This iconic 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Custom “Tri-Tip” is also known as the “White One” and the “One Lap of America Camaro”. This car was built by well-known GM Engineer Mark Stielow and was the poster child of the pro touring movement in the 90’s. Mark Stielow not only invented the word “Pro Touring” but he has been nick named the “Godfather of Pro Touring”. This car played a very important role in the pro touring movement and to back it up Hot Rod Magazine named it #44 on their list of the Top 100 Most Influential Hot Rods of all time. This car is in some great company such as Carroll Shelby’s first Shelby, The General Lee from the T.V show Dukes of Hazzard and Eleanor from the movie Gone in 60 Seconds.
At the young age of 26, Mark had a vision to build a car that could compete on the famous Car and Drivers “One Lap of America” race. The basic concept of the car build was to update the chassis, drive train, brakes and suspension to improve the performance along with the safety of the car. In 1992, Mark purchased “Tri Tip” off an Indian reservation in Phoenix, AZ. At the time he was working for GM at the proving grounds in Mesa, AZ. When he got the car his plan was to drive it back but decided to ship it after a test drive with 4.11 gears. Once the car arrived back home to Michigan he stripped it down and sold the parts he didn’t need. He towed the car to Rolla, MI to have the roll cage built. Once that was completed it came back home to Michigan for paint and assembly. Mark reached out to many companies for sponsorships to help with the build and succeeded. A copy of a letter to C.A.R.S. dated January 27th, 1993 from Mark Stielow asking for a sponsorship is included along with some parts receipts as well. Some of the sponsors included BF Goodrich tires, Summit Racing, Race Car Engineering, AMCI, Borla Exhaust, Ronal Wheels and Hooters. The sponsors used photos ‘Tri Tip” for advertising. It was really recognized for the BF Goodrich full page ad. The “One Lap of America” event is a four day race running 24 hours a day across the country from one race track to another. The track events consist of road race courses, autocrosses and drag racing. The event is scored by your time on the different tracks. They provide adequate time between tracks to obey speed limits.
In 1993, Mark ran the car in “One Lap of America” but unfortunately didn’t finish due to a fire on the Michigan International Speedway. Photos of the fire were taken and published in Mopar Race Fever Magazine –December 1993. The car was rebuilt after the fire and went on to compete in Car Craft’s Real Street Eliminator competition two weeks later. Kyle Tucker and Mark Stielow won that even. The car also went on to be featured in Hot Rod Magazine and was named a Hot Rod Magazine Top Ten Car in 1993. In 1994, the car was lightened with added power with the help of well-known John Lingenfelter. The 400 cast iron SBC engine was swapped with a 400 all-aluminum SBC engine. This engine was built by Lingenfelter and made 525HP. This engine was highly recognized for the lightweight and power. In 1994, Mark ran the car in “Vintage America” and came in 1st. He also ran the car in “One Lap of America” and came in 6th overall. In 1995, Mark ran the car in “One Lap America” again and finished 4th overall.
The exterior of this car attracts a lot of attention with its striking good looks. It retains most of the original GM sheet metal. It has a cowl hood and rear spoiler. The body is very straight with very good lines throughout. The exterior paint is beautiful and in show quality condition. It truly appears as if the car was painted recently. The front bumper was painted white and the rear bumper was left chrome. It has modern headlights for appearance and better visibility at night. All of the glass is in very good condition and the rear window has been slightly tinted. The stainless window trim, dual mirrors and door handles are also in very good condition. It has a custom gas cap that looks really cool. The car has a great stance on newer Forgeline 18” wheels that are black with a polished lip. The wheels are wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport tires that are 255-35-18 on the front and 275-35-18 on the rear. This car has a great look that blends in with today’s modern muscle cars. The interior of this car is in beautiful overall condition especially considering the history. The entire interior was completely restored when Mark built the car in 1992. Some of the new interior pieces that were replaced by Mark included the headliner, sun visors, door panels, carpet, etc. It still has the original roll cage, tilt steering wheel, Momo steering wheel, custom rear view mirror, Recaro cloth bucket seats, cloth rear seats, Simpson seat belts, custom E-brake handle and Vintage Air Conditioning that is in working order. It’s equipped with Autometer Phantom white face gauges, custom shifter, Hurst white shift knob and custom sound system including a Clarion CD player, two Clarion amplifiers and MB Quart speakers. The Fast EZI fuel injection computer system is in the glove box and a display is mounted to the floor. It also has an old radar detector that is no longer working. When you’re sitting in this interior of this car it’s like stepping back in time and imagining what it was like for Mark Stielow racing it in “One Lap of America”. The trunk compartment was restored and now home to the Clarion amplifiers, fuel cell and Optima yellow top battery. The engine compartment is nicely detailed throughout with many upgrades. The firewall has a clean look was finished in satin black. The car is powered by the Lingenfelter all aluminum 400 SBC that was dyno tested with 622 hp at ft lbs of torque. This engine is the real deal and is fueled by a Fast EFI system. It has a Fram remote oil filter with heat exchanger. The engine is dressed with many high quality parts including a front pulley system, custom aluminum valve covers and custom aluminum air cleaner. The engine breathes through Hedman Husler Hedders and a Flow Master exhaust system that sounds awesome. The engine is cooled by a Be-Cool aluminum radiator with electric fan. The engine is coupled to a Viper T56 6-speed manual transmission. The power is transferred to the pavement through the Ford 9” POSI rear end. The undercarriage is nicely detailed throughout with many upgrades. It has been finished in satin black. It’s equipped with frame connectors and a custom aluminum front skid plate. The suspension system consists of Eibach springs and Bilstein shocks. The power braking system consists of a Wilwood master cylinder and Corvette ZR-1 brakes. This car is an absolute blast to drive and a true piece of American automotive history.
After Mark Stielow sold the car some new parts were added by the three owners over a twenty-four year period. Some of the new parts included Forgeline wheels, Michelin tires, Autometer gauges, custom shifter, Hurst shift knob, Clarion stereo system, Detroit Speed wiper motor, custom aluminum valve covers, custom aluminum air cleaner, custom aluminum radiator cover, Fast EZ EFI, MSD wires, power steering system, Hedman Husler Hedders, Flow Master exhaust system, Be-Cool aluminum radiator, Viper T56 6-speed manual transmission and fuel cell.
MS CLASSIC CARS has added some new parts that include black door sills, door knobs, racing pedals, carpeted floor mats, aluminum hood hinges, Wilwood master cylinder and heat shrink hose clamps. MS CLASSIC CARS also completed a light cosmetic restoration to the undercarriage.
As quoted by Mark Stielow, “Many credit Tri-Tip (The name was from a December 1993 Hot Rod Article) with starting the Pro Touring style of cars. I was not attempting to create a new genre of cars. I was attempting to harden an old Camaro enough to survive “One Lap of America”.
