Fast feline to roam again
If there’s one thing automakers can’t stand, it’s losing to a close rival.
No brand likes to come in second. If ever there was a time of stiff competition between two classic American badges, it was on the racetracks of the 1950s and ’60s as Chevy and Ford battled it out for circuit domination.
On the road-racing front, the Chevrolet Corvette was the car to beat. But Ford had it’s competitor locked squarely in its sights, teaming up with Carroll Shelby to unleash the venomous AC Cobra onto the track and ahead of the bow-tie boys.
Not to be outdone, GM followed Ford’s lead and started to lay the foundation for their own backdoor tuner partnership after being approached by longtime Corvette racer Bill Thomas in an effort to create what they deemed as the ideal snake-charmer. Enter the Cheetah.
Whereas the Cobra was about 500 pounds lighter than the Corvette, this heavily dieted tabby weighed in about 400 pound lighter than Shelby’s snake, giving this nimble racer an even greater power-to-weight ratio when circling the track.
That’s exactly where John Mayer first spotted a Cheetah as a teenager. The Berwyn man found himself at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis., mesmerized by one as it raced around the sinewy asphalt stretches. Fast-forward to 15 years ago and Mayer was once again at the Wisconsin track, this time with his own family racing team, Mayer Racing.
“Next to us in the pits was a Cheetah, and after spending some time looking at it longingly, I decided right then that if I could find one, I’d get it,” Mayer said.
While a plethora of aftermarket companies exist offering reproduction kits, the Berwyn resident had his heart set on owning an original. Finding one in the concrete jungle, however, proved to be extremely difficult. Production numbers vary but it’s believed less than 30 were ever produced with only a few of those still prowling today.
It took a year but Mayer was both patient and determined. When a ’63 Cheetah turned up for sale in San Diego, he pounced, buying it sight unseen. The records are spotty but as best as Mayer can tell, the car he purchased is one of drag racing lore, tearing up West Coast quarter-mile tracks for years using the name ‘Instant Motion.’
After bringing the abandoned restoration project back to his custom upholstery shop, Ogden Top and Trim, he turned his full attention to getting the V-8 cat back to its former glory and ensuring this rare feline would stand out.
“When it came time to pick a color, I went straight to the brightest yellow I could find — something that wouldn’t easily missed,” he said.
One unique touch on the squint-inducing car that is often overlooked is the origination of the feline’s markings emblazoned on the sides.
“I chose 66 as the car’s number because in addition to our shop being located on historic Route 66, our address is 6609. Another reason I like those numbers is that (the late) Mark Donahue, my favorite NASCAR and F1 driver, always used the number 6 and 66 on his cars, so I thought it would suit the Cheetah just fine.”
Powering Mayer’s potent kitty is a small block 383 stroker mounted with Weber carbs and chromed velocity stacks poking through the clamshell hood. Factory aluminum was used throughout the car’s design, including the interior, to keep the curb weight down and ensure its nimbleness. While the car may be light, it’s not one to be easily tamed and doesn’t politely purr when Mayer mashes down on the pedal.
“It’s a very unsophisticated beast — developed but not too far,” he said. “It’s an ill-handling, hot, loud, obnoxious race car, but you’ve got to love it!”
As soon as the restoration was completed in 2003, the car was immediately put out on the track, competing as part of John’s team in the Kohler International Challenge, a vintage car race held every July at Road America. The ’05 season marked the last time this cat stretched its claws. Since then, it’s been pulled off track duty and has performed as an exhibition vehicle featured in national ad campaigns due to its stellar condition and rare pedigree. However, all that time has allowed Mayer to come up with some big plans.
“The car has been off the track for six years and it’s time for a comeback. This spring I’m going to take the car apart, overhaul the brakes, do some aerodynamic testing and have the car put back together in time for this summer’s historic race.”
With summer quickly approaching, bringing that field of eagerly waiting competitors, it looks like this Cheetah will once again be released to follow its natural instinct and do what it does best: stalk mechanical prey and pull ahead of the pack.