Fiberglass Buyers Guide (Car Craft, March 1956): Part 4 – The Meteor SR-1 Sports Roadster

Here’s a Small Inset Image From The Buyer’s Guide Showing Dick Jones at the Wheel of His Personal Meteor SR-1

Hi Gang…

This is our fourth 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 this 1956 Buyer’s Guide as of today:

Click here to review all articles published on the Car Craft, March 1956 Buyer’s Guide

Today’s article focuses on the Meteor SR-1 Sports Car designed by Dick Jones and built by Dick and his partner Jim Byers in 1953.

Background: Meteor SR-1 Sports Cars

The Meteor SR-1 sports car debuted at the Petersen Motorama in November 1951. Dick told me in past interviews that the car was barely done. He shared:

“We barely finished the body and got it mounted on the chassis. The car didn’t run yet, and we didn’t have an interior – so we made a tonneau cover and it looked slick – almost like we planned it by choice!”

The early cars and bodies were produced at his home in Compton, California. Around 1955, Dick got the bug to move to Colorado, and did so buying out his partner, Jim Byers, before he moved. He stored the molds with his brother Larry, for the summer, and Larry shared with me he built about 10 bodies during that time. All told, production in California and Denver, Colorado with bodies produced by Dick and his brother Larry came to about 35 bodies/cars.

I’m sorry to report that my good friend and fiberglass sports pioneer Dick Jones passed away last year. However, his family tells me that he learned of the first place finish of one of his Meteors at the Amelia Island Concours d’ Elegance 2010 – owned by Dudley Cunningham and restored by Chris Cassidy.

Click here to review the story of Dudley’s award winning Meteor SR-1.

Where Did It All Start? “SR” vs “CR” Designations:

And by the way….good friend Rollie Langston recently reminded me that I need to inform everyone what the “SR” stands for. And here I thought I was providing too much detail! (but give ‘em what they want – I’m always told..) Here’s the detail in bullet point form:

The SR designation was started by Dick Jones in the 1953 with his Meteor SR-1. “SR” stood for “Sports Roadster”.
Dick also coined the phrase (at least in the fiberglass realm) “CR” for “Competition Roadster.” He had plans to build this with his friend Jim Byers and his last car was the only Meteor CR-1 Roadster ever built
Jim Byers utilized the “SR” and “CR” designations on his Byers “SR100” and “CR90” roadsters
Bob Sorrell, friend of Dick Jones, also picked up the “SR” designation” for his SR100, SR190, and SR200

I’m sure the “SR” and “CR” designation appeared elsewhere outside of the fiberglass sports car realm, but within it – Dick Jones was the first to use this designation, and it spread based on his friendship and professional association with others in the industry.

‘Nuff said

So…enjoy this segment of Car Craft’s 1956 Fiberglass Buyers Guide and be on the lookout for the next Meteor SR-1 hiding out there. Just a few have been found, and your efforts could make you the next lucky owner.

Go get ‘em gang!

Car Craft (March 1956): The Meteor SR-1 Sports Car

Car Craft (March 1956) Meteor SR-1 Specifications
Wheelbase	100 inches
Tread – Front	56 inches
Tread – Rear	58 inches
Overall Width	70 inches
Overall Height	36 inches
Body Complete Weight	170 lbs
Body Shell Only	$475.00
Body Semi-Complete	$550.00
Body Complete	$775.00
Complete cars and frames are also available
For prices and additional information, write:	Meteor Sports Cars 7995 Robin Lane Denver 11, Colorado