Showcase 1953 Woodill Wildfire – 1 of 2 Johnny Dark Movie Cars Design By B.R. “Woodill” and Bill Tritt Owner: Jack Farr, Cresson, Texas — Johnny Dark Movie Car Starring Tony Curtis and Piper Laurie — History of This Car … Continue reading
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Johnny Dark Woodill Wildfire #1: Artistry by Dan Palatnik
Hi Gang… More and more we are using Dan Palatnik’s renderings to “light the way” for our restorations of handcrafted American sports cars. In addition, these renderings showcase each car in a beautiful presentation the way the cars were meant … Continue reading
Johnny Dark Woodill Wildfire #2: Artistry by Dan Palatnik
Hi Gang… More and more we are using Dan Palatnik’s renderings to “light the way” for our restorations of handcrafted American sports cars. In addition, these renderings showcase each car in a beautiful presentation the way the cars were meant … Continue reading
Above: Scene in Johnny Dark Movie (1954) Showing Wildfire #2 At Speed
Hi Gang… The guys at JR’s Speed Shop in Venice, Florida are making good progress on several American Specials that they are working on including one of the Woodill Wildfire’s that starred in the 1954 movie “Johnny Dark.” We checked … Continue reading
On the left is when the Wildfire Was Finished; the Right Shows How It Was Found
Hi Gang… The story on Warren Eding’s Wildfire continues – and it’s a great way to pay tribute to a car and the man who built it. Like so many of these handcrafted cars, it’s a story of what you … Continue reading
Hi Gang… This is a remarkable car with a remarkable story which begins… “Boy builds car. Car helps find girl. Boy and girl get married. Then children, grandchildren, awards and more.” How much better of a story can you get? … Continue reading
Hi Gang… There’s so much good information to be had in vintage magazines – but the articles are just the tip of the iceberg. Crucial information is often found in the editorials – like the editorial we found in the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… While we may think that Glasspars, Wildfires and Victresses (the big 3 of handcrafted cars in the early to mid 50s) are plentiful given the number of stories we share here at Undiscovered Classics – nothing could be … Continue reading
Hi Gang… The story on Warren Eding’s Wildfire continues – and it’s a great way to pay tribute to a car and the man who built it. Like so many of these handcrafted cars, it’s a story of what you … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I first wrote about this Wildfire when it was spotted at the 2014 Retromobile Show in Paris, France. Click here to Read About The Woodill Wildfire Discovery in Paris France Since then we have become friends with the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We track down history here at Undiscovered Classics with one added bonus – ours come with cars. Now that’s cool! And before you go any further into today’s “part 2” of the story, be sure you read part … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Here’s a beautifully restored Woodill Wildfire that has been seen by tens of thousands of folks over the last nearly 30 years. How is that possible? Well…Collectible Automobile Magazine has featured this Wildfire twice – in 1992 and … Continue reading
1954 Woodill Wildfire At The Tip of the Fiberglass Spear Author: Jim Donnelly Hemmings Motor News: February, 2013 … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Sometimes it comes down to one piece of information….and sometimes it takes a convergence or several multiple pieces of information which together help confirm the history of the car. Research and validation of a car’s history is what … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Ted Griffin and I have been looking for this car for nearly 40 years. Ok….maybe 40 years for Ted, and less time for me. Ted first saw this Woodill Wildfire in much better shape in the early 80s. … Continue reading
1955 Woodill Wildfire: A Rare Orphan Vehicle Ted Griffin’s Woodill Wildfire Houston Chronicle: September 24, 2009 … Continue reading
Thousand Oaks Car Classic Featuring: Woodill Wildfire Thousand Oaks, California: June, 1994 … Continue reading
Woodill Wildfire Author: Michael Lamm Expert: Fred Roth (Remember this is 1974….wow!) Special Interest Autos: March-April, 1974 … Continue reading
Hi Gang… A Woodill Wildfire with Buick body modifications? Headlights, taillights and perhaps even more. And we’ve found several of these. How could they exist and what does it mean? Let’s dive into a bit of history with a recent … Continue reading
Woodill Wildfire Collectible Automobile: October, 2005 … Continue reading
Glass Act: Woodill Wildfire Motor Trend Classic: Summer, 2014 … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Not many people know that several of the fiberglass sports car companies of the 1950s sold smaller versions of their cars – typically for the younger set of the owners of these same cars. Smaller versions of the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… You may remember last fall when we shared a 3-part story on the building of a Woodill Wildfire in 1955 by the father-son team of Ed and Phil Cox: Click Here To Review this 3 Part Story on … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Let’s give a great big Forgotten Fiberglass welcome to our newest members – 16 year old Nick Bujnowski, his father Pete, and their brand new rarin’ to be restored Woodill Wildfire. Pete (father) has been into fiberglass sports cars for … Continue reading
Hi Gang… In yesterday’s story on the history of the Johnny Dark Wildfire, we established that there were three Woodill Wildfire Series 2 sports cars used in the movie. This was confirmed through careful review of the film and through … Continue reading
Hi Gang… One of the most famous fiberglass sports cars of the 1950s is the lead car from the 1954 movie Johnny Dark. Much speculation has taken place over the last many years concerning whether the car survives and who … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Each year, a show in France draws an international audience that captivates enthusiasts and professionals alike. It’s called “Retromobile” and showcases vintage, classic, sports, and all kinds of vehicles galore (click here to learn more). I haven’t been … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Today’s story comes from the depths of the “Frank Cornell Archives” – materials Frank amassed while studying Woodill Wildfire and related cars for more than 30 years. Frank had these materials for a good reason – he’s our … Continue reading
Hi Gang… As I continue to get magazines and articles from across the world – including many from you too – I inquisitively leaf through each and every page looking for the next “adventure in research.” And voila! Our next … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Recently shared the exciting news in a story last week revealing two significant “finds:” The Jim Potter collection of Woodill Wildfire photos– unseen for nearly 60 years and stewarded by his son Jim North The story of Ed and … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Someday I hope to see this car in person. It must be the most traveled and owned and shown and celebrated Woodill Wildfire in the last 50 years. But we have to find it first – and the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Recently shared the exciting news in a story last week revealing two significant “finds:” The Jim Potter collection of Woodill Wildfire photos – unseen for nearly 60 years and stewarded by his son Jim North The story of … Continue reading
“You can become the most famous automobile dealer in your part of the country almost overnight! And fame means profits!” That’s how Woody Woodill opened up his “dealer brochure” inviting select individuals to consider selling the Woodill Wildfire from a … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I first shared the exciting news in a story last week revealing two significant “finds:” * The Jim Potter collection of Woodill Wildfire photos – unseen for nearly 60 years and stewarded by his son Jim North * … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Fred Roth had all the fun. Starting in 1974 (and earlier), he helped provide research for Michael Lamm’s article on the history of Woodill Wildfire which appeared in the March/April 1974 issue of Special Interest Autos. By that … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Any successful business needs a successful promoter – and Woody Woodill was just that – par excellence – for American sports cars in the early to mid 1950s. When Woody’s plan in 1952 of making his car the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Motor Trend Classic is back in print – and online too. Yea!!! And their latest issue is a two-time winner for handcrafted cars in every way. How lucky can a car guy get? First things first. Motor Trend … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Back in early 1953, Woody Woodill sent a Wildfire to France for the Paris Auto Show. Interesting, one showed up recently at the Retromobile auto show this year in France – but it’s not the same car – … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We’re always looking for the initial press release photos and captions for each of our favorite fiberglass sports cars. Here’s an early photo and accompanying caption that was printed in the spring of 1956. Let’s see what they … Continue reading
Note: This is the third in a series of stories about the fiberglass sports cars that appeared in the 1954 Custom Cars book by Motor Trend. Click here to review each of these stories on Forgotten Fiberglass. ————————– Hi Gang… In the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… As more of our limited production fiberglass sports cars get restored, they are showing up at established car shows and making big waves. At any show across the country, if an American sports car shows up that people … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We’ve not been idle here at Forgotten Fiberglass, of late. In fact, today marks the next release of logos for each of the car marques within our vintage ‘glass entourage. And on this day, I’m pleased to release the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Ask lots of questions – and come up with more whenever possible. When I was growing up, I must have driven my parents crazy. Learning as much as possible is my passion, and I’ve continued doing this in … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I was first contacted by Lanny Word about a year ago when he found our Forgotten Fiberglass website and e-mailed me about his father’s car back in the late ‘50s – a Woodill Wildfire. Of course I was … Continue reading
Hi Gang… As promised earlier, I’ll show “more” and talk “less” about each of the cars that appeared at the Milwaukee Masterpiece Concours d’ Elegance on August 28th, 2011. Click here to read more about the success of vintage ‘glass … Continue reading
Hi Gang… What an interesting time it must have been back in the 1950’s with the birth of modern sports cars. Today’s article focuses on another automotive dealer – this time a Buick dealer – building a fiberglass sports car … Continue reading
Hi Gang… As promised earlier, I’ll show “more” and talk “less” about each of the cars that appeared at the Milwaukee Masterpiece Concours d’ Elegance on August 28th, 2011. Click here to read more about the success of vintage ‘glass … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I meet the coolest people at Forgotten Fiberglass headquarters here in Tampa, Florida. Today, via phone, I met Doug Shinstine from Washington State. Doug has known about a Woodill Wildfire lurking around the Northwest United States for nearly 50 … Continue reading
Note: This is the second installment of a 2 part series of articles on: Woody’s Woodill Wildfire – By Glenn Brummer Click here to read other parts of the story ——————————– Hi Gang… I’ve wanted to meet Glenn Brummer for … Continue reading
Note: This is the first installment of a 2 part series of articles on: Woody’s Woodill Wildfire – By Glenn Brummer Click here to read other parts of the story ——————————– Hi Gang… I’ve wanted to meet Glenn Brummer for … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Oh for the cars that almost were – or just might have been. Woody Woodill was a man of great determination. His initial car had been launched as a modified Glasspar G2 body in November 1952 at the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… As I’ve mentioned to you before, I’m tracking down the programs for all major car shows of the early 1950’s. Why, you might ask? I’m glad to answer. I’m in search of all the relevant articles and photos of … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I like Fox Mulder from the X-Files TV Show. The poster on the wall in his office said… “The Truth Is Out There” All we have to do is find it, document it, share it, print it, and … Continue reading
Hi Gang… B. R. “Woody” Woodill was a visionary, promoter, and entrepreneur. He had just shown his Woodill Wildfire at the November 1952 Petersen Motorama, and wanted it to become the next sports car offered by a major automobile manufacturer. … Continue reading
Hi Gang… This is our first 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
Hi Gang… The first Woodill Wildfire debuted during the November 1952 Peterson Motorama in Los Angeles. It was based on a Glasspar G2 body with 3-4 modifications which included an extended front hood scoop, double-hump dashboard, and tail fins to boot … Continue reading
Hi Gang… New discoveries are being made all the time in the land of “vintage fiberglass,” and this one was made by Frank Cornell – Historian Emeritus for Woodill Wildfire. Frank has had an interest in Wildfires since the 1970’s … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Rumors, Rumors, Rumors… That’s what I’ve heard for years about a turbine jet powered Woodill Wildfire. But if it existed, where was the car? Wouldn’t someone know of such an out of the ordinary build? After all, I’ve already … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We’re honored to have not one but two Woodill Wildfires being restored in preparation for the Milwaukee Masterpiece in August 2011. (Click here for more information about this event.) Let the race begin! Dick Foster who built his … Continue reading
Hi Gang.. Many of you have seen this video when I sent it via e-mail as a link last year. But… there are so many newcomers to our Forgotten Fiberglass Website that I thought we should highlight it again. Back in 1955, building … Continue reading
Hi Gang… One of the best kept secrets of the 1950’s is that there were actually two different Motorama’s making news across the country. When we hear of the 1950’s Motorama – we think of GM’s Motorama. Concept cars, new … Continue reading
Hi Gang.. This is almost like a barnfind story – except without finding the car. How can that be (you say)?… Well…the first time I heard of this car was from Tom Householder. Tom is a Doretti enthusiast and was … Continue reading
Fiberglass Facts – Home Woodill Wildfire – Home History Brochures and Advertising Models Available Articles Registry Member Showcase Miscellaneous Contact Information (Series I, Series II, and Late 1950’s Version) … Continue reading
Worksheet When in Los Angeles, Visit: Coordinate with Dennis Kaz Tina Van Curen – confirmed via e-mail on 8/24/2023 Doug Ward – talked to about meeting at Petersen via phone on 8/24/2023 Dennis and I visit with Ken and Liz … Continue reading
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The Jack Farr Collection Undiscovered Classics Cars on Display Located at DriveXotic: Cresson, Texas Handcrafted American Specials Restored (4 Cars) Click Here In Restoration (5 Cars) Click Here Being Built From Scratch (3 Cars) Click Here Hot Rods and Customs … Continue reading
History Debonnaire / Venture (1954 – 1955) Design By Phillip Egan (from the Tucker Design Team) — America’s Boulevard Sports Car — Debonnaire / Venture Boulevard Sports Car Many of the fiberglass sports cars of the 1950s were designed by … Continue reading
Main Menu Forgotten Fiberglass Click Here Sport Customs Click Here Streamlined Dreams Click Here Links To Explore Welcome To Undiscovered Classics Click Here View Our Undiscovered Classics Portfolio Click Here Learn More About Undiscovered Classics Classic Motorsports: January, 2022 Click … Continue reading
The Designers Who They Were and What They Accomplished Design Veterans Ralph Roberts and the 1951 Skorpion: Roberts worked for Chrysler in the 1930s and 1940s and created cars and show cars such as the 1941 Chrysler Newport Dual-Cowl Phaeton … Continue reading
Be Unique Why Buy An Undiscovered Classics Car? It’s All About The Dream 5 components: Who built it and how Who designed it These cars epitomized later American sports car design Achievements in design/styling at Motoramas across America … Continue reading
“Before” and “After” 40 Cars Are Shown Below The Photos Show The Starting Point and the Finished Look Restorations Completed By Undiscovered Classics Teams Restorations Completed By Others … Continue reading
Jack Farr Collection Restored Handcrafted Cars 1953 Woodill Wildfire (1 of 2) Featured in the 1954 Film “Johnny Dark” Starring Tony Curtis Click Here 1955 Siebler Special (1 of 2) First of Two Cars Built By Dick Siebler Click Here … Continue reading
2023 Click on the Following Links To Review Each Article Concours d’Elegance Appearances Gasparilla Concours d’Elegance Class of Cars: Handcrafted Cars Featured Undiscovered Classics Cars: To be chosen in early 2023 Tampa, Florida December, 2023 Hilton Head Concours d’Elegance Featured … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Looks like we’re going to finish up 2021 with a bang. We’ll be attending 3 different concours in the next 3 months which is a new record for us, and we’d enjoy seeing you at any or all … Continue reading
Hi Gang… When it’s quiet on our website, we’re usually busy somewhere else. This year, as you’ll see in the near future, has been a year for restorations and brand-new creations. But that story is for the future. Today’s story … Continue reading
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Valuation Auction Results For American Specials and a Link to the Hagerty Valuation Guide Auction Results Learn More About Auction Results For American Specials Hagerty Value Guide Review Hagerty Value Guides For American Specials Which Includes Glasspar, Wildfire, Devin and … Continue reading
Hi Gang… As you’ll see, we’ve been busy during the quarantine – all our teams have been quite busy. And everything came together nicely on May 23, 2021 at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. I think this may have been … Continue reading
Twelve Grantham Stardust Sports Cars Were Built – Just Four Remain
Hi Gang… Exciting news for one of my favorite handcrafted cars of the 1950s – the Grantham Stardust. While we have an unrestored example in our collection, Undiscovered Classics has partnered with David Deluca to restore and show his Stardust … Continue reading
Cars For Sale Click Here To View All “Before / After” Photos on One Page Scroll Down To See Link To Cars For Sale And Other Information “We Find, Research, Restore, Show and Sell America’s Lost Automotive Treasures“ … Continue reading
Frank Cornell Archives Woodill Wildfire Historian Emeritus From The Desk of Frank Cornell: December 25, 2019 I’d always been a “car guy”, and mostly into sports cars. I didn’t get interested in fiberglass until the early 70s when I purchased … Continue reading
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
Stan Fowler’s Next Build – a 1957 Devin Sports Car Will be Exciting To Watch
Hi Gang… Time and time again, Stan Fowler has restored cars, built cars, created cars, raced cars and more. There’s no limit to his talent and I’m honored to call Stan and his wife Ann friends. I first met Stan … Continue reading
Chris Dunn Helps Save A Dragon – The Most Luxurious Kaiser Ever Built
Hi Gang… I was 14 when I first learned of Kaiser Dragons from my mentor Paul Terhorst. That was in 1976…..seems like yesterday the Bi-Centennial Train was making its way thru the Chicago, Illinois area where I lived. But I … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We continue to add video to our YouTube channel that we believe would interest many of you. Some of our video is historic, some of it is modern and some of it is just plain fun. Currently we … Continue reading
Charles Le Menestrel’s 1955 Kurtis-Byers Sports Car – Restoration In-Progress
Hi Gang… So many stories….so much opportunity to share with you what’s going on with the rebirth, resurgence and restorations of American Specials across the land. I’ve been tracking this particular Byers for years and the story originally started with … Continue reading
Above: Work Continues on Paul Sable’s 1955 Debonnaire – Designed by Phillip Egan
Hi Gang… I’ll be showing progress soon on the restoration of Paul Sable’s 1955 Debonnaire, so I think it makes sense to share the history of this car and the marque as I did so in September, 2018 for Reincarnation … Continue reading
Hi Gang… One of our good friends in Europe, Hans van Ingen Schenau, has decided to sell his LaDawri Daytona race car and I thought I would share the history of this beautifully restored car with you. This may be … Continue reading
Motor Trend Classic Magazine Stories on Undiscovered Classics Automobiles Articles Glass Act: Woodill Wildfire Motor Trend Classic: Summer, 2014 Land Bound Pegasus: 1952 Maverick Sportster Motor Trend Classic: Fall, 2013 The Comet’s Tale: The 1947 Kurtis-Omhundro Comet Motor Trend Classic: … Continue reading
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Classes and Exhibition Schedule Classes In Process Or Development / Possible Future Classes Currently Open Petersen Museum: Strother MacMinn – Sports Cars of the Future (June, 2023 – February 25th, 2024) Petersen Exhibit 2023-2024 – Click Here Worksheet – Click … Continue reading
Hi Gang… The first Jabro….so much different than the later Jabro sports cars that James P. Broadwell was best known for. But it all started in 1952 with a sport custom also called the “Jabro.” The wheelbase of this car … Continue reading
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
Hi Gang… One of our Undiscovered Classics aficionados alerted me to this article about “Sports Specials” that was published in the winter of 1983 – that’s 37 years ago folks. I had just turned 21 years old, and I already … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Early on, one of the individuals who coached me on the history of postwar American Specials was Fred Roth of Thousand Oaks, California. So much of the history of postwar handcrafted cars was undocumented and details were scarce … Continue reading
2021 Click on the Following Links To Review Each Article Concours d’Elegance Appearances Cigar City Concours d’Elegance 1962 Shark Roadster November 14, 2021 Chattanooga Concours d’Elegance Three Cars: 1962 Shark Roadster 1953 Maverick Sportster 1956 Woodill Wildfire (Woody’s Personal and … Continue reading
Valuation: American Specials Hagerty Value Guides For American Specials The Valuation Guides maintained by Hagerty continue to show excellent results for nicely restored American Specials that have been brought back to beautiful condition. Overview Currently Hagerty value estimates exceed $100,000 … Continue reading
Valuation: American Specials Auction Results Here at Undiscovered Classics we keep a keen eye on auctions as they relate to postwar handcrafted specials, and the news in the past few years has been increasingly positive. What’s impressive is the consistently … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Here at Undiscovered Classics we keep a keen eye on auctions as they relate to postwar handcrafted specials, and the news in the past few years has been increasingly positive. Sometimes we see one car pass through an auction … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I love sport customs. These are cars that preceded our fiberglass sports cars of the 50s when talented and creative individuals and companies were building sports cars out of steel and aluminum. If you think building a car … Continue reading
Johnny Dark Movie American Specials of the 1950s at Their Best Universal International: 1954 Overview Review the stories below to learn more about this film Johnny Dark The Post World War II Sports Car Craze Played out on the Silver … Continue reading
Fanning a Flame: Woody Woodill and the Wildfire By Michael Lamm Collectible Automobile: October, 2005 … Continue reading
1953 Woodill Wildfire Collectible Automobile: February, 1992 … Continue reading
Undiscovered Classics Modern Archives Undiscovered Classics featured in Hemmings, Old Cars Weekly, Autoweek and more. Also includes stories authored by or about Undiscovered Classics and Undiscovered Classic cars, and Undiscovered Classics at concours, in museums & exhibitions, on the web, … Continue reading
Silodrome – Gasoline Culture Magazine Stories on Undiscovered Classics Automobiles On The Web Silodrome: Gasoline Culture Magazine Home Page Articles Project Car: A Rare Kellison J6 Panther V8 Silodrome: July 25th, 2022 American Designed and Built: The Byers SR-100 The … Continue reading
Customer Cars In Restoration With Undiscovered Classics We are currently managing and restoring cars for many of our customers. Here are some of these cars being restored. We’ll be adding additional detail about their restorations soon. 1952 Voodoo Gardner Designer: … Continue reading
Research and Documentation Services What we do best at Undiscovered Classics is research. We do this using the resources we’ve built over nearly two decades as well as the skills developed to meet this challenge as follows. Resources The largest … Continue reading
Undiscovered Classics Affiliate JR’s Speed Shop: Venice, Florida The folks at JR’s Speed Shop have done exceptional work for us and can for you too. Owners John Pascucci and Pete Kenny along with Cade and Dean are driven by unique … Continue reading
Sarasota Classic Car Museum Undiscovered Classics Cars on Display Sarasota, Florida 2008 to Present Martin Godbey Owner and Curator: Sarasota Classic Car Museum Proprietor: Vintage Motors of Sarasota Cars In Museum (Scroll Down To See Photos of Cars) 1937 Long-Wheelbase … Continue reading
Cars That Have Bid Us Farewell Additional Detail A Rare American Sports Car – The Woodill Wildfire Silodrome – Gasoline Culture Magazine: April 3, 2019 Additional Detail Showcase: 1950 Leo Lyons Custom Mercury Click Here 1952 Allied Swallow Survivor 1946 … Continue reading
F.O.B. (Free On Board) Backyard Kurtis, Victress, Wildfire, Maverick and More Motor America: Spring, 1954 … Continue reading
Victress In The Press And On The Field 1953 – 2005 Vintage Articles, On The Web, In Print, Podcasts, Videos and Events/Concours Attended In Print: Oldest Articles at Bottom of Page 2000 Keith Kaucher’s Kit Concepts (Victress C3 Coupe) Kit … Continue reading
Showcase Production Fiberglass Sports Cars Restored 1958 LeMans Coupe The Most Exciting Sports Car Design of its Era Designed by Strother MacMinn Owners: Dennis and Karen Kazmerowski, Califon, New Jersey Click Here 1952 Victress S1A The Lost Motor Trend Victress … Continue reading
Rick D’Louhy, Ph.D. Forgotten Fiberglass, Daytona Beach Dream Cruise On The Web A Tribute To Rick D’Louhy Forgotten Fiberglass Raconteur, Car Show Creator, Historian Best Friend And More Geoff Hacker: Undiscovered Classics Automotive Archaeologist, Collector and Promoter Rick D’Louhy Dies … Continue reading
Thousand Oaks Car Classic: 1989 to 2005 Fred Roth Organized and Hosted This Event Each Year Featuring Various Handcrafted American Sports Cars for 16 Years Thousand Oaks, California Car Classic Years Which Featured Handcrafted Sports Cars 2005 Thousand Oaks Car … Continue reading
Undiscovered Classics Vintage Media Archive 2000-2005 Cosmic Concept Traditional Rod & Kulture: Winter, 2005 Premier Issue Cobra in the Barn Great Stories of Automotive Archaeology Author: Tom Cotter – Published 2005 Woodill Wildfire Fanning A Flame: Woody Woodill and the … Continue reading
Geoffrey Hacker, Ph.D. Founder of Undiscovered Classics / Forgotten Fiberglass Background Geoff Hacker has pursued rare and unusual cars since his teen years when he discovered an exotic, fiberglass-bodied, two-seater concept car in Clearwater, Florida – a car that he … Continue reading
Ken Gross Author, Historian, Curator and Concours Judge About Formerly Executive Director of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, Ken Gross has been Guest Curator for fourteen highly-acclaimed exhibitions of extraordinary automobiles and motorcycles in fine art museums, including: … Continue reading
Fred Roth and the Roth Collection The Roth Collection of American Sports Cars and Specials Website American Sports Cars Created By: Fred, Deanna and Chris Roth Video TV: Forgotten Fiberglass Fred Roth & Maverick at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours … Continue reading
Undiscovered Classics: Personality Profiles These are Personality Profiles of some of the Undiscovered Classics Team – participants, contributors and more. This list continues to grow so check back for additions. We’re happy to have a large and expanding “tent” that … Continue reading
Generation 1: 1951-1956 Generation 1 fiberglass sports cars were characterized by… Allied (Swallow Coupe 94″ wb, Swallow Roadster 94″ wb) (Falcon Coupe 100″ wb, Falcon Roadster 100″ wb) Byers (SR-100, CR-90, Custom Bodies) Devin (Panhard, 27 Sports Car Bodies, Devin … Continue reading
Rotary Car Show Headliner 1955 Woodill Wildfire April 27th, 2019: Palm Harbor, Florida … Continue reading
2020 Click on the Following Links To Review Each Article Concours d’Elegance Appearances Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance 1952 Voodoo Gardner March 8, 2020 Museum, Event and Exhibition Appearances On The Web Johnny Dark Woodill Wildfire To Debut at 2021 … Continue reading
Showcase 1952 Glasspar G2 Design By Bill Tritt Owners: Brian and Sue Ford, Christchurch, New Zealand Best Viewed In Landscape Mode Use On-Screen Arrows To Move Thru Photos History of This Car The Glasspar G2 is considered by many to … Continue reading
Note: This is a multi-part story. Click here to view all parts of this story Hi Gang… We’ve been researching this car since 2008, but it took our appearance on Ray Evernham’s Velocity TV show “AmeriCarna” in 2015 for us … Continue reading
Forgotten Fiberglass Timeline: Bullet Form 1939: Ford makes fiberglass trunk for car and hits it with an ax (publicity photo) 1941: Ford makes hemp based fiberglass car – full body 1941-1945: Kaiser tests fiberglass bodied concepts during WWII 1946: Owens … Continue reading
Concours d’Elegance Classes Created Overview While we’ve participated in many concours events, (click here to view the highlights of some of these events) we’ve also had the honor of working with concours founders, creators, administrators and staff to create some … Continue reading
Art Cards: Communicating the Message Most of the cars we celebrate have not been seen before by the majority of the public. To help share the history and beauty of these cars with folks at concours and exhibitions we have … Continue reading
Books By Undiscovered Classics We’ve created books of some of our more special cars that we can share with you. You can view the online version of each book at no cost. Printed copies of books are available for cost … Continue reading
2019 Click on the Following Links To Review Each Article Concours d’Elegance Appearances Cigar City Concours d’Elegance Two Cars: 1952 Glasspar G2 1949 Panache Sport Custom November 9-10, 2019 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance 1953 Allied Swallow August 18, 2019 Concours … Continue reading
2017 Click on the Following Links To Review Each Article Concours d’Elegance Appearances Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance 1956 Bangert Manta Ray March 9-11, 2017: Amelia Island, Florida Museum, Event and Exhibition Appearances DuPont Registry Show June, 2017 Exhibited: 1956 Bangert … Continue reading
2015 Concours d’Elegance Appearances Ameila Island Concours d’Elegance: Forgotten Fiberglass Class 1953 Meteor SR-1 and More Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance 1946 Bill Burke Belly Tank Streamliner Award Won: “Rolling Sculpture” Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance 1950 Ultra Modern Mercury – Leo … Continue reading
2014 Click on the Following Links To Review Each Article Concours d’Elegance Appearances Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance 1955 California Special (LeGene Roadster) Museum, Event and Exhibition Appearances DuPont Registry Show July, 2014 Exhibited: 1955 Californian Roadster (LeGene Roadster) Corporate Office: … Continue reading
2013 Click on the Following Links To Review Each Article Concours d’Elegance Appearances Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance 1962 Shark Roadster March, 2013 Milwaukee Masterpiece Concours d’Elegance (Two Cars) 1947 Kurtis-Omohundro Comet 1946 Bill Burke Belly Tank Streamliner August, 2013 Hershey … Continue reading
2009 Click on the Following Links To Review Each Article Concours d’Elegance Appearances Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance 1947 Kurtis-Omohundro Comet Museum, Event and Exhibition Appearances Bill Burke: Racing on the Dry Lakes September 1, 2009 to March 1, 2010 Exhibited: … Continue reading
Cars Available For Partnership Some of our cars are chomping at the bit to get restored. If one of these cars interests you, contact us to discuss a possible partnership on ownership and restoration. We take our finished cars to … Continue reading
Recent Quote About Undiscovered Classics: Geoff Hacker and his crew are indeed scholars who embark on perilous adventures to obtain rare artifacts. Literally. I’ve seen them in action. They’re obsessive and not afraid to get dirty digging. And, by making … Continue reading
Undiscovered Classics Research Approach First: We’ve combed thru (and are still working on) reviewing all articles on fiberglass cars in American 1950’s enthusiast magazines such as Hot Rod, Motor Trend, Road and track and other well known titles. Second: We’ve identified thru … Continue reading
People Interviewed As Part of Research This shows (in process) a list of the people we interviewed to learn the details and history of these cars and their companies. This list also includes first-person histories or research written by individuals … Continue reading
Hi Gang… It’s been an adventure trying to get all the stories of “building your own car in the ‘50s” nailed down so many years later. And this story about the Sierra Sportcar Frame has been one of the toughest … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I am most honored to make this announcement. Fred Roth has been a guiding force in recognizing the importance of limited production American sports cars since the beginning – and I do mean “beginning.” It was Fred’s interest in … Continue reading
Hi Gang… The day before the Amelia Concours is my favorite – mostly. Rick D’Louhy and I we tend to run to the last minute, which makes it an exciting day, but one that I feel I need to “prep” … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Fiberglass Farms has been around for nearly a decade. Wow! That’s longer than I would have guessed 🙂 It started out small but has steadily grown as Rick D’Louhy and I have picked up the pace in saving … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Over the last several years, those of you who have been restoring Victress S1, S5, S4, C2, and C3 cars have asked about the types of hinges that Victress used on their cars. Ask and you shall receive … Continue reading
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
Hi Gang… I’ve been researching this car for quite some time, and recently came across a beautiful hi-res photo of the car from back in 1953. It was an experimental car – a prototype – designed by La Carrozzeria Touring … Continue reading
Hi Gang… As we continue to dig into the magazines of the 1950s and 1960s searching for cars, stories, and information about the era where anything seemed possible, we find photos and articles that show no end to the creativity and … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I often equate researching the history of lost American sports cars of the 50s as akin to trying to get a drink of water by running around the room with an empty glass and gathering as much water … Continue reading
It is interesting to note that there probably aren’t two identical Wildfires in existence today, simply because each builder customized his car the way he wanted to. Therefore, you’ll find Buick Wildfires, Chevrolet Wildfires, Ford Wildfires, and a host of … Continue reading
Hi Gang… As we continue to uncover the history of handcrafted cars in the 40s and 50s, we collate, organize, and share what we learn continuing to build a comprehensive database showing the nationwide – and worldwide – movement in … Continue reading
Hi Gang… When Rick D’Louhy and I started down the path of researching and celebrating the rich and detailed history of vintage fiberglass sports cars in America our first and most enthusiastic supporter was Bill Warner of the Amelia Island … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Investigating modern “finds” of Glasspar G2s and Woodill Wildfires means knowing the “lay of the land” for who built what, where, when and why. And magazines aren’t the only clue to some of the lost history of years … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We’re working hard here at Forgotten Fiberglass to compile and archive a copy of every postwar automotive magazine from 1947 to 1960. These are essential to documenting the era and the stories that abound on building your own … Continue reading
What People Are Saying About Undiscovered Classics Featured Quotes We’ve honored to be recognized by established leaders in the field, historians, journalists and more. Here are some of the quotes from across the world about who we are and what … Continue reading
Exhibitions Exhibitions Which Featured Undiscovered Classic Cars 2023 Petersen Automobile Museum – Exhibition #1 in Planning Stage Coming Soon Petersen Automobile Museum – Exhibition #2 in Planning Stage Coming Soon Sarasota Classic Car Museum (Multiple Years) On Display: Multiple Cars … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. The folks that are part of our group – the fiberglass raconteurs – are expert researchers and historians in their own right. And we are honored that we have created … Continue reading
Hi Gang… What a year 2013 is turning out to be: * First, in March, 2013 we debuted our 1962 Shark Roadster at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. Click here to review the story on the road to Amelia. * … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Come one, Come all….The Forgotten Fiberglass Gang is heading north in May, 2013 to participate in the Carlisle Import & Kit Nationals. Good friend Marvin McFalls, President of the Renault Owner’s Club of North America, put us in … Continue reading
Note: This is the second in a series of stories about the fiberglass sports cars that appeared in the 1954 Custom Cars book by Motor Trend. Click here to review each of these stories on Forgotten Fiberglass. ————————– Hi Gang… In … Continue reading
Hi Gang… If you love the vintage fiberglass cars of the early ‘50s – the 1954 movie “Johnny Dark” is for you. It has everything a car guy would want in “car guy” movie: Sports car races – one actual … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Missing pieces of history….thought lost to time….uncovered by auto archeologists near and far. We live for this “stuff” here at Forgotten Fiberglass – and today’s story is the result of one such adventure – Joel Driskill’s Excellent Adventure 🙂 … Continue reading
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
Hi Gang… Did you know that the first two fiberglass sports cars produced by Glasspar were based on a Willys chassis and engine? That’s significant and I wanted to learn more – but what I found out was far more … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Today I have the honor of introducing you to another author, friend of fiberglass, automotive historian and all-around great car guy – Rick Feibusch. Time and time again, Rick sends the coolest cars and the neatest slices of … Continue reading
Hi Gang… You just can’t stop an entrepreneur and his passion for success. Woody Woodill was on a mission. After several years of success as an innovator and business man in the sports car and sports car kit business, he … Continue reading
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
Hi Gang… The saga of a nearly 60 year old unfinished fiberglass body continues. You just can’t stop the potential in this car body! Here’s what has happened so far in our story: Produced in the mid ‘50s in the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I have the honor of introducing you to another new contributor here on Forgotten Fiberglass: Joel Driskill. Recently, Joel and I crossed paths on our mutual interest in the sports car built by Chuck Manning in the early … Continue reading
————————— Note: The next series of stories here on Forgotten Fiberglass are going to focus on the brochures and associated customer communication of the Atlas / Allied Fiber Glass Company. We’re lucky here at Forgotten Fiberglass to have become friends … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We’re off and running for 2012 and Forgotten Fiberglass – and it’s only 11 days into the New Year! Earlier this week I posted information about an upcoming Concours d’ Elegance in the first half of the year … Continue reading
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
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
——————————- Note: This is the second of a three-part story on the Dick Foster Victress Special. Click here to review all parts of the story. ——————————- Hi Gang… How did I find the Dick Foster Victress Special and get it home? … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Consider what it must have been like at the start of building of your own sports car back in the early 50’s. I imagine many conversations went something like this…. “Hey! Check out this cool Victress/Glasspar/Woodill/Meteor/Byers/Allied body I … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Some research starts at the beginning…..some at the end. This particular story was like reading one of Stephen Covey’s Management books which states that in business problem solving we should always “start with the end in mind.” And … Continue reading
Hi Gang… As I mentioned recently gang….we’ve not been idle here at Forgotten Fiberglass, of late. In fact, today marks the next release of logos for each of the car marques within our vintage ‘glass entourage. And today I’m pleased … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We’ve not been idle here at Forgotten Fiberglass, of late. In fact, today marks the first release of logos for each of the car marques within our vintage ‘glass entourage. And on this day, I’m pleased to release … Continue reading
Hi Gang… A picture speaks a thousand words… Not all hardtops are equal, and the one that Frank Cornell sent me pictures of recently is a sight to behold. It’s a fastback hardtop, and it’s the first one I’ve seen. I assume … Continue reading
Hi Gang… This is a question I’ve asked over and over. That is, when does a sports car become a custom. Or vice versa. Although the car in today’s article isn’t my first choice to have this debate, it certainly qualifies. … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Well we did it – and we owe it to all of you who made this happen. The visionaries who saw what such a show could mean. The car owners and families willing to endure intense restoration schedules to … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I’ve known Rocky for a several years now, and recently he shared some photos and history – as he knows of it – of his unrestored Glasspar G2. Rocky put pen to paper, and here’s the letter he recently … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We’ve been talking about Howard “Dutch” Darrin of late, so why stop now? How ‘bout some of you helping us out with learning more about this neatly designed car. One of the pieces I acquired from the Frank … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Let no one say that vintage fiberglass is long gone and forgotten. Actually….I can’t think of a more exciting category of cars that is rising in fame, interest, respect, and celebration as quickly as our glass beauties. “Let no … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Howard “Dutch” Darrin was a designer bar none. He’s remembered for styles he penned and cars he designed from the 1930’s thru our favorite age of cars – the 1950’s. But what was the last car he designed … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Glasspar made hardtops for sports cars – in a greater quantity and variety than most enthusiasts recognize. They made hardtops for the following sports cars: Glasspar G2 Woodill Wildfire Jaguar MG Porsche Austin-Healey Singer Corvette And maybe more … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Thanks to the courage of Geordie Prodis, Byers SR100 owner, and the confidence he bestowed upon me in completing firewall badges for vintage fiberglass cars of the 1950’s, we now have badges for many of the cars that … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Rick D’Louhy and I are trying to paint a picture – a fiberglass picture – of the 1950’s. To do so we’re assembling all known articles big and small. And…. laying on top of the articles is the … Continue reading
PRODUCTION NUMBERS For the aforementioned reasons concerning the time and effort it took to complete a sports car, more – or less – of these cars were built than one might have imagined. When looking at production numbers from the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Ok…the thumbnail picture of Hemmings Motor News Magazine with a 1954 Venus on it hasn’t happened yet. But we’re getting closer 🙂 Rick D’Louhy and I have taken our message of fiberglass sports cars to all parts of … Continue reading
Hi Gang… This is quite a story gang – it started nearly 60 years ago with Elwood Cauffman’s dream, it was re-engaged when Elwood contacted fiberglass historian Harold Pace in 1996 and 1997, it extended a bit more when I … Continue reading
THE FORGOTTEN FIBERGLASS FAMILY— OUR CONTRIBUTORS — “We’re Honored To Have So Many Passionate Contributors to the Cause – People We Consider to be Part of the Forgotten Fiberglass Family” The Forgotten Fiberglass Family: Forgotten Fiberglass is much larger than … Continue reading
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
Hi Gang… Those of you who are faithful readers of Forgotten Fiberglass, know how much Rick D’Louhy and I (and now Bill Fester of Houston, Texas), have come to appreciate the legendary designer and stylist Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky. I’ve … Continue reading
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
Hi Gang… I know what you were thinking when you woke up this morning. You were wondering….. ”With so many stories about fiberglass cars posted lately on the Forgotten Fiberglass website….what’s the oldest known surviving fiberglass car in the world?” … Continue reading
Hi Gang… There’s nothing better in this world than making new friends – and that’s exactly what happened when good friend Glenn Brummer sent in a link to a fabulous website run by Derek Redmond that included great information about the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Bill Tritt of Glasspar was one busy guy! Just think of what he accomplished in the world of automobiles in just a few short years: In 1950-1951, Tritt designed and built the Brooks Boxer. This was to become … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I wish all research into fiberglass sports cars of the 1950’s was so easy. Today’s story is like shooting fish in a barrel! I’m sure it won’t happen again, so I have to savor every minute of it … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Back in the 1950’s, sports cars were all the rage. That’s not news to most of you, and by now you’ve heard me say that time and time again. But let’s explore a bit what that means. That … Continue reading
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
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
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
Hi Gang… I love mysteries. You know that. And when someone sends in a mystery that looks like an interesting riddle to solve…..who could resist? I know I can’t. Enter Frank Cornell. Frank has owned specials for 30+ years. He … Continue reading
Note: This is the second installment of a 2 part series of articles on John Gunnell and his recent article on “Sport Custom Cars of the Postwar Era.” Here is the link to part 1 of the story: Click Here to … Continue reading
Hi Gang… As you know by now, our big event for this year will be a “Fabulous Fiberglass” Category at the Milwaukee Masterpiece Concours d’Elegance held in August 2011. “Forgotten Fiberglass” cars that are tentatively scheduled to appear include: Geoff … Continue reading
Hi Gang… When do you celebrate a birthday? How ‘bout now! I’m actually about 2 months late…..our website “Forgotten Fiberglass” was a year old as of November 16th, 2010. And this anniversary is just an arbitrary point in time. Jon … Continue reading
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
Hi Gang… Harold Pace, noted author and fiberglass sports car historian (click here for Harold’s biography) and I were talking up a storm a few nights ago about the usual subject – fiberglass sports and kit cars of the 1950’s … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Each one of us steps up to the plate, from time to time, and helps cement both the history and relevance of vintage fiberglass sports cars to the automotive community. That’s exactly what Mark Brinker did several years … Continue reading
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
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
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
Hi Gang… I have exciting news to share! Just on the heels of 2010 where cars of the “Forgotten Fiberglass” class debuted at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance and “Fantasies in Fiberglass” was a 6 month display at the Petersen … Continue reading
Note: This is the second installment of a 3 part series of articles on the Johnny Dark Victress, Virgil Rice, Mack Hellings, Bob Stelling, the Hellings Company, and Stelling and Hellings. Here are links to the other parts of the story: … Continue reading
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
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
Hi Gang… This is part 2 of a series of stories showcasing “Fiberglass Day” which was held at the Petersen Museum on June 26th, 2010. Today’s video segment is 12 minutes long and showcases the talk by Frank Hecox – … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Film from the 1950’s showing how to build a fiberglass sports car is even more rare than the cars themselves. With the help of Greg and Ted Griffin (Woodill Wildfire owners and historians) we were able to find … Continue reading
Hi Gang… If only we could go back in time….I know exactly where I would go. To the 1950’s Petersen Motoramas. Back in 1950, Robert Petersen who started Hot Rod Magazine, Motor Trend, Car Craft, and others saw the unique … Continue reading
Hi Gang… You’re beginning to see a pattern to our stories. One pattern we’re emphasizing focuses on the first fiberglass cars introduced to the American public. These were revealed in the 1951 Petersen Motorama and included the: Glasspar G2 (Brooks Boxer) by … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I recently received the restoration pictures that Stan Crawford sent of his Atlas Swallow. This is going to be one fantastic car when it’s finished. I know he’s on the right track because even though it was in … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I met Tom Chandler several years ago thru my friendship with Pat Hoover. Pat was running the Glasspar G2 enthusiast website that he took over from his father, Bill Hoover, and was kind enough to involve me with … Continue reading
Hi Gang.. And you Victress owners out there thought you had everything… Fiberglass body builders back in the day were first and foremost businessmen. So it shouldn’t surprise you that many of the firms producing beautiful fiberglass bodies in the … Continue reading
Hi Gang.. Sorting out history. Sometimes it looks like the game of 52 card pick-up. You gather everything from everywhere and see what you’ve got. Which stories are true? Which ones are false? Which ones are interesting? Which ones make … Continue reading
Welcome To Undiscovered Classics Click Here To View All “Before / After” Photos on One Page Scroll Down To See Link To Cars For Sale And Other Information “We Find, Research, Restore, Show and Sell America’s Lost … Continue reading
Hi Gang… So the interior is restored, the body is painted, the engine is rebuilt, and what little chrome might be on your vintage fiberglass special is replated, repainted, or renewed. Wha ‘cha gonna to do about your wheels? Isn’t … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Alan and Jen Mortlock have one cool Glasspar G2 Special – and it’s almost out of restoration and ready to debut. Alan recently sent me some pictures of it so what better way to celebrate his work than … Continue reading
FIBERGLASS AND ALUMINUM PARTS As more people embrace forgotten fiberglass cars of the 1950’s, demand has increased for quality replacement parts that meet standards for restoration and concours level events. We are pleased to offer the following reproduction parts for the … Continue reading
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
Hi Gang… Think back to 1953… a time when if you wanted your own American sports car, you had to build it. Yes…the Corvette was coming out the same year and just a few hundred would be available to the public. So … Continue reading
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
Hi Gang… There’s so much information about vintage fiberglass cars – if you know where to look. One of my favorite pieces of information comes from the 1954 Trend Book Titled “Manual of Building Plastic Cars”. What a gem of … Continue reading
Hi gang… Thanks to Bill Warner and Tom Cotter of Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, we have permission to share the article about the Forgotten Fiberglass Class that was part of the event program all attendees received on March 14th, 2010. … Continue reading
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
Cars – Home Glasspar – Home History Brochures & Advertising Models Available Bibliography Showcase Discussion Group Miscellaneous Contact / Registry Other Glasspar Production The Woodill Wildfire – As the Glasspar G2 took off, Robert “Woody” Woodill, a very … Continue reading
Cars – Home Glasspar – Home History Brochures & Advertising Models Available Bibliography Showcase Discussion Group Miscellaneous Contact / Registry Prologue This is the first complete and accurate history of the Glasspar G2. There have been many accounts … Continue reading
Cars – Home Glasspar – Home History Brochures & Advertising Models Available Bibliography Showcase Discussion Group Miscellaneous Contact / Registry The first person to attempt to compile Glasspar G2 articles, brochures, advertising, and other information was Jean Poirier in … Continue reading
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
Hi Gang… Back in the 1990’s, one of our esteemed members, Fred Roth, hosted and ran an event each Father’s Day called the “Thousand Oaks Car Classic” in Thousand Oaks, California. For fiberglass sports car guys like us, the most interesting … Continue reading
Cars – Home Glasspar – Home History Brochures & Advertising Models Available Bibliography Showcase Discussion Group Miscellaneous Contact / Registry The Crompton Corporation Researches its Past Courtesy of the Crompton Corporation This article appeared in the September/October 2003 … Continue reading
Glasspar – Home Newsletters Newsletter 1 Newsletter 2 Newsletter 3 Newsletter 4 Newsletter 5 Newsletter 6 Newsletter 7 Newsletter No. 7 January 2007 Dear Glasspar G-2 Club Members, Bill Hoover, the Glasspar G2 Club Registrar, passed away last … Continue reading
Glasspar – Home Newsletters Newsletter 1 Newsletter 2 Newsletter 3 Newsletter 4 Newsletter 5 Newsletter 6 Newsletter 7 Newsletter No. 6 May 25, 2005 Dear Glasspar G-2 Club Members I sent out quite a list of potential Glasspar … Continue reading
Glasspar – Home Newsletters Newsletter 1 Newsletter 2 Newsletter 3 Newsletter 4 Newsletter 5 Newsletter 6 Newsletter 7 January 6, 2004 Newsletter No. 4 Dear Glasspar Owner/Enthusiast, Our Website, http://clubs.hemmings.com/glasspar-g2 is going strong with about 1,500 hits on … Continue reading
Glasspar – Home Newsletters Newsletter 1 Newsletter 2 Newsletter 3 Newsletter 4 Newsletter 5 Newsletter 6 Newsletter 7 February 5, 2003 Newsletter No. 3 Dear Club Member, This is a banner edition of our Newsletter because it announces … Continue reading
Glasspar – Home Newsletters Newsletter 1 Newsletter 2 Newsletter 3 Newsletter 4 Newsletter 5 Newsletter 6 Newsletter 7 August 26, 2002 Newsletter No. 2 Dear G2 Owner/Enthusiast, Finally, another Newsletter – but your G2 Club has been … Continue reading
Cars – Home Glasspar – Home History Brochures & Advertising Models Available Bibliography Showcase Discussion Group Miscellaneous Contact / Registry History Bill Tritt designed the Glasspar G2 body in response to a request in 1950 by … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Welcome to the new “Forgotten Fiberglass” Website. I’m very excited to move to this new format for several reasons…. It is a place where we can feature stories of vintage fiberglass cars and discuss them too – with … Continue reading