↓
Home Menu ↓
Skip to primary content
Skip to secondary content
  • HOME
  • WELCOME
  • MAIN
  • HISTORY
  • SHOWCASE
  • COLLECTIONS
  • OUR PORTFOLIO
  • RAIDERS
  • ABOUT US
  • FOR SALE

Undiscovered Classics

Undiscovered Classics

previous arrowprevious arrow
next arrownext arrow
Slider
previous arrowprevious arrow
next arrownext arrow
Slider

Category Archives: Lancer

Glasspar G2 Production Locations: Site 1 on Industrial Way, Costa Mesa

Posted on May 3, 2020 by Geoff HackerMay 5, 2020
Reply

Check Out The Roof Trusses in both photos – This Match Helped us ID The Building

Hi Gang… I like to put names, faces, locations – all of it together.  Just like the first Glasspar location we’re discussing today. I was fortunate enough to get to know Bill Tritt and discuss his memories of Glasspar as … Continue reading →

1953, July: Nation’s Business – Little Detroit

California’s  Little  Detroit Nation’s  Business:  July,  1953 … Continue reading →

Plastic Cars Are Here – Westways Magazine: July, 1952

Posted on December 3, 2019 by Geoff HackerMay 25, 2020
3

  “The other day I had a thrilling ride in an amazing car.  The car was the Lancer, built in Costa Mesa by Eric Irwin.  We scooted around 90 degree corners at 50 miles per hour with negligible side-sway, over … Continue reading →

Now Showing… Johnny Dark Race Scenes in High Definition Too!

Posted on February 8, 2015 by Geoff HackerJuly 21, 2020
8

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 →

1951 Petersen Motorama Video and Program: Glasspar, Lancer, Skorpion & Wasp Debut

Posted on October 29, 2014 by Geoff HackerAugust 7, 2020
8

Hi Gang… We search long and wide for detailed information about the vintage handcrafted car builds of yesterday, and recently we hit paydirt – video (actually film) from the 1951 Petersen Motorama. Wow! It’s hard to believe that it survived … Continue reading →

High School Sports Car: Cars, October 1953 – Part 2

Posted on April 30, 2014 by Geoff HackerMay 4, 2020
3

Hi Gang… I shared the first part of this story back a few months ago, and now let’s review the rest of the story.  Click here if you would like to review part 1 of this story. As I mentioned … Continue reading →

High School Sports Car: Auto Sportsman, August 1953 – Part 1

Posted on January 27, 2014 by Geoff HackerMay 4, 2020
4

Hi Gang… It’s taken me about 5 years of research on this one but now I can say…this is a two-part article., and today is part 1 of this series.  For years all I had was this article and at … Continue reading →

Fiberfriends Deliver! Bob Cunningham Finds First Color Photo of 1951 Lancer

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Geoff HackerApril 17, 2020
5

Hi Gang… The best part of being part of the “Forgotten Fiberglass Faction of Friends” is the wide variety of neat, interesting, and great people you get to meet – and often become friends with.  Such is the case with … Continue reading →

Lancer Brochure 1955: Fiberglass Sports Bodies For Your Chassis

Posted on April 8, 2012 by Geoff HackerMay 4, 2020
2

Hi Gang… We try and keep a full head of fiber-steam going here at Forgotten Fiberglass.  One of our goals is to share all the literature each of these companies produced and printed in the ‘50s and ‘60s.  And I … Continue reading →

John Bond From Road & Track Shares: “How To Build A Fiberglass Body…” January, 1953

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Geoff HackerMay 27, 2020
3

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 →

The First Fiberglass Construction Book: Building The Plastic Car (1952) by Eric Irwin

Posted on November 20, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 4, 2020
6

Hi Gang… I wish I could have had a chance to meet Eric Irwin.  I’ve been a fortunate researcher in many ways. I got to know and became friends with Bill Tritt of Glasspar and his family.  I visited with … Continue reading →

Eric Irwin’s Lancer: “The Cleanest Two-Seater Roadster That The Post-War World Has Produced”

Posted on September 15, 2011 by Geoff HackerJune 3, 2020
1

Hi Gang… Finally….after more than three years of searching, my copy of the British publication “The Motor” dated January 30th, 1952 arrived.  I really mean it.  I’ve been waiting for 3+ years and looking daily for a copy.  I must … Continue reading →

“Car Buff Tony Curtis Pitches For Toledo Premier of ‘Johnny Dark’ (Toledo Blade Newspaper, November 22nd, 1953)

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Geoff HackerJune 1, 2020
2

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 →

Extra…Extra…Read All About It!!! World Premier of Johnny Dark Hits Toledo Ohio (June 16th, 1954)

Posted on April 1, 2011 by Geoff HackerJune 1, 2020
Reply

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 →

The Lancer Vs The Glasspar G2: March 1952 Popular Science Showdown

Posted on February 2, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 4, 2020
Reply

Hi Gang… Fiberglass cars were introduced to the public at the November 1951 Petersen Motorama to great acclaim.  Two of the cars produced were designed and created by Bill Tritt and Eric Irwin of Costa Mesa, California.  Not only did … Continue reading →

Nick Adams and Natalie Wood’s Lancer – AKA the Dean Banks Lancer Special

Posted on February 1, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 4, 2020
Reply

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 →

Collectibles From the Movie “Johnny Dark” – Lobby Cards

Posted on January 15, 2011 by Geoff HackerJune 1, 2020
Reply

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 →

How to Build a Fiberglass Sports Car Body – The First Fiberglass Book Debuts

Posted on January 5, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 25, 2020
Reply

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 →

Which Fiberglass Sports Car Appeared First in 1950’s Magazines? Meet the 1951 Lancer by Eric Irwin

Posted on December 27, 2010 by Geoff HackerJune 3, 2020
1

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 →

Modern Plastics February 1953 – A “Gaggle” of Glass For You to Review

Posted on May 16, 2010 by Geoff HackerMay 25, 2020
Reply

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 →

Eric Irwin and his Lancer(s) – One of the First Production Fiberglass Sports Cars

Posted on April 20, 2010 by Geoff HackerMay 4, 2020
Reply

Hi Gang… You’ll see in books and you’ll read on our website, time and time again….something like this: “The first 4 fiberglass production cars were introduced to the American public during the Petersen Motorama at the Pan Pacific Auditorium in November, … Continue reading →

The First Postwar American Hood Scoop

Posted on December 24, 2009 by Geoff HackerMay 4, 2020
1

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 →

previous arrow
next arrow
Slider



Use  Our  Search  Tools

Learn How To Best Use Our Site Click Here
Use Our "Search Tools" Click Here
Use Our "Story Archive" Click Here
Use Our "Category List" Click Here
Search Our Archives Click Here
Search Fiberglass Cars - Coming Soon
Search Sport Custom Cars - Coming Soon
Search Teardrop Cars - Coming Soon


Best of the Best Showcase

previous arrow
next arrow
Slider


View All Showcase Cars Click Here

Three  Key  Articles  To  Read

previous arrow
next arrow
Slider



Top  10+  Videos  To  Watch


previous arrow
next arrow
Slider


Click Arrows Above To View More Videos

Undiscovered Classics Has Been Featured On "Jay Leno's Garage", Ray Evernham's "AmeriCarna" on Velocity, Autoweek TV, Tom Cotter's "The Barn Find Hunter" on Hagerty, "Sticker Shock" on The Discovery Channel and More



View Our YouTube Channel  Click Here
Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel  Click Here

View  Our  Posters  (Landscape)

previous arrow
next arrow
Slider

Upcoming  Events:  2022-2023

2022
Hilton  Head  Motoring  Festival:  Nov 5-6
* 1 Car: 1962 Shark Roadster
Class: Road and Track Division
Story:  Coming Soon
Event: Click Here

Gasparilla  Concours  d'Elegance:  Dec 2-4
* 2 Cars: 1959 Devin,  1966 Cannara I
Class: Special Display
Story:  Coming Soon
Event: Click Here
2023
Amelia   Island  Concours  d'Elegance:  March 2-5
* 8 Undiscovered Classic Cars: To Be Announced
Class: Fiberglass Dreams of the 50s
Story:  Coming Soon
Event: Click Here

Charlotte   Autofair:  April
* 1 Car: To Be Announced
Class: Main Feature
Story:  Coming Soon
Event: Click Here

Pittsburg   Grand  Prix:  July
* Debut of our 1952 Singer 4AD Race Car
Class: Vintage Racing
Story:  Coming Soon
Event: Click Here

Pebble   Beach  Concours  d'Elegance:  August
* 8+ Undiscovered Classic Cars: To Be Announced
Class: American Dream Cars of the 50s
Story:  Coming Soon
Event: Click Here

Handbuilt  Auto  Show:  September 16-17
* 8 Undiscovered Classic Cars on Display
Class: Feature Class
Story:  Coming Soon
Event: Click Here


View  Our  Posters  (Portrait)

previous arrow
next arrow
Slider

The  Latest  Comments

  • 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
  • JAMES LUNZ on A New “Mysterion”…Just for you… (Now Identified as a “Sabel”)Beautiful I own two MK3 Sabels one needing restoration is for sale
  • dennis on Check Out This 1957 Devin-Renault – Now In Restoration In Valladolid, Spainhello I would like to know the history of this car and maybe be able
  • Brian on Roadster in Glass – Joe and Henry Smith’s Fabulous Fiberglass Sports Car (Hot Rod Magazine, April 1957)Hello again, Yes I remember the old fiberglass molds on the side of the shop
  • Eric V on For Sale in USA: 1962 Devin CDavid saw your post from a couple of years ago, but was wondering if you
  • John Mead on Hot Rod Pioneers by Ed Almquist – A Great Addition to Any LibraryHow can I order a copy of, Hot Rod Pioneers by Ed Almquist. Thanks for
  • Alex on Henry Covington’s Tiburon Coupe – “A Shark You Can Park” – September 1961 Road & TrackHi Geoff! I don’t know if it is the one you owned or if there
  • Paul Villforth on The Multiplex 186 – A Car With “Brass Era” Roots And A “Singer Special” Too!The picture of the front suspension looks like it was inspired by Studebaker's planar front

Raiders  of  the  Lost  Cars

Handcrafted Cars - Poster 1

What We Do Best: Click Here


Questions  To  The  Editor

  • John Bigler on Questions To The EditorI've just read the article (undated) saying that you were in the process of making
  • Steve Phillips on Questions To The EditorGeoff, I have a pic of a body I am trying to identify - I
  • Nathan on Questions To The EditorHi Dale. Do you have access to Flickr or some other site that will let
  • DALE OLSON on Questions To The EditorVisited with a guy today that had a fiberglass body in a barn. This is
  • Joseph Heaser on Questions To The EditorIn 50 shades of rust,do you know the website or phone number of the garage
  • Alden Jewell on Questions To The EditorYou can reach me at aldenjewell@yahoo.com, Kenneth.
  • Kevin Gibbs on Questions To The EditorHi guys I was wondering if any of you know anything about the cortez project
  • Kevin Gibbs on Questions To The EditorHello Geoff,I am curious about a car that was called the geni car built in
  • Kevin Gibbs on Questions To The EditorGeoff,have you ever heard of a car known as the Geni ,from what I,ve heard
  • Kenneth Andrén on Questions To The EditorHi Geoff Sorry for bothering you but I'm trying to locate Alden Jewell. He has
Ask  A  Question:   Click Here

Read  Our  Books

previous arrow
next arrow
Slider



See All Our Books  Click Here


Did  You  Know...

John Wayne brought his new Corvette to Victress for repair in 1953 – he could not find body shops that repaired fiberglass. Doc, Bill Powell, and I worked on it for about 2 weeks. Once done, Doc Boyce-Smith, founder of Victress Mfg, remarked Russ…if anyone calls about working on a Corvette…. tell em flat out no! The cars wont be around for long ..the way they construct their bodies. (note: early Corvettes had problems with consistency and quality fiberglass work).


Top  40  Articles  In  Print

previous arrow
next arrow
Slider



Undiscovered Classics has been featured in top publications across the world. Read some of our best articles above.


READ MORE
Undiscovered Classics Media Archive
2006 to Present:
Click Here

View  Our  Scale  Models  (1:43)

previous arrow
next arrow
Slider



Geoff  Hacker  and  Team

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.

Click  Here  To  Learn  More  About  Geoff  Hacker

previous arrowprevious arrow
next arrownext arrow
Slider
Geoffrey R. Hacker, Ph.D.
   6306 Memorial Highway, Tampa, Florida 33615-4538
(813) 888 - 8882   
Undiscovered.Classics@gmail.com

View  Our  Contributors
View  The  Services  We  Offer
View  Our  Undiscovered  Classics  Portfolio
Read  What  People  Are  Saying  About  Undiscovered  Classics

Social  Media / Newsletter  (Subscribe)

View  Us  On  Facebook
View  Our  YouTube  Channel
Subscribe  To  Our  YouTube  Channel

Subscribe  To  Our  Weekly  Newsletter

Website Tracking

Who's Online

33 visitors online now
2 guests, 31 bots, 0 members
Map of Visitors

All content presented on this website is the property of Geoffrey R. Hacker, Ph.D., and Undiscovered Classics
Use of these materials must be authorized by UndiscoveredClassics.com
Photos used with permission from their original source
© 2022 - UndiscoveredClassics.com    All Rights Reserved

We  Find,  Research,  Restore,  Show  And  Sell  America's  Lost  Automotive  Treasures

 
↑
Scroll Up
 

Loading Comments...