Forgotten Fiberglass Vision Statement

Forgotten Fiberglass

Vision Statement

“Preserving the History and Integrity of the Fiberglass Automotive Marques of the 1950′s and Beyond”

Forgotten Fiberglass History

The beginnings of “Forgotten Fiberglass” started on August 4^th, 1980 when 18 year old Geoff Hacker (with his 9 year old younger brother Jon in tow) purchased a long lost fiberglass car called a “Shark.”  Rick D’Louhy recognized the history of the car for sale and unsolicited, asked the original owner if he could get in contact with the buyer and share with him the background of his newly purchased fiberglass car.

This selfless act of Rick’s began a 30+ year friendship between fiberglass fanatics Geoff Hacker and Rick D’Louhy, both of Florida.   In turn, this friendship has led to the humble beginnings of “Forgotten Fiberglass” in 2006 and the quest to document, save, share, and celebrate the history of fiberglass cars across the world.  

The theme of Forgotten Fiberglass, inspired by Rick’s sharing of the history of the “Shark” with Geoff back in 1980, continues to guide our research and actions in every way, and help car owners connect with the history of their vintage fiberglass cars.

Supporting The Forgotten Fiberglass Vision:

A big part of what we do here at Forgotten Fiberglass is work toward completing a historical documentation of fiberglass cars.  We do this through research, discovery, and interviews with the founders of these companies (where possible), and the families, friends, and employees that were associated with these cars and companies from the 1950’s and beyond. 

This interest was expanded to include a presence on the internet in 2008 (http://www.forgottenfiberglass.com/), and a multi-year project which will result in a two-volume book titled “Forgotten Fiberglass” (Volume 1: 1951-1956; Volume 2: 1956-1965).

During this time, Geoff and Rick have also enhanced public knowledge of these cars thru their support of fiberglass exhibitions across the country.  Some of these include:

• Classes at Amelia Island Concours d’ Elegance in 2007 and 2010 (American Fiberglass Sports Cars in 2007 and Forgotten Fiberglass in 2010).
• 2010 exhibit at Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles California (Fantasies in Fiberglass)
• Fiberglass Sports Car Class at the 2008 Palo Alto California Concours d’ Elegance
• Sports Car Class including 1950’s fiberglass sports cars at the 2008 Barrington Illinois Concours d’ Elegance
• Fabulous Fiberglass at the Milwaukee Masterpiece Concours d’ Elegance in 2011 (including a “Famous Fiberglass” class and a “Forgotten Fiberglass” class)

Magazine articles and book publications written to support this endeavor include those listed on the following page:

http://www.forgottenfiberglass.com/?page_id=2533

The Forgotten Fiberglass Contributors:

Forgotten Fiberglass is much larger than just two car guys.  Many people have been key in providing on-going support and help with research, strategy, and historical documentation in every way.  Click here to review our Forgotten Fiberglass contributors.

Summary:

 In addition to these activities, we at Forgotten Fiberglass have promoted the history of fiberglass car marques of the 1950’s in hopes of securing an accurate and complete history of their companies in the automotive record.  By doing so, we are working to ensure that these cars are remembered, as well as their designers, founders, and employees, by car enthusiasts across the world.  It’s these same folks and their cars which had an impact not only on American car design, but also American Car Culture.   Through their dedication, vision, efforts, and success, these young American men and their magnificent fiberglass automobiles demonstrated that designing, building, driving, and experiencing a sports car of your own creation was possible.  Nothing stood in front of them achieving their dreams.

Glass On…

Geoff Hacker / Rick D’Louhy
Forgotten Fiberglass (May 22nd, 2011)

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