When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Ok, I know Bill Thomas was the creator of the Cheetah race cars, but did he also sell performance suspension pieces for Mid Year's? I just bought a 67' coupe that has Bill Thomas race car stickers in the rear window (see my avatar) and I have pictures from the early 70's of this car slalom racing and the stickers are in the window at that time. The rear suspension pieces are non stock items, spring, shocks, adjustable strut bars, including a factory style BB rear sway bar, not sure of the front except for it has a bigger sway bar also. I did google him and other than the Cheetah and some Corvair stuff I came up empty. Any thoughts or are they just stickers from a Bill Thomas fan back in the day.
Chris
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared))
2019 C1 of Year Finalist (track prepared)
That's a new one. Bill Thomas was a very busy guy, and I've tried to learn everything I can about because I'm pretty sure that he worked on my '57 at CS Mead Chevrolet in Pasadena when he was service manager there. TCracingCA (Derek) seems to have more info about the racing scene in California in the '60s than anyone else. Hopefully he'll see this and post. I'm betting that "Bill Thomas Race Cars" was a real post-Cheetah endeavor by Bill. I hope you'll save the sticker... there might not be any other ones, and Bill Thomas was a great one.
That's a new one. Bill Thomas was a very busy guy, and I've tried to learn everything I can about because I'm pretty sure that he worked on my '57 at CS Mead Chevrolet in Pasadena when he was service manager there. TCracingCA (Derek) seems to have more info about the racing scene in California in the '60s than anyone else. Hopefully he'll see this and post. I'm betting that "Bill Thomas Race Cars" was a real post-Cheetah endeavor by Bill. I hope you'll save the sticker... there might not be any other ones, and Bill Thomas was a great one.
Todd,
I found a web page that sells t-shirts with this logo on them but no stickers. I may buy one if I can find out more info.
Chris
Bill Thomas was involved in, and had all kinds of performance parts from engines to chassis parts, as well as services and modifications for people who wanted to partake of his performance expertise.
MANY, MANY years ago I obtained a copy of Thomas' catalog of HIGH PERFORMANCE EQUIPMENT. Prior to getting a copy of his catalog, I had no clue just how extensive his involvement was with automotive hi-perf.
For his day and time, he was very ingenious in the performance world.
I feel very fortunate to have one of his modified FI units on the 56.
A quick search turned up this company in FL that sells vintage decals. They say they can distress any decal for a few bucks more. I have no experience with them, so can't comment on quality.
Bill Thomas was involved in, and had all kinds of performance parts from engines to chassis parts, as well as services and modifications for people who wanted to partake of his performance expertise.
MANY, MANY years ago I obtained a copy of Thomas' catalog of HIGH PERFORMANCE EQUIPMENT. Prior to getting a copy of his catalog, I had no clue just how extensive his involvement was with automotive hi-perf.
For his day and time, he was very ingenious in the performance world.
I feel very fortunate to have one of his modified FI units on the 56.
Now that’s what I’m talking about. Real vintage info. So he was selling parts as well. Any chance of getting a copy of that catalog? Be interesting to see if the parts on my car are in there.
Chris
I believe Bill Thomas also built a road race Chevy II, the 62-65 model, around 1965. It had a top hp Corvette FI engine, 4 spd along with upgraded suspension and 4 wheel disc brakes. Not sure how much of the body was fiberglass. I recall it was a potent package. Was it a demonstrator to convince GM to build? (maybe the 66 350hp SS Chevy II was built instead) Or just a one off to satisfy Bill Thomas's inventive mind. It has disappeared in time, someone may be driving it today and not know about mods that were installed and removed, or it was crushed.
I believe Bill Thomas had a dealership or shop, its burning is part of the Cheetah lore as to why not many were made and production stopped.
C Ya, JM Rock
Frankenstein 59
Here is a picture of the car in 1970 just starting out on the slalom course. You can see the stickers in the back window at that time. Note the smoke just starting to come off the rear tires. And just to be clear, the decals are still on the car. My avatar picture is only about a week old. Decals still look great.
Last edited by MrTrim; 03-15-2022 at 12:09 AM.
Reason: Add text
I believe Bill Thomas also built a road race Chevy II, the 62-65 model, around 1965. It had a top hp Corvette FI engine, 4 spd along with upgraded suspension and 4 wheel disc brakes. Not sure how much of the body was fiberglass. I recall it was a potent package. Was it a demonstrator to convince GM to build? (maybe the 66 350hp SS Chevy II was built instead) Or just a one off to satisfy Bill Thomas's inventive mind. It has disappeared in time, someone may be driving it today and not know about mods that were installed and removed, or it was crushed.
I believe Bill Thomas had a dealership or shop, its burning is part of the Cheetah lore as to why not many were made and production stopped.
C Ya, JM Rock
Frankenstein 59
There was more than one but not many. A good friend of mine that used to own a Corvette restoration shop in Scottsdale, AZ. by the name of Kim Madsen’s brother (Scoot if I remember correctly) own the remains of one possibly only the fiberglass top. Both of the brothers died young. They came from a gearhead family as their father was the service manager for Konnor Chevrolet in N.J. Kim went to the GM Tech Institute after high school and told me his first jog was sweeping the floors of the service dept. at Konnor. I have no idea what ever happened to what his brother had. I keep in touch with Kim’s widow and she may possibly have some contact but I am guessing it would be a dead end.
I believe there is an original water slide decal and reproduction stickers on eBay right now.
Chris,
Yep, I saw those. But if you look closer, the design is slightly different than the ones on my car. The t-shirt I found for sale has the same design as on my car. I’m hoping someone will chime in with more info than I’ve discovered so far.
Thanks Buddy,
Chris
A quick search turned up this company in FL that sells vintage decals. They say they can distress any decal for a few bucks more. I have no experience with them, so can't comment on quality.
Here is a picture of the car in 1970 just starting out on the slalom course. You can see the stickers in the back window at that time. Note the smoke just starting to come off the rear tires. And just to be clear, the decals are still on the car. My avatar picture is only about a week old. Decals still look great.
Larry Webb raced a Cheetah back in the 60's, and he was involved with other race teams...... he is still tuning cars, and has done work for some of us here in the Seattle area...... I am sure he could answer more of your questions regarding Bill Thomas, and Corvette stuff...... PM me, and I can get you some contact information......
Here is a video of Larry talking about the Cheetah they got from Bill......
I don't unnerstand.... A Michigan Corvette club was able to have the state issue specialty plates?
No. (This is before my time.). I don't think personalized plates were available in 1970. I have heard that the club found out where (what Secretary of State office) CCM XXX plates were being issued and went there to get the plate for their car. How that worked? Dunno.
Last edited by mashinter; 03-16-2022 at 07:29 AM.
Reason: typo
03-14-2022, 05:41 PM
Bill Thomas Race Cars
