Zeitler
?-1970
Current Owners
Current Owners
Between 1958 and 1962 John fielded 4 different cars. He ran his favorite MGA, his own designed Zeter MK1, the Elva and his Zeter Mk2. In 1960 John was running his Zeter MK1 in the Berwick Hillclimb in Wilkes-Barre Pa. when he lost control and totaled the car. Within a few months, John had built an brand new car, the Zeter MK2. (see below) It used a DKW 1000cc 3 cylinder 2-cycle engine and a Porche transaxle. The engine was built in Germany and developed 100 hp. Racing had been in John's blood for a long time. In the 1950's he also raced hydroplanes staying mostly in New England!
By 1963, Formula Junior was winding down and the new Formula VEE was becoming popular. John bought an Autodynamics kit and drove it in a few races but wanted to make a lot of changes. John loved changing things to make them better. He took the basic chassis and added a removeable rear bulkhead which made engine and transaxle swaps much easier. He also added extra bracing in the sides and top of the frame making it stiffer and safer. In 1964 he began building his own cars with an all-new fiberglass 7-piece body. He formed Zeitler Racing Design in 1965 and sold complete Formula VEE's and Kit's. The kits could be purchased as basic or deluxe with more parts included and also more already installed. ZRD or Zeitler Racing Design, sold about 40 Formula VEE's between 1965 and 1970.
During much of John's formula racing career, he was supported by his family. When John went racing, his wife Ginny and step-daughter Valearie went along too. Valerie kept track of his times and became a big part of his team. Wife Ginny was there to root him on and ran the business side of the company leaving John to concentrate on his cars. He always had Friends and team mates around him as well.
In 1970, John was working with Volkswagon of America to start a new class of VW racecars. The leaders of VW wanted a faster, sleeker formula car to represent the trademark. The new 1600 engine had more horsepower than the original 1200 engine required in the Formula VEE class. John and several other top racers including Beach and Caldwell helped develop the Formula Super VEE. John set out to build his own car within weeks. His design was so good that many others copied it. Johns Zeitler Super Vee, with him at the wheel, would be the first car to win a SCCA Super Vee Race at Lime Rock in 1970. His cars would also come in 1st and second in the 1971 SCCA Nationals with John driving the second car and Tom Davey winning in a Zeitler. It was the same results in 1972 when Tom Davey came in first with John coming in a close second after he had an accident.
By the late 1970's, John had retired from racing and never looked back. In 1974 John stopped racing Super Vee's and dedicated his time to supporting other teams. He also began importing Lotus, Modus and Argo Super Vee's and sold them to other teams. In 1975 John sold the rights to the Zeitler Name to John Grubb and he continued building Zeitlers until 1979. He did not return to the race track until the 30th Anniversary of Formula Super VEE, held at Watkins Glen in June of 2001. John was the guest of honor with a dinner held for him and all of his Super Vee Friends. He was proud to announce " Gentleman... Start Your Engines"
John passed away on July 14, 2005 at his home in Lincoln County North Carolina
John passed away on July 14, 2005 at his home in Lincoln County North Carolina