Sam Posey and his 1967 Caldwell D-7 were reunited for demonstration laps at the Rolex Vintage Festival Presented by BMW at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Connecticut, on September 2–5. This was the first track demonstration of the D-7 in more than 30 years. The vehicle is currently on loan to Lane Motor Museum in Nashville, Tennessee, where it is on public display.
Ray Caldwell, who provided commentary during Posey’s demonstration run, designed the Caldwell D-7 Can-Am racecar especially for internationally renowned driver Sam Posey. The Caldwell D-7 was designed with a non-independent suspension conceived to maximize road contact for the era’s newest, wider competition tires. The engine was a 365 CID Blatz Chevy with sidedraft Webers and a five-speed ZF transmission. The best finish for Posey in the Caldwell D-7 was 3rd place at Riverside and 4th place in Mexico City in 1968.
“After all these years, driving the Caldwell is still as big a thrill as it was in the late ’60s,” said Posey. “I was very pleased that so many people remembered the car and enjoyed seeing it run again.”
“I was so excited to see Sam get this car back out on a race track,” said Jeff Lane, president of Lane Motor Museum. “I know the fans at the Rolex Vintage Festival received a very special experience.”
