Classic Auto Mall Show #196 - Hall of Fame Race Car Driver John Morton plus Keith Martin of Sports Car Market with host Stewart Howden

Show #196 airdate 06-04-25 Stewart welcomes Race Driver and Motorsports Hall of Fame Inductee John Morton as they discuss his career, driving the VERY FIRST  Shelby Cobra, CSX2000 at Caroll Shelby's racing school, winning consecutive "poll positions", introducing Japanese cars into U.S. Motorsports and today's EV racing PLUS Keith Martin of Sports Car Market magazine's Special Offer and who "brings his blog to life." explaining when it's time to "Sell the Sporto" and when NOT to fix a car, classic or otherwise. #Datsun @Nissan #Shelby #Cobra  

Hall of Fame Race Car Driver John Morton joins the show to talk about his incredible career as well as being inducted in the SEMA Hall of Fame and his upcoming induction into the Motorsports Hall of Fame with the class of 2026.

John talks about going to the Caroll Shelby Racing School where he drove the first Cobra ever built, chassis 2000. He also raced the first 427 Cobra that was nicknamed The Turd and later sold for $13 Million after Caroll Shelby died. 

John worked for Peter Brock at Brock Racing Enterprises. John had been building oil pans for him because he could weld and Peter was also his instructor at the Shelby Driving School. Peter wanted John to build the second Datsun, which he eventually drove and raced. He talks about racing the 510 Datsun as well as the 240Z for BRE Peter Brock Racing in the early 1970s. They discuss the popularity and rising values of the early Datsun 240Z cars. Winning races probably helped the early Japanese cars be successful in the United States.

He talks about the importance of SCCA Hall of Famer Bob Sharp who worked with actor Paul Newman racing Datsuns. In 1970 and 1971 they won the pole on 16 of 19 races including every race in 1971. John also discusses racing Porsches including a 962 and 956 and 935 and vintage racing a 917 Porsche. John is restoring a Datsun and has the original bill of sale from when it was bought new.

He talks about winning at Sebring, Daytona and Le Mans in a Datsun. The talk about racing Can Am cars in the late 1960s and early 1970s and how they handled and drive. Could EV electric cars be the future of auto racing? Is it unsafe because you can’t hear them running? Could NASCAR or Formula One go to electric race cars? We never thought we’d see Toyota racing in NASCAR, but they’re competing. They discuss how F1 has changed from being exciting to watch to somewhat boring. What if they didn’t face F1 cars in the infield at Indy and only raced the oval. F1 racing isn’t as dangerous as football.

John and Stewart talk about SIM Simulated Racing vs real driving vs walking the track prior to a race. They discuss Alex Palou winning the Indianapolis 500 as well as first time driver Robert Shwartzman w

CONTENT NOTE: Contests, Prizes, Offers, Vehicles & other items may no longer be available or offered after each show's original broadcast or posting date.

Recorded in our Showcase Studio just inside the entrance of the Classic Auto Mall in Morgantown, PA, Host Stewart Howden, Classic Auto Mall President and Classic Car Specialist Steve Saffier talk about this unique and amazing place often with amazing guests.

YES...Classic Auto Mall is a REAL former shopping mall that covers almost EIGHT football fields with an average of nearly ONE THOUSAND classic vehicles under one, climate controlled roof and they're all FOR SALE!

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