Fat – Fendered Oldies & Sports Rod Specials Hot Rod Pioneers: Published, 2000 Author: Ed Almquist … Continue reading
Search Results for: "Ed Almquist"
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Ed Almquist Started One of the Earliest Speed Shops in 1946
Hi Gang… I was honored to call Ed Almquist a friend – and what an amazing life he led. The people he met, the business he built and the automotive times he lived through were some of the most exciting … Continue reading
Hi Gang… What a great group of folks we have here at Forgotten Fiberglass. I’m lucky to hear from many of you via comments on the stories and replies via e-mail. Keep ‘em coming gang! Today’s story is a result … Continue reading
JR’s Speed Shop is Creating a Fantastic American Special Down in Venice, Florida
Hi Gang… Tom Kubinec and I have known each other for nearly ten years. Our friendship started when he bought his Almquist Sabre out of Morehead, Kentucky via eBay around the end of 2011. He got it home to Syracuse, … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Today I’m honored to share the story of Roger Adam and his first sports car – a car that he built in ’58 called an Amquist Speedster. What makes this story even more special is that Roger grew … Continue reading
Above: Kyle’s Making Great Progress on his 1955 Almquist Sabre – Go Get ‘Em Kyle!
Hi Gang… Ah…the good ole days when Kyle was an intern with us here at Undiscovered Classics. He started with us back in 2014 and I don’t know which of us have gotten more benefit – or which of us … Continue reading
Dave Lambert’s Almquist Sabre Debuted at the Willos Springs Race Track in March, 2020
Hi Gang… Back around 2012 I heard from Kip Fjeld who had found an Almquist body. He was very excited about his “find” and quickly shared plans that he and his friend Dave Lambert would be making a mold from … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Do you remember that oft used phrase by Benjamin Franklin about getting work done. It goes something like… “If you want something done….find a busy person to do it” Well….we are keeping the guys at JR’s Speed Shop … Continue reading
Showcase Production Fiberglass Sports Cars Restored 1959 Salvatore Salerno Devin A Time Capsule – Preserved in Original Condition Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance 2024 Award Winner Owner: Geoffrey Hacker, Undiscovered Classics Click Here 1958 LeMans Coupe The Most Exciting Sports Car … Continue reading
Undiscovered Classics: Personality Profiles These are Personality Profiles of some of the Undiscovered Classics Team – participants, contributors and more. This list continues to grow so check back for additions. We’re happy to have a large and expanding “tent” that … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Today we’re honored here at Undiscovered Classics to share the story of Paul E. Gibbs and his Almquist roadster. Born in 1931, 88-year-old Paul Gibbs contact me via e-mail recently and over several phone conversations I learned about … Continue reading
Concours d’Elegance Classes Created Overview While we’ve participated in many concours events, (click here to view the highlights of some of these events) we’ve also had the honor of working with concours founders, creators, administrators and staff to create some … Continue reading
Undiscovered Classics Research Approach First: We’ve combed thru (and are still working on) reviewing all articles on fiberglass cars in American 1950’s enthusiast magazines such as Hot Rod, Motor Trend, Road and track and other well known titles. Second: We’ve identified thru … Continue reading
People Interviewed As Part of Research This shows (in process) a list of the people we interviewed to learn the details and history of these cars and their companies. This list also includes first-person histories or research written by individuals … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Building your own sports car was often much more than a solitary event – it was something to celebrate….an adventure to remember and a story that became part of a family history – just as it did with … Continue reading
Hi Gang… When Rick D’Louhy and I started down the path of researching and celebrating the rich and detailed history of vintage fiberglass sports cars in America our first and most enthusiastic supporter was Bill Warner of the Amelia Island … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We’re building a community….a “fiberglass community” that is. Several years ago I had the honor of meeting a gaggle of ‘glass guys from the Northeast Jack Woolridge, Bill Jackson, and Roger Adam – spearheaded by Clark Mitchell. Most … Continue reading
Hi Gang… There’s not many of these Devin Jr’s around, and what fun it would be to have a miniature of your favorite fiberglass car – in this case a Devin – zooming around your home, garage, and family. Zoom … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Blame the title of this story on good friend Jon Greuel – founder of LaDawri.com and LaDawri Coachcraft celebrateur. He’s returning from nearly a year overseas in the military and wrote in: “Geoff….any ‘glass on the grass’ that … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Sports Cars Illustrated published annual “Directories” from 1958 thru 1961. In the summer of 1961, they changed their name to “Car and Driver” and ceased publication of annual directories from that point forward. But the “Directories” spanning 4 … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Sports Car Illustrated started out with their first issue in July of ’55 and met with great success. One year later they released a special edition (one issue only) titled “International Auto Salon.” While I’m still researching if … Continue reading
Hi Gang… This is one of the earliest references to the debut of Clearfield Plastics we’ve found yet, and was sent in by good friend and automotive historian Paul Sable (Thanks Paul!). But what’s that you say? Clearfield Plastics is … Continue reading
————– Note: This is the fifth and final article in a series of articles here at Forgotten Fiberglass that showcase a story called “The Glassmakers 1960” published in Sportscar Graphic in May-June 1960. In this 1960 article, Almquist, Devin, Kellison, LaDawri, and Victress were … Continue reading
——————————- Note: This is the second of a three-part story on the Dick Foster Victress Special. Click here to review all parts of the story. ——————————- Hi Gang… How did I find the Dick Foster Victress Special and get it home? … Continue reading
Hi Gang… As promised earlier, I’ll show “more” and talk “less” about each of the cars that appeared at the Milwaukee Masterpiece Concours d’ Elegance on August 28th, 2011. Click here to read more about the success of vintage ‘glass … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Harold Pace probably rues the day that I tracked him down and forced him to become friends with me. But how couldn’t I? He was already the most accomplished writer in terms of fiberglass kit car history writing … Continue reading
Note: This is the second installment of a 3 part series of articles on “Designs That Influenced The Styling Of The Victress S1 And Glasspar G2.” Here are links to the other parts of the story: Click Here to Read Part … Continue reading
Hi Gang… “Treat yourself to the terrific pride, prestige and satisfaction of owning and driving a high-spirited, Custom El-Morocco sports car. You will experience a new concept of driving…a new way of life!” That’s the summary shown on the Almquist … Continue reading
Ed Almquist started one of the first speed shops in America when he started taking orders via popular magazines for speed equipment in 1946. He got into the fiberglass sports car business when a friend of his, Harry Heim, approached … Continue reading
The Designers Who They Were and What They Accomplished Design Veterans Ralph Roberts and the 1951 Skorpion: Roberts worked for Chrysler in the 1930s and 1940s and created cars and show cars such as the 1941 Chrysler Newport Dual-Cowl Phaeton … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I’ve been searching for the history of this car for 10+ years – and I’m still looking. Why you might ask? Well the more I find out, the more interesting it gets. I’ve traced the car back to … Continue reading
2009 Click on the Following Links To Review Each Article Concours d’Elegance Appearances Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance 1947 Kurtis-Omohundro Comet Museum, Event and Exhibition Appearances Bill Burke: Racing on the Dry Lakes September 1, 2009 to March 1, 2010 Exhibited: … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Imagine how excited the automotive world was with the introduction of fiberglass sports cars at the November ’51 Petersen Motorama. And by the Fall of ’52 – nearly one year later – enthusiasts and entrepreneurs across the country … Continue reading
—— Note: This is the second of a two-part story on Byers, Kellison, and Fiberglass Trends. Click here to review both parts of the story. —– Hi Gang… Today’s contribution is possible through the generosity of good friend Ed Almquist … Continue reading
THE FORGOTTEN FIBERGLASS FAMILY— OUR CONTRIBUTORS — “We’re Honored To Have So Many Passionate Contributors to the Cause – People We Consider to be Part of the Forgotten Fiberglass Family” The Forgotten Fiberglass Family: Forgotten Fiberglass is much larger than … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I’m back – and with more energy than ever…. What an amazing first three months of 2010 for vintage fiberglass cars. Just keeping up with the fiberglass events across the nation was hard enough for me. The “Fantasies in … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Welcome to the new “Forgotten Fiberglass” Website. I’m very excited to move to this new format for several reasons…. It is a place where we can feature stories of vintage fiberglass cars and discuss them too – with … Continue reading
American Sports Customs Chattanooga Motor Festival October 11-13, 2024 Sport Custom Definition Handbuilt American two-place sports cars built from the mid 1940s thru 1960. Sport customs were usually constructed on a production car chassis with some modification. The rarest of … Continue reading
Showcase Production Fiberglass Sports Cars Coming Soon 1954 Debonnaire America’s Boulevard Sports Car Designed by Phillip Egan – From The 1948 Tucker Design Team Owners: Paul Sable, Ph.D., Jim Thorpe Pennsylvania Click Here 1957 LaDawri Conquest Canada’s First Fiberglass Sports … Continue reading
Trends Recent events which support a growing appreciation of American handcrafted sports cars. Click on links below to explore these events. Undiscovered Classic Cars Appear in Museums Across the Country Undiscovered Classics: March 14, 2020 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Features … Continue reading
Raiders of the Lost Cars The Greatest American Car Story NEVER Told What People Are Saying… “In attempting to capture the significance and passion inherent in Undiscovered Classics, I can’t seem to shake the graphic allusion to Indiana Jones and … Continue reading
Undiscovered Classics Historical Archives In-depth archives on Dan Post, Strother MacMinn, Bob Gurr, Sports Car Design (Road & Track), historic books and other materials related to Undiscovered Classics. Also includes an extensive library of vintage articles focused on Undiscovered Classic … Continue reading
The Dan Post Archives: The History of Custom Car Literature – 1944 to 1954 When Did It Start, What Did They Publish, and Why It Was Researched In The Beginning… Dan Post was the first to document in great detail … Continue reading
Customer Cars In Restoration With Undiscovered Classics We are currently managing and restoring cars for many of our customers. Here are some of these cars being restored. We’ll be adding additional detail about their restorations soon. 1952 Voodoo Gardner Designer: … Continue reading
Sport Customs What Is A Sport Custom? The term “Sport Custom” was first used by Dan Post in a series of books on American custom cars starting in 1944 (click here to learn more about Dan Post Publications). In his … Continue reading
2008 Click on the Following Links To Review Each Article Concours d’Elegance Appearances Barrington Concours d’Elegance 1956 Byers SR-100: Owner Guy Dirkin Arlington Heights, Illinois October 5, 2008 Meadowbrook Concours d’Elegance 1952 Maverick Sportster: Owner Fred Roth Rochester, Michigan August … Continue reading
Our Story – A Historical Perspective Introduction From concept cars to teardrop streamliners… From vintage race car transporters to lakesters… From race cars to sports cars… From legendary custom cars to even concept dune buggies… Geoff Hacker and his team have … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Not many people know that several of the fiberglass sports car companies of the 1950s sold smaller versions of their cars – typically for the younger set of the owners of these same cars. Smaller versions of the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I was quite surprised to find this article. It was sent in by good friend Richard “Dick” Lewis who built and still owns his original Allied Swallow Coupe – more about that in a future article here at … Continue reading
Hi Gang… What a year 2013 is turning out to be: * First, in March, 2013 we debuted our 1962 Shark Roadster at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. Click here to review the story on the road to Amelia. * … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I love mystery cars! These stories often show what was possible when hard working, talented, and creative individuals put the rubber to the road and brought forth their own creation for their own satisfaction and drive. What more … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Missing pieces of history….thought lost to time….uncovered by auto archeologists near and far. We live for this “stuff” here at Forgotten Fiberglass – and today’s story is the result of one such adventure – Joel Driskill’s Excellent Adventure 🙂 … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Here at Forgotten Fiberglass we are always looking for “the smoking gun” – the “Rosetta Stone” that will allow us to peer into the past with perfect accuracy and understand the history of a company like never before. … Continue reading
Hi Gang… How did our favorite ‘glass companies get new business? Was it thru articles in magazines? Was it thru brochures? How ‘bout racing events at Bonneville and road courses? And course thru word of mouth – right? So how … Continue reading
————– “When all is said and done, where else but in America can you find the talent and “can-do” spirit needed to produce a poor man’s Allard?” Motorsports Magazine: May-June 1953 Read on to learn more… ————– Hi Gang… … Continue reading
————– Note: This is the fourth in a series of articles here at Forgotten Fiberglass that showcase a story called “The Glassmakers 1960” published in Sportscar Graphic in May-June 1960. In this 1960 article, Almquist, Devin, Kellison, LaDawri, and Victress were showcased. We have … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I’ve taken U.S. Mark II research as far as I can go. With the help of good friends Alden Jewell, Scott Odell, and Pat Amedolia, we’ve shared what we can and now turn the reins over to U.S. … Continue reading
Hi Gang… So many people are part of the “Forgotten Fiberglass Phenomenon.” Allow me to introduce the “characters” of this story and thank them for their help, guidance, contributions, and collaborations in every way: Scott Odell, Merrill Powell, Marshall Foxworthy, … Continue reading
————– Note: This is the third in a series of articles here at Forgotten Fiberglass that showcase a story called “The Glassmakers 1960” published in Sportscar Graphic in May-June 1960. In this 1960 article, Almquist, Devin, Kellison, LaDawri, and Victress were showcased. We have … Continue reading
————– Note: This is the second in a series of articles here at Forgotten Fiberglass that showcase a story called “The Glassmakers 1960” published in Sportscar Graphic in May-June 1960. In this 1960 article, Almquist, Devin, Kellison, LaDawri, and Victress were showcased. We have … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Vintage fiberglass bodies are springing up across the United States, and the latest one to share with you was found by Scott Odell of New York State several years ago. At first we thought it was an “El … Continue reading
————– Note: This is the first in a series of articles here at Forgotten Fiberglass that showcase a story called “The Glassmakers 1960” published in Sportscar Graphic in May-June 1960. In this article, Almquist, Devin, Kellison, LaDawri, and Victress were … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Let no one say that vintage fiberglass is long gone and forgotten. Actually….I can’t think of a more exciting category of cars that is rising in fame, interest, respect, and celebration as quickly as our glass beauties. “Let no … Continue reading
Hi Gang…. As Mark Twain said so many years ago….”Reports of my early demise are greatly exaggerated.” We’ve been busy at Forgotten Fiberglass headquarters down here in Tampa Florida – coming back from a trip where we saved the “Voodoo … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Ok…the thumbnail picture of Hemmings Motor News Magazine with a 1954 Venus on it hasn’t happened yet. But we’re getting closer 🙂 Rick D’Louhy and I have taken our message of fiberglass sports cars to all parts of … Continue reading
Note: This is the second installment of a 2 part series of articles on: Woody’s Woodill Wildfire – By Glenn Brummer Click here to read other parts of the story ——————————– Hi Gang… I’ve wanted to meet Glenn Brummer for … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Wow! Full pages ads for fiberglass sports cars? Simply amazing. By 1960, the second generation of fiberglass sports cars you could build yourself was beginning to take force in the industry. Glasspar, Woodill, Allied, Venus, Grantham Stardust….these were … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I know the automotive world is not all fiberglass. However, there are times when some of you…. or some of me…. will want to share something – not related to the fiberglass genre in any way. In this spirit, … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Some of you may be planning to attend a wonderful show up in the Northeast – it’s called the “Carlisle Import & Kit Nationals” and is held at the Carlisle Fairgrounds in Carlisle Pennsylvannia. Harold Pace, (click here … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Think back to 1953… a time when if you wanted your own American sports car, you had to build it. Yes…the Corvette was coming out the same year and just a few hundred would be available to the public. So … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I first met M.A. Adams in 2006 when Jon Greuel and I became friends and started to work together to expand what was then the LaDawri website (www.ladawri.com). M.A. Adams stepson, Sandy Grant, contacted Jon the year before as … Continue reading
Hi Gang… You’ve heard me mention many times about how excited I am that the Amelia Island Concours d’ Elegance is hosting a class of fiberglass cars early next year. Amelia is one of the most recognized shows not just … Continue reading