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Undiscovered Classics

Undiscovered Classics

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Category Archives: Sorrell

New Release: Poster #3 – America’s Handcrafted Cars

Posted on August 1, 2020 by Geoff HackerAugust 1, 2020
1

Poster #3 Is Now Available – Check Out These 7 Newly Rendered American Sports Cars

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 →

1960: Sportscar Specials Trend Book #196

Sportscar  Specials Trend  Book  #196:  1960 Multiple  Cars … Continue reading →

Undiscovered Classic Cars Appear In Museums Across The Country

Posted on March 14, 2020 by Geoff HackerMay 27, 2020
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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 →

2009, July – Rod & Custom – Sorrell

Dick  Lane’s  Kurtis-Sorrell  SR-100  Roadster Rod  &  Custom:  July,  2009 … Continue reading →

2014: Fifty  Shades  of  Rust  (Book)

Fifty  Shades  of  Rust  (Book) By Tom Cotter Foreword by Wayne Carini Introduction by Tom Cotter and Geoffrey Hacker Ten Stories of Handcrafted Cars Published 2014 … Continue reading →

A Barnfinder’s Dream! Tom Cotter’s Book “50 Shades of Rust” Now Available

Posted on September 29, 2014 by Geoff HackerMay 31, 2020
Reply

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 →

Car Craft’s Building a Sorrell Fiberglass Sports Car – Part 3: The Plaster Splash Female Mold

Posted on May 4, 2013 by Geoff HackerMay 10, 2020
9

Note:  This is the third in a series of articles that appeared in Car Craft Magazine about the process of designing and building your own fiberglass bodied sports car. Car Craft published one of the most detailed series of articles ever to appear on … Continue reading →

Car Craft’s Building a Sorrell Fiberglass Sports Car – Part 2: The Fiberglass Female Mold

Posted on April 21, 2013 by Geoff HackerMay 10, 2020
3

Note:  This is the second in a series of articles that appeared in Car Craft Magazine about the process of designing and building your own fiberglass bodied sports car. Car Craft published one of the most detailed series of articles ever to appear on … Continue reading →

Car Craft’s Building a Sorrell Fiberglass Sports Car – Part 1: Design and Full Scale Model

Posted on April 14, 2013 by Geoff HackerMay 10, 2020
Reply

Note:  This is the first in a series of articles that appeared in Car Craft Magazine about the process of designing and building your own fiberglass bodied sports car. Car Craft published one of the most detailed series of articles ever … Continue reading →

The Ads of Sorrell Engineering: Selling Bob Sorrell’s Sports Cars, 1955-1956

Posted on April 8, 2012 by Geoff HackerMay 18, 2020
6

Hi Gang… I keep searching and searching and searching….but I’ve only ever found one ad for Sorrell Engineering – until today. Good friend and automotive historian Alden Jewell sent me a second ad – a nice one that included a … Continue reading →

In ’58 It’s Great! Ten Fiberglass Cars Reviewed: 1958 Sports Car Illustrated Directory

Posted on February 18, 2012 by Geoff HackerMay 26, 2020
2

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 →

Come One, Come All….The Fiberglass Ads of Car Craft, March 1956

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Geoff HackerMay 30, 2020
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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 →

State of the Fiberglass Industry: Motor Life, July 1956

Posted on January 8, 2012 by Geoff HackerMay 27, 2020
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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 →

Fiberglass State of the Industry 1956: Trend Book 130

Posted on December 4, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 27, 2020
8

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 →

GMC Under Glass: The Dick Lane Sorrell SR100 With A Kurtis 500KK Chassis Too!

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 23, 2020
4

Hi Gang… Now we’re talking! A Sorrell SR-100 with a powerful GMC six cylinder….Kurtis 500KK chassis….flip front for easy access….who could ask for more?  Not many.  And I’m sure this would have been considered an idea build in all the … Continue reading →

Fiberglass Buyers Guide (Car Craft, March 1956): Part 6 – The Sorrell SR-100 Sports Car

Posted on November 1, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 24, 2020
2

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 →

Fiberglass Explodes On The Scene – Petersen Motorama November 1953

Posted on November 1, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 28, 2020
1

————————————— 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 →

Fiberglass Buyers Guide (Car Craft, March 1956): Part 2 – The Sorrell SR-190 Coupe

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

Hi Gang… This is our second 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 →

Front and Rear Styling For The Fiberglass Body (Car Craft, March 1956)

Posted on March 28, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 25, 2020
Reply

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 →

“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 →

Petersen Automotive Museum: Fantasies in Fiberglass – 2010 Exhibition – Part 2

Posted on April 10, 2010 by Geoff HackerMay 31, 2020
Reply

Hi Gang… What a year for fiberglass!!! First…. the exhibit at the Petersen Automotive Museum called “Fantasies in Fiberglass” opened in February.  Next….the “Forgotten Fiberglass” class debuted at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance in March.  Now….It’s already a week into … Continue reading →

Petersen Automotive Museum: Fantasies in Fiberglass – 2010 Exhibition – Part 1

Posted on January 5, 2010 by Geoff HackerMay 31, 2020
3

Hi Gang… The Petersen Automotive Museum is opening 2010 by celebrating the designers and entreprenuers who created fiberglass automobiles from the 1940’s thru the present day.  Leslie Kendall, the Curator of the Petersen Museum, and other luminaries within the Petersen organization have assembled a … Continue reading →

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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



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Amelia  Island  Concours  d'Elegance:

Class 1: Sports Cars of the 50s
* 3 Cars: 1953 Maverick Sportster, 1953 Woodill Wildfire (Johnny Dark), 1952 Glasspar G2

Class 2: Weird and Wonderful
* 1 Car: 1954 Frazer Custom

Story:  Coming Soon

March 4-7, 2021: Click Here

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The  Latest  Comments

  • Jim Talabach on Mike Akens Victress S1A Is Complete!Love the build,Mike. Your attention to detail is superb. I have an S-1 that I
  • Richard Gray on The 1970 Can Am 1 By Bolide Motors – An Extension of Borg-Warner and the CRVYes Russ, I would like a copy of the Real Story. I remember this car
  • Steveo on Work Begins on Charles Le Menestrel’s 1953 Allied Swallow CoupeSo that first black and white magazine photo was from an Australian mag?
  • Pamela J Hirschhorn on Which Fiberglass Sports Car Appeared First in 1950’s Magazines? Meet the 1951 Lancer by Eric IrwinHi, I think I found a lost Lancer!!! Please check out the video: https://northeastwheelsevents.com/video/forgotten-fiberglass-lancer-a-fiberglass-body-kit-from-the-early I
  • Fatbug57 on The Brazilian Ventura – Full Brochure: 1978 – 1988L’Automobile
  • 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/
  • R on The 1970 Can Am 1 By Bolide Motors – An Extension of Borg-Warner and the CRVI worked for Dan Deaver in the 90's in chesterfield. We had (that?) Car in
  • Guido Enderle on Kellison’s Fame Heads Overseas: Welcome Our Newest Member From DubaiHello Frank, I bought your Kellison from the person who bought it from you, Mr.
  • Peter Tennant on The Coachbuilt Cars of Cliff Byfield – A Story of Australian ExcellenceHi, Re- the Byfield Clubman, the car was used by Cliff's wife until November 1998
  • Stolf on The Prewar Willys – The Basis For America’s First Postwar Fiberglass Sports CarI am trying to compile a ridiculously complete list of pickup trucks available when production

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Handcrafted Cars - Poster 1

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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/
  • George Bagdasarian on Questions To The EditorSuper safari; I made the original fiberglass body that went to a race in Mexico.
  • 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
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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).


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


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