Hi Gang… I love the history of Howard “Dutch” Darrin and his postwar sports cars – most of them built in fiberglass. Although we mostly know him for the Kaiser Darrin sports car with sliding doors, he actually designed and … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I love vintage press release photos – and there have been some great treasure troves of information “found” out there on ebay as newspapers divest themselves of their silver nitrate based photo collections of many decades. Recently, I … Continue reading
Hi Gang… When good friend and automotive historian Bob Cunningham shared a photo he saw on the internet that featured the 1946 Darrin fiberglass car and Santa Claus – I was hooked and had to have it. The photo, that … Continue reading
Hi Gang… So far we’ve found two magazines that heralded the announcement that a newly designed “Dutch Darrin” DKW car that would ultimately be sold by Flintridge Motors of Los Angeles, California. Each occurred early in ’57 and the plans … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I can’t get enough of this cute little car. We’ve found quite a bit of documentation that time, effort, design, and process was all worked out, yet the effort didn’t yield many cars. Howard “Dutch” Darrin’s design for … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Another fiberglass sports car on the front cover of a major automotive magazine from the ‘50s. How impressive is that gang! Howard “Dutch” Darrin still had it, and the world would always focus when he had something to … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Appreciation of cars knows no boundaries. And that has led to a great friendship with Rik Hoving – Custom Car aficionado who lives in the Netherlands. Rik is one of the best sources out there on history of … Continue reading
Hi Gang… “King of the Coachbuilders” That’s what Motor Trend called Howard “Dutch” Darrin back in early ’53 – and with good reason. His accomplishments in design and coachbuilding in the prewar years was legendary and his connection with the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I’ve recently been calling Howard “Dutch” Darrin the “Rock Star” of fiberglass – and with good reason. He produced a wider variety of prototypes and actual cars built from fiberglass in the postwar years than anyone else at … Continue reading
Hi Gang… John Bond, editor and owner of Road & Track Magazine was on the cutting edge. It was in February 1953 when official word was released from Kaiser-Frazer that the “Darrin Sports Car” would become the “Kaiser Darrin.” And … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Recently, I’ve begun to realize we have a new celebrity in the world of fiberglass from the ’40s and ’50s. I began to realize this, once I started to really dig into the research of Howard “Dutch” Darrin. It … Continue reading
Hi Gang… This is the first in a series of short articles about the introduction of the Kaiser Darrin sports car. I’ve been fortunate to be working with a great team on researching the early history of this car including: … Continue reading
Hi Gang… More neat stuff to share about the debut of the Kaiser Darrin…. Darren Swanson and I are working on an exact timeframe for all of the details of the debut of the Kaiser Darrin. We’re also working with … 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… We’re on a quest. A Kaiser-Darrin history quest. When did the Darrin sports car debut? And….when did it officially become the Kaiser Darrin 161 sports car? Inquiring minds want to know. I know we can look it up in … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Howard “Dutch” Darrin was a designer bar none. He’s remembered for styles he penned and cars he designed from the 1930’s thru our favorite age of cars – the 1950’s. But what was the last car he designed … 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
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… As promised….a story a day for 2 weeks….then Rick and I are going on another cross-country road trip to save a number of fiberglass relics. I think Robert Frost once wrote about vintage fiberglass cars and the act of saving them…..”miles to … 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
Des Moines Concours d’Elegance A Celebration of the Art and Design of the Motor Vehicle Kaiser Frazer 75th Anniversary Class Saturday September 10, 2022 to Sunday September 11, 2022 Important: Application Due Date: August 1st, 2022 Extra Extra…. Read All … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Looks like we’re going to finish up 2021 with a bang. We’ll be attending 3 different concours in the next 3 months which is a new record for us, and we’d enjoy seeing you at any or all … Continue reading
Hi Gang… As you’ll see, we’ve been busy during the quarantine – all our teams have been quite busy. And everything came together nicely on May 23, 2021 at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. I think this may have been … 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… 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… I was 14 when I first learned of Kaiser Dragons from my mentor Paul Terhorst. That was in 1976…..seems like yesterday the Bi-Centennial Train was making its way thru the Chicago, Illinois area where I lived. But I … 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… This is a remarkable car with a remarkable story which begins… “Boy builds car. Car helps find girl. Boy and girl get married. Then children, grandchildren, awards and more.” How much better of a story can you get? … Continue reading
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
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… 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… There are automotive artists that I find fascinating for their futuristic vision of what might be or in their stylings and designs which capture speed, motion, color and seemingly more than I can see and appreciate with my … Continue reading
Thousand Oaks Car Classic Theme: Leaving Our Century in Style Featuring: Fisher Body Craftsman Guild, Maverick, Kaiser Darrin Thousand Oaks, California: June, 1999 … Continue reading
Thousand Oaks Car Classic Theme: A Salute To The American Sports Car Featuring: Bosley, Glasspar, Kurtis, Muntz, Kaiser Darrin and Skorpion Thousand Oaks, California: June, 1995 … Continue reading
Thousand Oaks Car Classic: 1989 to 2005 Fred Roth Organized and Hosted This Event Each Year Featuring Various Handcrafted American Sports Cars for 16 Years Thousand Oaks, California Car Classic Years Which Featured Handcrafted Sports Cars 2005 Thousand Oaks Car … Continue reading
Undiscovered Classics: Personality Profiles These are Personality Profiles of some of the Undiscovered Classics Team – participants, contributors and more. This list continues to grow so check back for additions. We’re happy to have a large and expanding “tent” that … Continue reading
Hi Gang… A Woodill Wildfire with Buick body modifications? Headlights, taillights and perhaps even more. And we’ve found several of these. How could they exist and what does it mean? Let’s dive into a bit of history with a recent … 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
Kaiser Frazer History Please note – this page is being revised at this time # of concours awards Styling awards # of Show Cars Designers: Carleton Spencer, Dutch Darrin, Marie Nichols (1953 Dragon), Other … Continue reading
Forgotten Fiberglass Timeline: Bullet Form 1939: Ford makes fiberglass trunk for car and hits it with an ax (publicity photo) 1941: Ford makes hemp based fiberglass car – full body 1941-1945: Kaiser tests fiberglass bodied concepts during WWII 1946: Owens … 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
KAISERS & DRAGONS KAISER FRAZER HISTORY 30 Second Elevator Speech KAISER DRAGONS (1951-1953) Mid Century Modern Panache with a Bit of “Spice” From the South Pacific KAISER SHOW CARS Coming Soon… KAISER DARRIN SPORTS CARS Coming Soon… KAISER CUSTOM CARS … 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
People Interviewed As Part of Research This shows (in process) a list of the people we interviewed to learn the details and history of these cars and their companies. This list also includes first-person histories or research written by individuals … Continue reading
Hi Gang… 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… Not many people know that several of the fiberglass sports car companies of the 1950s sold smaller versions of their cars – typically for the younger set of the owners of these same cars. Smaller versions of the … Continue reading
It is interesting to note that there probably aren’t two identical Wildfires in existence today, simply because each builder customized his car the way he wanted to. Therefore, you’ll find Buick Wildfires, Chevrolet Wildfires, Ford Wildfires, and a host of … 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… Any successful business needs a successful promoter – and Woody Woodill was just that – par excellence – for American sports cars in the early to mid 1950s. When Woody’s plan in 1952 of making his car the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… When you distill down what we do here at Forgotten Fiberglass, it’s really about the search for history – reuniting lost cars with the history and the people that built them. This sometimes takes us beyond fiberglass (blasphemous, … Continue reading
Note: This is the third in a series of stories about the fiberglass sports cars that appeared in the 1954 Custom Cars book by Motor Trend. Click here to review each of these stories on Forgotten Fiberglass. ————————– Hi Gang… In the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… As I’ve mentioned before, I feel like one of the luckiest “car guys” around. I’ve always been fascinated with corners of the world that are “less traveled.” This has taken me on some of the most amazing journeys … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I have a real problem with cars. I don’t see them as they are. I see them as how they once were and maybe – just maybe – how they could look again. Junkyards to me are not … 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
Hi Gang… Ask lots of questions – and come up with more whenever possible. When I was growing up, I must have driven my parents crazy. Learning as much as possible is my passion, and I’ve continued doing this in … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Sports Car Illustrated started out with their first issue in July of ’55 and met with great success. One year later they released a special edition (one issue only) titled “International Auto Salon.” While I’m still researching if … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Did you know that the first two fiberglass sports cars produced by Glasspar were based on a Willys chassis and engine? That’s significant and I wanted to learn more – but what I found out was far more … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We’ve talked about Howard “Dutch” Darrin and his repeated use of fiberglass to create great designs and memorable one-off cars time and time again. But Raymond Loewy created some great designs for sports cars in the ’50s too … 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… We’re off and running for 2012 and Forgotten Fiberglass – and it’s only 11 days into the New Year! Earlier this week I posted information about an upcoming Concours d’ Elegance in the first half of the year … 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… When’s the last time you visited a Smorgasbord? I grew up in the ‘60s and it became a word our family used quite a bit. These were the first “buffets” that I can remember and this is exactly … 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… Some research starts at the beginning…..some at the end. This particular story was like reading one of Stephen Covey’s Management books which states that in business problem solving we should always “start with the end in mind.” And … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Ah the glory of research…much of what you find is questionable or useless. Still other bits of info can be insightful, remarkable, or even intriguing in every way. Take today’s article from the Editors of Road & Track … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Cliff-diving Glasspar G2 body??? Who would have done such a thing? Why do such a demonstration? I heard rumors of an article showing Glasspar G2 bodies being tossed off a cliff for years – but I never could … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We always think of Henry Ford being the first in fiberglass with his 1939 Ford trunk lid and the introduction of his prototype “Soybean Car” in 1941. So who’s number two? Who was brave enough to design, create, … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We’ve talked about Strother MacMinn, Alexis de Sakhnoffsky, Hugh Jorgensen, and other designers. Now let’s talk about Richard Arbib. He designed the most fantastic concept car ideas I’ve seen, and even one of his futuristic designs was built – just … Continue reading
Editor’s Note: Rollie Langston….this story’s for you! (maybe Guy Dirkin too and interestingly both are/were Byers SR-100 owners…) ————— Hi Gang… I’ve been holding back on you – but that’s now about to change. I want you to believe in time … 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
Note: This is the first 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… There’s nothing better in this world than making new friends – and that’s exactly what happened when good friend Glenn Brummer sent in a link to a fabulous website run by Derek Redmond that included great information about the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Bill Tritt of Glasspar was one busy guy! Just think of what he accomplished in the world of automobiles in just a few short years: In 1950-1951, Tritt designed and built the Brooks Boxer. This was to become … 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… This is the first in a series of articles I’ll publish in the next few days on the story of the Gazelle Sports Car built in 1953 in Rumson, New Jersey by James “Jim” F. Craig and John … Continue reading
Hi Gang… B. R. “Woody” Woodill was a visionary, promoter, and entrepreneur. He had just shown his Woodill Wildfire at the November 1952 Petersen Motorama, and wanted it to become the next sports car offered by a major automobile manufacturer. … 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
Note: This is the second installment of a 2 part series of articles on John Gunnell and his recent article on “Sport Custom Cars of the Postwar Era.” Here is the link to part 1 of the story: Click Here to … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Who was the first author to critically review and research American postwar automobile manufacturers down to the tiniest detail? That might seem like an unusual question, but that’s what Rick D’Louhy and I started to ask early on … 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… 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… 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… As you know, I’ve been collecting more stories from each person who either has a vintage fiberglass car or built one back in the day. Recently, I asked my good friend, Jean Poirier, about writing up a story … Continue reading
Hi Gang… “Watch 1953…..Plastic bodies are not only the coming thing – they have come, and they are too good not to stay”. That’s what Jim Potter, managing editor of Motor Trend wrote in December 1952 – and he was exactly right. … Continue reading
Hi Gang.. Sorting out history. Sometimes it looks like the game of 52 card pick-up. You gather everything from everywhere and see what you’ve got. Which stories are true? Which ones are false? Which ones are interesting? Which ones make … 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… 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
Fiberglass Facts – Home Kurtis Sports Car (1949) – Home History Brochures and Advertising Models Available Articles Registry and Members Showcase Discussion Group Miscellaneous Contact Information History – By DeWayne Ashmead (Owner of Kurtis Sports … Continue reading
Cars – Home Glasspar – Home History Brochures & Advertising Models Available Bibliography Showcase Discussion Group Miscellaneous Contact / Registry Other Glasspar Production The Woodill Wildfire – As the Glasspar G2 took off, Robert “Woody” Woodill, a very … Continue reading
Hi Gang… In the past year, I’ve been honored to meet and get to know many new people interested in these cars. While I consider all of them friends, some of them come armed with additional energy and enthusiam – … Continue reading
