Autodynamics (race car manufacturer)
Type | Inc. |
---|---|
Industry | Automotive |
Founded | 1963 |
Founder | Ray Caldwell |
Defunct | 1975 |
Headquarters |
Founded | 1964 |
---|---|
Folded | 1971 |
Base | Marblehead, Massachusetts |
Team principal(s) | Ray Caldwell |
Former series | Can-Am Trans-Am Series |
Noted drivers | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Autodynamics Inc. is a former American racecar manufacturer based in Marblehead, Massachusetts. The company mainly produced Formula Vee and Formula Ford chassis. The company was also active in the Trans-Am Series entering Dodge Challengers in the 1970 season. Autodynamics was, along with , the main chassis provider for the series. finished second at the inaugural SCCA National Championship Runoffs for Formula Vee.
History[]
Formula Vee beginnings[]
Formula Vee was announced in 1960 by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and Volkswagen of America. Caldwell designed the Caldwell D-1 with help from friends. The D-1 was received well by the public and Caldwell decided to produce the car.[1] In 1964 the SCCA included the Formula Vee class in the SCCA National Championship Runoffs. Along with and Zink Cars, Autodynamics were the pioneers of the series. finished second in the inaugural national championship race, behind the Formcar of . The D-1 was produced in 1964 and 1965 in different variants. In total 478 were produced. It took until 1972 that Autodynamics won a National Championship in Formula Vee. beat a field with many Zink and chassis.[2]
Formula Ford[]
The Caldwell D-9 was the first Formula Ford chassis. The car was designed for the 1969 season. Skip Barber was very successful in the class. Barber won the SCCA North East Division championship as well as the National Championship Runoffs. A Caldwell D-9 won the inaugural race sanctioned by the IMSA. At Pocono Raceway Formula Ford cars ran on the 5/8-mile oval track for 200 laps. Caldwell driver Jim Clarke was declared the winner.[3] Another successful Caldwell driver was . Loring won the Ontario and Canadian Formula Ford series, as well as the IMSA Pro Series.[4]
Caldwell D-7[]
In 1967 Autodynamics launched the Caldwell D7 built to Group 7 rules to enter the 1967 Can-Am season. Sam Posey again was the main driver for the team with Brett Lunger and Ray Caldwell driving selected rounds. The D7 made its debut at Road America where it retired with a broken half shaft. At Mosport Park Posey finished twelfth, the best result of the season.[5] Autodynamics also entered a McLaren Mk. II when the D7 was not ready. With Posey scoring a podium at Stardust International Raceway. The D7 returned in 1968 where it finished fourth at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, the first round of the 1968 United States Road Racing Championship. The following round, at Riverside Raceway, Posey improved to third, scoring the cars only podium finish.[6]
Formula 5000[]
Caldwell had a short lived Formula 5000 project, the D8. Lunger and Posey were the drivers for the one off project. Two chassis were built. Lunger crashed the first chassis during a test, the races were done with a second chassis. In the pro-series Posey scored the best result, a seventh place at Lime Rock Park.[7]
Trans-Am Series[]
Chrysler entered the Trans-Am Series with their two pony car types the Plymouth Barracuda and the Dodge Challenger. The Barracuda's were entered by Dan Gurneys All American Racers. Caldwell was responsible for the chassis. To lighten the chassis the frames were acid dipped. Sam Posey was the full-time driver for the first Dodge Challenger. This chassis was left in the acid to long weakening the roof and structural integrity of the car. The car required multiple chassis repairs between races.[8] The 305ci Dodge V8 engines built by Keith Black proved unreliable causing multiple retirements.[9] Posey scored three podium finishes during the season accumulating all the team's points. During the last two races, at Seattle and Riverside, a second car was entered. Ronnie Bucknum and Tony Adamowicz. The second car retired in both races.
After the 1970 season the pony car market crashed and Chrysler, Ford and Chevrolet canceled their racing programms.[10]
Autodynamics eventually built 3 Challengers and Black provided 12 engines during the season. The cancellation led to a financial crisis for Autodynamics which was forced to reorganize under Chapter 11, Title 11, United States Code.[11]
Production[]
Year | Car | Units produced | Class |
---|---|---|---|
1964 | Caldwell D-1 | 186 | Formula Vee |
1964 | Style Fitch Supersprint | 1 | |
1965 | Caldwell D-1A | 194 | Formula Vee |
1965 | Fiberfabs chassis | 12 | |
1965 | Motercycle chassis | 5 | |
1966 | Caldwell D-1B | 98 | Formula Vee |
1966 | Caldwell D-2 | 386 | Formula Vee trailer |
1966 | Caldwell D-3 | 8 | Formula B |
1967 | Caldwell D-7 | 2 | Group 7 |
1967 | Caldwell D-4 | 94 | Formula Vee |
1967 | Caldwell D-6 | 802 | Mk. I Deserter |
1967 | Caldwell D-6A | 410 | Mk. II Deserter |
1967 | Caldwell D-8 | 2 | Formula A |
1968 | Caldwell D-4A | 148 | Formula Vee |
1968 | Caldwell D-5 | 43 | Hustler |
1968 | Caldwell D-11 | 138 | Deserter Autocross |
1969 | Caldwell D-4B | 65 | Formula Vee |
1969 | Caldwell D-9 | 55 | Formula Ford |
1970 | Caldwell D-9B | 48 | Formula Ford |
1970 | Caldwell D-10 | 17 | Formula Super Vee |
1970 | Caldwell D-9B | 48 | Formula Ford |
1970 | Dodge Challenger T/A | 3 | Trans-Am Series |
1970 | Caldwell D-14B | 8 | Racecar trailer |
1970 | Caldwell D-15C | 3 | Racecar trailer |
1971 | Caldwell D-12 | 48 | Formula Ford |
1971 | Caldwell D-13 | 74 | Formula Vee |
1971 | Caldwell D-14A | 48 | Formula Vee trailer |
1972 | OD-11 Boat hull | 48 |
Race results[]
SCCA Runoffs results[]
Year | Class | Car | Driver | Finish | Start |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1964 | Formula Vee | Autodynamics | 2 | ||
1964 | Formula Vee | Autodynamics | 13 | ||
1964 | Formula Vee | Autodynamics | 16 | ||
1965 | Formula Vee | Autodynamics | 3 | ||
1965 | Formula Vee | Autodynamics | 6 | 8 | |
1965 | Formula Vee | Autodynamics | 8 | 9 | |
1966 | Formula Vee | Autodynamics | 9 | ||
1966 | Formula Vee | Autodynamics | 2 | ||
1966 | Formula Vee | Autodynamics | 7 | ||
1966 | Formula Vee | Autodynamics | 14 | ||
1966 | Formula Vee | Autodynamics | 15 | ||
1966 | Formula Vee | Autodynamics | 6 | ||
1966 | Formula Vee | Autodynamics | 12 | ||
1967 | Formula Vee | Autodynamics | 14 | ||
1967 | Formula Vee | Autodynamics | 8 | 8 | |
1967 | Formula Vee | Autodynamics | 9 | 11 | |
1967 | Formula Vee | Autodynamics | 10 | 15 | |
1967 | Formula Vee | Autodynamics | 11 | 14 | |
1967 | Formula Vee | Autodynamics | 6 | 10 | |
1969 | Formula Ford | Caldwell D9 | Skip Barber | 1 | 20 |
1969 | Formula Ford | Caldwell D9 | 8 | 15 | |
1969 | Formula Vee | Autodynamics | 9 | 2 | |
1969 | Formula Vee | Autodynamics | 17 | 11 | |
1969 | Formula Vee | Autodynamics | 7 | 6 | |
1969 | Formula B | Caldwell | 10 | 18 | |
1969 | Formula Ford | Caldwell D9 | 16 | 4 | |
1969 | Formula Ford | Caldwell D9 | 6 | 9 | |
1970 | Formula Super Vee | Caldwell D10 | 4 | 7 | |
1970 | Formula Super Vee | Caldwell D10 | 11 | 10 | |
1970 | Formula Super Vee | Caldwell D10 | 7 | 8 | |
1971 | Formula Super Vee | Caldwell | 7 | ||
1971 | Formula Vee | Autodynamics | 18 | 15 | |
1971 | Formula Vee | Autodynamics | 13 | 8 | |
1972 | Formula Vee | Autodynamics | 1 | 5 | |
1972 | Formula Vee | Autodynamics | 16 | 20 | |
1973 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | DSQ | 5 | |
1973 | Formula Vee | Autodynamics | 9 | ||
1973 | Formula Ford | Caldwell | Bill Alsup | 15 | 19 |
1973 | Formula Vee | Autodynamics | DNS | ||
1974 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 15 | 26 | |
1974 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 22 | 18 | |
1974 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 5 | 6 | |
1975 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 13 | 14 | |
1975 | Formula Vee | Caldwell | 14 | 20 | |
1975 | Formula Vee | Autodynamics | 21 | 18 | |
1976 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 22 | 26 | |
1976 | Formula Vee | Autodynamics | 23 | 12 | |
1976 | Formula Vee | Caldwell | 26 | 2 | |
1976 | Formula Vee | Autodynamics Mk. 5X | 23 | 12 | |
1976 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 9 | 19 | |
1976 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 21 | 3 | |
1977 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 17 | 23 | |
1977 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 27 | 34 | |
1977 | Formula Vee | Autodynamics | 11 | 16 | |
1977 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 13 | 17 | |
1977 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 5 | 5 | |
1977 | Formula Vee | Caldwell | 4 | 6 | |
1977 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 10 | 15 | |
1977 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 15 | 24 | |
1978 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 17 | 2 | |
1978 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 19 | 20 | |
1978 | Formula Ford | Caldwell | 25 | 29 | |
1978 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 3 | 5 | |
1978 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 8 | 23 | |
1978 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 13 | 13 | |
1978 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | Ford Smith | 9 | 19 |
1979 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 7 | 17 | |
1979 | Formula Vee | Caldwell | 17 | 10 | |
1980 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 20 | 19 | |
1980 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 13 | 7 | |
1980 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | Ford Smith | 6 | 4 |
1980 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | Dave Smith | 12 | 17 |
1980 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 7 | 8 | |
1980 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 8 | 15 | |
1980 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 26 | 29 | |
1980 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 27 | 1 | |
1980 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 23 | 27 | |
1980 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 24 | 22 | |
1981 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 22 | ||
1981 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 4 | 7 | |
1981 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | Dave Smith | 18 | |
1981 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13S | Ford Smith | 23 | |
1981 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 14 | ||
1981 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 10 | ||
1981 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 20 | ||
1981 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13S | 7 | ||
1982 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 20 | ||
1982 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 3 | ||
1982 | Formula Vee | Caldwell | 9 | ||
1982 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13S | 34 | ||
1982 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13S | Ford Smith | 18 | |
1982 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 13 | ||
1983 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 37 | 25 | |
1983 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 15 | 16 | |
1983 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 2 | 6 | |
1983 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | DNS | ||
1983 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 12 | 19 | |
1983 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13S | 28 | 37 | |
1983 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 29 | 12 | |
1983 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | Dave Smith | 11 | 18 |
1983 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 36 | 15 | |
1983 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 26 | 39 | |
1983 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 18 | 34 | |
1984 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 13 | 7 | |
1984 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13S | 27 | 37 | |
1984 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 17 | 14 | |
1984 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 11 | 11 | |
1984 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 37 | 31 | |
1985 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 37 | 35 | |
1985 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 28 | 6 | |
1985 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 15 | 10 | |
1985 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 21 | 22 | |
1985 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 10 | 9 | |
1986 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 18 | 28 | |
1986 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 14 | 20 | |
1986 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 36 | 34 | |
1986 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 21 | 15 | |
1986 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 16 | 19 | |
1987 | Formula Vee | Caldwell | 28 | 31 | |
1987 | Formula Vee | Caldwell | 32 | 12 | |
1987 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 10 | 13 | |
1987 | Formula Vee | Caldwell | 29 | 7 | |
1987 | Formula Vee | Caldwell | 7 | 18 | |
1987 | Formula Vee | Caldwell | 39 | 38 | |
1987 | Formula Vee | Caldwell | 31 | 37 | |
1988 | Formula Vee | Caldwell | 30 | 1 | |
1988 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 15 | 22 | |
1988 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D8 | 37 | 29 | |
1989 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13S | 37 | 16 | |
1989 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 30 | 44 | |
1989 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 15 | 28 | |
1990 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 4 | 5 | |
1990 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 24 | 37 | |
1990 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13S | 27 | 38 | |
1991 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13S | 39 | 12 | |
1993 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13S | 39 | 53 | |
2004 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 43 | 31 | |
2009 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 23 | 37 | |
2010 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 36 | 32 | |
2012 | Formula Vee | Caldwell D13 | 18 | 27 |
Can-Am Series[]
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
Year | Car | No. | Drivers | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Pos. | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1966 | Caldwell D7 | 22 | ![]() |
![]() MTE 21 |
- | 0 | |||||
McLaren M1B | 33 | ![]() BRI 8 |
![]() MOS 20 |
![]() LAG 38 |
![]() RIV 18 |
![]() LVE 21 |
- | 0 | |||
1967 | Caldwell D7B | 1 | ![]() |
![]() ROA 32 |
![]() BRI 24 |
![]() MOS 12 |
![]() LAG 29 |
![]() RIV 13 |
![]() LVE DNS |
- | 0 |
1968 | Caldwell D7C | 1 | ![]() |
![]() ROA 10 |
9th | 5 | |||||
Lola T160 | 2 | ![]() BRI 8 |
![]() EDM 4 |
![]() LAG 9 |
![]() RIV 21 |
![]() LVE 5 |
SCCA Continental Championship Formula A results[]
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
Year | Car | No. | Drivers | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Pos. | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1968 | Caldwell D8 | 11 | ![]() |
![]() COL |
![]() |
![]() ROA |
![]() |
![]() MOS 26 |
![]() BRA 18 |
![]() LAG 28 |
- | 0 | |
![]() |
![]() LRP 7 |
- | 0 |
Trans-Am Series results[]
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
Year | Car | No. | Drivers | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | Pos. | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1970 | Dodge Challenger T/A | 76 | ![]() |
![]() LAG 6 |
![]() LRP 3 |
![]() NHS 23 |
![]() MDO 5 |
![]() BRI 20 |
![]() BRA 20 |
![]() ROA 20 |
![]() TRE 3 |
![]() WAT 4 |
![]() SEA 3 |
![]() RIV 29 |
4th | 18 |
77 | ![]() |
![]() LAG |
![]() LRP |
![]() NHS |
![]() MDO |
![]() BRI |
![]() BRA |
![]() ROA |
![]() TRE |
![]() WAT |
![]() SEA 27 |
|||||
![]() |
![]() RIV 24 |
References[]
- ^ Pace, Harold. Vintage American Road Racing Cars 1950-1969. ISBN 0760317836. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
- ^ "Runoffs Driver Archive". SCCA Club Racing Board. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
- ^ "IMSA 1969-1989: The first race at Pocono". Racer. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
- ^ "Autodynamics 1973 catalog" (PDF). Doug Fraser. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
- ^ "Caldwell D7". Racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
- ^ "United States Road Racing Championship 1968". World Sports Racing Prototypes. Archived from the original on 2 December 2009. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
- ^ "Caldwell D8 history". oldracingcars.com. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
- ^ "One of two Sam Posey-driven Trans-Am 1970 Dodge Challengers heads to auction". Hemmings Daily. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
- ^ "Riverside Trans-Am Oct. 4, 1970". A2Z Racer. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
- ^ "The 1970 season was the height of the incredible Trans Am Series. Sam Posey watched it from the best seat in the house". Hagerty. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
- ^ "History". Doug Fraser. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
- ^ "1970 Trans-Am Box Scores" (PDF). SCCA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 January 2010. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
- American racecar constructors
- Automotive motorsports and performance companies
- Sports car manufacturers
- Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1963