- Aluminum replacement QC rear
DESIGN
The PBS spec racer was basically a Raco car with a few modifications. The GTP car was a whole different story. Although it looks like a Raco style design, it is specific to PBS. The GTP sports a ground effects package that was designed to perform. The rear suspension geometry keeps traction high with no wheel hop. This car was a full pledged race machine.
HOP-UPS
PBS offered an aluminum replacement gearbox for all Raco cars as well as a rear geometry setup that angled the gear box and engine in raco cars for better handling. One very neat item built was a gear diff with a unique and complicated design. These diffs were never sold to the general public and were used in the team cars.
HISTORY
Clark Adams of PBS is a master hobbyist and craftsman. His shop was a dealership for full size spec race cars. Clark decided he wanted to make a 1/4 scale version of the full size cars. He formed a mold for the body by hand and the next thing you know... he had a spec racer! He also made a mold for the wheels. The wheels are actually "wheel covers" that fit over the original Raco rims. Clark never sold any spec race cars, but that did not stop him. He hand built the first ever Raco indy car from the "A" arms right down to the body. He then sold the rights to Raco. Clark then decided that it was time for a GTP car. He built the mold for the body and then designed a VERY unique chassis. This car looks as if it could be a Raco, but it is not! The design of the chassis is completely engineered from the ground up for performance. Clark sold only about 6 cars at $2000 each. At the time, that was about $700 more then the Raco GTP car, making it an expensive investment. One of Clark's other amazing items is his aluminum gear box replacement for Raco cars. It is a direct bolt on and you can use your original gears. It is a real work of art. These pieces are SUPER rare with a small production of about 50 pieces. Even though PBS did offer many products to the public, they were heavily involved in manufacturing parts for Raco as well as helping with the design. They also Dyno tested all the engines for Raco as well.
MY THOUGHTS
I have met Clark personally and I can say that he is really a fine example of what this hobby is all about. His passion for the cars is just unbelievable and his craftsmanship, attention to detail and design are unsurpassed. Everything made was designed and hand built personally by him! I used to own a PBS GTP car a VERY long time ago and did not know exactly what it was at the time. It was a beautiful machine. I foolishly traded it away. Recently though, I purchased a very large lot of parts for these cars and have been able to build my own, which has been just a dream to me.
