I was wondering... when we were at the MCACN show this past November, there was a very cool display of Baldwin Motion cars. Joel Rosen was even there!! I will admit, I am not really up on all the Baldwin Motion stuff, but I did notice there were many Vettes and I know they did Camaros, etc...but does anyone know how many Chevelles were done up as Real Baldwin Motion Chevelles? I've read about some, know about the one 67SS Motion car and seen Kevin Suydam's car on his web site, but it just seems very few Chevelles. I wonder why?? Just curious from those who follow these speciality cars. :)

I can think of about 15 Motion Chevelles including the ones in the original 60s to 70s magazines and the known documented found cars.

The 1967 Motion Chevelle from CT. I tried to buy for many years.
Kevin Suydam's site has a black 1969 and a 1973 L88 Phase III Chevelle
I know of an original owner brown/wt top 69 and the black "Mexican" 69
There are a few documented 1970 Motion Chevelles
There was a blue 1971 Motion built Chevelle on ebay awile back.
There was a black 1968 built as a race car.

I would guess at least 20 were built but don't think 50 could have been built so my rough guess would be somewhere between 20-50.

Not a lot of Motion Chevelles or Novas were built.
The Motion house race cars were normally Camaros and they got a lot of the publicity and were more popular.

For what I know there a few were shipped overseas to Arab nations.

A nice little read:


http://www.officialbaldwinmotion.com/history.htm



:beers:

http://www.carguychronicles.com/2010/12/ss-454-baldwin-motion-chevelle-blind.html I think Motion was realy into drag racing, I would think it would be easier to get a smaller lighter Camaro or Vette to go quicker than the heavier Chevelle so more Camaros and Vettes were done in his shop than Chevelles. Heck if you had the cake Joel could make your Mustang go fast

That's a cool story Jack. I'd seen that some time ago myself.


Kevin S has that black one mentioned:

http://corvettes-musclecars.com/gallery2/v/al_chevrolet/1969+Baldwin+Motion+SS427+Phase+III+Chevelle/

I was really surprised there was no Motion Chevelles at the MCACN show. It was about the only thing missing.

Joseph-
good news is that 3 of the 3 documented 1970 BM Chevelles have given a tentative yes for the mcacn 2011. still working on some other chevelles and we have time :)

Motion Performance built a wide variety of vehicles over the years including all makes of street cars, race cars, custom show cars, trucks, and boats and sold fiberglass body kits and all kinds of speed parts.
Some of these are documented in the old CARS Magazines and in the Motion Book.

In addition to the Camaro, Corvette, Chevelle, Nova, V8 Vega, Impala/Biscayne, Other cars featured in old magazines include a Motion Buick GSX, Motion Mini Cars (VW bug frame/fiber glass body), Olds 442, a Chevy Tow truck, a Chevy van, Iso Grifo (Chevy powered) , GTO, Cobras, etc

They were still building a small number of cars in the 1980s. I have a documented 1989 Motion Mustang and a 87 Motion Monte Carlo

Motion has recently announced they will build a 2011 Motion Camaro.
More info on it should be out soon.

There is a Baldwin/Motion Chevelle for sale on the Mecum/Kissimmee site car#S-206....looks like a very nice car.....how much might this go for assuming it is as stated?
Thx, Scott...

Thanks for all the replies! I guess there were more Chevelles built than I thought, but less than I expected. :D The story on the "Blind Find" was cool. We should all be so lucky!!

There is a Baldwin/Motion Chevelle for sale on the Mecum/Kissimmee site car#S-206....looks like a very nice car.....how much might this go for assuming it is as stated?
Thx, Scott...

Not sure why exactly, but that car just doesn't do it for me :( However it is a great What's it Worth question? :yes:

Worth watching I would think.

There is a Baldwin/Motion Chevelle for sale on the Mecum/Kissimmee site car#S-206....looks like a very nice car.....how much might this go for assuming it is as stated?
Thx, Scott...



This black cherry LS6 Chevelle is a nice car but was brought in to Motion by a customer. It was not ordered new through Motion and Baldwin Auto. It was bought new at Curry Chevrolet. This may reduce the value.

Also they say in the discription that " it presents exactly as completed by Motion Performance in 1970." but I only see headers and the old Motion decals on it.

A Phase III Motion Chevelle would normally have more mods that that.

Still a nice LS6 Chevelle with some Motion documentation is a great car.

I have some info and pictures on a bunch of Motion Chevelles and have posted some info and pictures on here before. I can repost if they cannot be found on a search here

LS6 Chevelle Motion modified mecum link
http://mecum.com/auctions/lot_detail.cfm?LOT_ID=FL0111-103139&entryRow=1028

Joe

The Black Cherry LS6 was at my show.That where the pic is from .Joel did internals and rear and suspension mods.All the original docs are with the car I have all the copies.Joel knew the car and owner.Has letter from Joel.This was a great car with neat history and the next car will be Masons car with an unveiling in September resto done by Ricky Smith Restorations.One of the most famous cars from Baldwin Motion Performance.1967 427 Chevelle.Notice the full size standup of Dick Harrell in the background.

I have seen both of these cars in person. The black cherry 70 LS6 was at the Ground Up show in CT.

The 67 Motion Chevelle was in CT all it's life before the restoration was started. Myself and others had been looking for it for many years as it was well known in the area. We heard it was still around in CT but could not find it. It then turned up in a garage in Trumble CT with no engine or trans and the nose was off. Soon as I saw it I knew it was the real car, then found original paperwork still in the clove box.

The Motion Hugger Mugger Mustang mentioned in this thread I saw this past summer at the Tasca Ford show in RI.

All 3 are cool cars and I am excited to see the 67 Motion Chevelle restored.

how about this car

That article is a hack job. It is not an original article. They used pictures of a 1968 Motion Chevelle but used an article about a 1969 Motion Chevelle 427 TH400. They were two different cars.

I have the original articles on both cars that were in 1968 and 1969 CARS Magazine

The 1968 Motion Chevelle shown I believe was painted and lettered as a race car before going to the customer.

There was an Ertl model made of the 68 from an original photo.

Joel gave me a signed photo of the car. The photo is funny looking because is a copy of the original that was blown up and placed on a white backing by Ertl when they were working on the model. Joel worked with Ertl to make some of the Motion models from original Motion car photos.

here is a picture of my copy of original photo with the Ertl

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=9777&d=1193091046

cool car joe!! any idea if its still around?

how bout this one? i have this magazine somewhere.

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2420456

I have seen both of these cars in person. The black cherry 70 LS6 was at the Ground Up show in CT.

:clonk: :sad: wish I made it to the show..that black cherry car would have been nice to see in person

:clonk: :sad: wish I made it to the show..that black cherry car would have been nice to see in person

x2!!!!!!

There are some great well documented Motion Chevelle stories.

The 1967 Motion Chevelle is a great story and had many articles on it in the 60s-70s.
I have talked to people who know this car and raced with the original owner.
Joel rolled this car on a drag strip test run.

What I call the "Mexican" Motion Chevelle is another great story where a guy from Mexico purchased a 1969 Phase III Camaro, then bought a 1969 Motion Chevelle.
They hooked up the Camaro and towed it away behind the 427 Motion Chevelle!
These 2 Motion cars were reunited at the 2010 Amelia Island Concours De’Elegance including the original tow bar set up.

The brown white top 69 Motion Chevelle one owner car is very cool story and was also made as a diecast model

The 1973 Motion L88 Phase III Chevelle was ordered by a guy who used it to commute into NYC. He blasted this L88 side pipe beast down the LIE like he was Cale Yarborough going for the checker at the Daytona 500.

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=18455&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1232636349

Joe..you are a great source of info for these cars...your posts are most appreciated....thank you...been meaning to tell you this for awhile :thumbsup:

thank you, I appreciate the kind words

found some other pictures on my computer

the 1967 Motion Chevelle in front of Baldwin Auto

a green 1970 Motion Chevelle

this car and the Mexican 1969 Motion Camaro came from the Otis Chandler collection and for some reason he put stock wheels on these cars but they probably had wheels installed by Motion. Most of the Motion cars had aftermarket wheels such as the Ansen Sprints, American 5 spoke, or Cragars

The other picture is the 1971 Motion modified car that was on ebay awile back

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=18618&d=1233198852

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=11256&d=1199381486

Joe..you are a great source of info for these cars...your posts are most appreciated....thank you...been meaning to tell you this for awhile :thumbsup:

X2 :thumbsup:

Interesting side note on the Mexican Motion Chevelle. It has "RS" emblems on the fenders.
The person who ordered the car initials are RS so Motion installed the RS emblems on the car.

vid of the Mexican Motion Chevelle at the Amelia Island show

YouTube - Baldwin Motion 427 Chevelle

here is a picture of some Motion 454 Chevy "Ratbirds" and in the garage is a 1970 Chevelle.
not sure if this was a Motion Chevelle or just a car in for repairs.
Motion had a large building and also had garages in the rear. They did repair work on all kinds of cars


another picture shows a 1968 El Camino where it looks like a person is standing in the bed.
There was an article where Motion installed a 427 in a El Camino but I am not sure if this is the same car.

cool pics!!! lets see if i can add any to the mix!

Joe,

I too, have really enjoyed your "Motion" info. Brings back memories for me as i used to get CARS magazine back in the day. In fact, I "think" I still have a few somewhere in my attic but it would take an army to sort it out!

The '73 Chevelle you pictured was featured in the old NCOA "Chevelle Report" back in Jan. '98. At that time, it was owned by a guy named Tom Cahill. I have no idea about it now but thought I'd throw this in the mix.

Duke

I met Tom Cahill when he brought his 1973 Motion Chevelle to the NCOA Chevelle Showdown in Waterbury Ct. That had to be over 10 years ago.

He sold it to Kevin Suydam who has a great collection including some Motion cars

http://corvettes-musclecars.com/gallery2/v/al_chevrolet/


The white Motion Chevelle is on Marty Schorr's web site

http://www.carguychronicles.com/2010/12/ss-454-baldwin-motion-chevelle-blind.html#more

I have a large collection of Motion stuff but there is not that much on the Chevelles.
Still have some CARS Magazines I bought over 40 years ago.

Has anyone seen a 1 piece rear spoiler on a 70-73 Motion Camaro or are they all 3 piece?

I met Tom Cahill when he brought his 1973 Motion Chevelle to the NCOA Chevelle Showdown in Waterbury Ct. That had to be over 10 years ago.


:yes: I was there too and remember seeing the 73 Motion Chevelle....that is one awesome/neat ride (I think that was in 1999)

Has anyone seen a 1 piece rear spoiler on a 70-73 Motion Camaro or are they all 3 piece?

Yes I have pics of 1970 Motion Camaros with 1 piece rear spoiler

The 70 Camaro used 1 piece rear spoiler unless you ordered COPO 9796 3 piece

back to Chevelles

I believe this is a picture of the 73 Motion Chevelle at the Chevelle Showdown in CT

I was at that show in CT too and recall seeing the '73 cool stuff!

here is the black cherry LS6 Motion modified car at the Ground Up show

The black 69 Motion Chevelle now restored and in the Kevin Suydam collection was on ebay about 5 years ago.

I looked at it and bid but didn't get it.

It was sitting in a back yard in CT. no engine or trans

Yes I have pics of 1970 Motion Camaros with 1 piece rear spoiler

The 70 Camaro used 1 piece rear spoiler unless you ordered COPO 9796 3 piece

back to Chevelles

I believe this is a picture of the 73 Motion Chevelle at the Chevelle Showdown in CT
Thanks Joe! Now the question is, does anyone sell the headers and sidepipes?

Thanks Joe! Now the question is, does anyone sell the headers and sidepipes?

that 1970 Motion Camaro has 67 Corvette side pipes
I believe some Motion Camaros used Hooker Header side pipes

I don't know if anyone sells the Hooker side pipe but I know for one of the Motion Camaro restorations, they had a header shop custom build/copy and chrome a set of Hooker Header side pipes


Motion was a Hooker Header dealer

Joe it sounds like you know Motion, I posted Joels Cobra on Cobra Club and they are saying the wheelstand is staged. Whats your opinion

Staged.It's in the dirt off to the berm of the track.Look at the rear tire no spin or torque applied.

that picture is in the Motion book and the caption reads....

"After dyno tuning it was not unusual for Rosen to don his helmet and take the Cobra for a run on Sunrise Highway. In this 1966 photo he pulls the wheels, checking traction before pulling into traffic."

I think it is real. There are photos of the Corbra at the drag strip and looks like it did lift the wheels and there is a photo of Joel getting some air under the wheels of a 1968 Camaro on Sunrise Highway. Don't forget this was the 1960s. They did stuff like that back then.
There was no computer photoshop to fix up a photo. They had air brushing to fix a photo but I don't think Marty did that.

here is a picture of a vintage Motion Cobra post card with the Ertl
It looks to be getting some light under the front tires.

The picture of the 68 Motion Camaro drag car is real

Real.

I'd say it's rigged, the tires don't show the torque twist and his head isn't planted in the headrest.


Jerry

Is that photo legit? Seems to me that the slicks are wrinkled in such a way that shows the car is sitting still. Have a look at the wrinkle in the sidewall at the 5 o'clock position. If the rim is turning hard enough inside the tire to carry the front wheels, that wrinkle would be facing the same direction as the one at the 7 o'clock position, like this:

http://image.hotrod.com/f/9544971/p106003_image_large.jpg

Also, were the chassis braced that much more than road cars that it would lift the front so perfectly straight? Any photo that I've seen has the left front launching a few inches higher than the right front due to engine torque and chassis twist.

Is it cynical for me to wonder if it's a staged photo with the car jacked up (with the jack cleverly hidden by the driver's front wheel/tire?
__________________

some of you guys overthink things..the Cobra pic is real...check out the shadows...that car don't weigh jack and it has slicks..they don't have to twist hard on something that light....look at the picture of the 68 Camaro on the eastbound side of Sunrise Highway that Joe posted...
and the Cobra set the AA/SP record at Atco running 11.57 @ 118 MPH..and it had 5.57 gears..mix that with slicks and a car that is feather light and you will have wheelies

Don't forget that was 1966 and the old slicks did not wrinkled as much as a modern thin wall tire.

Other points to consider..

he may have had more rear tire air pressure then normal since he was taking the car out on the steet?

Why would they stage a wheel stand picture on the side of Sunrise Highway?
I would think a staged picture would be done at the drag strip or a closed road or parking lot not on the side of a public highway ?

If you see a picture of the Cobra at rest with nobody in the car it looks like it's about to lift the wheels. It was set up to sit a few inches high in front

It was set up pretty well and looks to come up straight in the drag strip photos

These pics are great. IMO the cobra wheelie is very questionable. You can clearly see those slicks look to only have about 9 - 12 lbs. of air in them and there is no torque being applied. They are wrinkled as if the car is parked and not launching. Also the rear wheel is not at all blurred as it would be if it was spinning.

Don't think anyone's questioning the little cobra's ability to raise the front. However, the driver looks like he should have a bag of pork rinds on his lap and his left arm resting on the door. A driver lifting the front wheels will be planted firmly in the seat. Kinda like shooting an 0-6, you don't keep the butt away from your shoulder, it's gonna leave a mark. The tires are leaving a pretty good wrinkle so they are definitely a light wrinkle wall and would surely leave a torque pattern like the pic of the 57 posted. Believe what you will, but Mr Rosen was a business man and I'm sure this pic sold some speed parts.

Jerry

The driver position is one of the things that make me think it is a real picture.

Looks like he is looking at the tach and leaning forward getting ready to bang 2nd gear.
If the picture was taken just before the 2nd gear shift point it would also show less tire wrinkle and lack of tire smoke or black marks on ground.
With the 5.57 gears, the 2nd gear shift point comes up real quick and you have to be ready for it.

In the Motion book there is a picture of a Camaro with front wheels in the air and he is in the same position looking at the center mounted tach mounted high on the dash and leaning forward getting ready to bang 2nd gear.

Some of the Motion street cars also had cable drive tach mounted high on the dash in the center like the race car set-up

If you haven't driven a 2000 lb. car that makes enough power to run mid 11's and has 5.57 gears then you probably shouldn't be questioning the photo's integrity ;) :D
...JMHO
Debate about a 40+ year picture is useless. None of us were there. And,as Joe pointed out and reminded us there was no photo editing software back in those days.
But,it is a fact the car in question did do wheelies at the track and Joel pulled plenty of wheelies on Sunrise Highway. No debate there.

back to the Motion Chevelles...

The 67 Motion Chevelle continued to be modified by Motion for more serious drag racing.
It was converted to a clutch flight transmission (auto trans using a manual trans clutch) cast iron ported heads, and a tunnel ram intake with two 850 Holleys and a bigger cam.

It was painted metal flake blue with a white top.

I saw this car in a garage with no nose, no engine or trans, and junk all around it. It had been sitting a long time and was repainted but I looked inside the car and it still had the metal flake blue on the dash. I new it was the real 67 Motion Chevelle. Later found original paperwork still in the clove box.

If you haven't driven a 2000 lb. car that makes enough power to run mid 11's and has 5.57 gears then you probably shouldn't be questioning the photo's integrity ;) :D
...JMHO

Have you? If you have then you should know better. Because I have and still do. I have raced 3 times this year and Nitro Jam starting Fri in Palm Beach will be my 4th race allready in 2011. I think after 25 years of racing light and heavy cars ranging from 10.0's to 17's many of them having 4.88 and 5.13 gears all with slicks, I know what a rear slick looks like when its making a car wheelie. I also know what a slick with low air pressure looks like when the car is parked. I can go to the garage right now and take a picture of my parked car with the same wrinkles as that pic. Then I can show you one with both wheels off the ground. There is no doubt that car did wheelies at the track and there is no doubt Joel pounded Sunrise and did wheelies in some cars. But that car in that pic is parked. Ask Bob West what he thinks of that pic, or Mark Jones or any other dedicated racer that owns or races a car that does wheelies. Regardless of weight, ET or gears that car is parked my friend. No one was debating whether that car could do it. We were only discussing the wheelie in that particular pic.
BTW, I pretty much agree with everything you post about except this! :beers: cheers

Back to your Regular Programing....



Joe.. Great additional pic of the 67.. I have a strong feeling this one will show up soon.. really nice like too !!

Yes, where is that 67 anyway? I may be a bit out of the loop...but it was being restored, right? Shouldn't it be about finished by now? What's the hold up...I want to see it!! :yes:

The 67 is under restoration now and may be done this year.

They have a bunch of original photos of the car to display with it.
It is being restored to the condition like in the photo in front of Baldwin Auto.

Joe....is the forest green 70 4 speed Baldwin Motion car that Otis Chandler used to own make any appearances? I was suprised to not find it in Marty's book.

Yeah Mike, Where is that 67? Wasn't it owned by K. Hand at one point and being restored by RSR? :confused::D

Yeah Mike, Where is that 67? Wasn't it owned by K. Hand at one point and being restored by RSR? :confused::D


I KNOW NUTHENG! :noway:

I KNOW NUTHENG! :noway:


LOL.....:thumbsup:

The X- Mason 67 chevelle has been under restoration for a couple of years now and no deadlines were set to complete the restoration.The unique parts have been a challenge to find in show condition but most eveything has been found now.I'm still looking for nice original blue interior parts.mostly trim stuff.The chevelle will look as it did in 1967 when Charlie Mason took delivery from Joel.Plans are to bring the car out "as is" for the ForgeMusclecar show in Tenn this sept.It may or maynot be finished because lots of work still remain and I have more Motions and Yenkos that need my attention as well.I still have the original metalflake dash and custom metal cover made for the clutch flight trans!! Thanks for all the interest............Rick

Very cool Ricky. Thanks for letting us know what's up!:beers:

Yes, thanks for the update Rick! Can't wait to see the old gal returned to her former glory. :hurray:

That white 1970 Motion Chevelle SS was from Summit NJ right off Interstate RT78.NJ's a Hot Bed for Motion sold cars .Love the fabricated Motion Double sided tow tabs on the 1969 Ralley Green Mexican Motion Camaro and 1965 Motion Hugger Mugger Mustang that Fred Greco owns.Both cars have Custom made tow tabs that look real similer when you compare them.The Hugger Mugger tow tab picture can be found in HI Performance Cars January 1971 page 45.There was a 70 Chevelle SS on ebay back in June 12 2005 that guy paid the fees to Joel Rosen but Joel found nothing on car.Ebay number was 4555138347 Seller tuscon85706.Cars vin is 136370F180354 Flint Mi car.Build date 07A body number 2275073 TR 795 48 48 PNT.Originally a low HIPO SS because it 2 fuel lines one being the return line .Auction ended car sold after auction to a Motion Collector.

I was really surprised there was no Motion Chevelles at the MCACN show. It was about the only thing missing.

I am pleased to announce that not only will we be hosting "Motion Madness II" for the MCACN show with both Joel and Marty for 2011, but we have also confirmed several Motion Chevelles for the display!

Yes...it continues to just get better and better! :hurray:

Bashton
MCACN Managing Member

Awesome! Thanks for the update Bob:thumbsup:

That's cool! Be nice to see more than just BM vettes

I am pleased to announce that not only will we be hosting "Motion Madness II" for the MCACN show with both Joel and Marty for 2011, but we have also confirmed several Motion Chevelles for the display!

Yes...it continues to just get better and better! :hurray:

Bashton
MCACN Managing Member

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup: The last Real Motion Chevelle I saw live and in living color was in 1985! Can't wait until November. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Joe....is the forest green 70 4 speed Baldwin Motion car that Otis Chandler used to own make any appearances? I was suprised to not find it in Marty's book.

the green 70 Baldwin Motion 454 Chevelle was in a nice book done on the Otis Chandler muscle car collection in the early 1990's.

Otis had a great collection of muscle cars including Motion and Yenko cars and a ZL1 Corvette.

this is from his book

Good chance you can see the 1 and only 67 chevelle at the ForgeMuscleCar show this year in Sevierville,Tenn sept 9-10 2011 since you're close to Tenn.Hope you can make it?

Staged.It's in the dirt off to the berm of the track.Look at the rear tire no spin or torque applied.


http://www.chevelles.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=38050&d=1295652387

First off, this picture is taken inside Motion's small parking lot, the right wheels are on the side walk facing oncoming traffic. It's not likely he is ready to bang second gear considering that confined space and is more likely coming down, hence the lack of wrinkles and head not pressed back.

JMHO But what do I know, my VW did a wheelie in the exact same spot.

Joe..thanks for posting..I have the same book :thumbsup:
Where is that green 70 from the book? I know after Otis passed away the collection got auctioned off.