Were Intended Primarily For Public Roads

Prominent examples include the Rolex Sports Car Series of 12 races, which begins with the 24 Hours of Daytona, the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) and the Le Mans Series (LMS). All race cars require reliability and stability, of course, but these factors became especially important in off-track endurance racing, where roads were not maintained for racing conditions and a car could really take a beating over the course of a day. The popularity of endurance motorsport has given rise to several racing series, usually inspired or anchored by a major championship race. The effects on acceleration, braking and handling of tires heating up and wearing down can be substantial, and the frequency with which tires need to be changed, along with the speed with which the pit crew can change them, can make a huge difference in the outcome of a race. One driver said that switching the tires on his car to a different brand saved his team 4 seconds per lap in a factory Corvette at Sebring. Consider, too, the positive publicity that might come from having their company's product on the car that wins Le Mans, Daytona or Sebring. Tires, too, have always been a major concern in endurance racing.

Because of the heavy demands on track, car, driver and crew, endurance racing has given rise to some of the most significant technical advancements in motorsport. Part of the race takes place on the NASCAR track, and part occurs on a winding infield road course. Race fans know the Sebring track for its rough and bumpy surface, parts of which run along old sections of World War II-era landing fields. These difficult conditions, combined with the heat of south central Florida, make Sebring a truly demanding course for both car and driver. Drivers pit touring cars and Daytona prototypes against one another on a 3.5-mile (5.6-kilometer) combined road course. Run on one of the oldest continuously operating racetracks in the United States, the 12 Hours of Sebring race consist of a 3.7-mile (6-kilometer), 17-turn road course featuring long straight-aways, blistering high-speed turns and challenging slow corners. Drivers in endurance races must vary the way they drive to balance fuel consumption and performance, and must even adjust for weight distribution and balance shifts throughout the race. The 1980 Chevrolet Impala and Caprice received their first facelift since being completely redesigned and "downsized" for 1977. Differences, however, were subtle: The hood and front fenders were lowered slightly and given a more rounded contour, while the coupe's wraparound rear window gave way to a flat rear window fixed to more upright roof pillars.

The only way you will, in fact, is if you truly do interfere -- say, grabbing a fielder's arm or glove, or touching the ball. Though the Sixty-Two wasn't really intended for custom coachwork, a relatively new firm -- Bohman Indianapolis Colts Collectibles & Memorabilia Schwartz -- found it an extremely appealing base on which to create a dashing 1940 Cadillac Custom convertible. Bohman & Schwartz worked their magic on two Cadillac Series Sixty-Two coupes -- not convertibles -- by mildly sectioning the body and fabricating a lower cast bronze windshield frame. For 1940, Cadillac replaced the Series Sixty-One with the longer 129-inch-wheelbase Series Sixty-Two. The 1940 Cadillac Custom convertible styling was steps above the Series Sixty-One. The Cadillac Custom convertible featured a stock 135-horsepower, 346-cubic-inch V-8. The 1940 Cadillac Custom convertible featured a unique rounded design. Twin vents graced each side of the hood, and Cadillac script graced the bumpers. The side and tailgate windows in the wagon remained stationary throughout the life of the first-generation Bronco, but aftermarket sliding windows were available. Teams often "back-end" contracts by applying most of the base salary in the last two or three years of the agreement.

The 24 Hours of Daytona, held at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., and the 12 Hours of Sebring, held at Sebring International Raceway, a former Army Air Force base in Sebring, Fla., round out the Triple Crown.