I dug up this photo proof sheet from 1971 taken by Peter Lyons (I think.)
of my V8 powered mid engine Pontiac Firebird built under contract for
General Motors. It was built in my shop in Hermosa Beach. I scanned the
proof sheet at 600 dots per inch and loaded it into the gimp. I was then
able to extract individual pictures. Wonderful.

It had 440 cubic inch Pontiac V8 turned back to front using an Oldsmobile
Toronado front drive transmission adapted to a BMW constant velocity half
shaft and a custom made live rear axle. Rear suspension was stock Firebird
leaf springs. The spare tire was mounted under the hood. Braking balance,
roll stiffness distribution and front spring rate were readjusted.

Race drivers that drove the car said it had the most neutral
handling of any car they had ever driven. It pulled well over .9 G on
the skid pad which at the time was remarkable. I used to drag
race Corvettes on wet streets. While they were smoking their
rear tires I was long gone :)   I personally delivered it
to Pontiac by driving it to Michigan.

The Mid-Engine Firebird by John Lamm
(Article about the prototype Mid-Engine Firebird designed by Paul
Lamar and built by Lamar Engineering under contract with the Pontiac
Division of GM.) Motor Trend February 1972


Paul Lamar ...No rotor no motor.

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