scattering parts and coasting to the pits before second place Bob Treischmans Carrera 6 came around! My brother had some great slides of this car but they got washed out in the back of my truck in rain and car wash. Only a few reference photos and my memory. I took a little artistic license with the number roundels, should be round and number 27 but these are the Ralph Slayer McLaren, the hood's a 65 vice 63/64 and these tires are those beautiful IMC Mustang II white lettered and striped Goodyear "Sports Car Specials" I always loved, had to put them on something. Alan had the Grand Sport air exhaust holes in the rear and later ran a Big Block hood. Just received a set of Franklin Mint 67 Sting Ray  blue striped and lettered Goodyear "Speedway Blue Streak" tires I have no need for but I like those also even though the rings are a little wide and the letters should be white. Now to complete the "Durant Special"! Thanks for looking, John