|
DAYTONA
BEACH, FL — Raw power gets a stamp of its own today as seven-time
NASCAR National Champion Richard Petty helps dedicate the America on the
Move: Muscle Cars Forever stamps.
Petty,
his son Kyle and Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe will dedicate the
limited-edition stamps at the Daytona International Speedway where “The
King” won a record seven Daytona 500 Championships.
Typically
equipped with big, powerful engines, these high-performance vehicles
began roaring across America in the 1960s. The limited edition stamps
feature five iconic muscle cars: the ’66 Pontiac GTO, the ’67
Shelby GT-500, the ’69 Dodge Charger Daytona, the ’70
Plymouth Hemi ’Cuda and the ’70 Chevelle SS.
“The
Muscle Cars stamps celebrate an exciting era in American automotive
history,” said Richard Petty. “These examples of raw power bring back
fond memories for me and my family, a testament to how aerodynamics
transformed racing. I’ve been around racing and muscle cars all my life.
These stamps bring back the memories of our racing heritage in the ‘60s
and ‘70s. This is a great way to share our stories, old and new, about
the Petty history in racing.”
“The
muscle cars gave everyday Americans the opportunity to experience the
rush of driving a fast, powerful car,” said Postmaster General Patrick
Donahoe. “Just looking at the stamps evokes a feeling of speed. As
Forever stamps, they’ll always be good for mailing a First-Class letter
anytime in the future. And when you think about it, that’s fitting.
Because these stamps—just like the great cars they represent—are
timeless.”
The Muscle Cars Forever stamps are the third issuance in the America on
the Move stamp series. The artwork was created by Tom Fritz of Newbury
Park, CA, under the art direction of Carl T. Herrman of North Las Vegas,
NV. Other issuances in the series,
’50s Sporty Cars (2005),
followed by
’50s Fins and Chrome (2008),
were the work of artist Art Fitzpatrick of Carlsbad, CA.
The
Muscle Cars stamps
are being issued as Forever stamps in self-adhesive sheets of 20 (four
of each design). Forever stamps are always equal in value to the current
First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.
1966
Pontiac GTO
The
Pontiac GTO ushered in the American muscle-car era in the mid-1960s,
just as the first baby boomers began to come of age. The first GTO was
born when engineers dropped a 389-cubic-inch V8 engine, which was built
for a full-size sedan, into an intermediate-size Pontiac Tempest LeMans.
Initially offered simply as an option on the Tempest LeMans, the GTO —
which in Italian stood for Gran Turismo Omologato, or in English, Grand
Touring Homologated — became its own model in 1966.
Available
as a hardtop, coupe or convertible, the 1966 Pontiac GTO was equipped
with a standard 335-horsepower V8 engine. The “Goat” could really move.
In tests, it went from 0 to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds. It also looked much
different than its predecessors. Starting in 1966, the car featured
curvy Coke-bottle styling and a split grille.
1967
Shelby GT-500
Manufacturer Carroll Shelby’s take on the Ford Mustang reflected his
roots as a race car driver. The 1967 Shelby GT-500 was powered by a
428-cubic-inch, 355-horsepower Police Interceptor engine. The car also
featured a rear spoiler and optional dealer-installed LeMans stripes.
Rocker panel stripes came standard on the 1967 Shelby GT-500, which also
sported grille-mounted headlights. A scooped fiberglass hood, extended
nose, and interior roll bar and shoulder harnesses further enhanced the
race car feel.
The 1967
Shelby GT-500 was more than just a racer. The improved suspension
softened the ride, resulting in a vehicle that was comfortable to drive
on the highway as well as on the track. The car was both striking and
rare; only 2,048 were built. A customized or original version of the
1967 Shelby GT-500 has appeared in contemporary movies and magazines,
rekindling American pop culture’s fascination with the model. In 2007,
Ford reintroduced the Shelby GT-500 into the Mustang model lineup.
1969
Dodge Charger Daytona
The
outrageously styled 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona was designed to dominate
on the racetrack. The car, which underwent wind-tunnel testing before
its release, took the checkered flag at its NASCAR debut in September
1969 at Alabama International Motor Speedway in Talladega. The
production version of the car was powered by a standard 440-cubic-inch,
375-horsepower Magnum engine. A limited number of Daytonas also were
available with a 426-cubic-inch Hemi, a race-inspired engine Chrysler
introduced earlier that decade. Chrysler first used a version of the
Hemi — a high-performance engine with hemispherical combustion chambers
— in automobiles in the 1950s.
Concealed headlights, fender-mounted scoops, a nearly 2-foot tall,
rear-mounted wing and an 18-inch nose piece helped boost aerodynamics.
Other signature touches were thick body stripes containing the word
“DAYTONA.” The distinctive vehicles were not easy to come by. In order
to qualify for NASCAR racing, at least 500 Daytonas had to be made
available for purchase. Only 503 were produced.
1970
Plymouth Hemi ’Cuda
The 1970
Plymouth Hemi ’Cuda, a performance-oriented alter-ego of the standard
1970 Plymouth Barracuda, oozed power. The car’s 426-cubic-inch Hemi
engine was a 425-horsepower beast. The car was part of what Plymouth
called “The Rapid Transit System.” The 1970 Plymouth Hemi ’Cuda was “our
angriest, slipperiest-looking body shell wrapped around ol’ King Kong
hisself,” one advertisement bellowed.
One of
the 1970 Plymouth Hemi ’Cuda’s more audacious features was a Shaker hood
scoop, which vibrated as air flowed through to the engine's two
four-barrel carburetors. The car’s styling was an extension of its bold
ethos. It was available in a variety of eye-popping color choices, such
as Lemon Twist, Lime Light and Vitamin C. Hockey-stick shaped stripes
denoting engine size, a shifter handle shaped like a pistol grip and
bucket seats also were offered. The model also is a rare specimen, as
fewer than 700 were produced.
1970
Chevelle SS
With
features like optional twin racing stripes, the 1970 Chevelle SS looked
fierce. SS stood for Super Sport, a fitting designation for this power
car. A 396-cubic-inch engine was available, but a 454-cubic-inch engine
option gave the 1970 Chevelle SS credibility among muscle car
enthusiasts. Two versions of the 454 engine were available: the
360-horsepower LS-5 and the 450-horsepower LS-6. For its sheer power,
the latter has become legendary among car buffs.
The LS-6-propelled 1970 Chevelle SS was enough to finish in the
13-second range in quarter-mile tests. Optional Cowl Induction, a
flap on the bulged hood that allowed cold air to flow into the engine,
added even more kick. In addition to its impressive road performance,
the 1970 Chevelle SS also was known for its unique style. Available as a
coupe or a convertible, it featured a black grille and SS emblems on
both the grille and the rear bumper.
Customers
may view the America on the Move: Muscle Cars Forever stamps, as well as
many of this year’s other stamps, on
Facebook at
facebook.com/USPSStamps,
on
Twitter
@USPSstamps or on
the website Beyond the Perf at
beyondtheperf.com/2013-preview.
Beyond the Perf is the
Postal Service’s online site for information on upcoming stamp subjects,
first-day-of-issue events and other philatelic news.
Ordering First-Day-of-Issue Postmarks
Customers
have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may
purchase new stamps at local Post Offices, at
usps.com/stamps
or by
calling 800-STAMP-24. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their
choice, address the envelopes to themselves or others and place them in
a larger envelope addressed to:
Muscle
Cars Stamps
Postmaster
500 Bill France Blvd
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
After
applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return
the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark. All
orders must be postmarked by April 22, 2013.
Ordering
First-Day Covers
The Postal Service also offers first-day covers for new stamp issues and
Postal Service stationery items postmarked with the official
first-day-of-issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog
number and is offered in the quarterly USA Philatelic catalog,
online at
usps.com/shop
or by calling 800-782-6724. Customers may request a free catalog by
calling 800-782-6724 or writing to:
U.S. Postal Service
Catalog Request
PO
Box 219014
Kansas City, MO 64121-9014
Philatelic Products
Seven
philatelic products are available:
§
470506
Muscle Cars uncut press sheet
— a unique way to showcase an exciting era in American automotive
history and perfect for framing, this 36.25-inch x 12.6-inch press sheet
with die-cuts contains 10 sheets of 20 Muscle Cars Forever stamps
positioned five across by two down. Maximum order 5. $92
§
470508
Muscle Cars uncut press sheet
(without die cuts). Maximum order 5. $92
§
470510
Muscle Cars Digital Color
Postmark Keepsake
— Teeming with horsepower, this collectible package includes a sheet of
20 Muscle Cars Forever stamps and a set of five number 6 envelopes —
each with a different, affixed Muscle Cars stamp and a
First-Day-of-Issue color postmark. $17.95
§
470516
Muscle Cars First-Day Cover
— Rev up your collection with this dynamic set of five first-day covers.
Each number 6 envelope features a different affixed Muscle Cars Forever
stamp and a First-Day-of-Issue black pictorial postmark. $4.50
§
470530
Muscle Cars Ceremony Program
— Celebrate an exciting era in automotive history and the Muscle Cars
Forever first day of issue with an official ceremony program and cover.
The full-color, custom-designed program features the first-day ceremony
agenda and participants on one side, with a narrative about these iconic
cars and the stamp designs on the reverse. $6.95
-
470524
Muscle Cars Framed Stamp Art (silver matt w/stamps) — Roar down
memory lane with this ready-to-hang artwork that displays a sheet of
the 2013 limited edition Muscle Cars Forever stamps. The
dynamic stamp designs depict five iconic muscle cars: the 1966
Pontiac GTO, the 1967 Shelby GT-100, the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona,
the 1970 Plymouth Hemi
’Cuda,
and the 1970 Chevelle SS.
The
Muscle Cars Forever stamps are the third issuance in the America on
the Move stamp series. The stamp artwork was created by Tom Fritz
under the art direction of Carl T. Herrman.
This 13” x 14” art features a silver mat, chrome-colored frame,
non-breakable plexi-glass to protect the stamps, and a dust cover on
the back. A saw tooth hanger is installed on the back for easy wall
display. $39.95
-
470525
Muscle Cars Framed Stamp Art (car sketch collage mat w/stamps) —
Roar down memory lane with this ready-to-hang artwork that features
a sheet of the 2013 limited edition Muscle Cars Forever
stamps. The dynamic stamp designs depict five iconic muscle cars:
the 1966 Pontiac GTO, the 1967 Shelby GT-100, the 1969 Dodge Charger
Daytona, the 1970 Plymouth Hemi
’Cuda,
and the 1970 Chevelle SS.
The
Muscle Cars Forever stamps are the third issuance in the America on
the Move stamp series. The stamp artwork was created by Tom Fritz
under the art direction of Carl T. Herrman.
The 13” x 14” art is comprised of a mat bearing a collage of muscle
car sketches, chrome-colored frame, non-breakable plexi-glass to
protect the stamps, and a dust cover on the back. A saw tooth
hanger is installed on the back for easy wall display. $39.95
|
