Coca Cola Drive Like a Pro Contest

Discussion in 'The "Paper Trail"' started by Art B, Feb 25, 2009.

  1. Art B

    Art B Well-Known Member

    The '69 Hurst GS posting prompted me to inquire on this. I have a magazine ad that was published in a Peterson magazine, presumably in 1969, that was advertizing a contest. The contest was called "Drive Like a Pro".

    The ad shows a picture of a pit stop and the idea was to tell what you thought was happening in the pit. With that you had the chance to wiin one of 6 1969 Buick GS Sport Coupes.

    Does anyone know if these were ever given away and if so, are any still around?

    I contacted Coca Cola, but they told me that they had no information. (Probably they didn't want to be bothered.)

    Anyway, does anyone know anything about this? It would make a great story for the board or club magazine/ newsletter.

    Art:beers2:
     
  2. ibmoses

    ibmoses TORQUEMONSTERHASBEENSOLD

    There was a article in the GSxtra a few years ago about that(I think) it had a small picture of the car.

    Bert
     
  3. Bad Boattail

    Bad Boattail Guest

    Is this the advertisement, Art ?

    [​IMG]
     
  4. bob k. mando

    bob k. mando Guest

    hmmm. definitely changing the LF. a LF only stop means a flat.


    from L to R:
    1 - i have no idea why he is running, doesn't seem to be in position
    2 - setting tire pressure on new tire
    3 - wrenching the flat off, don't know if they were using impact guns in 69 or if he's got a 4 way bar and #2 has the air hose
    4 - can't see enough, either cleaning windshield or preparing to adjust jacking bolt. would have been helping #3 pick the car up so the jackman could get under the car
    5 - jackman, obviously enough
    6 - chief, getting word from the driver about handling and relaying last second fine tuning of setup to the over-the-wall crew

    just figured #1 out. he's running the refreshing Coke over to the driver, it's in his left hand. :laugh:
     
  5. Art B

    Art B Well-Known Member

    Bob:

    Great analysis! That is the advertisement. Bert replied that there may have been something in the GSX-TRA some time back with a picture. I was not able to confirm that. Perhaps I should try again.

    I think it would be interesting to know if the cars were ever given away and if any are still around.

    As I read the ad again, I see it says they made a movie called "Pit Stop". Have you ever heard of it? I wonder if it stars any GS's? Any other marque would just be an appearance!

    Art
     
  6. Art B

    Art B Well-Known Member

    Bob:

    Sure enough there was a movie made in 1967 called Pit Stop. After watching the preview on Netflix I hope it doesn't star a GS. Lots of heavy duty destruction! Not on DVD yet through Netflix, but may be through another source. Here's a synopsis:

    This critically praised, authentic auto-racing flick was the second feature written and directed solely by the great Jack Hill (FOXY BROWN, THE BIG BIRD CAGE). It's a stunning combination of moody art house style and full throttle, steel-crunching action, as we follow the upward trajectory of ambitious driver Rick Bowman (Dick Dayalos) from drag racer to stock car champ via the insane, demolition-derby style world of "figure 8" racing. Featuring lots of brilliantly integrated authentic footage from the actual races, this gritty, well-written film delivers in speed, guts, and greatness. Brian Donlevy co-stars as Grant Willard, the owner of the track who drives the men on to their destruction. Cult favorite Sid Haig is "The Hawk" the crazy, reigning champion of the course. Beverly Washburn is Rick's gum-snapping girlfriend, and Ellen Burstyn in her third film (billed as Ellen McRae) plays the wife of a rival driver, who starts an affair with Rick. Filled with real-life stock car personalities like announcer Harry Schooler, and an electric bluesy rock score by the Daily Flash, this resonant slice of back-roads Americana is a must for fans of car culture, or just high-energy, well-crafted films.

    Art
     
  7. bob k. mando

    bob k. mando Guest

  8. Bad Boattail

    Bad Boattail Guest

    They named it "Pit-Stop", "Pit Stop" is a different flick.

     
  9. bob k. mando

    bob k. mando Guest

    They named it "Pit-Stop", "Pit Stop" is a different flick.

    i dunno. the one i linked appears to be the only movie made in the 60s or 70s which has a title which could even be approximated to what's being advertised in that Coca-Cola ad.

    note that Pit Stop was actually released in 1969, not 1967 like Art said. this would align perfectly with the Coca-Cola campaign.
     
  10. goldx

    goldx Well-Known Member

    Hello I think I may have one of these cars I am trying to research the vin with Sloan to see if it is. The car I bought from my brother for my daughter is a bucket seat power brake #'s matching complete car but needs total resto. The car is out of Nevada and now sits in Oregon. It is red with a painted white top and pearl white interior, which I don't know was available in 69? The interior is definitely original and rough but is not parchment. If anyone knows a better way to research this please let me know. Maybe Wayne roberts? Thanks
     
  11. Bad Boattail

    Bad Boattail Guest

    "goldx"

    Even though you registered 2 years ago, this is your first post, so:

    [​IMG]

    Please put your name in your signature, we're all here on a friendly first name base :TU: !

    Don't forget to introduce yourself in the Wet behind the ears?? section of the board.
     
  12. Daves69

    Daves69 Too many cars too work on

    Post some pictures of everything. Be sure to include the cowl tag. There are plenty of 69 experts here on the board to help.
     
  13. Art B

    Art B Well-Known Member

    goldx:

    I agree with Dave, post any pictures you have. That will will hopefully pique some interest. With any luck, an owner(s) of the other five cars given away may jump in too. Or, they may realize they they are one of the
    "fortunate six"!

    Art

    If you happen to have a gold x, I'd like to see that too.
     
  14. goldx

    goldx Well-Known Member

    The car is in storage about 50 miles away from me so eventualy I will get some pictures. My next problem is it took me about a half hour to get the picture of my old 64 electra on my signature. I actually do have a 70 gsx that was painted gold by the original owner because his wife wouldnt drive a yellow car. I also have a 69 stage 1 conv. and a bunch of others. When I figure out how this all works i'll post some pictures of our annual 4 of july party we usually get about 20 buicks on the lawn.
     
  15. Bad Boattail

    Bad Boattail Guest

    "goldx", (sorry to address you like that, but I still didn't catch your first name) you can send the photos to my e-address and I will post them in this thread for you :TU:
     
    Last edited: Mar 9, 2016
  16. goldx

    goldx Well-Known Member

    Hello Erik this is Brian "goldx" I sent the pictures that I have to your website. I have old school paper pictures but not many digital when the weather breaks I will get the cars out and get some better pictures of all the cars. Please let me know if you received them and thanks again for offering to post them.
     
  17. Bad Boattail

    Bad Boattail Guest

    Brian,

    I e-mailed you right back to ask you where you wanted me to post the photos, but no reply from you.
    You forgot to tell me your board name, (and you didn't post that your first name is Brian until now) so I couldn't figure out who you were......:rolleyes:

    Anyway, here they are :TU:

    Click thumbnails :Comp:


    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
  18. goldx

    goldx Well-Known Member

    Thanks Erik I'm a little thick when it comes to computers. I will have my daughter help me get the new pictures on here. Many thanks
     
  19. bob k. mando

    bob k. mando Guest

    so the prospective "Coca-Cola" car is on the far left in the second picture?
     
  20. Ken Mild

    Ken Mild King of 18 Year Resto's

    I don't know how it could be, it's supposed to be a 69 and there's no 69 GS's in any of those pics.
     

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