Car and Track

"Car and Track" was America's first nationally syndicated auto racing and car test television show. Produced by Car and Track Productions, it was hosted by Bud Lindemann, a famous race commentator of the time.

It is believed to have run from 1967 to 1975, with 80 or more episodes originally airing on CBS. In later years, the cable television station Speedvision (which in 2001 became the SPEED Channel), aired re-runs from approximately 1996 to 2002. In 2005, network executives revamped the old program, turning it into a primetime NASCAR history highlight show retitled "Back in the Day", and hosted by NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr.. [ [http://www.nascar.com/2006/races/tune_in/01/19/dearnhardtjr.speed/index.html "Junior to host racing history series on SPEED"] , January 19, 2006 press release, NASCAR.com, Retrieved March 15 2007] It now had a modern, more mass appeal look, though only highlighting select NASCAR racing footage the show carried. The ending of the show does pay homage to the original ending, showing the original host Bud Lindemann's goodbye quote. The quotes varied among episodes but usually stated, "..and drive safely, won't you? All the pros do."

Aside from the show's large attention to NASCAR racing, it also included various other American racing. Including NHRA drag racing, USAC stock car and Champ Car racing ("Champ Car" at that time implied "USAC") and Sprint car racing on paved and dirt ovals. Also featuring IHRA Funny Car and Top Fuel drag racing among others.

Other

From time-to-time, other features, such as safety reports and driver safety education segments, would be included. In one 1971 episode actor James Garner was accompanied for high-speed safety training at the Skip Barber Racing School behind the wheel of a Oldsmobile Cutlass. Footage of other events, such as stunt and arena shows or conceptual auto displays, was often used to close the show.

Automotive Reports & Testing

New car testing in the show did not focus exclusively on one particular type of vehicle. Although "muscle cars" seemed to make up the bulk of the reviews, and Bud Lindemann seemed to express extra enthusiasm for them, economy cars, Jeeps, and even motorhomes were also occasionally tested. Vehicles were shown in then original forms. As in today's car testing methods, the vehicles were usually the highest level furnished of the model, or in some instances prototypes.

Some prototypes included:
*1968 Dodge Charger 500 concept
*1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 concept
*1969 AMC AMX 390 'prototype'

Some production vehicles tested included:

1968 Hurst Olds 455. 1 of 515 made
1969 Avanti II
1969 Chevrolet Impala
1970 Mercury Marquis
1971 Dodge Challenger
1971 Dodge Charger SE (440 4 barrel)
1971 Chrysler New Yorker
1971 Ford Torino (429)
1971 Oldsmobile 442 W30 convertible 4 speed 1 of 33 made
1972 Buick Riviera GS 455
1973 Buick GS 455 colonade
1974 Buick Lesabre 455 2 barrel
1974 Oldsmobile Omega S 350 4 barrel

Home video

The show has not yet been made available on DVD or VHS for home video purchase.

References