Author Topic: Factory test driver  (Read 6760 times)

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gootie

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Factory test driver
« on: October 24, 2013, 05:10:24 PM »
Hey
I have enjoyed looking over the site because I Had at one time 3 'stones the last one being a 350 GTR. It was stolen from me in 1974 while living in Lakewood ,CA. I'm commenting today because I have had some contact with one of the factory test riders,Carman Vaughn in the past and again today. I showed him the 1966 Daytona video as he appears early in the video sitting solo drinking a carton of milk wearing his black leather jacket. It really brought back a flood of memories for him. He commented that he did much of the 350 testing before they were offered forsale in the US. His dealership was attached to a chevrolet dealership in Fort Atkinson,WI. My Dad was a mechanic at the chevydealership. Carman did a lot of flat tracking with the factory 200 in the midwest. Carman now has aging eyes and no longer can drive any vehicle.
Thanks for listening
Bob

reed

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Re: Factory test driver
« Reply #1 on: October 24, 2013, 08:24:24 PM »
gootie,
Thanks for a great story!!
Steve.

paul

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Re: Factory test driver
« Reply #2 on: October 24, 2013, 08:47:09 PM »
Thanks for sharing the test rider story. Does Mr. Vaughn remember the color of the GTRs that he rode? Somebody needs to send Mr. Vaughn a BS T-shirt.

mgbgtracer

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Re: Factory test driver
« Reply #3 on: October 26, 2013, 08:55:46 AM »
I went to Lakewood high school! I grew up in long beach about a block away from Lakewood. Cool story! Love the history!

gootie

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Re: Factory test driver
« Reply #4 on: October 26, 2013, 10:38:54 AM »
I have also recalled that Carman was a Marusho dealership. They stopped production in 1967.
Getting cold here. Time to think about returning to SOCAL. The 350GTR was a great transportation piece especially with CA allowing lane splitting on their freeways. I do recall seeing my whole life flash through my brain the first time I encountered rain grooves at 70mph though.

gootie

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Re: Factory test driver
« Reply #5 on: October 26, 2013, 10:44:46 AM »
I won't have too much more to add here unless there are some entries with comments/questions,etc. I would like to say that if anyone encounter(s)(ed) a 350 GTR with a battery cutoff switch mounted under the fuel tank or with an obvious fuel shutoff valve that has been brazed in that could have been my former bike. i always assumed the local CA gangs wanted BS frame for a chopper build.
Bob Guttenberg
Madison,WI

Offline slawsonb

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Re: Factory test driver
« Reply #6 on: October 26, 2013, 12:12:13 PM »
Wow Gootie! I for one, am very appreciative of you bringing this story to BS nation.  ;D

I'm sure this is an historical link we would not want to loose. So I had a thought, not to impose, and I don't know how frequently you see Mr. Vaugh, but if members posted questions about his experience as a factory test rider or the 350 GTR, would you be willing to request that he answer them and post the answers here? Thanks for considering...

...bert

Bikenstein

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Re: Factory test driver
« Reply #7 on: October 26, 2013, 02:37:40 PM »
Thanks for the story Bob, hope you or somebody finds your GTR.

gootie

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Re: Factory test driver
« Reply #8 on: October 26, 2013, 03:10:24 PM »
As Carman's eyes are failing I will have to set down with his bride to establish a log in for him..


I found this today.
http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-japanese-motorcycles/1967-bridgestone-350-gtr.aspx?PageId=1#axzz2ir8zU0DH

Offline slawsonb

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Re: Factory test driver
« Reply #9 on: October 26, 2013, 04:59:59 PM »
Excellent. Then I'll start the ball rolling. When you speak to Mr. Vaughn or his Bride perhaps they could respond to these if it is not too much of an imposition:
1) The GTR was a very sophisticated motorcycle and to me this says that the engineers, not the bean counters ran the company (or at least the motorcycle division). I would be interested in his perspective on this.
2) As a factory test rider, I expect he was involved with not only the GTR, but other potential follow-on products to the GTR. His comments on this would also be appreciated.
thanks...
...bert

gootie

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Re: Factory test driver
« Reply #10 on: November 04, 2016, 07:27:01 AM »
Carmen Vaugn appears in the video at 31 seconds drinking an apparent carton of milk 

 


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