1956 Victress C3 Coupe Show Car
Search Results for: "Victress"
Alton Johnson’s LeMans Coupe Photos of the Car Being Built at Victress (North Hollywood, California) The photos below were taken at Victress Manufacturing while Alton Johnson was an employee there. Alton worked for Bill Quirk who was the Foreman at … Continue reading
Hi Gang… With only about 125 Victress S1A bodies produced back in the day, we don’t often see a new one – a car we haven’t see before – pop up on our radar. This one showed up on Facebook … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I’ve been tracking Mike Akens Victress since he bought it in a remote location of Colorado back in 2014. Right from the start, Mike jumped on its restoration and hasn’t looked back. You can check out his first … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Great news…..you can now create your own Undiscovered Classics collection and save some garage space while doing so. Thanks to the efforts of Alex Kotyar of Esval Models and some keen rendering work of artist extraordinaire Dan Palatnik, scale models of a 1953 and 1954 … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We’re still working on gathering the story of this Victress S5 VW Special to share with everyone here at Undiscovered Classics, but I thought we would start out with a bit of history on the car and the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Just 3 photos – that’s all we get. But what tantalizing clues there are to perhaps finding this car – and maybe it survives today. I know our friend Gordon Maltby of the Porsche 356 Registry would be … Continue reading
Hi Gang… In the last two years, several of our Undiscovered Classics aficionados have begun restoration of the Victress C3 coupes – and that’s great news. We have Rodney Packwood in California restoring his Packwood Special, John Steggles in Canada … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Thanks to the help of Dan Palatnik, we’ve been releasing more artwork of Undiscovered Classic cars of late. You can see some of his work that we recently released via the link below: Click on this Link to … Continue reading
Victress Manufacturing Home Page 1952 – 1961 This section of our website is under construction as of 10/1/2019. We will continue adding details and features over the next few months so check back and see our progress. And….welcome to our … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Undiscovered Classics is not an individual effort. It’s a collaborative, team effort that started before we got involved as folks like Fred Roth, Jean Poirier, Frank Cornell, Bill Hoover, John Gulow, Jon Greuel and others gathered information and … Continue reading
1961 LaDawri – Victress Assembly Manual John Gulow Archives Click Here To Learn More About The History of This Assembly Manual Scroll down this page to view / download this assembly manual Click Here To Read The 1961 LaDawri – … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We haven’t had a chance to write about the Victress S4 very much in the past and that’s been for two reasons. First, the Victress S4 sports car is quite rare – even by my standards for our … Continue reading
Hi Gang… The 2020 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance was quite an event. Three different American Specials in three different classes which included a 1959 Devin “D” sports car, the one-off “1952 Voodoo Gardner Special” and today’s story – a 1958 … Continue reading
Hi Gang… One of the items that has been lacking for most of our cars are logos, firewall plates and other marque-specific items. These are needed to identify the car at car shows and other events as well as celebrate … Continue reading
Hi Gang… More and more we’re seeing handcrafted American sports specials being “discovered” and written about across America. But something else interesting is happening too. They’re being restored – just like Mike Akens’ Victress S1A roadster in today’s story. Mike … Continue reading
1955 Victress C3 Coupe – Charles Le Menestrel
Victress Showcase 1953 Victress S1 – Guy Mabee Special 1952 Victress S1A – Fred Bodley’s Lost Motor Trend Victress Special 1958 Victress C3 Coupe – The Packwood Special 1955 Victress C2 Coupe – Mike Leicester … Continue reading
Ask Merrill Powell: Victress Manufacturing Co-Founder Click Here To Learn More About Merrill How To Post Your Questions This page is for you to ask Merrill questions about Victress and where he can respond. Scroll down and post your questions … Continue reading
Victress Advertisements 1956 … Continue reading
1953 Victress S1 – Guy Mabee Special Links to magazine articles Film? Review Denny Larson’s story here (go thru recordings) … Continue reading
Assembly Line Dragsters Victress Dragster Rod & Custom: July, 1955 … Continue reading
Victress: Fred Bodley, Memoriam Motor Trend, 1955 … Continue reading
Chet Herbert Catalog Guy Mabee Victress: 1955 … Continue reading
Victress Advertisements 1955 … Continue reading
A Car Is Born – A Victress S4 Motor Trend: October, 1954 … Continue reading
The Victress Fiberglass Body Car Life: February, 1954 … Continue reading
Stude Sportster: Pretty Enough To Be A Movie Star Virgil Rice’s Johnny Dark Victress Special Car Craft: February, 1954 … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Here’s an interesting time capsule that was sent in to us from Bill Quirk – foreman for Victress Manufacturing in the 1950s and early 1960s. While the article is about the culture of hot rodding in the San … Continue reading
Victress Advertisements 1954 … Continue reading
Victress Advertisements 1953 This is the earliest ad known for Victress. It is to be co-sponsored by Hellings showing their close relationship at the time. The Victress shown in the rendering below was built by Virgil Rice and appeared in … Continue reading
Introducing The Victress S1 Sports Car Motor World Magazine: August 28, 1953 … Continue reading
Keith Kaucher’s Kit Concepts (Victress C3 Coupe) Kit Car Magazine: July, 2000 … Continue reading
Patchwork Perfection (Victress C3 Coupe) Kit Car Magazine: March, 1984 … Continue reading
The Mabee Special Victory Lane: July, 1995 … Continue reading
Coupes de Grace Victress and LaDawri Coupes Kit Car Magazine: March, 2008 … Continue reading
The 58th Variety: Steve Steers Victress S1A Hemmings Muscle Machines: May, 2011 … Continue reading
Victress In The Press And On The Field 1953 – 2005 Vintage Articles, On The Web, In Print, Podcasts, Videos and Events/Concours Attended In Print: Oldest Articles at Bottom of Page 2000 Keith Kaucher’s Kit Concepts (Victress C3 Coupe) Kit … Continue reading
Victress in the Press and on the Field 2006 – Present Vintage Articles, On The Web, In Print, Podcasts, Videos and Events/Concours Attended On The Web First Victress S1A To Hit The Market In A Decade Bids To $150,000 in … Continue reading
Victress Models Offered S1 / S1A Roadster Year launched, wheelbase, track S4 Roadster S5 Roadster C2 Coupe C3 Coupe Dragster Custom Bodies / Prototypes Pioneer, C3 Roadster and More … Continue reading
Victress Build Instructions 1954 … Continue reading
Hellings Flyer For Victress And More Various Years … Continue reading
Victress Advertisements 1960 1959 1958 1957 1956 1955 1954 1953 … Continue reading
Showcase 1954 Victress S1A Design By Doc Boyce-Smith and Hugh Jorgensen Owner: Guy Dirkin, Clermont, Florida — The Lost Motor Trend Victress — Built By Fred Bodley – Motor Trend Technical Editor History of This Car The 1954 “Motor Trend” … Continue reading
1955 Victress Brochure … Continue reading
1954 Victress Brochure … Continue reading
Victress Brochures Catalog Featuring a Victress S1 and S4 1954 Hellings Flyer For Victress And More Various Years Catalog Featuring a Victress S1, S4, S5 and Dragster 1955 Sample Letters From Victress … Continue reading
The Victress C3 $20,000 Worth of Automobile Griffith Borgeson on Hot Rods Fawcett Book: 1959 … Continue reading
Corvette In The Barn The Lost Motor Trend Victress Special Story Author: Guy Dirkin Tom Cotter: Published 2010 … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Timing is everything in life and the timing of today’s story sets the perfect stage for those wanting to learn more about Victress. Why might you ask? Because in less than a week a beautifully restored and built … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We track cars. We collect stories. We hunt down the tiniest of details to see if we can flush out any vintage fiber sports car build stories, period photos and cars from across the nation. And sometimes we find … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Over the last several years, those of you who have been restoring Victress S1, S5, S4, C2, and C3 cars have asked about the types of hinges that Victress used on their cars. Ask and you shall receive … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Have camera….will travel. In this case to Amelia Island in 2010 and later the following week to Fiberglass Farms. Back in 2010 we had a class of Forgotten Fiberglass cars at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. Click here to review the cars … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Back in April, 2013 I heard for the first time from Mike Akens of Grand Junction, Colorado. Mike contacted me because he had just located a vintage Victress S1 roadster and was beginning restoration. What great news! As … Continue reading
Hi Gang… You thought I may have finished with our stories of Carlisle this year? But wait – there’s more! Quite a bit more and several more stories. And off we go… One of the stars of the Carlisle, … Continue reading
Hi Gang… One of the challenges we have here at Forgotten Fiberglass has to do with the very reason that the cars we study are so special – their rarity. And because of this, the number of cars under restoration … Continue reading
Hi Gang… More and more, Rick D’Louhy and I are trying to get to different parts of the country to meet and greet all the fiberglass folks, see their restored cars and projects in process, and hear fantastic fiber-stories too. … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Well this was an interesting bit of research. Back in May of last year, I found a photo on eBay (can’t remember if someone sent me the reference or if I found it – if someone sent it … Continue reading
Hi Gang… As part of our first “Victress Weekend” of stories, let’s have a look at one of the first magazines to cover the record-breaking 200+ mile an hour run of the Guy Mabee Special. This was covered in January, … Continue reading
Hi Gang… The “Import & Kit Nationals” show at Carlisle, Pennsylvania which is being held later this month keeps getting better and better. I covered the seminar that we’ll be hosting in a story here last week. Click here to … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We are honored to participate this year in the “Import & Kit Nationals” hosted by Carlisle Events – less than one month away from today. First, let’s review what they have to say on their website announcing the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… It’s been a busy year. Lots of reorganization, renewal, and even a “reset” or two, so let’s see if we can end this year with a few new “Forgotten Fiberglass” stories. In the past many months, I’ve been … Continue reading
Hi Gang… That darn ‘ole Erich Schultz. Every time I tell him about a car that needs “saving”, he’s off faster than a speeding bullet…..down the road….with Michelle and his son Kenny and on his way to his next “adventure” … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Great news….we found another Victress employee – and a very special one at that. Barry Tousley joined Victress in late 1953 – the same time as Merrill Powell – at the ripe ole’ age of 9 (Merrill was … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Well…I’ve been looking for this car for 10 years and the trailer keeps getting colder and colder. Back in 1954, Merrill Powell of Victess Manufacturing penned a beautiful design for a 94 inch wheelbase coupe and called it … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Recently, I heard from a former Victress S1 owner, Jere Duke, and his story on his Victress S1 purchased in the early 1970s. While he didn’t know the story of who originally built the car many years before, … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Merrill Powell, parner and co-owner of Victress Manufacturing with Doc Boyce-Smith from 1953-1961, turns 82 years old today. Happy Birthday Merrill! Our “fearless leader of fiberglass” has joined us at nearly every significant fiber-event in the past 6 … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I’m sure that Doc Boyce-Smith, founder of the Boyce-Smith Company which produced the Victress S1 sports car body in ’52 and ’53, felt like Paul Revere when a car using the Victress body set the record for “Fastest … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Let’s talk Victress Dragsters! Recently, we discussed the Victress Dragster which became a reality in ’55-’56. Bill Quirk and Bill Powell of Victress Manufacturing put forth innovation, hard-work, and determination to make this concept a reality for themselves … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I love stories about fiberglass cars built “back when” that were carefully crafted and have an interesting history in terms of ownership and build. And this one fits the bill in every way. It was built by Dick … Continue reading
————— Note: This is a multi-part story on the advertising, flyers, and brochures put out by Hellings in support of Victress sales. These primarily occurred when Hellings was the exclusive distributor for Victress in ’53 and early to mid ’54. … Continue reading
———– Motor Trend Magazine was so impressed by the success of fiberglass sports cars and the excitement over them that by late ’53 they featured a 6 page article featuring 7 different fiberglass cars you could purchase or build yourself. They … Continue reading
Hi Gang… This is our eleventh and final in a series of “spotlights” on sections of a Buyer’s Guide for fiberglass sports cars published by Car Craft in March, 1956. Click on the link below to review all fiberglass cars … Continue reading
Hi Gang… The guys at Victress were always thinking, and in this case they were changing their approach to marketing once again. Here in ’56 they released yet another new design for their company – a foldout brochure. For the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… This is our ninth in a series of “spotlights” on sections of a Buyer’s Guide for fiberglass sports cars published by Car Craft in March, 1956. Click on the link below to review all fiberglass cars discussed in … Continue reading
Hi Gang… This is our eighth in a series of “spotlights” on sections of a Buyer’s Guide for fiberglass sports cars published by Car Craft in March, 1956. Click on the link below to review all fiberglass cars discussed in … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We’ve seen electric powered cars in the ‘50s use some of the fiberglass bodies as the “finish” to their car. When I think “electric”, the LaSaetta comes to mind. The Banning Electric car used a Glasspar G2 body, … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I have been searching for the original copy of this ad for 5+ years. And one of our Forgotten Fiberglass Fanatics delivered it once again. I work with the greatest gang of car guys in the world 🙂 … Continue reading
————— Note: This is a multi-part story on the advertising, flyers, and brochures put out by Hellings in support of Victress sales. These primarily occurred when Hellings was the exclusive distributor for Victress in ’53 and early to mid ’54. … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Doc Boyce-Smith was busy putting together the materials people needed so that they could build their fiberglass sports cars in ’55. He wanted his customers to be successful in every way. Recently I wrote about his first effort … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Here it was in ’55 and Victress Manufacturing was doing great. The new coupe models had been released (C2 and C3) and they were heading to the Petersen Motorama for their biggest appearance yet showing an example – … Continue reading
————— Note: This is a multi-part story on the advertising, flyers, and brochures put out by Hellings in support of Victress sales. These primarily occurred when Hellings was the exclusive distributor for Victress in ’53 and early to mid ’54. … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Actually, Doc and Ted were going to show you how to build any fiberglass body of your design – and the molds to make more than just one of them! Talk about giving away the house! (trade secrets, … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We’ve established in previous stories what happened to Victress and Byers in the ‘60s: Victress sold their company…lock, stock, and barrel….to Les and Joan Dawes of La Dawri Coachcraft in 1961 Byers bodies first appeared in Kellison sales … 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… Today’s article is a result of a recent magazine find from Ray Wise – owner of Rollie Langston’s ‘50s built Byers SR-100 and avid vintage ‘glass sports car fan. Ray recently came across a stash of cool old … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Here at Forgotten Fiberglass we look high and low for information concerning vintage ‘glass in every way. And when I first came across this article several years ago, I wondered where this wonderful Victress C3 coupe might be … Continue reading
——————————- Note: This is the third of a three-part story on the Dick Foster Victress Special. Click here to review all parts of the story. ——————————- Hi Gang… Some of you wrote in and asked more about what the Dick Foster … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I love finding Victress articles. I can’t get enough of them. And when I can’t find ‘em – I write ‘em! But today I didn’t have to. The article I found today shows a beautifully built Victress S1A … 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
——————————- Note: This is the first of a three-part story on the Dick Foster Victress Special. Click here to review all parts of the story. ——————————- Hi Gang… Here’s your “Forgotten Fiberglass” question for the day: How many people who built a … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Victress Manufacturing started as a dream by Doc Boyce-Smith and his good friend Hugh Jorgensen who was an Art Center student of Los Angeles, at the time. While Doc was the owner of the company, Jorgensen was the initial … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Back in May 2011 (was it that long ago?) Daniel Strohl of Hemmings Motor News featured a great story on Steve Steers Victress S1A special in “Hemmings Muscle Machines“. The story was called “The 58th Variety” and Dan has … Continue reading
Hi Gang… As we’ve discussed in earlier stories, the Victress S1 body became available to the public in late 1952, and by the summer of 1953, Hellings was the sole distributor for the company, and had completed one of the … 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… 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… We’ve not been idle here at Forgotten Fiberglass, of late. In fact, today marks the first release of logos for each of the car marques within our vintage ‘glass entourage. And on this day, I’m pleased to release … 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… How many Victress S5’s have you seen? Ok….let’s back up….what is a Victress S5? It’s a petite version of the famous Victress S1, but rather than the 100 inch wheelbase that was unique to the S1, the Victress … Continue reading
Hi Gang.. Thanks to the efforts of Tom Householder, a fine friend of fiberglass for many years, we have a rare treat – a panorama of the start of a race back in 1956 – and square in the middle … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Great news gang! The new issue of “Hemmings Muscle Machines” for May 2011 is on the newsstands and I think every one of you fiberglass fanatics out there should run out and buy it. Author and historian Daniel … Continue reading
Hi Gang… This is our fifth in a series of “spotlights” on sections of a Buyer’s Guide for fiberglass sports cars published by Car Craft in March, 1956. Click on the link below to review all fiberglass cars discussed in … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Back in the day, which Victress received more top prizes than any known fiberglass car in the 1950’s? I thought that question might go unanswered for years as Rick D’Louhy, Erich Schultz, Guy Dirkin, Phil Fleming, Rollie Langston, … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I first wrote about Jerry Sutton’s Victress C3 coupe back in January of this year. I had located a short article that appeared in the July 1960 edition of Hot Rod, and Jerry’s ride (Victress C3) looked to … Continue reading
Note: This is the third 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
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
Note: This is the first 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… This story is for my good friends John Gulow and Javier Munoz – both who are Nic-L-Silver Battery “Pioneer” car enthusiasts, and one (Javier) who owns at least one of these cars. Background of Project: George Lippincott was … Continue reading
Hi Gang… How many people customized their C2 coupes? Who was the first to do so? I bet you’ve been asking these questions for years, and now we can begin to offer some possible answers. Let’s review a bit about … Continue reading
Hi Gang… As you know by now, our big event for this year will be a “Fabulous Fiberglass” Category at the Milwaukee Masterpiece Concours d’Elegance held in August 2011. “Forgotten Fiberglass” cars that are tentatively scheduled to appear include: Geoff … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I’ve been doing detailed interviews over the past few months with several of the folks from Victress about the history of their company and car designs. One of these folks, Mel Keys, sent photos in of an interesting … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Fiberglass aficionado Erich Schultz sent in some information about an intriguing Victress S1 that was seen not too long ago on distant roads in America. Erich wrote: “Geoff….Several years ago I considered purchasing a Victress S1 that had … Continue reading
Note: 3/28/2011 I’ve just published another story on Jerry Sutton and his Victress C3. Click here to review the story on Jerry Sutton’s Victress C3 Coupe. —————————————- Hi Gang… I love magazines that featured our favorite fiberglass sports cars – … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Building a fiberglass sports car early in one’s life usually has long-term implications. That’s what happened to Keith Kaucher when he first came across a LaDawri Castillian in shop class in the late 1970’s, and ultimately resulted in … Continue reading
Note: This is the final installment of a 3 part series of articles on the Johnny Dark Victress, Virgil Rice, Mack Hellings, Bob Stelling, the Hellings Company, and Stelling and Hellings. Here are links to the other parts of the story: … Continue reading
Note: This is the second installment of a 3 part series of articles on the Johnny Dark Victress, Virgil Rice, Mack Hellings, Bob Stelling, the Hellings Company, and Stelling and Hellings. Here are links to the other parts of the story: … Continue reading
Note: This is the first installment of a 3 part series of articles on the Johnny Dark Victress, Virgil Rice, Mack Hellings, Bob Stelling, the Hellings Company, and Stelling and Hellings. Here are links to the other parts of the story: Click … Continue reading
Hi gang… Well…. it’s starting to happen. More people are noticing the “Forgotten Fiberglass” cars of the 1950’s and they’re doing something about it. More museums are recognizing these cars for exhibits. More Concours d’Elegance events are creating classes around … Continue reading
Hi Gang… How many Victress Models were there??? Let me count the ways…. When I first met Merrill Powell (co-owner of Victress from 1953-1961) back in 2006, we spent a lot of time reviewing the history and models that they … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Today I’m pleased to present part 3 of “Fiberglass Day” which was held at the Petersen Automotive Museum on Saturday June 26th, 2010. During this segment, Merrill Powell from Victress takes the stage and discusses the history of … Continue reading
Hi Gang… How many automobile designs do you know are patented / copyrighted? Well….if you know at least “one” then you can add a few more to your list – some of our wonderful fiberglass cars of the 1950’s. Research … Continue reading
Hi Gang… A fair number of Sports Specials have been surfacing in the past few years in need of restoration or completion. We’ve had great fortune that these cars survived in any way, shape, or form, so we welcome each and every one – … Continue reading
Hi Gang.. And you Victress owners out there thought you had everything… Fiberglass body builders back in the day were first and foremost businessmen. So it shouldn’t surprise you that many of the firms producing beautiful fiberglass bodies in the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Rick and I have scoured the country looking for vintage fiberglass history and stories. During this journey, we’ve met and befriended many people, but I knew I met my match when I met Steve Cowdin of Colorado. What … Continue reading
Hi Gang.. As most of you know, we had a great time at Amelia Island on March 14th at the Concours d’Elegance. Bill Warner and Tom Cotter put on a masterful show – worthy of all recognition and respect for … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Thanks to Alan Emory who owns one of the neatest Victress S1A’s out there, we have found more video (color film) of vintage fiberglass cars racing at the dry lakes in the 1950’s. There are even a few … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Back in August 2009, Guy Dirkin was prepping his Victress for the beginnings of a long and arduous restoration. He has been dedicated to documenting each step of the process including some video of separating the body and … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Back in the 1990’s, one of our esteemed members, Fred Roth, hosted and ran an event each Father’s Day called the “Thousand Oaks Car Classic” in Thousand Oaks, California. For fiberglass sports car guys like us, the most interesting … Continue reading
Hi Gang… The red hood of the Victress glistened in stark contrast to the raw fiberglass…finally exposed from being hidden by years of paint, dirt, grime, and neglect. You could almost hear the distant roar of Guy Dirkin’s “Lost Motor Trend Victress Special” … Continue reading
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There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
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
Jack Farr Collection Cars in Restoration 1957 Galileo Special 1957 LaDawri Conquest 1953 Victress S1A 1953 Glasspar G2 1980 “Total Recall” Movie Car … Continue reading
History Debonnaire / Venture (1954 – 1955) Design By Phillip Egan (from the Tucker Design Team) — America’s Boulevard Sports Car — Debonnaire / Venture Boulevard Sports Car Many of the fiberglass sports cars of the 1950s were designed by … Continue reading
Contributors To Byers Sports Car History We’re proud to release this newly created section of Undiscovered Classics that focuses on the history of the Byers Sports cars. Our research into this marque started in 2007, and took the help of … Continue reading
Main Menu Forgotten Fiberglass Click Here Sport Customs Click Here Streamlined Dreams Click Here Links To Explore Welcome To Undiscovered Classics Click Here View Our Undiscovered Classics Portfolio Click Here Learn More About Undiscovered Classics Classic Motorsports: January, 2022 Click … 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
Be Unique Why Buy An Undiscovered Classics Car? It’s All About The Dream 5 components: Who built it and how Who designed it These cars epitomized later American sports car design Achievements in design/styling at Motoramas across America … Continue reading
“Before” and “After” 40 Cars Are Shown Below The Photos Show The Starting Point and the Finished Look Restorations Completed By Undiscovered Classics Teams Restorations Completed By Others … Continue reading
Strother MacMinn’s LeMans Coupe The Complete Story (800 words) Strother MacMinn… “All stories about American efforts in the famous French 24-hour endurance race carry the phrase “…not since Jimmy Murphy drove his Duesenberg to win in 1921 has an American … Continue reading
Interview: Bill Quirk Foreman of Victress Manufacturing and Friend of Alton Johnson I first met Doc Boyce-Smith (Co-Founder of Victress Manufacturing where LeMans Coupe was built) when he and Hugh Jorgensen were working on the very first Victress buck. It … Continue reading
Merrill Powell Co-Founder of Victress Where Alton Worked and LeMans Coupe Built It is great reading Doug Ward’s recollections of Al Johnson, and the development of his LeMans Coupe. As VP of Victress Mfg. Co., where Al worked and built … Continue reading
Quotes and Memories As a kid growing up in North Hollywood, I used to regularly drive my ’35 Ford 3 window over to the Victress plant. I can’t remember if it was Lankershim or Vineland that it was located on. … Continue reading
Selected Interviews Ed Monegan Original Member Team 1 Click Here To View Kathy (Tifft) Cooper Daughter of Edward Tifft, Team 2 Click Here To View Doug Ward Friend of Alton Johnson Click Here To View Merrill Powell Co-Founder of Victress … Continue reading
People Interviewed LeMans Coupe Team 1 Ed Monegan (one of the original 3 members of LeMans Coupe Team #1) Marvin Horton’s Family (Sheryl – daughter, Gavin – grandson of Marvin and Steven – son of Marvin) Merrill Powell – Vice-President … Continue reading
Interview: Ed Monegan Original Team Member (Team 1) Back in early 2006, I did a series of interviews with Ed Monegan – the last remaining member of the 3-man team that created the molds for cars built by Team 1. … Continue reading
Alton Johnson’s LeMans Coupe Aftermath of Crash at Malibu Canyon Alton’s LeMans Coupe was lost in late 1960 after a terrible crash in Malibu Canyon, California. The photos of the crash site were taken by Bill Quick at the time. … Continue reading
Alton Johnson’s LeMans Coupe Overview Alton Johnson’s LeMans coupe was the first finished car and the most famous of the ones that were built or being built. Sadly, after his car appeared in the August, 1960 issue of Road & … Continue reading
LeMans Coupe Team #2 Overview The second “team” to create a mold and build a LeMans Coupe sports car was actually a father/son team – Edward and Frank Tifft. Ed had passed before I had a chance to meet him, … Continue reading
LeMans Coupe Team #1 Marvin Horton and Ed Monegan, both electronic experts in the aerospace industry collaborated with Alton Johnson who had design and fiberglass experience and worked for Victress Manufacturing – a fiberglass company that specialized in sports car … Continue reading
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2023 Click on the Following Links To Review Each Article Concours d’Elegance Appearances Gasparilla Concours d’Elegance Class of Cars: Handcrafted Cars Featured Undiscovered Classics Cars: To be chosen in early 2023 Tampa, Florida December, 2023 Hilton Head Concours d’Elegance Featured … Continue reading
Note: This is a multi-part story. Click here to view all parts of this story Hi Gang… When we acquired the 1955 Californian Sports Car (now confirmed as the “LeGene”) we were at the very beginning of our research and … Continue reading
Hi Gang… When it’s quiet on our website, we’re usually busy somewhere else. This year, as you’ll see in the near future, has been a year for restorations and brand-new creations. But that story is for the future. Today’s story … Continue reading
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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
2022 Click on the Following Links To Review Each Article Concours d’Elegance Appearances Gasparilla Concours d’Elegance Tampa, Florida Two Cars: 1966 Cannara I and 1959 Devin December 2022 Cigar City Concours d’Elegance Tampa, Florida Cars: 1955 Frazer Custom Show Car … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Exciting news for one of my favorite handcrafted cars of the 1950s – the Grantham Stardust. While we have an unrestored example in our collection, Undiscovered Classics has partnered with David Deluca to restore and show his Stardust … Continue reading
Cars For Sale Click Here To View All “Before / After” Photos on One Page Scroll Down To See Link To Cars For Sale And Other Information “We Find, Research, Restore, Show and Sell America’s Lost Automotive Treasures“ … Continue reading
Steve Steers Victress S1A Hemmings Motor News: February, 2012 … Continue reading
Steve Steers Victress S1A Hill Country Car Culture: Nov – Dec, 2016 … Continue reading
Frank Cornell Archives Woodill Wildfire Historian Emeritus From The Desk of Frank Cornell: December 25, 2019 I’d always been a “car guy”, and mostly into sports cars. I didn’t get interested in fiberglass until the early 70s when I purchased … Continue reading
Hi Gang… And we’re off! Today, Dan Palatnik and I are releasing another poster of these cool, handbuilt sports cars that appeared across America in the early postwar years. This is the third in a series of posters that we … Continue reading
Hi Gang… More and more we are using Dan Palatnik’s renderings to “light the way” for our restorations of handcrafted American sports cars. In addition, these renderings showcase each car in a beautiful presentation the way the cars were meant … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We’re excited to share great news – The “Undiscovered Classics Collection” of 1:43 scale models has now been released by Esval Models. To help promote these scale model cars, we put the talented artistry of Dan Palatnik to … Continue reading
Hi Gang… As they say, “The Punishment of Success is More Work” – and we’ve been keeping Dan Palatnik and his rendering skill busy here at Undiscovered Classics. Dan is our “artist in residence” here whose actual residence is Rio … Continue reading
Dan Palatnik and the Art of Lost Cars Dan Palatnik has led the effort of creating 3D renderings for all handcrafted specials we study and celebrate. Dan’s been with us since nearly the start and has worked with the entire … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I’ll be showing progress soon on the restoration of Paul Sable’s 1955 Debonnaire, so I think it makes sense to share the history of this car and the marque as I did so in September, 2018 for Reincarnation … Continue reading
Hi Gang… For nearly 15 years I’ve worked with members of the North American Singer Owner’s Club (NASOC) to help document the history of Singer custom bodied sports and race cars in America. Initially my interest was in the Glasspar … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We’re proud to release a newly created section of Undiscovered Classics that focuses on the history of the Byers Sports cars. Our research into this marque started in 2007, and took the help of many to complete. This … Continue reading
History Byers Sports Cars (1955 – 1968) Design By Jim Byers — The World’s Most Beautiful Sports Car — Road & Track, February, 1957 Byers Sports Cars Road and Track featured a Byers SR-100 on the cover of their magazine in … Continue reading
Byers Brochures Evans Industries: Art Evans Memories January 23, 2009 E-mail From Art Evans to Geoff Hacker From: Art Evans [agevans@yahoo.com] Sent: Friday, January 23, 2009 10:34 PM To: Geoffrey Hacker Subject: RE: Attn: Art Evans: Evans Industries Ties with … Continue reading
Byers Vintage Articles Sport Customs Special Interest Autos: Nov-Dec, 1977 Sportscar Specials Victress (Should have read “Byers”) Trend Book #196: 1960 Bat Masterson’s CR-90 Sportscar Specials (1960) Coming Soon The Thousand Dollar Sports Car John Bond’s Handbuilt Byers SR-100 Road … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Dan Strohl of Hemmings Motor News posted an article this weekend on one of our favorite people – Dan Palatnik (you can scroll down in this story and follow the link to read the story in Hemmings about … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Our Undiscovered Classics website is a work in progress. As we learn more information – it expands. As we find more cars and see more finished restorations – it expands. And as we more closely understand how to … Continue reading
Undiscovered Classic Cars at Major Concours 2007 to Present 2020 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance 1952 Voodoo Gardner Showing With Owners Brian And Sue Ford 2019 Gasparilla Concours d’Elegance Two Cars: 1937 Custom Cord Phaeton 1954 Frazer Custom Cigar City Concours … Continue reading
Undiscovered Classic Classes at Major Concours 2007 to Present Concours Attended 2020 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Amelia Island, Florida Class: 1949-1952 Sports Cars 1952 Voodoo Gardner March 8, 2020 2019 Cigar City Concours d’Elegance Tampa, Florida Class: Special Display Two … Continue reading
Hi Gang… The 2020 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance was quite an event. Three different American Specials in three different classes which included a 1958 Victress S1A sports car, the one-off “1952 Voodoo Gardner Special” and today’s story – a 1959 … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Our enterprise, Undiscovered Classics, is all about research – especially the hard to get to “stuff”. Undiscovered Classics is about: Uncovering the history of the early postwar sports car marques such as Glasspar, Victress, and more. Revealing the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… It’s great to see restoration plans being put in place for another LaDawri Conquest – this one owned by Mike and Bobbie Machado of Gardnerville, Nevada. Recently, Mike bought the LaDawri from good friend James Long of California, … Continue reading
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Instruction and Assembly Manuals Click on the Links Below To Explore Each Assembly Manual 1961 LaDawri – Victress Assembly Manual John Gulow Archives 1958 – 1959 LaDawri Conquest: Supplementary Information John Gulow Archives 1957 – 1959 LaDawri Coachcraft – Conquest … 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
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Classes and Exhibition Schedule Classes In Process Or Development / Possible Future Classes Currently Open Petersen Museum: Strother MacMinn – Sports Cars of the Future (June, 2023 – February 25th, 2024) Petersen Exhibit 2023-2024 – Click Here Worksheet – Click … Continue reading
Hi Gang… The first Jabro….so much different than the later Jabro sports cars that James P. Broadwell was best known for. But it all started in 1952 with a sport custom also called the “Jabro.” The wheelbase of this car … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Fiberglass sports car specials shined back in the 1950s – they were often the “rock stars” of their day appearing on magazine and book covers. So far we’ve found more than 50 vintage and modern cover appearances and … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Participating in the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance is always an honor, and none more than this year when we shared the responsibility in debuting an Undiscovered Classic, the 1952 Voodoo Gardner, with its new owners, Brian and Sue … Continue reading
Hi Gang… And we’re off! On the heels of releasing our first poster of America’s Handcrafted Cars last week. Today, Dan Palatnik and I are releasing our second poster of these cool, handbuilt cars that appeared across America in the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We’ve been working up a new tool for current enthusiasts and newcomers to Undiscovered Classics – a tool where you can learn more about these handcrafted cars via a single page. And this new tool is ready as … Continue reading
Hi Gang… It’s significant to look back over time and consider changes we’ve seen in celebrating Undiscovered Classics cars. Recently we shared the increased appearances of handcrafted American sports cars at events across the country including the Amelia Island Concours … 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
Hi Gang… There’s never a dull moment here at Undiscovered Classics. And although the 2020 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance ended mere hours ago, Dan Palatnik and I have been hard at work the last week to bring artwork on handcrafted … Continue reading
Posters – New and Vintage Check out our poster selection below and download for free. To download a copy, right click on the image of the poster you are interested in. Next, click on “Save Image As” to save the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We attended the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance last weekend and helped present the 1952 Voodoo Gardner on the field with its owners Brian and Sue Ford of Christchurch, New Zealand. And while that was exciting for myself and … Continue reading
Hi Gang… One of our Undiscovered Classics aficionados alerted me to this article about “Sports Specials” that was published in the winter of 1983 – that’s 37 years ago folks. I had just turned 21 years old, and I already … Continue reading
Hi Gang… While we may think that Glasspars, Wildfires and Victresses (the big 3 of handcrafted cars in the early to mid 50s) are plentiful given the number of stories we share here at Undiscovered Classics – nothing could be … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I’ve always considered the pinnacle of the car hobby to be designing and building your own car – for those with the talent and skills to do so. Think about the passion one must have to consider all … Continue reading
Mark Greene TV, Podcast and Automotive Inspirer About Mark Green and Cars Yeah Learn About Cars Yeah Here Mark Green on Cars Yeah A Series of Short Interviews with Mark Cars Yeah & Undiscovered Classics Undiscovered Classics Interview (Geoff Hacker) … Continue reading
Valuation: American Specials Hagerty Value Guides For American Specials The Valuation Guides maintained by Hagerty continue to show excellent results for nicely restored American Specials that have been brought back to beautiful condition. Overview Currently Hagerty value estimates exceed $100,000 … Continue reading
Valuation: American Specials Auction Results Here at Undiscovered Classics we keep a keen eye on auctions as they relate to postwar handcrafted specials, and the news in the past few years has been increasingly positive. What’s impressive is the consistently … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Here at Undiscovered Classics we keep a keen eye on auctions as they relate to postwar handcrafted specials, and the news in the past few years has been increasingly positive. Sometimes we see one car pass through an auction … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I first wrote about this Wildfire when it was spotted at the 2014 Retromobile Show in Paris, France. Click here to Read About The Woodill Wildfire Discovery in Paris France Since then we have become friends with the … Continue reading
Johnny Dark Movie American Specials of the 1950s at Their Best Universal International: 1954 Overview Review the stories below to learn more about this film Johnny Dark The Post World War II Sports Car Craze Played out on the Silver … Continue reading
Showcase 1966 Cannara I Designed and Built By Ray Cannara Owner: Guy Dirkin, Ph.D., Clermont, Florida — Designed at the Beginning of the Wedge Car Movement — History of This Car Ray Cannara, a native Floridian was a successful designer … 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
Art Center Car-B-Que Pasadena, California 1956 Victress S1A – Dick Foster Special July 20, 2008 … Continue reading
Graham Kozak Automotive Journalist: Autoweek Magazine Stories on Undiscovered Classics Automobiles Most Recent Articles Appear At The Top The Beautiful Byers SR-100 Returns to Production – With a Modern Twist Graham Kozak – Autoweek: April 30, 2019 Most Homebuilt Cars … Continue reading
F.O.B. (Free On Board) Backyard Kurtis, Victress, Wildfire, Maverick and More Motor America: Spring, 1954 … Continue reading
Prelude to the Salt Victress, Allied and More, By Dean Moon MotorLife: September, 1954 … Continue reading
Boyce-Smith Terminal Box Car Craft: February, 1954 Click Here To Read Story On This Accessory … Continue reading
Badge Bar Journal The Guy Mabee Special: August, 1954 Photo only of 1953 Guy Mabee Victress Special. Inside back cover. … Continue reading
The Streetliner: Victress Mabee Special 1954, January: Hot Rod Magazine … Continue reading
Plastic Bodies For Home Production Hop Up Magazine: April, 1953 First known photo of a Victress S1A sports car. Person next to car is Jim Byers. Most likely the First Victress S1. … Continue reading
Doc Boyce-Smith Founder Victress Manufacturing 1952 Doc Boyce-Smith was born in 1924 and created Victress in 1952 at 28 years of age. He spent… Early years During World War II Dry Lake Years College Years Creating Boyce-Smith Company Creating Victress … Continue reading
LaDawri Models Offered Models Offered Conquest: Year launched, wheelbase, track QT Quest Daytona Sebring Del Mar LaDawri Acquired Victress Manufacturing in 1961 And Added The Following Models Castilian Coupe (Victress C3 Coupe) Sicilian Coupe (Victress C2 Coupe) Cavalier (Victress S4) … Continue reading
S1 / S1A Roadster History of Victress S1 / S1A design originated with BMW Detailed in Victress Literature Shown Throughout 1953 Book on How To Build a Fiberglass Sports Car Shown in 1954 Victress Brochure Shown in 1955 Victress Brochure … Continue reading
Instruction / Assembly Manuals Frame Modification Author: Doc Boyce-Smith 1955 Fiberglass Automobile Body Construction Author: Doc Boyce-Smith 1955 Victress Build Instructions 1954 How To Build A Fiberglass Car Authors: Doc Boyce-Smith and Edmond Kelly Drawings: Hugh Jorgensen 1953 … Continue reading
Vintage “Build” and Instruction Manuals Victress Build Instructions 1955 How To Build A Fiberglass Car Victress Manufacturing Authors: Doc Boyce-Smith and Edmond Kelly Drawings: Hugh Jorgensen 1953 … Continue reading
Showcase Production Fiberglass Sports Cars Restored 1958 LeMans Coupe The Most Exciting Sports Car Design of its Era Designed by Strother MacMinn Owners: Dennis and Karen Kazmerowski, Califon, New Jersey Click Here 1952 Victress S1A The Lost Motor Trend Victress … Continue reading
LaDawri Coachcraft 1956-1965 Home Page LaDawri Coachcraft History The LaDawri Conquest was designed and built by Les A. Dawes of British Columbia, Canada and is recognized as Canada’s first fiberglass sports car. The Conquest was first shown at the Pacific … Continue reading
George Barris: Work With Undiscovered Classics Custom Car Builder and Designer We’ve worked or met with George and/or his family Brett and Joji on several occasions, projects and/or exhibits as outlined below. Latest information appears at the top of this … Continue reading
Merrill Powell Co-Founder of Victress Manufacturing (founded 1952) Designer of Victress C2 and C3 Coupe America’s First Fiberglass GT Coupe Sports Car of Original Design About Merrill Powell Interview Listening Time: 36 Minutes Cars Yeah! April 12, 2014 Articles “The … Continue reading
Guy Dirkin Saved a Famous Victress, Built a Byers Race Car, Owns A Sport Custom, Races a GT 1 car, Participates in SCCA and Vintage Races 1949 Panache Sport Custom to Appear at the Cigar City Concours d’Elegance in Tampa, … Continue reading
A Short History of LaDawri Coachcraft May, 1986 The history provided here is a summary of the work completed in the 1980’s and 1990’s by John Gulow, LaDawri Historian Emeritus. We have continued to build on John’s work and have … Continue reading
One Man’s Pursuit of the LaDawri Vancouver Sun: August 12, 1980 “One Man’s Pursuit of the La Dawri” “The Vancouver Sun”, Tuesday, August 12, 1980 “Motoring” column of the “Outdoors” section Written by: Phil Hanson A couple of years ago … Continue reading
Undiscovered Classics Vintage Media Archive 2000-2005 Cosmic Concept Traditional Rod & Kulture: Winter, 2005 Premier Issue Cobra in the Barn Great Stories of Automotive Archaeology Author: Tom Cotter – Published 2005 Woodill Wildfire Fanning A Flame: Woody Woodill and the … Continue reading
Tom Cotter Barn Find Author, Collector, TV Personality About Tom Cotter Interview Listening Time: 38 Minutes Cars Yeah! November 14, 2014 Undiscovered Classics Appearances TV, Videos & On The Web Barn Find Hunter, Tom Cotter: Hagerty TV Episode #72 Viewing … 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
Undiscovered Classics & Forgotten Fiberglass Review The History Of Our Site And Organization The Beginning “Undiscovered Classics” began as “Forgotten Fiberglass” with the acquisition of my 1961 Covington Tiburon Coupe. In the spring of 2006, my friend John Bowen called … Continue reading
Generation 1: 1951-1956 Generation 1 fiberglass sports cars were characterized by… Allied (Swallow Coupe 94″ wb, Swallow Roadster 94″ wb) (Falcon Coupe 100″ wb, Falcon Roadster 100″ wb) Byers (SR-100, CR-90, Custom Bodies) Devin (Panhard, 27 Sports Car Bodies, Devin … Continue reading
Corvette in the Barn (Three Stories) Tom Cotter: Published 2010 Story 1: The Snipe Hunter (Geoff Hacker) – By Harold Pace Story 2: The Lost Motor Trend Victress Special – By Guy Dirkin Story 3: The Belly Tank Tribute – … Continue reading
Hi Gang… John Pascucci of JR’s Speedshop in Venice, Florida and I took a ride to Clermont, Florida yesterday to visit Guy Dirkin and see his 1956 Byers SR-100 and Victress S1A. We took some pix to share with you … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Great news gang. The Cigar City Concours d’Elegance has officially accepted the 1952 Glasspar G2 for presentation on their field later this year in November, 2019. We at Undiscovered Classics are excited to be showing the car on behalf … Continue reading
Showcase 1952 Glasspar G2 Design By Bill Tritt Owners: Brian and Sue Ford, Christchurch, New Zealand Best Viewed In Landscape Mode Use On-Screen Arrows To Move Thru Photos History of This Car The Glasspar G2 is considered by many to … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Great news gang. The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance has officially accepted the 1952 Voodoo Gardner for presentation on the field at their event in March, 2020. We at Undiscovered Classics are excited to be jointly showing the car … Continue reading
Hi Gang… You may have noticed that in the past few months we have made changes that impact the entirety of our operation. We initially wrote about these in a story titled “Undiscovered Classics – New Direction” in November last … Continue reading
Note: This is a multi-part story. Click here to view all parts of this story Hi Gang… We’ve been researching this car since 2008, but it took our appearance on Ray Evernham’s Velocity TV show “AmeriCarna” in 2015 for us … Continue reading
A Tribute To Rick D’Louhy Forgotten Fiberglass Raconteur, Car Show Creator, Historian, Best Friend And More In The Beginning Who doesn’t like a car adventure – and boy have I had one over the last 40 or so years. But … 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
SCALE MODEL CARS Victress and Glasspar and Kurtis – oh my. Add to that the Leo Lyons Custom Mercury, the Cheetah “Moon” transporter and even more. Yes we’ve been busy working with three different companies to produce a wide array … Continue reading
Welcome To Forgotten Fiberglass A Division of Undiscovered Classics Click Here To Learn More Best of the Best Showcase Beautifully Restored Rare Sports Cars Use On-Screen Arrows To Move Thru Photos Fiberglass Car History And Marques Generations 0 thru 4 … Continue reading
Art Cards: Communicating the Message Most of the cars we celebrate have not been seen before by the majority of the public. To help share the history and beauty of these cars with folks at concours and exhibitions we have … Continue reading
Business Cards – Collect ’em All We’ve always viewed cars as “art” and have taken this theme to our business cards from the start. These cards are also a subtle way of creating interest in rare “Undiscovered Classics” and “Forgotten … Continue reading
2017 Click on the Following Links To Review Each Article Concours d’Elegance Appearances Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance 1956 Bangert Manta Ray March 9-11, 2017: Amelia Island, Florida Museum, Event and Exhibition Appearances DuPont Registry Show June, 2017 Exhibited: 1956 Bangert … Continue reading
2016 Click on the Following Links To Review Each Article Concours d’Elegance Appearances Concepts Beyond Detroit Class (Two Cars) Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance: Official Press Release Two Cars Attending: 1961 Covington Tiburon; 1950 Leo Lyons Custom Mercury March 10-13, 2016: … Continue reading
2015 Concours d’Elegance Appearances Ameila Island Concours d’Elegance: Forgotten Fiberglass Class 1953 Meteor SR-1 and More Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance 1946 Bill Burke Belly Tank Streamliner Award Won: “Rolling Sculpture” Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance 1950 Ultra Modern Mercury – Leo … Continue reading
2014 Click on the Following Links To Review Each Article Concours d’Elegance Appearances Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance 1955 California Special (LeGene Roadster) Museum, Event and Exhibition Appearances DuPont Registry Show July, 2014 Exhibited: 1955 Californian Roadster (LeGene Roadster) Corporate Office: … Continue reading
2012 Click on the Following Links To Review Each Article Concours d’Elegance Appearances Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance August, 2012 1947 Kurtis-Omohundro Comet Kirkland Concours d’Elegance September 9, 2012 1947 Kurtis-Omohundro Comet Salisbury Concours d’Elegance September 8-9, 2012 Salisbury House & … Continue reading
2011 Click on the Following Links To Review Each Article Concours d’Elegance Appearances Milwaukee Masterpiece Concours d’Elegance 1961 Covington Tiburon Coupe August, 2011 Museum, Event and Exhibition Appearances On The Web Ebay Find: Rare ’59 Bocar XP-5 Silodrome – … Continue reading
2010 Click on the Following Links To Review Each Article Concours d’Elegance Appearances Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Forgotten Fiberglass Class & More Two Cars Attending: 1955 Californian (LeGene) and 1946 Bill Burke Belly Tank Streamliner March, 2010 Museum, Event and … 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
Book: Motor City Barn Finds Detroit’s Lost Collector Cars 1955 Victress C2 Coupe / 1966 Ray Cannara Concept Car Author: Tom Cotter Photography: Michael Alan Ross Published: 2017 … Continue reading
New Acquisitions Here are some of the cars we’ve hunting and successfully brought down to Undiscovered Classics in Tampa, Florida in the past year or so. 1949 WOW Cadillac Convertible (1 of 1) Built in the late 1940s, The WOW … Continue reading
Cars Available For Partnership Some of our cars are chomping at the bit to get restored. If one of these cars interests you, contact us to discuss a possible partnership on ownership and restoration. We take our finished cars to … Continue reading
Recent Quote About Undiscovered Classics: Geoff Hacker and his crew are indeed scholars who embark on perilous adventures to obtain rare artifacts. Literally. I’ve seen them in action. They’re obsessive and not afraid to get dirty digging. And, by making … Continue reading
Dave Perry Old School Restorations Born in ’42, I got my first fiberglass ‘itch ‘in 1956 when I began building my second street rod, the 47 Chevy Fastback that I got after my dad bought a new Mercury Montclair. Early, … 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
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… It’s been an adventure trying to get all the stories of “building your own car in the ‘50s” nailed down so many years later. And this story about the Sierra Sportcar Frame has been one of the toughest … Continue reading
Hi Gang… The Leo Lyons Custom Mercury Saga is now behind us and the car is tucked safely away and on display at the Sarasota Classic Car Museum in Sarasota Florida. I’ll write a bit about our experience with this … Continue reading
Hi Gang… During the time folks were in Tampa preparing for their visit to the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, we had a chance to visit not only “Fiberglass Farms” but also our workshop – “The Glass Menagerie.” The photos below … Continue reading
Hi Gang… The day before the Amelia Concours is my favorite – mostly. Rick D’Louhy and I we tend to run to the last minute, which makes it an exciting day, but one that I feel I need to “prep” … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Fiberglass Farms has been around for nearly a decade. Wow! That’s longer than I would have guessed 🙂 It started out small but has steadily grown as Rick D’Louhy and I have picked up the pace in saving … Continue reading
Hi Gang… For the last several years we have done small “tours” of Fiberglass Farms as time allowed and interested folks surfaced. Time and time again we’ve been asked about the origins of this special place, and we’ve shared the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… One of the best things about running Forgotten Fiberglass is meeting new folks – especially those with an interest on the history of fiberglass outside the USA too! Today I have the honor of introducing you to Pal … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Jim and Lea Ann Robinson sure keep things interesting Ever since I first met them in 2006 and then learned about the car they were finishing at the time – the famous 1953 Guy Mabee Victress Special – … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Recently one of the steely-eyed researchers in our group – Bill Foss – noticed that the movie “Johnny Dark” had been digitized and released – but with a twist. It was a hi-def version on DVD but only … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I’ve been researching this car for quite some time, and recently came across a beautiful hi-res photo of the car from back in 1953. It was an experimental car – a prototype – designed by La Carrozzeria Touring … Continue reading
Hi Gang… A long time ago in a far, far away place I saved my first fiberglass vehicle – a 1962 Shark Roadster. It was a memorable experience and had a lifelong impact on my interest in cars. Click here … Continue reading
This is the most promising to date of the several electric cars being engineered in various cities. George Lippincott, the founder and president of Nic-L-Silver, hopes to have ten cars a day rolling off the assembly line now being tooled. … Continue reading
Hi Gang… As we continue to dig into the magazines of the 1950s and 1960s searching for cars, stories, and information about the era where anything seemed possible, we find photos and articles that show no end to the creativity and … Continue reading
“You can become the most famous automobile dealer in your part of the country almost overnight! And fame means profits!” That’s how Woody Woodill opened up his “dealer brochure” inviting select individuals to consider selling the Woodill Wildfire from a … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We’re part of a movement gang – a “barnfinders” movement. More and more the cars we seek – the handcrafted cars of the 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond – are coming out of the woodwork. That is, they … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Last we checked in with Marshall Foxworthy and his U.S. Mark II Sports Car, he had just received his sports car body and was up to his neck in research on the car. Click here to review that … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Renault Specials have a special place for me given that my first fiberglass sports car was Renault based – the 1962 Shark Roadster – a car I still have today. So when I recently came across an article … 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… 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 working hard here at Forgotten Fiberglass to compile and archive a copy of every postwar automotive magazine from 1947 to 1960. These are essential to documenting the era and the stories that abound on building your own … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Rick and I chase down the neatest automotive history stories and many times – the cars that go with them. This time, we actually caught the car first and we’re in search of its build story – second. … Continue reading
Hi Gang…. “So how was Carlisle?” you might ask….” In one of our last stories back in early May, Rick D’Louhy and I were prepping for our trip to participate in the Import and Kit Nationals held yearly in Carlisle, … Continue reading
What People Are Saying About Undiscovered Classics Featured Quotes We’ve honored to be recognized by established leaders in the field, historians, journalists and more. Here are some of the quotes from across the world about who we are and what … Continue reading
Exhibitions Exhibitions Which Featured Undiscovered Classic Cars 2023 Petersen Automobile Museum – Exhibition #1 in Planning Stage Coming Soon Petersen Automobile Museum – Exhibition #2 in Planning Stage Coming Soon Sarasota Classic Car Museum (Multiple Years) On Display: Multiple Cars … Continue reading
Hi Gang… One of the most comprehensive articles that summarizes the history of the Guy Mabee Drilling Company Special was written by Bruce Gross back in 1995. Today we are honored to share it with you here at Forgotten Fiberglass. Great … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Back in early 1953, Woody Woodill sent a Wildfire to France for the Paris Auto Show. Interesting, one showed up recently at the Retromobile auto show this year in France – but it’s not the same car – … Continue reading
LISTEN TO: THE GREATEST AMERICAN CAR STORY NEVER TOLD Hi Gang… Recently I was honored to get a call from Todd Ruel who runs a great website called “Gone Autos.” In the course of several conversations, Todd explained that he … Continue reading
Hi Gang… What a great looking sports car! And I love the write up. As Rick D’Louhy and I continue to locate rare magazines, newspapers, race programs, show programs, and the like….we continue to uncover fiber-treasure inside – cars we’ve … Continue reading
Hi Gang… As a source of inspiration, one of the first books I read when we began our quest to find lost and forgotten cars of yore was Tom Cotter’s “Cobra in the Barn.” This is a book chocked full … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I wish I could have been there – the last Petersen Motorama of the 1950s. The actual name was “The 6th Annual International Motor Review” but that was the name change forced on Petersen in 1954 by an … 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… Come one, Come all….The Forgotten Fiberglass Gang is heading north in May, 2013 to participate in the Carlisle Import & Kit Nationals. Good friend Marvin McFalls, President of the Renault Owner’s Club of North America, put us in … 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… This past year I was honored to present our 1947 Kurtis-Omohundro Comet at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The efforts to create a class of Sport Custom cars – the predecessors to our beloved forgotten fiberglass handcrafted … Continue reading
Hi Gang… If you love the vintage fiberglass cars of the early ‘50s – the 1954 movie “Johnny Dark” is for you. It has everything a car guy would want in “car guy” movie: Sports car races – one actual … Continue reading
—————- Note: This is the second in a series of articles on Jerry Gardner’s Voodoo Dream. Click here to review all articles in this series. —————- Hi Gang… In the first part of this story, I introduced you to Jerry Gardner, … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We’ve not been idle here at Forgotten Fiberglass, of late. In fact, today marks the next release of logos for each of the car marques within our vintage ‘glass entourage. And on this day, I’m pleased to release the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… What a great story and fantastic fiber car of yesteryear – and it survives today as a beautifully restored sports car. Gordon White wrote of this car in his 2001 book, Kurtis-Kraft: Masterworks of Speed and Style, and … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We think about Bill Devin offering the greatest amount of bodies for any fiberglass sports car manufacturer of its era. They offered 27 different body sizes for various chassis, engine, and drivetrain combinations. That’s quite a bit – isn’t … 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… 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
———– Note: This is the second part of a 2-part story on the initial article written by Chuck Manning on how to build your own sports car. Click here to review both parts of this story. ———– Hi Gang… Allow … Continue reading
Hi Gang… From 1960 thru the year 2000, the story of Jim Byers and his sports cars – the SR-100 and CR-90 – was left virtually untold. Along the way Harold Pace and John Furlow came on the scene, and recognition … Continue reading
———– Note: This is the first part of a 2-part story on the initial article written by Chuck Manning on how to build your own sports car. Click here to review both parts of this story. ———– Hi Gang… Allow me … 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
Hi Gang… This is one of my favorite titles for the larger and more powerful sports cars – most of which were fiberglass by ’56 – built in America. Jim Potter, the author of this article, had been covering the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… This article was a very important article for John Bond – new owner of Road and Track Magazine as of November 1952 – just three months prior to this article’s publication. How could I know this article was … 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
Hi Gang… Until recently, I thought that a significant gap existed between Bill Devin’s debut of his Panhard bodied race car bodies and his later sports car bodies. And I was right – for a time. The more I researched … 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… I have the honor of introducing you to another new contributor here on Forgotten Fiberglass: Joel Driskill. Recently, Joel and I crossed paths on our mutual interest in the sports car built by Chuck Manning in the early … Continue reading
Hi Gang… By now most of you know how I spent my holiday last year… While you were with loved ones enjoying family and food and song and celebration….I hit the road – solo – to “walk the fiberglass talk” … 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… We have the greatest folks that I’ve met thru their mutual interest in Forgotten Fiberglass and I’m honored to build those friendships each and every day. One of the folks I met recently is Will Silk who writes … Continue reading
————————— Note: The next series of stories here on Forgotten Fiberglass are going to focus on the brochures and associated customer communication of the Atlas / Allied Fiber Glass Company. We’re lucky here at Forgotten Fiberglass to have become friends … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Back in the ‘50s, you could build your own sports car with a fiberglass body purchased from Glasspar, Victress, Woodill, and others or…..you could bite the bullet and built your own car from scratch – from soup to … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I love the “overview” articles sprinkled throughout the automobile enthusiast magazines in the ‘50s. They give us a good view of the industry at a point in time – as seen thru the authors of the era. For … 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
Hi Gang… Rick D’Louhy and I aren’t just out there gathering information on the vintage ‘glass cars of the ‘50s and beyond. We’re looking to find all historical reference materials, stories, and locations where the legendary material was dreamed of, … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Just got home from my Forgotten Fiberglass “jaunt” into the Northeast this holiday. Some of the highlights include: Ten days on the road behind the wheel of my Suburban with car trailer in tow Had two tires “explode” … Continue reading
Hi Gang… When publishing companies like Motor Trend, Fawcett, and others had too much good information to share that wouldn’t fit in their magazine, they often produced specialized books that focused on a singular topic, and in 1956 Motor Trend … 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
——————– “Some of the facts revealed here may shock the reader….” How To Draw Cars of Tomorrow (1952) That’s what’s written on the back cover of Bob Gurr’s 1952 book on car design, and it gives the book a … Continue reading
Forgotten Fiberglass Timeline: Table Form Ok guys….this is a “work in progress” but will help establish specific beginning dates and significant events in the postwar history of American Fiberglass Sports Cars. Date Event Reference 1945, Fall End of World War … Continue reading
Hi Gang… What a long article this is – but worth the read in every way 🙂 I’ve been putting off sharing this article with you not because it wasn’t important – it is. The article was printed just after a … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Where did each of our fiberglass sports cars come from? Here at Forgotten Fiberglass, we are discussing the design heritage of the cars we’ve come to love. We’ve even created a “Design Heritage” category that you can search … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I’ve been resisting writing about quarter-midgets for quite some time – for several reasons. First, they are new to me and there is a great amount of information out there on the internet about them. And second…. they … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Car designers are artists – sculptors as you would say – creative down to the last bone in their bodies. Their talents inspire us in thought, action, and deed, and when it comes to the automobile…. many of … Continue reading
Hi Gang… This is the second in a series of stories rolling out the new Fabulous Forgotten Fiberglass Flyers. Today’s story / flyer focuses on the Byers SR100. Click here to review all stories about the Fabulous Forgotten Fiberglass Flyers. … Continue reading
Hi Gang… What a great name: “Fabulous Forgotten Fiberglass Flyer…” There was tremendous “buzz” about fiberglass sports cars at our recent appearance at the 2011 Milwaukee Masterpiece Concours d’ Elegance. And all of us who were there delighted in sharing … Continue reading
Hi Gang… What an interesting week this has been around a car called the Hirsch Sports car. Up until earlier this week, the “Hirsch” was a “Mysterion” extraordinaire. Click here to review our earlier story about the Hirsch sports car. My how … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Consider what it must have been like at the start of building of your own sports car back in the early 50’s. I imagine many conversations went something like this…. “Hey! Check out this cool Victress/Glasspar/Woodill/Meteor/Byers/Allied body I … Continue reading
Hi Gang… This is our sixth in a series of “spotlights” on sections of a Buyer’s Guide for fiberglass sports cars published by Car Craft in March, 1956. Click on the link below to review all fiberglass cars discussed in … Continue reading
————————————— Car Craft Magazine, February ’54, commenting on the Petersen Motorama held in November, ’53: “One of the most interesting bits in the show was the heavy sprinkling of Fiberglass creations. These cars came in all shapes, sizes and for any … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Recently we reviewed a Devin Sportscar Special in the process of being built. It was owned by Jim Collins who has had a long history of building and restoring specials throughout his life. Click here to read the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I love hearing from new people every day here at Forgotten Fiberglass. Back in October 2007, Denny Allen wrote in with the following letter: Dear Geoff, I thought you might be interested in a fiberglass body I purchased … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Wayne Graefen and I are on a mission – to find out “all things Spohn.” But as you’ll find out over time….. Wayne’s way ahead of me on this one, and he’s been interested in these fascinating coachbuilt … Continue reading
Hi Gang… No surprises here. The more magazines I collect, the more information I find. Sometimes the best stuff doesn’t appear in the main articles. Instead, it often appears in often overlooked places at the back of the magazines. That’s … Continue reading
Hi Gang… The Grantham Stardust is one of my all-time favorite American Boulevard Cruisers. After the Covington Tiburon, the Stardust was the second fiberglass car I ever acquired – and that was with the help of my new fiberglass friend … Continue reading
Hi Gang… This is the first of a multi-part story on the “Mota” electric car by Banning Electrical Products Corporation of New York. Click here to review the first part of the story on the “Mota” Glasspar Electric Car. Fiberglass … Continue reading
Hi Gang… What grabbed you and your fiberglass car interest? For me….it’s all about design. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and what I see…”I get.” Most of my far more schooled friends in car design have been … Continue reading
Hi Gang… It’s 1957 and you’ve just turned 24 years old. What do you want to do? Why not start a car company! That’s exactly what Les Dawes of Canada did, along with the support and participation with his new … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We’ve been talking about Howard “Dutch” Darrin of late, so why stop now? How ‘bout some of you helping us out with learning more about this neatly designed car. One of the pieces I acquired from the Frank … Continue reading
Hi Gang… From time to time, you read articles here at Forgotten Fiberglass that in some way involve recognition of the Art Center in Los Angeles, California. This is an important reference for me and recognition on our behalf that many … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Recently I was honored to get a call from Todd Ruel who runs a great website called “Gone Autos.” In the course of several conversations, Todd explained that he has been building a website dedicated to some of … 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… I always remember a quote that helps me measure the strength of friendships I have. It goes like this: “Friends help you move…..Real friends help you move bodies.” Fiberglass bodies I mean – what did you think? The … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Thanks to the courage of Geordie Prodis, Byers SR100 owner, and the confidence he bestowed upon me in completing firewall badges for vintage fiberglass cars of the 1950’s, we now have badges for many of the cars that … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Rick D’Louhy and I are trying to paint a picture – a fiberglass picture – of the 1950’s. To do so we’re assembling all known articles big and small. And…. laying on top of the articles is the … Continue reading
PRODUCTION NUMBERS For the aforementioned reasons concerning the time and effort it took to complete a sports car, more – or less – of these cars were built than one might have imagined. When looking at production numbers from the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Sometimes I don’t know what to think. But as we started to move cars all around, I thought to myself “well…perhaps someone somewhere might get some good from all of this work we’re doing.” You see, when I … 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
Hi Gang… Noel Bangert was one special guy – and a talented designer too. I’ll share another article on design he penned back in the 1950’s in the near future, and you’ll see what I mean that he was an … 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
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… Ah….the “smoking gun.” Isn’t that what we’re always looking for? For me, the “smoking gun” has always been getting Tony Curtis’ detailed thoughts on the movie Johnny Dark – at the time the movie was filmed. And that’s…..what I … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Those of you who are faithful readers of Forgotten Fiberglass, know how much Rick D’Louhy and I (and now Bill Fester of Houston, Texas), have come to appreciate the legendary designer and stylist Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky. I’ve … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I love turning over the reins of more and more stories to talented researchers, builders, historians, and now…up and coming enthusiasts – like Kerry Griffin. I first met Kerry on my trip back from California with belly tank … Continue reading
In this article, you’ll learn from one of the veterans who knew American Specials well – John Christy. In the 1950s John wrote books and articles on sports cars in various magazines. In the 1960s he was the editor of … Continue reading
Hi Gang… The golden age of building your own fiberglass bodied sports car was 1951-1956. This is what Rick D’Louhy and I call the “First Generation” of fiberglass sports cars because designing and building your own car from scratch was being … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Back in the 1950’s, sports cars were all the rage. That’s not news to most of you, and by now you’ve heard me say that time and time again. But let’s explore a bit what that means. That … Continue reading
Hi Gang… The more you study the fiberglass sports car history of the 1950’s, the more you end up studying design. “Ground zero” for the fiberglass sports car industry was California, and in fact for a short time in the … 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… Holy Toledo! What made this city “ground zero” for the debut of the fantastic film that starred forgotten fiberglass sports cars of the fifties? I think we may have finally figured this out, but it took meeting automotive … Continue reading
Hi Gang… One of my best Glasspar friends is Pat Hoover. He is currently finishing the restoration of his father’s Glasspar G2 that was given to him by his dad as a family keepsake. Pat’s father, Bill Hoover, was one … Continue reading
Hi Gang… So many questions to answer…. What fiberglass sports car bodies were being offered in 1956? Was the Glasspar G2 still available? When did the Woodill Wildfire hardtop coupe hit the market? What is the Sorrell SR-190 Coupe? Can I … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Think back to the golden era of fiberglass sports cars….. Anything was possible. Enterprising young men could look to the future with a gleam in their eye and see so many possibilities. So could older and more experienced … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I love searching through old magazines. That’s where all the “good stuff” is. But collecting is a disease – once you get thru the basics like Road & Track and Motor Trend Magazines – you start looking for … Continue reading
Hi Gang… As Rick and I have canvassed thru reams of 1950’s magazines, we’ve found many cartoons that touch on – or directly relate to – building and driving fiberglass bodied sports cars. From time to time, we thought you … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I love “Mysterions.” Doesn’t everyone? “Mysterions” are a class of cars that Rick D’Louhy and I have so named based on their unknown history. They are truly “Mystery Cars” in every way. The 1950’s was a time when … Continue reading
Hi Gang… So little time…..so much to do. Back in 2009, Rick and I were sending out e-mails as a companion to Jon Greuel’s website: http://www.ladawri.com/ These e-mails were a record of stories concerning vintage fiberglass cars as well as … Continue reading
Hi Gang… When do you celebrate a birthday? How ‘bout now! I’m actually about 2 months late…..our website “Forgotten Fiberglass” was a year old as of November 16th, 2010. And this anniversary is just an arbitrary point in time. Jon … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Rick D’Louhy and I have a special affinity for the history around Eric Irwin and his Lancer Sports Cars. Partly it’s because a Lancer is one of two cars we found that rekindled our friendship in 2006 and … Continue reading
Note: This is the first installment of a 2 part series of articles on the 1975 Mechanix Illustrated Urba Car. Here is the link to the second part of this story: Click Here to Read Part 2 ——————————– Hi Gang… … Continue reading
Hi Gang… The story of the LeMans Coupe is one of the most exciting to share about any fiberglass car from the 1950’s or 1960’s. I’ll have to do this in separate articles because each car built had a different story, … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Where O where is Jim Webb of Berkeley? I’ve been searching for him and his family for many years now, and I’ve found everything but Jim. Thanks to Hugh Nutting who was a friend of his, we have … Continue reading
Hi Gang… You gotta love the Maverick Sportster from 1952…. It’s a good looking, graceful, and sophisticated design that grabs you the moment you see it. If fact, it fits a definition of “good looking” that fiberglass friend Robert Cumberford wrote … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Rick D’Louhy and I have found many a riddle during our research into the history of early fiberglass sports cars. We’ve found cars with missing history. We’ve found history without locating any cars. We’ve found “mystery makes” or … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Harold Pace, noted author and fiberglass sports car historian (click here for Harold’s biography) and I were talking up a storm a few nights ago about the usual subject – fiberglass sports and kit cars of the 1950’s … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Each one of us steps up to the plate, from time to time, and helps cement both the history and relevance of vintage fiberglass sports cars to the automotive community. That’s exactly what Mark Brinker did several years … 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… Rumors, Rumors, Rumors… That’s what I’ve heard for years about a turbine jet powered Woodill Wildfire. But if it existed, where was the car? Wouldn’t someone know of such an out of the ordinary build? After all, I’ve already … Continue reading
Hi Gang… As most of you know, the movie “Johnny Dark” is an important piece of history for fiberglass cars of the 1950’s. After all, Universal Studios featured several fiberglass sports cars in the movie which included: Woodill Wildfire Victress … Continue reading
Note: 4/3/2011: Great news gang. One of the folks who built this car – Mike Budniewski of Buffalo, New York, contacted me recently and gave me additional detail concerning this car. He was 14 years old when his teacher, Henry … 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
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… We’re honored to have not one but two Woodill Wildfires being restored in preparation for the Milwaukee Masterpiece in August 2011. (Click here for more information about this event.) Let the race begin! Dick Foster who built his … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I have exciting news to share! Just on the heels of 2010 where cars of the “Forgotten Fiberglass” class debuted at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance and “Fantasies in Fiberglass” was a 6 month display at the Petersen … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Rick D’Louhy and I continue to ferret out little known publications and booklets from the early and mid 1950’s on how to build a fiberglass car body. After all, this was a time when sports car excitement was … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Paul Sable has been a strong supporter of vintage fiberglass sports cars over the years – and has become a great friend too. I first met Paul at the Amelia Island Concours d’ Elegance in 2007 when he was … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Happy New Year! Let’s talk LaDawri ! And why not? After all, finding the Dawes family in 2006 was what set Rick D’Louhy and me on the path of researching the early history of fiberglass cars. And… we hope … Continue reading
Hi gang… Rick and I are always on the search for new information and new ways to understand the fiberglass cars movement of the 1950’s. Sometimes this takes us on weeks and months long road trips. Other times our research focuses on … Continue reading
Hi gang… How many specials were made in the 1950’s? In my recent trip to Kettering University and the John Bond (Road and Track) archive, I learned from letters in the archive that John Bond thought that perhaps as many as 1000 … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Recently, Fiberglass Friend Tom Householder sent me a link to a website known as “IMCDB.org”. Haven’t heard of it??? Well… it stands for “Internet Movie Car Database” and it’s a great website to identify every car in every movie ever … Continue reading
Note: This is the first in a series of articles on the Glasspar Racecar, built by Bill Tritt of Glasspar, Ted Mangels and Ed Martindale of Mameco, and Clem TeBow and Don Clark of CT Automotive. This car was first … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Where did ideas come from when designing sports cars and custom cars back in the 1950’s? Car shows, magazine articles, even TV shows in some cases I’m sure (California TV stations like KTLA featured both the Petersen Motorama … Continue reading
Hi Gang.. Back on June 26th, the Petersen Automotive Museum scheduled a “mid-exhibit” event to punctuate their “Fantasies in Fiberglass” display that was being held throughout most of 2010. Click here for more information concerning this event held in 2010. … Continue reading
Hi Gang.. It’s with great excitement that I share with you the recent publication of the automotive book “The Corvette in the Barn” by good friend Tom Cotter. This is the most recent of a series of “…In the Barn” … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Some of our favorite fiberglass cars are just now emerging from years of restoration. This one’s gonna knock the socks off you. Remember the song by the Beach Boys….”She’s Real Fine, My 409…”. Well…after you see Jerry Wood’s … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Let’s review some of the greatest (recent) mysteries of vintage fiberglass sports cars: Who wrote the article showing a Glasspar G2 body being pushed off a cliff and…. Where/when did it appear in print? Who designed and built … Continue reading
Hi Gang… As Rick D’Louhy and I continue our pursuit of documenting the “Forgotten Fiberglass” cars of the 1950’s, special ones bubble to the surface based on design, obscurity, prominence, rarity, and interest. One car combines all of these elements, and … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Sorry I’ve not been posting more stories of late. But I’ve had a great excuse…..we’re just just about 30 hours away from the start of “Fiberglass Day” at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California. And I’ve … Continue reading
Hi Gang… If only we could go back in time….I know exactly where I would go. To the 1950’s Petersen Motoramas. Back in 1950, Robert Petersen who started Hot Rod Magazine, Motor Trend, Car Craft, and others saw the unique … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Just how old are kit cars or sports cars that you can build? The Glasspar G2 is one of the oldest starting in 1951 – right? Not in any way, shape, or form. In fact, it’s off by … Continue reading
Hi Gang.. I met Boyd Lindberg because he found me – I didn’t find him. Boyd had found out about Rick D’Louhy and our research project on vintage fiberglass specials and took the time, energy, and effort to track us down and … 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… Rick and I are continuing to share information across each of the fiberglass car marques in the hopes of carefully and completely building a history for each of the companies – on our website and in our upcoming “Forgotten … Continue reading
Welcome To Undiscovered Classics Click Here To View All “Before / After” Photos on One Page Scroll Down To See Link To Cars For Sale And Other Information “We Find, Research, Restore, Show and Sell America’s Lost … Continue reading
Hi Gang… So the interior is restored, the body is painted, the engine is rebuilt, and what little chrome might be on your vintage fiberglass special is replated, repainted, or renewed. Wha ‘cha gonna to do about your wheels? Isn’t … Continue reading
Hi Gang.. Rick D’Louhy’s California Sports Special is one cool build. Think unique. There are only three bodies of this style known to exist. Rick’s California Sports Special is a streetworthy vehicle with racing history (that’s still being researched), apparently built in the … Continue reading
Hi Gang.. Many of you have seen this video when I sent it via e-mail as a link last year. But… there are so many newcomers to our Forgotten Fiberglass Website that I thought we should highlight it again. Back in 1955, building … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Welcome to the new category of stories you’ll find on our Forgotten Fiberglass website…’Vintage Accessories” for your car. This is our first story in this area. Vintage accessories are the bomb! Alright…forgive the modern day slang – which … 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… Mysterions… why do I keep bringing up this name and talking about these kinds of cars? Because it’s time we bring them forth and recognize them for everything they represent. The 1950’s was a time when competent builders … Continue reading
FIBERGLASS AND ALUMINUM PARTS As more people embrace forgotten fiberglass cars of the 1950’s, demand has increased for quality replacement parts that meet standards for restoration and concours level events. We are pleased to offer the following reproduction parts for the … 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… Are you getting bored with too many articles and stories about Grantham Stardusts, Victress S1As, Chicagoans, and Glasspars??? Seeing too many Byers, Woodill Wildfires, Venus Sports Cars, and Le Mans Coupes in museums and shows? Well good news gang! … 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… Scott Perrot is the friend….. I almost never had. About 2 years ago, I started making trips across the country – both with my research compadre Rick D’Louhy and without him -when my adventures might turn into a … Continue reading
Hi Gang… One of the best kept secrets of the 1950’s is that there were actually two different Motorama’s making news across the country. When we hear of the 1950’s Motorama – we think of GM’s Motorama. Concept cars, new … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I’d like to stray outside of American Fiberglass and go overseas. Rob Daniels who runs the 1950’s Specials Website focusing on Foreign Fiberglass Cars may be able to help here too. Off to some foreign fiberglass from the 1950’s and beyond. … Continue reading
Hi Gang… There’s so much information about vintage fiberglass cars – if you know where to look. One of my favorite pieces of information comes from the 1954 Trend Book Titled “Manual of Building Plastic Cars”. What a gem of … 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… 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
Cars – Home Glasspar – Home History Brochures & Advertising Models Available Bibliography Showcase Discussion Group Miscellaneous Contact / Registry Miscellaneous: This is an area that reviews Glasspar related stories – big and small. Stories Click Here to … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Maybe I have too much time on my hands. I ruminate about various aspects of these vintage fiberglass cars and how they were ahead of the curve in terms of what the designers of the bodies – and … Continue reading
Hi Gang… The best research often has nothing to do with effort or expertise. It often happens to just be plain old fashioned luck. That’s what happened to me when I was first contacted by Jules Heumann about a year … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Fiberglass cars were designed, built, and celebrated across the USA back in the 1950’s. We tend to forget this because ground zero was Los Angeles, but inspiration on what they did in California percolated throughout the country – and … Continue reading
Hi Gang.. This is almost like a barnfind story – except without finding the car. How can that be (you say)?… Well…the first time I heard of this car was from Tom Householder. Tom is a Doretti enthusiast and was … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Steve Steers recently wrote me about chassis/frame design and his experience with these cars. Steve grew up in the 1950’s and watched his father build a Victress and Glasspar back in the day. Steve also recently finished restoration and completion of a … 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
Forgotten Fiberglass Magazine And Book Cover Cars Fiberglass sports car specials shined back in the 1950s – they were often the “rock stars” of their day appearing on magazine and book covers. So far we’ve found more than 50 vintage … 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