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Undiscovered Classics

Undiscovered Classics

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Category Archives: VW-Chassis

1963 Victress S5 (LaDawri Cheetah) VW Special

Posted on July 16, 2020 by Geoff HackerJuly 16, 2020
1

Alex’s Father Built One Beautiful Victress S5 Roadster

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 →

The 1958 Alken D2 – Historic Photos of this 1958 VW Special Surface

Posted on April 24, 2020 by Geoff HackerApril 24, 2020
4

The 1958 Alken D2

Hi Gang… Go Alken! We may have found just four (or perhaps five) Alken D2 sports cars so far but lucky for us – vintage information is still being shared and revealed from long lost archives across the USA.  Recently, … Continue reading →

Foreign Fiberglass: Raoul Thiébaut’s Syncoglas Zelensis

Posted on April 23, 2020 by Geoff HackerJuly 15, 2020
4

Hi Gang… Today’s story is by one of our Undiscovered Classics aficionados – Kyle Feller.  Kyle has been working with us for over 5 years and has participated in some of our best adventures which include our Leo Lyons Custom … Continue reading →

The Brazilian Ventura – Full Brochure: 1978 – 1988

Posted on April 17, 2020 by Geoff HackerMay 17, 2020
3

Hi Gang… There are a lot of cars out there that are beautiful, rare and deserve more attention than they typically have received.  That’s the case with today’s story and a brochure on the Brazilian designed and built Ventura.   Our … Continue reading →

Lost Car Found – Meet The Super Safari Dune Buggy

Posted on March 27, 2020 by Geoff HackerMay 17, 2020
1

Hi Gang… We have Richard Brown to thank for today’s story.  Richard recently updated us on his sport custom find – the 1953 Porter Pegasus.  Click here to review that story.  Today’s story is about another rare car Richard researched … Continue reading →

The 1958 Thor – One of America’s Earliest VW Based Sports Cars: Part 3

Posted on May 9, 2017 by Geoff HackerMay 17, 2020
14

—————————- Click here to all parts of this story —————————- Hi Gang… Nik Gudmunds and Jerry Ball completed the Thor in 1958.  Little did they know that they were making history by using a VW chassis and drivetrain. The VW Beetle first … Continue reading →

The 1958 Thor – One of America’s Earliest VW Based Sports Cars: Part 2

Posted on May 9, 2017 by Geoff HackerMay 17, 2020
21

—————————- Click here to all parts of this story —————————- Hi Gang… It all boils down to the name…. Tracking down people who built cars decades before has its challenges – but it always starts with a “name.”  And when the … Continue reading →

The 1958 Thor – One of America’s Earliest VW Based Sports Cars: Part 1

Posted on May 7, 2017 by Geoff HackerMay 17, 2020
7

—————————- Click here to all parts of this story —————————- Hi Gang… I love mysteries….especially when they eventually get solved. Back in May, 2010 (wow – 7 years ago!) a car called a “Thor” surfaced for sale on the Samba which … Continue reading →

The Little Car That Could – The Alken Goes Nic-L-Silver “Pioneer” Electric!

Posted on October 23, 2014 by Geoff HackerMay 17, 2020
5

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 →

Jeff Lipnichan To The Rescue – And A New Alken Story Emerges

Posted on September 25, 2014 by Geoff HackerMay 17, 2020
4

Hi Gang… It’s a challenge.  Here at Forgotten Fiberglass we have information coming in from sources across the world – and then we pile our own research onto this stream of information too.  Have no fear though fiber-gang….it’s challenging but … Continue reading →

An Early Plastic VW: 1948 VW Fiberglass Prototype

Posted on September 17, 2014 by Geoff HackerMay 17, 2020
3

Hi Gang… Several years back, one of the fiber-gang out there sent in a reference to the earliest fiberglass car I’ve seen built outside of the USA.  I sat on the information waiting and hoping that more information would surface. … Continue reading →

Up Up Alken Away…To Florida and Fiberglass Farms

Posted on September 1, 2014 by Geoff HackerMay 28, 2020
3

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 →

The Tatum – A Triple Threat Fun Car: Dune Buggies & Hot VW’s – June, 1974

Posted on January 16, 2014 by Geoff HackerMay 17, 2020
5

Hi Gang… I’m honored to call Chuck Tatum and his wife Evelyn good friends.  I was introduced to them by another good friend – Harold Pace. Too many great folks to get to know out there gang 🙂 Chuck is … Continue reading →

The Rogue and the Enzmann – Small Car Parade: March, 1960

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Geoff HackerMay 20, 2020
3

Hi Gang… Alden Jewell found this on the inside page of the Small Car Parade Magazine from March, 1960.  Shown is the new Enzmann as well as the older 1954 Renault based Rogue by Plasticar of Pennsylvannia. Interestingly, while the … Continue reading →

The Wendell “Slim” Fuller Volkswagen VW Special – Part 2

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Geoff HackerMay 17, 2020
1

Hi Gang… I didn’t know there would be a “part 2” to this story.  Now I hope that I can write a “part 3” which would feature the “find” of this car 🙂 Back in 2011, Glenn Brummer forwarded me … Continue reading →

1958 Publicity Photo from Stuttgart, Germany: The Enzmann 506

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Geoff HackerMay 18, 2020
8

Hi Gang… Here’s another interesting publicity photo I found recently – and I had to look at it “thrice” to make sure it really was – what I thought it “was.”  Shown on the wall of the exhibition was a … Continue reading →

The “Berkeley” From “Berkeley” Is Not A UK “Berkeley” – It’s VW Based And USA All The Way!

Posted on February 5, 2012 by Geoff HackerMay 17, 2020
6

Hi Gang… I’ve had too much coffee this morning – but the title is right on target. Most people think of a fiberglass sports car called a “Berkeley” as a stylish car from over the Pond in the UK.  Well … Continue reading →

The 1969 Gazelle / Amante GT (Hebina Plastics / Voegele Industries)

Posted on January 5, 2012 by Geoff HackerMay 17, 2020
46

Hi Gang… Today’s story is a result of the generosity of two friends:  Bob Murray and Harold Pace. During my recent travels during the Christmas holidays of 2011, I spent some time with Bob Murray of North Carolina.   Bob was … Continue reading →

The 1960 Enzmann 506 From Switzerland – VW Based European Sports Car

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Geoff HackerJuly 15, 2020
6

Hi Gang… There were some fantastic fiberglass sports cars built here – and across the pond.  How ‘bout Switzerland?  The Enzmann is one of a few sports cars made there, and has a powerful legacy both in Europe and here … Continue reading →

The 1978 Boa Sports Car – A Sleeping Southern California Treasure Just Waiting To Be Found

Posted on November 19, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 17, 2020
10

Hi Gang… Boa sports cars are coming out of the woodwork! Erich Schultz has one.  Guy Dirkin has one.  Whose next to buy a Boa? These fiberglass bodied custom coachbuilt sports cars came with an aluminum monocoque chassis, and are virtually unknown today.  … Continue reading →

The Wendell “Slim” Fuller Volkswagen Special – Built / Debuted in 1957

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 17, 2020
6

Hi Gang… Darn that Glenn Brummer!  He finds the best stuff across the internet and then sends me links to either the information directly or something of interest on eBay.   I gave up how much he’s cost me on purchases. … Continue reading →

Dan Post’s “Volkswagen: 9 Lives Later:” Alken and Devin Sports Car History

Posted on September 27, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 17, 2020
1

Hi Gang… I live vicariously thru my good friend Javier Munoz and his growing Alken collection.  Javier has two of them ready to restore, and he’s chomping on the bit to begin them.  I’m keeping my fingers crossed and waiting … Continue reading →

Beau Hickory Does It Again! Is It A Dune Buggy or Sports Car? The Virgo Is Both!

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 28, 2020
8

Hi Gang… Two cars in one?  How could you resist???  And it’s a great looking car too! Innovation permeates everything having to do with fiberglass.  We tend to think of this in terms of vehicle design – but it also … Continue reading →

Beau Hickory and Zodiac Motors Introduces The “Taurus” – That’s A Lotta Bull!

Posted on June 14, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 28, 2020
Reply

Hi Gang… I’ve written about Beau Hickory before – and I’ll write about him again.   The last article I shared was by Michael Lamm and focused on his “Virgo” VW based sports car.   Click here to read about Beau Hickory’s … Continue reading →

Virgo…The Two In One Sports Car / Dune Buggy (Sports Car World, February 1970)

Posted on May 20, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 28, 2020
1

Hi Gang… Beau Hickory is one cool guy.  Rick D’Louhy and I tracked him down in Arizona a few years ago, and we haven’t been the same since.  Beau doesn’t look at things the way others see them – he … Continue reading →

Kerry Griffin’s 1974 Kelmark GT – The Fiberglass Celebration Continues With The Griffin Family

Posted on May 16, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 23, 2020
6

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 →

The Alken D2 – One Of The First VW Fiberglass Bodied Sports Cars: You’ve Never Seen/Driven/Owned Anything Like This! (1958)

Posted on April 30, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 17, 2020
2

Hi Gang… There are so many cool fiberglass sports car brochures out there.  Wait ‘till you see what we at Forgotten Fiberglass have in store for you over the 2011 summer!  By the time we’re done, you’ll think fiberglass sports … Continue reading →

Introducing the 1955 Spohn Plastik – Germany’s First Fiberglass Car

Posted on February 3, 2010 by Geoff HackerMay 21, 2020
Reply

Hi Gang.. More “firsts” here in the world of fiberglass. We first covered the UK’s first fiberglass car called the Allard Clipper.  In our last story we reviewed the first plastic car in America – Ford’s 1941 Plastic car.  So let’s go back … Continue reading →

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* 3 Cars: 1953 Maverick Sportster, 1953 Woodill Wildfire (Johnny Dark), 1952 Glasspar G2

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The  Latest  Comments

  • Gene Simon on Questions To The EditorLarry, Have you seen this article by Geoff? https://www.undiscoveredclassics.com/forgotten-fiberglass/the-1953-donald-jones-special-1953-pebble-beach-road-race-participant/
  • John Jorgensen on One Of My Favorite Things…The Stylish 1954 Victress S4Very good. The taillights were from a Willys. The rear license plate on at least
  • Irvin Brightman on New Features Roll Out To Undiscovered Classics WebsiteWhat a fantastic site. I have always wondered what happened to all the early fiberglass
  • JAMES SIMPSON on La Dawri Coachcraft’s 1963 Catalog: A Feast For Your Fiberglass Eyes…I am glad to find this web site through referral from Barn Finds". As an
  • Geoff Hacker on Questions To The EditorHi Jon...."Hurricane" by Sports Car Engineering. I own one as well. Geoff
  • Jon Mclawhon on Questions To The EditorI was curious if anyone might know what body this was on this Modified Sports
  • Gregg on The Ultimate Vintage Literature: Let’s Build a Nash Dealership – Or Maybe Not!The PDF link does not work, if anyone has copies of this paper model kit
  • Karl Ludvigsen on The Vale Sports Car and the 1954 Pacific International Motor Sports ShowHello Geoff and other readers, Anent this info, I have found an image of Vale
  • Gary J. Hamilton on Motor Sports Club of America – Early Postwar Sports Car History EmergesHello all: Great to find some info on MSCCA. I have been the rally master
  • Larry E James on Questions To The EditorHi !! Would anyone have any latest word on the Don James "Special" out of

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Questions  To  The  Editor

  • Gene Simon on Questions To The EditorLarry, Have you seen this article by Geoff? https://www.undiscoveredclassics.com/forgotten-fiberglass/the-1953-donald-jones-special-1953-pebble-beach-road-race-participant/
  • Geoff Hacker on Questions To The EditorHi Jon...."Hurricane" by Sports Car Engineering. I own one as well. Geoff
  • Jon Mclawhon on Questions To The EditorI was curious if anyone might know what body this was on this Modified Sports
  • Larry E James on Questions To The EditorHi !! Would anyone have any latest word on the Don James "Special" out of
  • Paul W Rosenfield on Questions To The EditorHi, I am in so cal and I just am getting started on Wildfire 9945.
  • BigRedRivi on Questions To The EditorHi Geoff, Hope all is well with you, haven't seen anything posted in a whilst.
  • Bob Pierson on Questions To The EditorJust bought this car, coming out from WA. Please help me identify the year and
  • Richard Langworth on Questions To The EditorStan Mott: Can you supply a current email? I seek permission to run a drawing
  • paul gibbs on Questions To The EditorHave you heard anything from anyone about my Paul E. Gibbs 1960 Almquist Special? Looks
  • Geoff Hacker on Questions To The Editor@ Jeffrey - Not all cars are mine and some stories I write are just
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The first fiberglass cars In 1952 rarely offered two doors. Most offered a passenger side door only -the driver’s door was optional and cost more too!


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Geoff  Hacker  and  Team

Geoff Hacker has pursued rare and unusual automobiles for over 40 years. He's recognized as the premier researcher, archivist, author and authoritarian for the history of American handcrafted sports cars. Hacker owns Undiscovered Classics which finds and restores these rare cars for collectors and museums across the world.
Geoff's stewardship of Undiscovered Classics has led to museum exhibitions, special appearances and multiple showings at prestigious concours including Pebble Beach and Amelia Island. His Undiscovered Classics Team and their cars have been seen on television and are published extensively in print and electronic media.

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