^^^ Randy Bannister racing what is more than likely one of the ex-Trans-Am Bud Moore Cougars.
The rear trunk lid looks like it is notched for the twin gas fillers that were on the TA Cougars.
For the NASCAR Grand American series the filler was moved to the driver's side rear quarter panel.
What is really interesting is that this photo is from '71 or '72 (I'd have to check my notes, pretty sure what 1109RWHP posted is a scan I made from one of my racing programs).
So there may have still been a '67 bodied ex-Trans-Am Cougar running around at that late a date.
- Phillip
Phillip,
From my Bud Moore paperwork we know Tiny got one car and Reid Shaw got two , but Bud eluded that they had 5 or 6 cars in total. Which one do you think this one is?
Randy
Hey Randy - well, I'm no expert, what I have to offer is just amateur sleuthing - but I think the Cougar Mr. Bannister is driving (he finished 13th) in that photo is probably one of the two Cougars that Reid Shaw bought from Bud. From talking with Wayne Andrew's (Reid's driver) son, one Cougar was given '70 sheetmetal, wrecked badly, sold (to? - Mr. Shaw didn't remember) heavily modified, raced some more then disappeared.
The 2nd is still sporting it's 67/68 body in photos snapped at the 1970 Citrus 250 at Daytona (Andrews driving). Soon after that race it was converted to short track and then sold in '71 (to Bannister?).
I have often heard (and read) the 5 to 6 Bud Moore Cougars also.
Below is a photo that was posted on social media recently that seems to show 4 Trans-Am Cougars at BME in '67. Sure looks like that car in the back is a Cougar but it looks like there is a decal or something on the front passenger side quarter panel that is odd. It could be the green Cougar Allan Moffat drove towards the end of the season.
But if it is a Cougar, that is the first time I've seen four 1967 TA Cougars in one place. It's also interesting that there are two with the same #, 98.
In addition, it looks like Bud Built one or two more Grand Touring Cougars in '68, so that would get us to the five or six Bud mentioned to you.
- Phillip