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DeKon Chassis 1011

Chassis numbers 1011 & 1012 both ran as car no. 19.

Unidentified chassis needing verification have '?' following c/n.

Under the Hood

Ryan Falconer built 5.7L Chevrolet V8 with mechanically

metered MacKay fuel injection for over 600 HP

Chris Cord #19 (c/n 1011) Chris Cord Racing

IMSA Camel GT - Laguna Seca 100 mile

Monterey, CA - May 1, 1977

Cord's first race with his new DeKon Monza

(Photo by Brent Martin)

In 1979, Cord began using Dennis Fisher built engines.

Chris Cord #19 (c/n 1011) Chris Cord Racing

IMSA Camel GT - Laguna Seca 100 mile

Monterey, CA - May 1, 1977

(Photo by Brent Martin)

     

 

Chris Cord #19 (c/n 1011) Chris Cord Racing

IMSA Camel GT - Sears Point 100 mile

Sonoma, CA - July 31, 1977

 First logo style decal used for

IMSA's Camel GT Challenge

1972 - 1978

Chris Cord #19 (c/n 1011) Chris Cord Racing

SCCA Trans-Am - Mosport 6 hour

Bowmanville, Ontario - August 20, 1977

Photo by Paul Woodbury

     

Jim Adams / Peter Knab #19 (c/n 1011)

IMSA Camel GT - Mid-Ohio 3 hour

Lexington, OH - August 28, 1977

Photo by Mark Windecker

Jim Adams / Peter Knab #19 (c/n 1011)

IMSA Camel GT - Mid-Ohio 3 hour

Lexington, OH - August 28, 1977

Photo by Mark Windecker

Jim Adams / Peter Knab #19 (c/n 1011)

IMSA Camel GT - Mid-Ohio 3 hour

Lexington, OH - August 28, 1977

Photo by Mark Windecker

     

     

Chris Cord #19 (c/n 1012?) Chris Cord Racing

IMSA Camel GT - Laguna Seca 100 mile

Monterey, CA - April 30, 1978

(Photo by Brent Martin)

Chris Cord #19 (c/n 1012?) Chris Cord Racing

IMSA Camel GT - Laguna Seca 100 mile

Monterey, CA - April 30, 1978

(Photo by Brent Martin)

Chris Cord #19 (c/n 1012?) Chris Cord Racing

IMSA Camel GT - Laguna Seca 100 mile

Monterey, CA - April 30, 1978

(Photo by Brent Martin)

     

Chris Cord #19 (c/n 1012) Chris Cord Racing

IMSA Camel GT - Laguna Seca 100 mile

Monterey, CA - April 30, 1978

(Photo by Goen)

Chris Cord owner/driver Chris Cord Racing

IMSA Camel GT - Mid-Ohio 250 mile

Lexington, OH - August 27, 1978

Chris Cord #19 (c/n 1012?) Chris Cord Racing

IMSA Camel GT - Mid-Ohio 250 mile

Lexington, OH - August 27, 1978

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

IMSA Winston GT championship series

Official title sponsor logo (1979 only)

 

 

Chris Cord #19 (c/n 1011?) Chris Cord Racing

IMSA Winston GT - Pepsi Grand Prix 100 mile

Brainerd Int'l Raceway, MN - June 17, 1979

Photo by Jerry Winker - ComicOzzie Photography

IMSA Winston GT championship series

Title sponsor decals (1979 only)

 

 

 

 

Chris Cord (c/n 1011?) Chris Cord Racing

Trans-Am SCCA (Cat-II) - Watkins Glen 6 hour

Watkins Glen International, NY - July 7, 1979

Chris Cord (c/n 1011?) Chris Cord Racing

Trans-Am SCCA - Watkins Glen 6 hour

Watkins Glen International, NY - July 7, 1979

A bit worse for wear after only 10 laps of 175 lap 6 hr race

Chris Cord #19 (c/n 1011?) Chris Cord Racing

IMSA Winston GT - Mid-Ohio 250 Miles

Mid-Ohio Raceway, OH - July 15, 1979

Spotless again one week after crash at Watkins Glen

 

 

 


     

Chris Cord #19 (c/n 1012) Chris Cord Racing

IMSA GT - Daytona 24 hour (pre-race)

Daytona Beach, FL - February 3, 1980

Chris Cord #19 (c/n 1011) Jim Adams #20 (c/n 1012)

IMSA GT - Riverside Int'l Raceway 5 hr

Riverside, CA - April 27, 1980

(Photo by Brent Martin)

Chris Cord #19 (c/n 1011) garages

IMSA GT - Riverside Int'l Raceway 5 hr

Riverside, CA - April 27, 1980

(Photo by Brent Martin)

     

Chris Cord #19 (c/n 1011) Chris Cord Racing

IMSA GT - Riverside Int'l Raceway 5 hr

Riverside, CA - April 27, 1980

One week before big crash at Laguna

(Photo by Brent Martin)

Chris Cord #19 (c/n 1011) Chris Cord Racing

IMSA GT - Laguna Seca 100 mile

Monterey, CA  - May 4, 1980

Courtesy of Paul Woodbury

Chris Cord (c/n 1011) Chris Cord Racing  

Trans-Am SCCA - Watkins Glen 6 hour

Watkins Glen International, NY - July 6, 1980

Doane Spencer (hand by intake) Cord's chief mechanic

     

Chris Cord #19 (c/n 1011) Chris Cord Racing

Trans-Am SCCA - Watkins Glen 6 hour

Watkins Glen International, NY - July 6, 1980

Chris Cord #19 (c/n 1011) Chris Cord Racing

Trans-Am SCCA - Watkins Glen 6 hour

Watkins Glen International, NY - July 6, 1980

Never looking better, just two months after Laguna Seca wreck

Chris Cord #19 (c/n 1011) Chris Cord Racing

IMSA GT - Sears Point 100 mile

Sonoma, CA - July 27, 1980

     

Chris Cord #19 (c/n 1011) Chris Cord Racing

IMSA GT - Road America Pabst 500

Elkhart Lake, WI - August 31, 1980

(Photo provided by Stacy Scharch, photographed by Gary Neese)

IMSA GT championship series

was tobacco free for

the 1980 season

SCCA Trans-Am

Series sponsor

1980-82

 

   

 

   

Chris Cord #19 (c/n 1011) Chris Cord Racing

IMSA Camel GT - Riverside 6 hour

Riverside International Raceway, CA - April 26, 1981

Aerodynamic Devices

IMSA Code Competition Rules 1981

Chris Cord #19 (c/n 1011) Chris Cord Racing

IMSA Camel GT - Riverside Int'l Raceway 6 hr

Riverside, CA - April 26, 1981

 

   

Chris Cord #19 (c/n 1011) Chris Cord Racing

IMSA Camel GT - Laguna Seca 100 mile

Monterey, CA - May 3, 1981

MacKay Fuel Injection

Chris Cord #19 (c/n 1011) Chris Cord Racing

IMSA Camel GT - Laguna Seca 100 mile

Monterey, CA - May 3, 1981

A rare backend view

Chris Cord #19 (c/n 1011) Chris Cord Racing

IMSA Camel GT - Laguna Seca 100 mile

Monterey, CA - May 3, 1981

Behind #19 is Jim Adams #20 (c/n 1012)

     

Chris Cord #19 (c/n 1011) Chris Cord Racing

IMSA Camel GT - Laguna Seca 100 mile

Monterey, CA - May 3, 1981

Chris Cord #19 - Chris Cord Racing

IMSA Camel GT - Mid-Ohio 200 mile

Mid-Ohio Raceway, OH - May 31, 1981

Chris Cord #19 - Chris Cord Racing

IMSA Camel GT - Mid-Ohio 200 mile

Mid-Ohio Raceway, OH - May 31, 1981

     

 

About DeKon c/n 1011

Team : Chris Cord Racing
Primary drivers : Chris Cord and Jim Adams

 

The Chris Cord Racing Corporation was incorporated on December 01, 1977 with the address 136 El Camino Dr. Beverly Hills, CA. It was at the end of the 1976 season, when Chris Cord purchased an IMSA prepared Chevrolet Monza from DeKon Engineering, LTD. It was DeKon chassis no. 1011, the first of two DeKon Monzas he would own. This car was campaigned in the 1977-1981 seasons, mostly the IMSA GT series and a few SCCA Trans-Am endurance races too.

The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) launched a new category in 1974 called All American Grand Touring (AAGT), which included the Chevrolet Monza. From the outset, Cord entered his car in the IMSA GTO class in 1977, for cars with engines (over) 2.5 liters. In 1978, Cord entered in the new IMSA GTX class and raced along side a growing field of Porsche 935s.

Cord developed his Monza to make it somewhat unique. It included fiberglass body panels with quick-release fasteners, which gave mechanics easy access to make quick adjustments, and perform maintenance and repairs. The car had 17-inch wheels and was powered by a 6.0 L 570 hp  Chevrolet small-block V8. The car was re-engineered by his chief mechanic, Doane Spencer, a very talented and well regarded race car builder. It stood apart from other DeKon Monzas, and featured many improvements. It featured chrome mounting brackets, gauges set into a NASCAR type dash. Even the gearbox had been swapped for a Ford top-loader based one. 

 

Apparently, these technical improvements were actually first applied to Cord's second Monza DeKon c/n1012, purchased from Ted Field of Interscope Racing.

 

It was hard to tell which DeKon chassis Cord was actually driving between 1978-81, even though it displayed car no. 19. Often, it was Cord's second Monza DeKon c/n 1012, and not always c/n 1011 as commonly believed. There are small details in the cowl grille and windshield clip spacing, which are a bit of a tell.

Cord's Monzas were powered with Falconer Racing Engines in the beginning. Then, he switched to engines built by Dennis Fisher around 1979. They produced about 625 hp, a fairly good figure at the time for a naturally aspirated engine. However, it was still over 200 horsepower short of a the Porsche 935 running twin turbos at full boost. By the end of the 1982 season, IMSA eliminated twin turbos.


Chris Cord's 1980 season saw bodywork that was the most radically styled with the latest update phases seen. Doane Spencer cut large slotted openings in the engine hood on both sides of the scoop. These exit vents were aerodynamically designed to maximize radiator cooling and helped to create a "suction" effect under the car for better handling. The hood tunnel for the reversed scoop was very tall, and allowed clearance for the MacKay fuel injection’s eight velocity stacks.

The opening for the engine scoop was on the rear and matched the angle of the sloped windshield, and sat just a few inches from it. The door extensions had large scoops for side mounted oil coolers. Each rear fender had a large slotted opening on top to serve as an exit for the side-mounted radiator-cooled air. Rear wheels were 19 inches, the largest ever seen on a Monza.

In early 1980, Chris Cord purchased another DeKon built Monza, chassis no. 1012. It was barely used by Ted Field’s Interscope Racing for driver Danny Ongais. This chassis was also re-engineered the same as c/n 1011. Both cars would be entered in some selected events. The cars were strong, but the weak point was the gearbox, which sometimes failed.

During a practice session at the 1980 Laguna Seca IMSA 100 mile, both Cord Monzas were nearly destroyed. There was a four-car wreck involving two Porsches at the infamous “cork screw”, a short downhill S-turn. Damaged beyond repair, both cars failed to make the starting grid. However, one was rebuilt within two months in time for the Watkins Glen 6 hour Trans-Am race on July 6th.

To such enthusiasts, Chris Cord’s red Monzas remain the most attractive and beautiful DeKons ever built. As of 2012, both cars are located in California. Ken Epsman is current owner of Cord’s second red Monza, DeKon c/n 1012 (car no. 20). It is in beautifully restored condition, as driven by Jim Adams in 1980-81 for Chris Cord Racing. Cord’s first Monza, DeKon chassis no. 1011 (car no. 19), is in the hands of an anonymous owner.

 

 

Quarter Million Dollar Unpleasantness

   

 

 

Chris Cord's Monza and Hurley Haywood's Porsche after making contact at Laguna Seca. The article reads:

 

"Two cars arriving simultaneously at the apex... was the way the official press notes read following the incident pictured above. [left] Whatever the cause, the two cars shown here, driven by Hurley Haywood and Chris Cord were soon joined by those of their respective teammates, Bruce Level and Jim Adams, as all four were eliminated from the second heat race at Laguna Seca. Only Leven could manage sufficient repairs to make the final on Sunday, as the other three cars were towed in and loaded into their transporters. Luckily, the only physical injury was a mild concussion suffered by Cord. Haywood's car, its frame warped by the impacts, will be replaced by the new 935 which car owner Leven has on order, although Bruce will have to content himself with his same car rather than taking over Hurley's now deceased one. Cord's two car teams will be rebuilt, although the job will be a larger one. Adams' car needed the whole right front corner removed and replaced, and Cord's own Monza required an entirely new front end as well as repairs to the roll cage structure. Cord says the reconstruction should be completed in time for the team to be back in action at the Watkins Glen 6 Hours in July."

Courtesy of Paul Woodbury, from the June 1980 issue of On Track magazine, Matters of the Moment, "Quarter Million Dollar Unpleasantness". 

 

 

Results for DeKon c/n 1011

Date

Race

No.

Chassis

Drivers

Entrant

Result

May 01, 1977

IMSA Laguna Seca I 100 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Chris Cord

Chris Cord Racing

6th

Jul 31, 1977

IMSA Sears Point 100 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Chris Cord

Chris Cord Racing

15th

Aug 20, 1977

Trans-Am SCCA Mosport 6 hr

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Cord / Adams

Chris Cord Racing

19th

Aug 28, 1977

IMSA Mid-Ohio 3 hr

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Adams / Knab

Chris Cord Racing

7th

Oct 09, 1977

IMSA Laguna Seca II 100 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Chris Cord

Chris Cord Racing

10th

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feb 05, 1978

IMSA Daytona 24 hr

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Cord / Adams

Chris Cord Racing

46th

Apr 30, 1978

IMSA Laguna Seca 100 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Chris Cord

Chris Cord Racing

5th

May 07, 1978

IMSA Hallett 100 mile

19?

DeKon c/n 1012

Jim Adams

Chris Cord Racing

16th

Jul 08, 1978

Trans-Am SCCA Watkins Glen 6 hr

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Cord / Adams

Chris Cord Racing

5th

Jul 30, 1978

IMSA Sears Point 100 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Chris Cord

Chris Cord Racing

18th

Aug 27, 1978

IMSA Mid-Ohio 250 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Cord / Adams

Chris Cord Racing

6th

Sep 04, 1978

IMSA Road Atlanta II 100 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Chris Cord

Chris Cord Racing

6th

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apr 22, 1979

IMSA Riverside 6 hr

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Cord / Adams

Chris Cord Racing

39th

Apr 29, 1979

IMSA Laguna Seca 100 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Chris Cord

Chris Cord Racing

24th

Jun 17, 1979

IMSA Brainerd 100 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Chris Cord

Chris Cord Racing

35th

Jul 07, 1979

Trans-Am SCCA Watkins Glen 6 hr

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Cord /Adams

Chris Cord Racing

41st

Jul 15, 1979

IMSA Mid-Ohio 250 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Cord / Adams

Chris Cord Racing

30th

Jul 29, 1979

IMSA Sears Point 100 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Greg Pickett

-

DNS

Aug 26, 1979

IMSA Mid-Ohio 500 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Chris Cord

Chris Cord Racing

24th

Sep 02, 1979

IMSA Road America 500 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Cord / Adams

Chris Cord Racing

DNA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feb 03, 1980

IMSA Daytona 24 hr

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Cord / Adams

Chris Cord Racing

50th

Apr 27, 1980

IMSA Riverside 5 hr

18

DeKon c/n 1011

Cord / Adams

Chris Cord Racing

DNS

May 04, 1980

IMSA Laguna Seca 100 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Chris Cord

Chris Cord Racing

DNS

Jul 06, 1980

Trans-Am SCCA Watkins Glen 6 hr

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Cord / Adams

Chris Cord Racing

23rd

Jul 27, 1980

IMSA Sears Point 100 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Chris Cord

Chris Cord Racing

4th

Aug 17, 1980

IMSA Mosport 6 hr

10

DeKon c/n 1011

Cord / Adams

Chris Cord Racing

DNA

Aug 24, 1980

IMSA Mid-Ohio 500 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Cord / Adams

Chris Cord Racing

DNA

Aug 31, 1980

IMSA Road America 500 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Cord / Adams

Chris Cord Racing

36th

Sep 21, 1980

IMSA Road Atlanta (1) 50 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Chris Cord

Chris Cord Racing

DNA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mar 21, 1981

IMSA Sebring 12 hr

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Cord / Adams

Chris Cord Racing

DNS

Apr 26, 1981

IMSA Riverside 6 hr

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Cord / Adams

Chris Cord Racing

9th

May 03, 1981

IMSA Laguna Seca 100 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Chris Cord

Chris Cord Racing

10th

May 24, 1981

IMSA Lime Rock 200 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Cord / Adams

Chris Cord Racing

18th

May 31, 1981

IMSA Mid-Ohio 200 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Cord / Adams

Chris Cord Racing

39th

NOTE: Chris Cord owned two DeKon chassis. Car 19 is often associated with c/n 1011, and car 20 with c/n 1012. However, that wasn't always the case. There were several instances where Chris Cord used (c/n 1012) as a backup car. Number 19 was displayed on both 1011 and 1012 chassis at various times. There are a few small details that are very apparent in old photos of Cord's two cars. These details easily differentiate the two chassis, and strongly suggest the actual DeKon chassis number.

 

 

IMSA Title Sponsors

 

A lot of tobacco advertising money went into promoting IMSA GT racing since 1972.

 

IMSA Camel GT Challenge

Original Joe Camel decal

1972 - 1978

IMSA Winston GT

Second decal (official)

1979 only

IMSA Winston GT

Second decal  (typical)

1979 only

IMSA GT Series

Third decal (no sponsor)

1980 only

IMSA Camel GT Championship

Fourth decal

1981-93

SCCA Trans-Am

Championship

 

SURGEON GENERAL’S WARNING:

Smoking Causes Lung Cancer, Heart Disease, Emphysema, And May Complicate Pregnancy. Quitting Smoking Now Greatly Reduces Serious Risks to Your Health. Smoking By Pregnant Women May Result in Fetal Injury, Premature Birth, And Low Birth Weight. Cigarette Smoke Contains Carbon Monoxide.

 
 

References:

  1. Photo by Brent Martin  - martinsactionphotography.smugmug.com

  2. Photo by Jerry Winker - ComicOzzie Autosport Photography

  3. Photo by Mark Windecker - http://www.pbase.com/mwphoto

  4. Racing Sports Car www.racingsportscars.com 

  5. Ultimate Racing History www.ultimateracinghistory.com 

  6. World Sports Racing Prototypes http://wsrp.ic.cz/