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Undiscovered Classics

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Category Archives: And Now Something Completely Different

Auto Maniacs Celebrate Literature – And Alden Jewell Knows Who They Are

Posted on June 30, 2020 by Geoff HackerJuly 1, 2020
Reply

Auto Maniacs of America started in 1948 and lasted through the late 1970s.

Hi Gang… I consider myself fairly knowledgeable about vintage automobile literature and the history of collecting it, and much of what I’ve learned has been through good friend Alden Jewell – 82 years old this year and going strong. Alden … Continue reading →

Motor Sports Club of America – Early Postwar Sports Car History Emerges

Posted on June 23, 2020 by Geoff HackerJune 23, 2020
19

Hi Gang… I love early postwar sports car history – especially that from the 1940s.  It’s practically non-existent.  We think of American sports and race car history as a 1950s phenomenon – and that would be correct.  Except it started … Continue reading →

So Kid….You Want To Build A Hot Rod? Young Mechanic: Spring, 1953

Posted on November 29, 2019 by Geoff HackerNovember 29, 2019
2

Hi Gang… You can’t help straying a bit when you collect vintage automobile magazines – like today’s issue of Young Mechanic – Spring, 1953.  On first glance it’s a fun article for the youth on how to build a hot … Continue reading →

The Legend of “Fiberglass Matt” and the Lost Treasure of Fiberglass Farms

Posted on March 5, 2015 by Geoff HackerAugust 7, 2020
6

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 →

Forgotten Fiberglass From Over The Pond: The Winchester Taxicab – by Bill Munro

Posted on February 16, 2015 by Geoff HackerMay 18, 2020
9

Hi Gang… Today’s article is courtesy of Bill Munro – an automotive historian with an appreciation of the unusual and less traveled path of cars – and in this case commercial vehicles.  Today’s story focuses on a 1960s variant of … Continue reading →

Joel Driskill Visits Forgotten Fiberglass – And He’s Put To Work Immediately!

Posted on October 26, 2014 by Geoff HackerMay 18, 2020
7

Hi Gang… Let this be a warning to any of you who want to visit ground zero of fiberglass research in Tampa, Florida.  You are welcome any time, and you can crash at the ‘Glass House, have free food…..wine, women, … Continue reading →

Walter Dorwin Teague Designs First All Plastic Truck: Clues July-August, 1955

Posted on October 25, 2014 by Geoff HackerMay 31, 2020
9

Hi Gang… Forgotten Fiberglass research takes us to all ends of the earth – and to little known magazines too.  Several years ago good fiber-friend Glenn Brummer alerted me to a magazine I’d not heard of before – “CLUES.”  It … Continue reading →

Say It Isn’t So! My Grandpa Morrie Was Right! “Drive-on” Roller Coasters For Your Car

Posted on April 6, 2013 by Geoff HackerMay 14, 2020
7

Hi Gang… My grandfather – Grandpa Morrie – told me the best car stories I ever heard – and was there working on every “first” car I owned.  Here he is working on my 1955 Cadillac – circa 1979: Here … Continue reading →

Chrysler Design Competition, Late 1950’s: An Article by Bob Peterson

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Geoff HackerMay 27, 2020
8

Hi Gang… Today’s article is compliments of our friend of fiberglass – Bob Peterson.  Bob is our resident Kellison sports car guru and contributor here at Forgotten Fiberglass.  And his story today is all about memories, design, what could have … Continue reading →

Cool Cars for Cats and Canines – And Maybe Some Vintage ‘Glass Too! An Article By Will Silk

Posted on February 28, 2012 by Geoff HackerMay 23, 2020
3

Hi Gang… When good friend Will Silk contacted me about a show that benefits our four legged friends, how could I resist?  And it’s up to us to see what we can do to participate gang.  The best car shows … Continue reading →

The Promise Of Plastic: “Auto Bubbles” Clear ‘Glass Top In 1948

Posted on February 12, 2012 by Geoff HackerMay 23, 2020
3

Hi Gang… I love the “promise of plastic” in postwar America – and clear tops seemed to be the rage.  I think one of these tops might look great on the convertible Shark from the early ‘60s I’m working on … Continue reading →

Streamliner From Down Under…By Glenn Brummer

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Geoff HackerJune 3, 2020
15

Hi Gang… Where have all the streamliners gone??? Good friend and automobile historian Glenn Brummer is tracking down interesting rarified stories about cars, vehicles and auto ephemera, near and far – and today’s story from Glenn is from far, far … Continue reading →

Accessorizing Your Vintage ‘Glass: Buy Your Own Race Track! Turbo Drive Slot Car Arcade

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Geoff HackerJanuary 20, 2019
21

Hi Gang… What’s a car guy to do? There are so many directions to take the hobby we love so much.  License plates, hood ornaments, vintage literature….so much to collect….so little time.  But you can’t have it all – you … Continue reading →

The Search For The Birth Of Fiberglass – Mysterious Pennsylvania Location Revealed

Posted on January 3, 2012 by Geoff HackerMay 24, 2020
11

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 →

The Fiberglass Bodied Tata OneCAT: An Idea That’s Full of “Hot Air” – by Will Silk

Posted on November 24, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 23, 2020
9

Hi Gang… What’s the first vehicle that comes to mind that runs on air? For me, I’m a bit abstract so my answer was a “hot air balloon.”  Noel Bangert, founder of Bangert Sports Cars, quickly corrected me back in … Continue reading →

Plexiglas is Tops! – Automotive Style, That is…

Posted on October 9, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 25, 2020
9

Hi Gang… Fiberglass, plastic, Plexiglas, Lucite, plastic….let me count the non-metal ways….. Starting in the 1930’s, “plastic” was becoming the new wonder material, and car manufacturers were looking for innovative ways to incorporate this new material in all ways possible. … Continue reading →

Tom McCahill Introduces The 175 HP Ardun Ford Flathead

Posted on September 23, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 25, 2020
5

Hi Gang… This article’s for you “Forgotten Fiberglass Ford Flathead Fanatics” out there…(I kind of like the ring of that…it’s a record….5 “F’s” in a row….I don’t even do that when I’m grading papers for my students..)   You’ve heard of … Continue reading →

“Forgotten Fiberglass” Saves Marriages Across The World: Moving Day Part 2

Posted on June 25, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 25, 2020
8

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 →

“Forgotten Fiberglass” Saves Marriages Across the World: Moving Day Part 1

Posted on June 10, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 26, 2020
2

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 →

And Now For Something…….Completely Different: Dinosaur Hunting in Florida – Vintage Road Side Attraction

Posted on May 30, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 25, 2020
1

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 →

Glasspar G2 Wins Pinewood Derby! Another First For Glasspar Sports Cars

Posted on March 29, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 22, 2020
Reply

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 →

A Visit With “Fiberglassics” And…The Brooks Stevens Designed Sea Lark Boat

Posted on March 5, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 14, 2020
1

Hi Gang… “We’re not alone………The Truth is Out There….” These are some of the intriguing phrases we’ve heard over the years that send our minds wandering in various directions – in search of the “truth” or “others” out there who … Continue reading →

“Fiberglass Funnies” – Featuring A “Sorrell” Sports Car – Car Craft, February 1954

Posted on February 15, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 25, 2020
Reply

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 →

First Annual Forgotten Fiberglass Concours d’Elegance – June 30th, 2009

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 26, 2020
1

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 →

“Fiberglass Funnies” – Hop-Up Magazine, April 1953

Posted on February 7, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 25, 2020
Reply

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 →

And Now For Something…….Completely Different: The Life and Times of the Chuck Tatum Car Trailer

Posted on January 19, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 25, 2020
Reply

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 →

Ready… Set…. Action! The Internet Movie Car Database

Posted on November 4, 2010 by Geoff HackerMay 31, 2020
1

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 →

And Now For Something…….Completely Different: The Dangers of Driving a Fiberglass Sports Car in the 1950’s

Posted on May 20, 2010 by Geoff HackerMay 25, 2020
Reply

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 →

Honoring Chuck Tatum – Iwo Jima Veteran and “The Cars of Johnny Dark”

Posted on May 19, 2010 by Geoff HackerJune 1, 2020
Reply

Hi Gang… In honor of the HBO Miniseries honoring those who fought in WWII – “The Pacific” – which just came to a close, I thought this might be a good time to discuss my good friend Chuck Tatum – … Continue reading →

Where are Vintage Fiberglass Enthusiasts Going Next??? How about the Belfry…(“Boats in the Belfry”, That Is)

Posted on April 12, 2010 by Geoff HackerMay 21, 2020
4

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 →

Stan Mott – Illustrator, Designer, Artist, Friend, and Car Enthusiast Extraordinaire

Posted on April 4, 2010 by Geoff HackerMay 29, 2020
Reply

Hi gang… Something a bit different than fiberglass…. Sometimes I feel I started my research 50 years too late and never had a chance to meet some of the luminaries from back in the day.  Other times I feel it … Continue reading →

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  • Rodney packwood on Restored Victress C3 / LaDawri Castilian From Michigan – Where Are You???Would love to see it! Please send a picture to fastest356@gmail.com. Thank you so much!
  • Darren Jameson on David Lambert’s Almquist Sabre – Off And RunningDennis Collins on YouTube found a car that looks very similar to a Sabre. Could
  • Earl Jones on The 1952 Yankee Clipper Debuts in San Francisco – A Glasspar G2 Bodied Sports CarHere's Paul's daughter driving one of the remaining yankee clipper cars - her husband found
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The Victress C2 Coupe design is based on the Bill Burke Allied Swallow (1946 Cisitalia, 202 Coupe). Burke had brought us an Allied fiberglass car to repair, and we traded free work for the chance to take a splash (mold) off the Allied car. The body shape from the mold was our starting place for the design of our C2 Coupe and later our larger C3 Coupe too. None of the original Allied body lines were left – except perhaps the location of the headlights, wheelbase, and track.


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Geoff Hacker, Ph.D. has pursued rare and unusual cars for over 40 years. He is now the premier researcher, archivist and author of the history of handcrafted American sports cars. Hacker owns Undiscovered Classics which finds and restores these rare cars. Their work has led to multiple showings at prestigious concours events including Pebble Beach and Amelia Island. Undiscovered Classics work has been seen on television including Jay Leno’s Garage, AmeriCarna, and the “Barn Find Hunter.” Hacker’s work has been published extensively in both print and electronic media.

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