About DeKon c/n 1011

Team : Chris Cord Racing
Primary drivers : Chris Cord and Jim Adams

The Chris Cord Racing Corporation was incorporated on December 01, 1977 with the address 136 El Camino Dr. Beverly Hills, CA. It was at the end of the 1976 season, when Chris Cord purchased an IMSA prepared Chevrolet Monza from DeKon Engineering, LTD. It was DeKon chassis no. 1011, the first of two DeKon Monzas he would own. This car was campaigned in the 1977-1981 seasons, mostly the IMSA GT series and a few SCCA Trans-Am endurance races too.

The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) launched a new category in 1974 called All American Grand Touring (AAGT), which included the Chevrolet Monza. From the outset, Cord entered his car in the IMSA GTO class in 1977, for cars with engines (over) 2.5 liters. In 1978, Cord entered in the new IMSA GTX class and raced along side a growing field of Porsche 935s.

Cord developed his Monza to make it somewhat unique. It included fiberglass body panels with quick-release fasteners, which gave mechanics easy access to make quick adjustments, and perform maintenance and repairs. The car had 17-inch wheels and was powered by a 6.0 L 570 hp  Chevrolet small-block V8. The car was re-engineered by his chief mechanic, Doane Spencer, a very talented and well regarded race car builder. It stood apart from other DeKon Monzas, and featured many improvements. It featured chrome mounting brackets, gauges set into a NASCAR type dash. Even the gearbox had been swapped for a Ford top-loader based one. 

Apparently, these technical improvements were actually first applied to Cord's second Monza DeKon c/n1012, purchased from Ted Field of Interscope Racing.

It was hard to tell which DeKon chassis Cord was actually driving between 1978-81, even though it displayed car no. 19. Often, it was Cord's second Monza DeKon c/n 1012, and not always c/n 1011 as commonly believed. There are small details in the cowl grille and windshield clip spacing, which are a bit of a tell.

Cord's Monzas were powered with Falconer Racing Engines in the beginning. Then, he switched to engines built by Dennis Fisher around 1979. They produced about 625 hp, a fairly good figure at the time for a naturally aspirated engine. However, it was still over 200 horsepower short of a the Porsche 935 running twin turbos at full boost. By the end of the 1982 season, IMSA eliminated twin turbos.

Chris Cord's 1980 season saw bodywork that was the most radically styled with the latest update phases seen. Doane Spencer cut large slotted openings in the engine hood on both sides of the scoop. These exit vents were aerodynamically designed to maximize radiator cooling and helped to create a "suction" effect under the car for better handling. The hood tunnel for the reversed scoop was very tall, and allowed clearance for the MacKay fuel injection’s eight velocity stacks.

The opening for the engine scoop was on the rear and matched the angle of the sloped windshield, and sat just a few inches from it. The door extensions had large scoops for side mounted oil coolers. Each rear fender had a large slotted opening on top to serve as an exit for the side-mounted radiator-cooled air. Rear wheels were 19 inches, the largest ever seen on a Monza.

In early 1980, Chris Cord purchased another DeKon built Monza, chassis no. 1012. It was barely used by Ted Field’s Interscope Racing for driver Danny Ongais. This chassis was also re-engineered the same as c/n 1011. Both cars would be entered in some selected events. The cars were strong, but the weak point was the gearbox, which sometimes failed.

During a practice session at the 1980 Laguna Seca IMSA 100 mile, both Cord Monzas were nearly destroyed. There was a four-car wreck involving two Porsches at the infamous “cork screw”, a short downhill S-turn. Damaged beyond repair, both cars failed to make the starting grid. However, one was rebuilt within two months in time for the Watkins Glen 6 hour Trans-Am race on July 6th.

To such enthusiasts, Chris Cord’s red Monzas remain the most attractive and beautiful DeKons ever built. As of 2012, both cars are located in California. Ken Epsman is current owner of Cord’s second red Monza, DeKon c/n 1012 (car no. 20). It is in beautifully restored condition, as driven by Jim Adams in 1980-81 for Chris Cord Racing. Cord’s first Monza, DeKon chassis no. 1011 (car no. 19), is in the hands of an anonymous owner.

Chris Cord's Monza and Hurley Haywood's Porsche after making contact at Laguna Seca. The article reads:

"Two cars arriving simultaneously at the apex... was the way the official press notes read following the incident pictured above. [left] Whatever the cause, the two cars shown here, driven by Hurley Haywood and Chris Cord were soon joined by those of their respective teammates, Bruce Level and Jim Adams, as all four were eliminated from the second heat race at Laguna Seca. Only Leven could manage sufficient repairs to make the final on Sunday, as the other three cars were towed in and loaded into their transporters. Luckily, the only physical injury was a mild concussion suffered by Cord. Haywood's car, its frame warped by the impacts, will be replaced by the new 935 which car owner Leven has on order, although Bruce will have to content himself with his same car rather than taking over Hurley's now deceased one. Cord's two car teams will be rebuilt, although the job will be a larger one. Adams' car needed the whole right front corner removed and replaced, and Cord's own Monza required an entirely new front end as well as repairs to the roll cage structure. Cord says the reconstruction should be completed in time for the team to be back in action at the Watkins Glen 6 Hours in July."

Date

Race

No.

Chassis

Drivers

Entrant

Result

May 01, 1977

IMSA Laguna Seca I 100 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Chris Cord

Chris Cord Racing

6th

Jul 31, 1977

IMSA Sears Point 100 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Chris Cord

Chris Cord Racing

15th

Aug 20, 1977

Trans-Am SCCA Mosport 6 hr

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Cord / Adams

Chris Cord Racing

19th

Aug 28, 1977

IMSA Mid-Ohio 3 hr

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Adams / Knab

Chris Cord Racing

7th

Oct 09, 1977

IMSA Laguna Seca II 100 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Chris Cord

Chris Cord Racing

10th

Feb 05, 1978

IMSA Daytona 24 hr

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Cord / Adams

Chris Cord Racing

46th

Apr 30, 1978

IMSA Laguna Seca 100 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Chris Cord

Chris Cord Racing

5th

May 07, 1978

IMSA Hallett 100 mile

19?

DeKon c/n 1012

Jim Adams

Chris Cord Racing

16th

Jul 08, 1978

Trans-Am SCCA Watkins Glen 6 hr

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Cord / Adams

Chris Cord Racing

5th

Jul 30, 1978

IMSA Sears Point 100 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Chris Cord

Chris Cord Racing

18th

Aug 27, 1978

IMSA Mid-Ohio 250 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Cord / Adams

Chris Cord Racing

6th

Sep 04, 1978

IMSA Road Atlanta II 100 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Chris Cord

Chris Cord Racing

6th

Apr 22, 1979

IMSA Riverside 6 hr

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Cord / Adams

Chris Cord Racing

39th

Apr 29, 1979

IMSA Laguna Seca 100 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Chris Cord

Chris Cord Racing

24th

Jun 17, 1979

IMSA Brainerd 100 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Chris Cord

Chris Cord Racing

35th

Jul 07, 1979

Trans-Am SCCA Watkins Glen 6 hr

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Cord /Adams

Chris Cord Racing

41st

Jul 15, 1979

IMSA Mid-Ohio 250 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Cord / Adams

Chris Cord Racing

30th

Jul 29, 1979

IMSA Sears Point 100 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Greg Pickett

-

DNS

Aug 26, 1979

IMSA Mid-Ohio 500 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Chris Cord

Chris Cord Racing

24th

Sep 02, 1979

IMSA Road America 500 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Cord / Adams

Chris Cord Racing

DNA

Feb 03, 1980

IMSA Daytona 24 hr

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Cord / Adams

Chris Cord Racing

50th

Apr 27, 1980

IMSA Riverside 5 hr

18

DeKon c/n 1011

Cord / Adams

Chris Cord Racing

DNS

May 04, 1980

IMSA Laguna Seca 100 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Chris Cord

Chris Cord Racing

DNS

Jul 06, 1980

Trans-Am SCCA Watkins Glen 6 hr

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Cord / Adams

Chris Cord Racing

23rd

Jul 27, 1980

IMSA Sears Point 100 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Chris Cord

Chris Cord Racing

4th

Aug 17, 1980

IMSA Mosport 6 hr

10

DeKon c/n 1011

Cord / Adams

Chris Cord Racing

DNA

Aug 24, 1980

IMSA Mid-Ohio 500 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Cord / Adams

Chris Cord Racing

DNA

Aug 31, 1980

IMSA Road America 500 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Cord / Adams

Chris Cord Racing

36th

Sep 21, 1980

IMSA Road Atlanta (1) 50 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Chris Cord

Chris Cord Racing

DNA

Mar 21, 1981

IMSA Sebring 12 hr

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Cord / Adams

Chris Cord Racing

DNS

Apr 26, 1981

IMSA Riverside 6 hr

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Cord / Adams

Chris Cord Racing

9th

May 03, 1981

IMSA Laguna Seca 100 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Chris Cord

Chris Cord Racing

10th

May 24, 1981

IMSA Lime Rock 200 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Cord / Adams

Chris Cord Racing

18th

May 31, 1981

IMSA Mid-Ohio 200 mile

19

DeKon c/n 1011

Cord / Adams

Chris Cord Racing

39th

IMSA Camel GT Challenge

Original Joe Camel decal

1972 - 1978

IMSA Winston GT

Second decal (official)

1979 only

IMSA Winston GT

Second decal  (typical)

1979 only

IMSA GT Series

Third decal (no sponsor)

1980 only

IMSA Camel GT Championship

Fourth decal

1981-93

SCCA Trans-Am

Championship

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