Documented Historical Background of the Hinchliff/Ross '68 T/A Mustang

Ed Hinchliff and Steve Ross entered at least 8 Trans Am races in this 1968 Ford Mustang, with at least 5 known finishes between the years of 1968 and 1970. There were also two seasons of NASCAR GT competition including significant races at Daytona along with an entry in the 1969 Sebring FIA race. The National SCCA Runoffs at Daytona in 1970 was Steve Ross’s last race following 5 T/A events and finishing 3rd in the North East Divisions National Championship. The best finish in T/A was at the 1968 Watkins Glen event where Hinchliff finished 8th in the over two-liter class. The best NASCAR finish researched was at Daytona where he finished 7th in GT

Hinchliff/Ross 1968 Ford Mustang G.T. Coupe Documented Major Races:

Summary:

11 Major Races Entered 1968, 1969, 1970
8 Trans Am Races Entered
7 Finishes "Running" in O-2
-2 Top 10
-3 Top 15
-2 Top 20
3 DNQ/DNS
2 DNS
3 10 + NASCAR GT Races Entered

Excerpts from Ed Ludke Director Mustang Road Racing Directory recognition letter:
“This letter is to confirm that the Trans Am 1968 Mustang that you own 7F01A139506 is the first Trans Am race car built and campaigned by Ed Hinchliff of Ypsilanti, Michigan. This car started out life as a 1967 Mustang G.T. coupe with a 289 –4V, which Ed purchased through the Ford employee plan. Ed is still employed by Ford Motor Company (Advanced Vehicle Development) and will celebrate 40 years in 2003. Ed has over 60 starts in the Trans-Am series and made his first T/A start in this car in August 1968. Ed used many of his contacts with Kar Kraft and got support of the racing arm of Ford in its Trans-Am program. One of the most visible is the correct fender flares, which were also used on factory built cars.

The Mustangs first race was the Paul Revere 250 @ Daytona International Speedway on July 4th 1968. This was a NASCAR Grand American series event and Ed finished 7th in O2, 11th O/A G.T. The car was # 76 and still wearing the original green (sea mist) paint. Lloyd Ruby driving a Bud Moore Cougar won this race.

The first Trans-Am race for the car was at Watkins Glen, NY on August 11, 1968 @ the Glen “500”. Ed started 26th and finished 8th in O2 and 13th Overall in a field of all the big name drivers of the day.
Over the winter of 1968 the paint was changed to silver with black on the hood and fenders. It still carried #76.”

An interesting footnote in the history of the 1968 Mustang is its use by Ford Motor Company for the filming of a movie documenting the Trans Am season Ford Flat Out. The modifications to the roll cage and roof for camera mounts were distinguishing characteristics that helped verify the heritage of this car following its discovery.

At the end of the 1969 season, Steve Ross purchased the car and repainted it Light Yellow prior to his campaigning it in 5 T/A races in 1970.

In 1971 the Hinchliff/Ross 1968 Mustang was sold and campaigned in the Mexico City FIA Road Races through the early 70’s.

This Hinchliff/Ross 1968 Mustang was brought out of Mexico in 1995 by Mark Gillette of Dallas Texas, sold to 3 owners, prior to the purchase and restoration by J. Bittle. It is documented also in the Trans Am Road Racing Registry as Historic Vehicle #66 the Hinchliff 1968 T/A Mustang.

Today the car is restored and prepared as it competed in 1968/1969 and participates in Historic Motor Sports Association and other vintage racing venues in Southern California.