New Motorsports Documentary Showcases Cadillac Racing’s Historic Return to the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans
05/09/2024
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Cadillac and Samsung TV Plus released a teaser video in conjunction with an announcement about an exciting new television premiere titled No Perfect Formula, which showcases the Cadillac Racing team’s historic return to the world’s most iconic endurance race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Cadillac kicked off a new era of sportscar racing in 2023 with its V-Series.R hypercar prototype. Cadillac Racing’s LMDh racecar platform was built to meet common regulations between IMSA and WEC, which allowed the automaker to return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the Hypercar and GTP classes. The new 90-minute film, featured on Samsung TV Plus, documents how the third-generation prototype race car came to fruition and how it is continuing Cadillac’s successful heritage on the track.
The documentary will reveal how the Cadillac Racing team combined efforts to design, develop, engineer, test and race a winning race car. It follows the team as they compete in the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and FIA World Endurance Championship seasons, where Cadillac Racing achieved a podium finish in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and took top championship honors in the inaugural IMSA Grand Touring Prototype season.
“For more than a century, racing has provided a testbed for Cadillac to transfer knowledge and technology between race cars and production vehicles, and a way to build a fanbase for the brand around the world,” said John Roth, Cadillac global vice president. “2023 was a pivotal year for Cadillac Racing, and ‘No Perfect Formula’ captures the emotion and celebrates what was a successful season for the team.”
“As Cadillac moves to an electric future, the LMDh regulations offer a unique opportunity to gather key learnings from these advanced hybrid propulsion systems,” added Laura Wontrop Klauser, GM sports car program manager. “The Cadillac V-Series.R’s naturally aspirated 5.5L V-8 provides a familiar powertrain platform to work with, and the byproduct is an unmistakable sound that is instantly identifiable as a Cadillac, while enabling competitive performance on the track.”
“‘No Perfect Formula’ tells the behind-the-scenes story of how the Cadillac Racing team and their partners worked together, managed through challenges and ultimately persevered in the 2023 season,” said film director J.F. Musial. “The name of the documentary is meant to reflect that there’s not just one way to get to the podium — as Cadillac proves, there’s no perfect strategy or one right way to win.”
No Perfect Formula | Official Trailer | Cadillac Racingyoutu.be
Cadillac’s new documentary will debut on May 31 at 7 p.m. EST on the Samsung TV Plus app via Hagerty’s FAST channel #1194. Additional airings will follow that evening and will also play every Friday in the lead up to the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. Those who don’t watch the Hagerty channel #1194 available on the Samsung TV Plus app need not worry: No Perfect Formula will also be available to watch on the web.
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Recent
Spring is here. As the snow melts and the daffodils bloom, it’s time for many vintage cars to emerge from winter hibernation and get back on the road. Thinking of adding to the collection? We have 10 vehicles in spring-like shades of yellow – including cars and trucks, U.S. and European – to catch your eye.
1976 AMC Matador
<p>Yellow is a classic 1970s color and while we resisted the temptation to go for a Pacer, this unusual <a href="https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1976-amc-matador-ruskin-fl-2738072" target="_blank">1976 AMC Matador Coupe</a> kicks off the list. Sunshine Yellow is the shade used here, complemented by a white vinyl roof and some brown plaid upholstery that also betrays its decade of origin. Aluminum five-spokes and whitewall tires complete the look.</p><p>For sale in a classified ad for $13,000, the unrestored Matador isn’t perfect – the A/C and horn apparently don’t work and there is some “rust, albeit “minimal”. But the car is said to be complete and drivable as-is, complete with a 256 cubic-inch (4.2-liter) inline-six under the hood and a three-speed automatic.</p>
1978 Ford Bronco Ranger XLT 4x4
<p>From the unrestored to the immaculate. Listed with a dealer in Plymouth, Michigan, this custom,<a href="https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1978-ford-bronco-plymouth-mi-2771499" target="_blank"> Bright Yellow Bronco </a>with removable white hardtop has been subject to a frame-off build. The front buckets and rear bench are finished in saddle brown with tan accents while the upgraded dash features Dakota Digital gauges, a modern radio and controls for the Vintage Air A/C.</p><p>Based on a 351M V-8, the 408 cubic-inch (6.7-liter) engine has an Edelbrock aluminum intake and heads, Quickfuel 750-cfm 4BBL carburetor, MSD ignition and Erson roller camshaft. It sends 452 bhp to the pavement through a Ford C6 automatic transmission, NP205 transfer case and Dana 44 (front) and Ford 9-inch (rear) axles. The truck has a 5-inch lift, Fox shocks and aluminum mag wheels shod with Dick Cepek Trail Country EXPs.</p>
1965 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada
<p>The reborn Bizzarrini company has recently been selling 24 modern recreations of its iconic 1960s GT, called the 5300 GT Revival Corsa. But the yellow 1965 car listed here is the real deal, designed by the eponymous former Ferrari engineer with styling by Giorgetto Giugiaro and Piero Drogo.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/bizzarrini/5300-gt-strada/2771352.html" target="_blank">Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada</a> was a race car for the street, with lightweight aluminum bodywork, fabricated platform chassis and a semi-monocoque body riveted to the frame. The yellow Strada offered here for €1,150,000 (about $1.25m) offers the best of both worlds: it’s still street legal in its home country of the Netherlands but was prepared for racing in 1997 and has competed all over Europe ever since.</p><p>Restored in 2007, the 5300 GT – powered by a front-mid-mounted, 5.4-liter Chevy small-block – has continued to race, despite subsequently changing owners, and is said to come with a comprehensive history file.</p>
1970 Dodge Challenger RT
<p>This <a href="https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1970-dodge-challenger-auburn-ma-2775350" target="_blank">Challenger RT restomod</a> is finished in Pearl Yellow with White Diamond Gold Pearl accent stripes and painted graphics. According to the seller in Auburn, Mass., it was painted by legendary California painter Hershel ‘Junior’ Conway from Junior’s House of Color.</p><p>Originally built by Mr. Norm’s and included in the Grand Spaulding Registry, the car was later bought and rebuilt by Dick Landy Industries (DLI). The 440 cubic-inch (7.2-liter), 600-bhp engine has Mopar performance cams, lifters and roller rockers; Hooker long-tube headers; and a Flowmaster dual exhaust. It was recently rebuilt by Larry Ofria of Valley Head Service in Northridge, Calif.</p><p>The aluminum, three-link Panhard bar rear suspension was fabricated for this Challenger, which rides on 17-inch American Racing wheels. It has Brembo disc brakes, an RT hood and a high-performance radiator.</p>
1967 Alfa Romeo Duetto
<p>“Mrs. Robinson, you’re trying to seduce me!” The yellow on <a href="https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1967-alfa-romeo-duetto-la-vergne-tn-2717183" target="_blank">this 1967 Duetto</a> – a year younger than the famous car from <em>The Graduate</em> – is not an original shade, but it looks great all the same. It’s matched on the dash and in the carpet piping.</p><p>Originally Ivory, the color was brightened up during a 2010 respray, part of a wider restoration of the Spider’s body in 2009-12. It currently has Euro headlight covers and aftermarket Cosmic wheels sporting Yokohama tires. The classic 1,600-cc, twin-cam motor is said to be “date-correct” and only has 100 miles since a 2022 rebuild. The five-speed manual was also done three years earlier.</p>
1985 Jeep CJ-8 Scrambler
<p>We turn to Saxon Yellow for this <a href="https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/jeep/cj8-scrambler/2608603.html" target="_blank">rare CJ-8</a>, for sale at $35,900 from a dealer in Elkhart Lake, Wisc. Like the Alfa, the yellow paint is paired with a black interior – this time featuring cloth bucket seats and a custom locking console.</p><p>The Scrambler extended the CJ-7’s wheelbase to 103.5-inches and featured a pickup-style box behind the seats. Some 27,792 were manufactured from 1981-86, according to <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/jeep/cj/cj8" target="_blank">Classic.com</a>. This 1985 example has been fully restored. It has air conditioning, new American Racing Wheels and Goodyear Wrangler Duratec rubber, and a Fishbone Offroad front bumper with driving lamps.</p>
1997 Ferrari F355 Spider
<p>Yellow isn’t red, but it’s still a timeless Ferrari color. The F355 is a classic design, in our view, with Pininfarina evolving the look of the previous 348 to winning effect. This <a href="https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/ferrari/355-spider/2767529.html" target="_blank">1997 Ferrari F355 Spider</a> in <em>Giallo</em> over black leather offers a route into Prancing Horse ownership for a shade under $100k, just below market average.</p><p>There’s peace of mind on the 3.5-liter V-8 from a full engine-out service completed last summer by Cecconi Motorsports. That brought a new clutch master cylinder, timing belts, drive belts, fuel filter, air filter, plugs, crank sensor and coolant hoses. The V-8 is paired with a six-speed gated manual.</p><p>Brembo GT drilled/slotted brake rotors, HRE three-piece wheels in satin black, a Tubi exhaust and a stainless fuel-line kit are all aftermarket upgrades. Jobs for the to-do list include a look at the pop-up headlight mechanism and a shock sensor light on the dash. There’s a clean Florida title and a Carfax report that records a “minor fender bender” from 1997 affecting the rear quarter.</p>
1974 Mercedes-Benz 450 SL
<p>The shade on this <a href="https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/mercedes-benz/450sl/2772110.html" target="_blank">1974 SL</a> (color code 624) was simply called ‘Yellow’. This roadster is described as “an honest original example” of the long-running R107, with 120k miles on the clock: “a solid and straight car overall with a lot of potential”, in the seller’s words.</p><p>The manual-transmission Mercedes runs and drives but requires servicing and some minor cosmetic work – there are signs of what looks like corrosion on the trunk lid and around the base of the hardtop. Still, we think this is a classy ride for $10,950. What better way to celebrate spring than to get the top down on a classic Benz?</p>
1970 TVR Vixen 2500
<p>Restored to concours condition by David Zumstein of Abingdon West in Fallbrook, California, this <a href="https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/tvr/vixen/2676227.html" target="_blank">Chrome Yellow TVR</a> is unique. As detailed in the definitive history of early TVR, <em>A Passion to Succeed</em> by Peter Filby, and as cited by the seller, this was the only Vixen 2500 to receive a Lucas fuel-injected Triumph TR5 engine and four-speed transmission with electric overdrive. US TVR importer Gerry Sagerman and company owner Martin Lilly obtained this unit from British Leyland when they went to secure a deal for TR6 powertrains for subsequent Vixens. Those engines were the US-certified, “smog special” straight-sixes with twin-Stromberg carburetors.</p><p>The historic Vixen is in beautiful condition, having been subject to a frame-off restoration. It has Spax adjustable shocks, a stainless-steel exhaust system, aluminum fuel tank and factory sliding sunroof. It rolls on its original finned alloy wheels, now fitted with Dunlop radial tires.</p>
1938 Studebaker K15M38 Cab-over
<p>Mustard Yellow is our final shade of yellow in this springtime rundown. A seller in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, is asking $162,500 for this <a href="https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1938-studebaker-morgantown-pa-2750534" target="_blank">cab-over K15M38</a>, which was restored over 19 years, as documented in an accompanying photo album, and has won several awards at AACA and Studebaker events.</p><p>The wood-lined bed of this delivery truck has milk cans strapped into the stall area up front, as befits the signwriting for Whitney Farms of Northboro, Massachusetts. The cab oozes art deco-influenced style, inside and out. Beneath it, the 226 cubic-inch (3.7-liter) six-cylinder got new rings, bearings and valves during its rebuild. Continuing the theme of renewal, the rust-free chassis boasts new brake linings, hoses and fuel lines.</p>
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Stellantis
Tim Kuniskis, longtime Stellantis executive and a prominent voice in the modern-day American muscle car era, is retiring after 32 years with the company. Kuniskis, also known as the godfather of the Hellcat V8, was appointed Brand Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dodge and a member of Stellantis' Top Executive Team in January 2021. He took charge of Ram in July of 2023. His retirement begins on June 1st of this year.
With Kuniskis leading the way, the Dodge brand embraced its American muscle car image, further building a passionate fan base for its high-performance vehicles, including the Charger, Challenger, and the Viper, by introducing the “Brotherhood of Muscle.” We saw the return of Dodge’s Direct Connection subbrand, which makes tuning products more accessible to its enthusiasts.
Kuniskis was there through Dodge’s Last Call campaign, the brand’s final send off for two of its iconic V8-powered muscle cars, the Dodge Challenger and Charger models, before turning the page to the next generation. Dodge’s Last Call models included the 2023 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Shakedown, 2023 Dodge Charger Super Bee, 2023 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Swinger, 2023 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack Swinger, 2023 Dodge Charger King Daytona, 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost, and the 2023 Dodge Challenger Demon 170. He also oversaw the next generation muscle car’s reveal, which confirmed the offering of an all-electric powertrain, plus he played a key role in the reveal of the all-electric 2025 Ram.
“I want to take the opportunity to warmly thank Tim for his passion, commitment and contributions to Stellantis and in defining the vision of the future electrified Ram and Dodge brands,” said Stellantis CEO, Carlos Tavares. “I wish him well in his retirement.”
Tim Kuniskis’s retirement comes at a challenging time for the company. Dodge has seen a drop in sales since the phase out of the previous Challenger and Charger models. Sales were down by 16-percent for the Charger coupe and sedan in Q1, while at the same time, Ram sales reportedly dropped by 26-percent. Vehicle shipments worldwide were down 10-percent (to 1.3 million) compared to the same three-month period a year ago. Stellantis revenue declined by a total of 15% to $20.7 billion.
Stepping up to the company’s future challenges in Kuniskis’s place is Matt McAlear, the new CEO of Dodge, who led Dodge's sales operations in the recent past. Christine Feuell, prior Chrysler CEO who had a hand in the reveal of the Halcyon Concept earlier this year, will now be in charge of the Ram brand.
Christine Feuell
Stellantis
Matt McAlear
Stellantis
“I am confident that Chris will continue the work of Tim in leading the iconic Ram brand,” said Tavares. “Matt will bring a fresh perspective, while continuing to draw on the heritage of our iconic Dodge brand and leading the transition of the brand toward a sustainable future.”
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