Famous Olympia Dodge Charger reborn for Le Mans Classic

by Sam Barer

Who would have thought that the oddest marriage between NASCAR and The 24-Hours of Le Mans would have deep roots in Olympia? Even better, this colorful story will be revisited at the Classic Le Mans 2006.

The story starts in 1976 with the Olympia Beer-sponsored McGriff racing team. NASCAR legend Herschel McGriff, his son Doug, along with crew members Pat McElreap and Dick Pierson took a Chevy Nova to Daytona for the 24 hour race. After a good showing at Daytona, NASCAR founder and president Bill France offered sponsorship to the McGriff squad and the Donhavy Ford Torino team to be the first NASCAR stock cars to compete in the famous 24 Hour of Le Mans race.

A few weeks after Daytona, the Nova was wrecked in a race, so the team prepared a 1972 Dodge Charger used by Doug to win the Grand National West series in 1974 and 1975. It was quickly painted in Olympia Brewery’s classic gold and white colors, then Pierson trailered it from Portland, OR to Norfolk, VA in five days so it could be shipped overseas.

Le Mans had limited experience with American cars. Corvettes had become frequent competitors after first appearing in 1958, but American sedan-based racers hadn’t made such a splash in France since 1950. That year Briggs Cunningham brought two Cadillacs to the race: a largely stock Coupe DeVille, and another in streamlined bodywork lovingly nicknamed “Le Monstre” by fellow racers.

From the moment the Olympia Charger arrived at La Sarthe the European race fans fell in love with it. During practice and qualifying, the crowd cheered for the big block-powered extrovert.

Despite blowing two engines due to the seriously low octane rating of the mandated fuel supply, the McGriffs qualified the Charger with a lap time of 4:29. This time was ten seconds faster than the Torino and only fifty seconds behind the top qualifying (and eventual race winning) Porsche 936 of Jacky Ickx. Two hours into the race, however, going 175mph down the famous Mulsanne Straight on low octane fuel proved too much for the hi-po 426 cubic inch engine. The Dodge was forced to retire. The Torino went out with gearbox trouble on its 104th lap.

Eventually the Charger was sold. Over the years the McGriffs and Pierson all retired from competitive racing.

Thanks to French automotive journalist Christophe Schwartz the story continues. While researching a story on American entries at Le Mans for the publication NITRO, Schwartz decided he would try to bring the ’72 Dodge back to France for the Le Mans Classic, an annual vintage racing event for former endurance race participants.

Schwartz contacted Pierson, now a well-regarded real estate agent in Olympia. Pierson loved the idea. Doug McGriff decided to admire the mission from his home in Oregon.

The original Le Mans Charger was long gone, but a recent controversial FIA ruling allowed for an authorized replica to be commissioned and raced in historic competitions. A suitable 1972 donor car was found, and as of right now, the car is getting its mechanical makeover into a Mulsanne Straight-worthy racer.

Schwartz, in from France, and Pierson stopped by the Sound Classics garage on their way to ship the Charger to Europe. The car might not have its go-fast parts yet, but from the outside it looks like a dead-ringer for the original. It wears the white and gold paint, decals of its original 1976 sponsors, and fat racing slicks.

Building and racing the car requires considerable time and money. Schwartz and Pierson have completed much of the work themselves, and other local enthusiasts have donated time and expertise. In France, the car will receive a tube-cage for safety, and an engine built for speed and reliability. Like the original car, standard suspension will be used.

While NITRO magazine is footing some of the bill, the team is still roughly $30,000 short of its sponsorship goal. Olympia Beer, the once proud sponsors of many racing ventures, such as Parnelli Jones’ Baja 1000 Bronco, declined Pierson’s sponsorship request.

The team is even offering the opportunity for a lucky (and well-financed) soul to buy their way into the car’s third driver position for the race. I’d say it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to race side-by-side with famous racers in legendary cars on the world’s greatest track.

Unfortunately, my wife already put the kibosh on my plan to loot my daughters’ college funds, get my FIA license and take over that third driver’s position. Maybe your significant other is a little more adventurous?

Submit questions or cars for profiles to Sam Barer’s Sound Classics at sc@apexstrategy.com.

Read Other Sound Classics Profiles

 

Sound Classics, the Sound Classics logo and all associated content are property of Apex Marketing Strategy. (c) 2002-2003 Unauthorized use, including reprinting or publishing online is prohibited by law.  For information on reprinting or syndicating Sound Classics content, please call 360-402-6487 or email info@apexstrategy.com