Baldwin Motion Collection
Written by Keith Fudge

Everyone in the collector car hobby knows that the popularity of 1960s and 1970s muscle cars is at an all time high. Recently, we had the opportunity to visit with the owner of quite a collection of these classic automobiles. Meet Dan McMichael who owns several of the best Baldwin/Motion supercars that were ever produced.

If you are not familiar with Baldwin/Motion cars, here is a brief history lesson. In the 1960s and 70s, several car dealerships joined forces with performance companies to create “supercars with factory warranties.” Among these dealerships and performance companies were Yenko, Berger, and of course, Shelby . However, in Long Island , New York , Chevrolet dealer Don Baldwin joined forces with Motion Performance guru Joel Rosen to create a series of these cars that have long been revered as some of the finest muscle cars ever to roll off the showroom floor! Finally, in 1974 the U.S. Government shut down these types of productions due to new emission standards and rising fuel costs. Today, however, we stepped back in time to the glory days of these vehicles and took a look at some of these beauties up-close-and-personal.

The first car that Dan showed us is a 1969 Motion GT Corvette. It is painted yellow. Dan said that there were only ten of these cars produced because of the high cost. He said the car had a sticker price of approximately $13,000, and people simply couldn't afford them. While performance was certainly at the forefront, luxury was the goal with this vehicle. That is also what led to the high price tag. On the performance side, Dan said that everything was done right with these vehicles. Powered by the legendary LS6 motor, the 454 cubic inch power plant made 535 horsepower. One of the most remarkable features about this particular car is the transmission: a Turbo-Hydramatic 400 with an extra gear. Yep, when you pulled a lever mounted next to the console, the gear ration went from the standard 4:88 to a more manageable 3:42. In other words, this car could go from a monster at the strip to a highway cruiser all with the pull of a lever. The car seems to have a European car look and feel, and it is clearly a Baldwin/Motion ride as evidenced by the trademark paint scheme and visible sidepipes.

Next, Dan showed us an unbelievable “red rocket.” This prototype Spyder Corvette was built as a café racer for the Can Am Racing circuit. The car was produced to be extra wide so it would handle well. Dan said he thought Joel wanted to build several of them since the serial number on this one was # 0001. The interior is just as stylish and exotic as the exterior of the car and features a diamond pleat interior pattern that covers the seats and door panels. The rear window also sports louvers. Perhaps the biggest styling statements are the three bullet-styled tail lights. Also featuring a 530 horsepower engine, this bad boy was definitely a beast of the street and track. Last, Dan showed us his last Corvette, a 1974 model that comes with a bit of history. According to Dan, this car was sitting on the showroom floor of the Baldwin Chevrolet dealership when the U.S. Government ordered production to be stopped. Dan went on to say that Don Baldwin had said this car was made from left-over parts that were simply lying around. Well, all we can say is that those were some pretty good parts! This Vette features an L88 engine that, after it was equipped with an aftermarket intake and cam, made around 600 horsepower. Dan said he believes the car will run somewhere close to 180 or 190 miles per hour, although he hasn't had it that fast.

While these Baldwin/Motion Corvettes were certainly popular, it was the line of Baldwin Camaros that received the most attention. Believe it or not, Dan had one of the finest specimens of these cars right in front of us. This 1973 flame orange beast is topped off with Black racing stripes. When he got the car, it had 5,200 miles on it, and it is absolutely awesome. Originally, a white Z-28 equipped with the Rallye Sport option and outfitted with Cragar wheels and Hooker sidepipes, this car was also a Type LT and was the only Baldwin/Motion Camaro equipped as such. With a Hurst shifter (even though the tranny is an automatic Turbo 400 with a manual valve body), Sun gauges, and a Rosewood steering wheel, this car is definitely a “1/4 mile Warrior.” In addition, the rear of the car features a spoiler that was some two inches taller. While all these exterior features are stunning, it was what lurks beneath the hood that makes these cars legendary. When Dan popped the hood pins and raised the hood, it was a scene that would take the breath away from even the most serious gearhead. The LS6 engine features a Motion cam and an Edlebrock high-rise intake. Just to make sure that there was no mistaking the car's origin, the engine sported a set of Motion valve covers. At that point, it was mentioned that Don Baldwin guaranteed his cars would run 11 seconds in the ¼ mile and have a top end of at least 120 miles per hour. Upon hearing those figures, Dennis didn't have to twist Dan's arm to get him to fire up the Camaro and hit the back roads of Indiana .

Dan said that he truly believes these are the best of all muscle cars ever produced. Part of the reason is that Joel Rosen balanced and blueprinted every engine. He also mentioned that all of the cars were dyno-tested as well before they left the dealership. It seemed as if Don Baldwin was a racer turned businessman and that his R & D workshop was the racetrack itself. Dan agreed saying that Don was at the track to race on Saturday and then at the dealership to sell on Monday. Soon their conversation gave way to another voice, that of the raw power of the LS6. At one stop sign, Dan flexed the Camaro's muscles. Even though the car was frying some tires, Dennis noted that it seemed “effortless” in its performance. Don Baldwin once stated that anyone can drop in an engine and go in a straight line. He wanted his cars to be the total package. Time and perspective have definitely proven that Don Baldwin and Joel Rosen created just that-the total package.

That's it from America 's Heartland. So until our next visit, remember; “Honor the timeless classics. Happy Motoring!”