Meet Rj Gottlieb | Owner & Driver of Big Red Camaro

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rj Gottlieb and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi RJ, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
When I was a teenager, my father and I shared a passion for speed. We decided to develop a car to race that would be unlike any other vehicle we had seen competing and take a chance on something that no one else had yet to attempt. It was a risky venture because – due to the nature of the car itself: a 1969 Camaro that retained its original chassis but had been transformed into a true race vehicle – we had no idea how many events we would actually be allowed to enter. By building something new, we generated a great deal of interest and acquired a devoted fanbase – many of whom have been following our efforts for over 35 years. And, thankfully, we found that there were plenty of events willing to let us put our car on the track!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My father and I had a vision for a car, and we built it. The car – known as Big Red Camaro – initially became legendary for doing high-speed, open-road races and has been credited with starting what is known today as “Pro-Touring.” The car achieved its current top speed of 266.2 MPH at the Mojave Magnum, has a record at Bonneville of 258 MPH, and reached the top of Pikes Peak in 11 minutes 8 seconds. There were always plenty of challenges, but Team Big Red has always maintained that it is imperative to never give up and always stay the course.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
1st Day
– Go to the Big Red Shop in Victorville and see Big Red Camaro
– Take a joy ride in Big Red at Willow Springs International Raceway
– Go to Peterson Museum and see exhibit on Big Red

2nd Day
– Walk around Santa Monica Pier
– Eat lunch at Lobster Restaurant
– Walk around 3rd Street Promenade
– Watch the sunset on the beach
– Eat dinner at Sushi Roku on Ocean Boulevard

3rd Day
– Walk around Beverly Hills triangle
– Eat lunch at Spago
– Walk Rodeo Drive and look at architecture
– Eat dinner at Gucci Osteria Beverly Hills
– Go to Saban Theater for a show

4th Day
– Walk Hollywood Boulevard
– Eat lunch at Sunset Plaza
– Go to Magic Castle for magic shows and fun
– Eat dinner at Yamashiro’s and see sunset
– See movie at Mann Chinese Theater

5th Day
– Go to Universal City Walk for rides and shows all day
– Dinner and show at Hollywood Bowl

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
In addition to my father, without whom none of this would have been possible, my sincerest thanks must go to the dedicated team who have worked tirelessly to build and maintain Big Red while simultaneously ensuring my safety as the car’s driver – Dave Ward (crew chief), Mark Ewing (head mechanic), and Larry Mollicone (engine builder). These incredible individuals have been a part of Team Big Red since the very beginning, and I am forever grateful to have been able to work with such talented people.

Website: https://bigredcamaro.com

Instagram: @thebigredcamaro

Facebook: @bigredcamaro

Youtube: @bigredcamaro

Other: TikTok: @thebigredcamaro