Bob Sharp Racing

[bsharp]

I'm interested in finding out more about the performance parts he made for the 280z. I'm currently working on a 78 280z MINT with a Bob Sharp Racing Valve Cover. Was wanting to see if he created other performance parts.

[conedodger]

Mostly dress up stuff and marketing of other people's go-fast stuff including some Datsun Competition Department stuff...

[gnosez]

BSR sold everything in the Comp catalog including pre-made fiberglass body parts (everything but the roof) along with the molds themselves.

[Kathy & Rick]

I used to be w/Bob Sharp back in the '70's. Everything conedodger
and gnosez said is accurate; in fact, we published a catalog of our
own. Wish I still had a copy, that would be a nice collector's item
as well as a nice memento of the times, memorabilia if you will.

I knew (and know) the guy and his company that had the molds and
made all the fiberglass parts for Z's, 510's, you name it. Haven't seen
him for awhile, but I would bet that he would get the molds out to
make a piece if requested.... Thanks for reminding me, I have to get
a new front spoiler for the 510, or repair it. I broke ours.

Coincidental that you should bring this up, bsharp, as I was just out
to Vinny Bedini's shop today to see how work on our car was coming
along. One 240Z in the shop had a 4-barrel conversion, and the
intake manifold had a large "Bob Sharp Racing" in the casting. BTW
Vinny was one of the car builders and mechanics on the National
Champion BSR teams, and having had his own business for about 30
years now on top of that, is the "Go-To Guy" on the earlier Datsuns.
If there is somebody better than Vinny, he must be pretty special.

All Z Best,.................................Kathy & Rick

[ron carter]

Hi Kathy and Rick,

I speak to Vinny periodically regarding parts etc. and have purchased stuff from him in the past. Good guy, very knowledgeable.

Ron

[Carl Beck]

I'll add that BSR was at the time the only racing shop providing the Torsen/Gleason mechanical limited slip differential for the R200. Jason at BSR installed one for me and satup my R200 - that was around 1975 and it's been perfect ever since.

The BSR Team were always friendly, indeed gracious to the fan's at the track as well. Neat group of guys.

FWIW,
Carl B.

[george71z]

To jog your memories.......

[Curtis240Z]

Here are some Bob Sharp catalogs...

[Carl Beck]

Personally I always like the "Datsun/Ferrari" catalogs. ;-)

[gnosez]

The attached pictures show one of the Preston 5-spd "dog-ring" transmissions that was used in the BSR/Newman 240/280 race car.

It doesn't use synchros but rather dog rings (see picture of it next to the gears) and ratios can be selected from a wide range of gear sets to match whatever type of road condition you might encounter for a given race situation.

Note the lack of tabs at the tail of the tranny (one for a 280b and two for a 280a tranny but none on this one). The added collar at the end of the tail and the machined spacer were mounted to provide additional support for the shifter as more pressure (a lot of pressure) is used to change gears.

There are AN fittings for the gear oil cooler and the inner case was machined to accept the gear sets.

You can see the name "Lee" at the bottom left on one of the photos and that's Lee Chapman who had the BSR Z in his shop in early 1999 after Bob sold this car and several others to a gentleman in New Hampshire. The car is now owned by Adam Carolla.

Here are the gear sets I got when I purchased the tranny:

QTY MFG Ratio Gear 1 Gear 2
1 Preston 1.67 18W30 30W18
2 Preston 1.94 16W31 31W16
1 Preston 2.00 16W32 32W16
1 Preston 1.24 26W21 21W26
1 Preston 1.14 28W31 31W28
2 Preston 1.18 28W33 33W28
2 Preston 1.29 21W27 27W21
1 Preston 1.35 20W27 27W20
2 Preston 1.40 20W28 28W20
3 Preston 1.53 29W19 19W29
2 Preston 1.61 18W29 29W18
2 Preston 1.67 18W30 30W18
1 Preston 1.76 17W30 30W17
1 Preston 1.82 17W31 31W17
1 Preston 2.43 34W14 14W34

Here are the gears now in the refreshed tranny:

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
Requested 3.321 2.077 1.308 1.138 1.000
Gear Set ?? 2.430 1.530 1.290 1.140
Final Drive 3.321 2.138 1.346 1.135 1.003

It likely you would never use 1st gear unless you were trying to put the car on the trailer using the starter.

[EVILC]

[Jeff G 78]

I'll have to dig deep in my collection and see if I can find anything. I recall having a BSR catalog a long time ago. I believe it's the same as the top middle one in Curtis' photo above.

[gnosez]

I had the chance to take a few pictures of this car a few months ago.

[conedodger]

I found a couple pictures I took in the 1980's at Brainerd International Raceway that I will scan and post. Probably in the Vintage Race Pictures thread. Gene Crowe in one. I believe he passed in the 1990's and Paul Newman in another. As I was one of the track medical staff, I had full access to the pits and paddock area and was able to walk right up and shoot pictures. I believe Gene Crowe was BSR's crew chief and Paul was... Well you know.

[jodecrowemayer]

Hi! I am Gene Crowe's youngest daughter. Yes he passed in 1996 from Cancer. It was nice to see him mentioned in this blog. I recently just lost my Mom as well so I have been running across pictures and more pictures. There is ton's of stuff. Even have one of Pauls Racing Suits! My Mom used to do all of their sewing and patch work. If anyone would like a certain pic, I have tons; just let me know and I will see if I have it and post it! Thx and Happy Fathers Day to all the Daddies! R.I.P. Gene aka "Geno" Crowe IWALY! xoxoxo

I found a couple pictures I took in the 1980's at Brainerd International Raceway that I will scan and post. Probably in the Vintage Race Pictures thread. Gene Crowe in one. I believe he passed in the 1990's and Paul Newman in another. As I was one of the track medical staff, I had full access to the pits and paddock area and was able to walk right up and shoot pictures. I believe Gene Crowe was BSR's crew chief and Paul was... Well you know.

[Blue]

Jode you are so kind and a great person, your mom and dad are proud

Happy Father's Day to a great daughter!

[26th-Z]

The early 240Z days

[Oiluj]

I had the chance to take a few pictures of this car a few months ago.

Saw that car at Les's shop about a year ago. Very cool car!