Hi Gang…

Jim and Lea Ann Robinson sure keep things interesting 

Ever since I first met them in 2006 and then learned about the car they were finishing at the time – the famous 1953 Guy Mabee Victress Special – I have been impressed with the cars they have and the enjoyment they get from the hobby they love.  And best of all….I have the honor of calling them great friends – friends to both Rick D’Louhy and Me.

In December last year, Rick and I were on a secret cross-country trip to visit mystery and wonderful fiberglass, aluminum, and lost concept cars across the country when I surprised Jim and Lea Ann Robinson with a phone call.

“Jim….Lea Ann….we’re on the road and can be there really late at night…do you mind if we drop in?”

Always the hospitable hosts, they welcome us and allowed us to stay the night.  And what a treat we had when we woke up in the morning.

Jim and Lea Ann showed us their latest project (in 20 degree weather mind you….which, I think, can almost kill me by now).  They shared with us their mystery race car – their Devin bodied Saab with a beautifully crafted racing tube chassis.  What a car!  Let’s hear from what they know about it so far:

Mystery Racing Devin Saab:
By Jim Robinson

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 HELP…HELP…HELP…HELP…HELP…HELP…HELP…HELP…
HELP…HELP…HELP…HELP…HELP

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I am trying to find some history on this Devin bodied car.  It appears to have been built in the latter “50’s.  The dash does not have the usual instrument and dash pods on it but does appear to have had them at one time and subsequently removed for whatever reason.  The power came from a Saab 750 cc. Monte Carlo engine coupled to a MGTC transmission and rear end.  I cannot tell if it had ever had another make of engine.

The car is right hand drive and does not show any evidence of ever having been left hand drive.  There is an old style roll bar…a vertical post width a curved metal piece on top.   Brakes, well, there are two Crosley disc brakes per wheel!  This could also be a very defining component.  Thin wall 3/4” tubing was used to make a space frame with a low center of gravity split I-beam front suspension setup.

The rack and pinion is probably from an aircraft or some type of implement.  Whoever built this car was an excellent oxy-acetelene welder; and perhaps, from the aircraft industry in California in the day.

Here is what we know of any ownership history.  The car came with a California license plate and a copy of the registration from 1967.  It was registered to a David Weston of Los Angeles.  I was told he passed away and the car was sold to David Hoag of Seattle, Washington whose wife was David Weston’s niece. It was then sold to a Bob Scott.

I have tried to contact these people but with no success.  That is about all the paper trail there is.

This Devin/Saab is truly a quintessential example of a late 50’s Hmod.  Someone suggested the car could have been sold to David Weston (who gave it a serial number and plated it) by Ollie Schmidt of the Chicago area who raced it throughout the country.  There are some body modifications that could suggest this.

Let me know if any of you can offer any answers.  My email is lrobinsn@gmail.com.  Thanks Geoff for your help and ForgottenFiberglass.  All of your work along with Rick’s is surely appreciated.

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THANK YOU…THANK YOU…THANK YOU…THANK YOU…
THANK YOU…THANK YOU…

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Summary:

Jim and Lea Ann Robinson are consummate collectors and….even willing to put up with our late night visits 🙂

In the hours we spent with them the next day I was reminded about their interest in restorations, vintage racing, and art too – Jim’s a great artist and it was fun to see some of the creative pieces he’s put together.

Those of you who might be able to help with Jim’s questions about his Devin-Saab above, can contact him at his e-mail address (provided earlier) or via the info on his business card below (illustrated by Jim too – fun!).

Hope you enjoyed the story, and remember gang…

The adventure continues here at Forgotten Fiberglass.

Geoff