Hi Gang… Last year one of our good friends, Pal Negyesi, launched a terrific quarterly magazine called “Rare & Unique Vehicles.” You can read about the launch of the magazine via the link below: Click Here To Learn More About … Continue reading
Hi Gang… One of our good friends and author of articles here at Undiscovered Classics, Pal Negyesi, has some exciting news to share. And the “news” is about my favorite topic – rare and unusual cars. Pal is a automotive … Continue reading
Hi Gang… As with many of our cars here at Undiscovered Classics, they find new homes so we can concentrate on other restorations. We would have loved to restore this car and pursue the history more but alas….so little time … Continue reading
Showcase 1968 SWM Renault Gordini Owner: Luis Alarcos – Valladolid, Spain History of This Car SWM was a German based company founded by two brothers in the 1960s. Stefan and Wenzel Mannl (Stefan and Wenzel Mannl – SWM) designed, … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Today we welcome back one of our newest contributors, John Mellberg. John’s stories are based on a rich understanding of handbuilt cars which goes back to the late 1990s when he started one of the earliest websites dedicated … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Today we’re sharing the first story by John Mellberg of Rare Component Cars. I introduced John to you last week in the following story: Click Here To Review John Mellberg Introduction to Our Undiscovered Classics Audience John’s first … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Bob Cunningham and I were on the phone last night for over an hour. He had found a photo confirming that a car we thought was lost in 1937 resurfaced in a newer photo than ever seen before. … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I’ve admired the work that has come from Simpson Design several years before I got the chance to talk with and meet Jim Simpson. Since that day, Jim and I have been fast friends and on several occasions … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Today I have the honor of introducing you to our newest contributor to Undiscovered Clasics, Luis Alarcos. Luis hails from Valladolid, Spain and we are excited to have him on-board. Luis and I have known each other for … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We’re honored today to bring an author onboard for Undiscovered Classics who has tremendous experience in the handcrafted car arena – John Mellberg. John was one of the first to use the internet to promote handcrafted cars having … Continue reading
Undiscovered Classics Contributors Click on each name below to view articles and information contributed Domestic Contributors Geoff Hacker – Founder Rollie Langston Guy Dirkin Craig Johnson Nate Bowne Kyle Feller Merrill Powell Paul Sable Dennis Kazmerowski Erich Schultz Joel Driskill … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Today I’m honored to share an article by our friend and intrepid “historian-adventurer” Bob Cunningham. Bob has always had an affinity for small cars, lost marques and their history. Today’s article is about a car that both Bob … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I love Singer Specials. Strong engine with overhead cam. Custom bodies – usually lightweight fiberglass, and all usually built in the 1952-1955 era. And besides…..Singers are fun and Singers are rare. These cars tick all the boxes for … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Rollie Langston has continued to be an advocate of handcrafted sports cars since he started building his first one at age 14 – and he finished it 3 years later. Now in his 70s, he’s building his second … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Besides being a great friend, Pal Negyesi is a automotive historian who researches the history of all cars but especially those in – or close to – his native country – Hungary. Pal has shared several stories with … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I love Renault based American Specials – and most of you know why. My first fiberglass sports car was the 1962 Shark Roadster – a Renault based American sports car that I’ve had nearly 40 years. That car … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Ah…the good ole days when Kyle was an intern with us here at Undiscovered Classics. He started with us back in 2014 and I don’t know which of us have gotten more benefit – or which of us … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I met Joel 10+ years ago when he and his family lived in Huntsville, Alabama. He was then and is now a “stress engineer.” So you ask, “What’s a stress engineer?” Here’s a definition from an aviation website: … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Recently we introduced you to Guy Dirkin’s latest restoration – his 1966 Cannara sports car. Click Here To Review Stories on the Cannara Restoration started earlier this year with one of our tried and true restorers – Ralph … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I consider myself fairly knowledgeable about vintage automobile literature and the history of collecting it, and much of what I’ve learned has been through good friend Alden Jewell – 82 years old this year and going strong. Alden … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I love early postwar sports car history – especially that from the 1940s. It’s practically non-existent. We think of American sports and race car history as a 1950s phenomenon – and that would be correct. Except it started … Continue reading
The Glass Menagerie The Vibrin Roadster Revealed NASOC: Issue 4, 2002 … Continue reading
Lost and Found Hemmings Classic Car: January, 2010 … Continue reading
Hi Gang… The story of DM Nacional is one of the early postwar custom and coachbuilt cars in America – actually North America. Custom sports cars, custom cars and sport customs were being built across America. An entrepreneur and business … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Lost cars of fantastic design – how much better can a story be? And you might be the one to find this missing car. In the past many years, we’ve been fortunate to find cars hidden away for … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Dan Strohl of Hemmings Motor News posted an article this weekend on one of our favorite people – Dan Palatnik (you can scroll down in this story and follow the link to read the story in Hemmings about … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Our good friend Guy Dirkin wanted to share a preview of his latest project and did so today via Facebook. I asked Guy if we could share it here on Undiscovered Classics and he agreed. So here’s what … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Our enterprise, Undiscovered Classics, is all about research – especially the hard to get to “stuff”. Undiscovered Classics is about: Uncovering the history of the early postwar sports car marques such as Glasspar, Victress, and more. Revealing the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Today’s story is by one of our Undiscovered Classics aficionados – Kyle Feller. Kyle has been working with us for over 5 years and has participated in some of our best adventures which include our Leo Lyons Custom … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I finally found one! A Singer Special. That’s what I said back in 2015 we we acquired a very nice example of a Singer Special built using a Allied Swallow body. We always call these cars “Allied Cisitalia” … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Besides being a great friend, Pal Negyesi is a automotive historian who researches the history of all cars but especially those in – or close to – his native country – Hungary. Pal has shared several stories with … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Today I’m honored to share an article by our friend and intrepid “historian-adventurer” Bob Cunningham. Bob has always had an affinity for small cars, lost marques and their history. Today’s article about the Floridian / Seagrave has never … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Today’s story is a follow-up article about a very interesting car we wrote about back in 2011 – the Kelly Buchanan Singer Special. Back in 2011 we outlined what we knew about the stylish Singer Special and shared … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Today’s story is by one of our Undiscovered Classics aficionados – Kyle Feller. Kyle has been working with us for over 5 years and has participated in some of our best adventures which include our Leo Lyons Custom … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Richard Brown and I like unusual and rare RV’s. It’s not a big community that likes these vehicles. In fact, I think it might just be Richard and myself. Here’s a photo of Richard’s favorite RVs in his … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Today I’m honored to share an article by our friend and intrepid “historian-adventurer” Bob Cunningham. Bob has always had an affinity for small cars and their history and this story is about a different “BMW” than you’ve heard … Continue reading
Raiders of the Lost Cars The Greatest American Car Story NEVER Told What People Are Saying… “In attempting to capture the significance and passion inherent in Undiscovered Classics, I can’t seem to shake the graphic allusion to Indiana Jones and … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Today’s story is courtesy of one of our Undiscovered Classics fan in Europe – Luis Alarcos – of Spain. Luis collects and restores Renault specials including those that were built (or found) in America. Recently Luis has been … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We have Richard Brown to thank for today’s story. Richard recently updated us on his sport custom find – the 1953 Porter Pegasus. Click here to review that story. Today’s story is about another rare car Richard researched … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Today I’m honored to share an article by our friend and intrepid “historian-adventurer” Bob Cunningham. Bob has always had an affinity for small cars and their history and this story includes a car that has been “lost” and … Continue reading
Hi Gang… There are automotive artists that I find fascinating for their futuristic vision of what might be or in their stylings and designs which capture speed, motion, color and seemingly more than I can see and appreciate with my … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I love Sport Customs – but it took me a long time to learn to call them by this name. If you think handcrafted fiberglass specials from the 50s are rare, just try to find a sport custom. … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Did you know that here at Undiscovered Classics we also find, research, restore, show and sell one-off and limited production RV’s? Actually, we didn’t know that either until one day I took stock when I went to our workshop … Continue reading
“The other day I had a thrilling ride in an amazing car. The car was the Lancer, built in Costa Mesa by Eric Irwin. We scooted around 90 degree corners at 50 miles per hour with negligible side-sway, over … Continue reading
Alden Jewell Collection Alden Jewell was born on August 11, 1937 and began collection automobile literature in 1948 – when he was 11 years old. By 1950 when he was 13 years old, Alden began started writing to automobile manufacturers … Continue reading
Showcase 1949 Panache Sport Custom Owner: Undiscovered Classics Undiscovered Classics is working to restore this Sport Custom European styled sports car. History of This Car Sport Custom cars appeared as a postwar car movement where the design and build of … Continue reading
Hi Gang…. One of our long-term Undiscovered Classics brethren, Guy Dirkin, has just completed the restoration of his super-rare TVR Tuscan with his friend and co-owner of the car – Paul Guinn. This is definitely not your ordinary TVR, and … Continue reading
Hi Gang…. One of our long-term Undiscovered Classics brethren, Guy Dirkin, has just completed the restoration of his super-rare TVR Tuscan with his friend and co-owner of the car – Paul Guinn. This is definitely not your ordinary TVR, and … Continue reading
Kyle Feller Micro Cars, Sports Cars, Electric Cars, Collector, Restorer About Kyle Feller With Ray Evernham: Designing Your Own Car Viewing Time: 1 Minute Ray Evernham’s AmeriCarna on Velocity TV: May, 2015 Internships at Undiscovered Classics Kyle Feller: Undiscovered Classics … Continue reading
Corvette in the Barn (Three Stories) Tom Cotter: Published 2010 Story 1: The Snipe Hunter (Geoff Hacker) – By Harold Pace Story 2: The Lost Motor Trend Victress Special – By Guy Dirkin Story 3: The Belly Tank Tribute – … Continue reading
Hi Gang… America is replete with stories on building your own car or car company in the early postwar years. While 90% of these stories came out of California, the rest of America was also busy – including Charles “Chuck” … Continue reading
2010 Click on the Following Links To Review Each Article Concours d’Elegance Appearances Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Forgotten Fiberglass Class & More Two Cars Attending: 1955 Californian (LeGene) and 1946 Bill Burke Belly Tank Streamliner March, 2010 Museum, Event and … Continue reading
Hi Gang… One of the best things about running Forgotten Fiberglass is meeting new folks – especially those with an interest on the history of fiberglass outside the USA too! Today I have the honor of introducing you to Pal … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We are blessed here at Forgotten Fiberglass to have such a varied and skilled group of fiber raconteurs that make the cars interesting and the people in our group even more so. Today’s story is about a Kellison … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Let this be a warning to any of you who want to visit ground zero of fiberglass research in Tampa, Florida. You are welcome any time, and you can crash at the ‘Glass House, have free food…..wine, women, … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Recently we wrote about the Tornado cars here at Forgotten Fiberglass – click here to review that story – and comments came in from all ‘round in the Forgotten Fiberglass world. It’s great that the story attracted so … 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
Hi Gang… Great friend and stellar automotive literature collector, Alden Jewell, and I have been searching for information about the Banjo GT Sports Car for quite some time. It’s a quiet story that surfaces here and there as a car for … Continue reading
The Greatest American Car Story NEVER Told The Emergence of the American Postwar Sportscar Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Program: March, 2015 Authors: Geoffrey R. Hacker Ph.D., Rick D’Louhy Ph.D., Guy Dirkin Ph.D., Rollie Langston, Raffi Minasian, Paul Sable Ph.D., Harold … Continue reading
Hi Gang… One of the “secret weapons” of Forgotten Fiberglass is the fantastic number or resident researchers and experts we have that are “friends of fiberglass.” One of those friends and researchers is Bob Cunningham. Recently Bob pointed out a … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I love finding “stuff” I’m not looking for. It’s similar to how I often think about what Rick D’Louhy and I do. That is, we like to say “we specialize in finding cars no one’s looking for.” And … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Alden Jewell has done it again. What an amazing number of car shows he must have visited in the 50s – some of the finest custom car, sports car, new car, and just plain great ‘ole car shows … Continue reading
Hi Gang… From time to time, you’ve heard me share many thanks for the help of Tony St. Clair on different articles here at Forgotten Fiberglass. His expertise and interests lie in so many areas beyond the car hobby – but it’s his focus … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We are blessed with so many people participating in the research here at Forgotten Fiberglass. One of those folks that we salute today is Alden Jewell. Today’s article comes from the dimensional “know-no-limits” archives that he has been … Continue reading
Hi Gang… From time to time, you’ve heard me share many thanks for the help of Tony St. Clair on different articles here at Forgotten Fiberglass. His expertise and interests lie in so many areas beyond the car hobby – but it’s his … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Research into the history of the early postwar fiberglass specials is a bit like playing the 1980s kids game “Wac-A-Mole.” Did you ever see it? Here’s a short video clip: . Everytime we begin research into a car … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Alden Jewell’s collection reveals yet another treasure – an original blueprint from Maverick Motors showing the parts used to complete the Maverick – or perhaps build your own. I’ve seen a blueprint like this before in the 1954 … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Alden Jewell’s dedication for collecting automotive history and literature isn’t a recent endeavor – he’s been doing it all his life. And I couldn’t have been more excited to meet him when good friend Bob Cunningham made the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Photos without captions are like finding Indian arrowheads at the flea market. Little is known of what, when, why, and where concerning the history. Surely more would be known and confirmed if we could examine where the arrowhead … Continue reading
Hi Gang… This past year I was honored to present our 1947 Kurtis-Omohundro Comet at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The efforts to create a class of Sport Custom cars – the predecessors to our beloved forgotten fiberglass handcrafted … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We’ve come to a point at Forgotten Fiberglass where we need to step back and answer some larger more analytical questions. Recent contributions to the website by Joel Driskill and Rick Feibusch have provided excellent food for thought, … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Guy Dirkin is leading the effort on challenging us at “Forgotten Fiberglass” to answer the following question: “Why has Forgotten Fiberglass…..been Forgotten?” Most recently, he posted his first salvo in the “comments” area at the bottom of the … 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… Today’s article is compliments of our friend of fiberglass – Bob Peterson. Bob is our resident Kellison sports car guru and contributor here at Forgotten Fiberglass. And his story today is all about memories, design, what could have … Continue reading
Hi Gang… When good friend Will Silk contacted me about a show that benefits our four legged friends, how could I resist? And it’s up to us to see what we can do to participate gang. The best car shows … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I’m honored to have another article to share with you about a rare fiberglass sports car from the UK called a Singer SMX. This article is written by Singer historian Phillip Avis who is part of the North American … Continue reading
———– Note: This is the second part of a 2-part story on the initial article written by Chuck Manning on how to build your own sports car. Click here to review both parts of this story. ———– Hi Gang… Allow … 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… Many of you know that I have long been fascinated with the cars that influenced the design of the later fiberglass sports cars of the 50’s. To know the subject you are studying – you have to know … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I’m honored to share an article with you today written by automotive historian and good friend Wayne Graefen. Wayne’s fascination with Spohn Customs has spanned nearly 50 years and culminated recently with the finding and acquiring the first … 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
———– Note: This is the first part of a 2-part story on the initial article written by Chuck Manning on how to build your own sports car. Click here to review both parts of this story. ———– Hi Gang… Allow me … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I’ve asked Bob Peterson, resident Kellison Aficionado and Kellison owner, to keep us up-to-date concerning the restoration progress of his Kellison J2. When we last heard from Bob, he reported in with the story of how and why … Continue reading
Hi Gang… What fun it is to learn about cars from knowledgeable folks within our group – in this case, Will Silk. Will has offered to put together fiberglass-related articles from time to time and today’s article is a fascinating … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Today’s article is from intrepid Singer Motor Car Historian, author, and writer Peter McKercher from Ontario, Canada. Peter was kind enough to put together a history of Vern Gardner’s BMC Singer sports car and extend what we know … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Where have all the streamliners gone??? Good friend and automobile historian Glenn Brummer is tracking down interesting rarified stories about cars, vehicles and auto ephemera, near and far – and today’s story from Glenn is from far, far … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Have I got a gem of a book to share with you – and a new “friend of fiberglass” to introduce too 🙂 The book is called “Made in Iowa: Iowa’s Automobiles – An Entertaining and Enlightening History” … 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
Hi Gang… We have the greatest folks that I’ve met thru their mutual interest in Forgotten Fiberglass and I’m honored to build those friendships each and every day. One of the folks I met recently is Will Silk who writes … Continue reading
Hi Gang… In Italian, “La Saetta” translates to “The Lightning” or “Lightning Bolt” and it was in late 1952 that Gino and Cesare Testaguzza debuted their “La Saetta” – a 110 to 116 inch wheelbase sports car / boulevard cruiser … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Do any of you watch “History Detectives” out there? This is a PBS TV program which focuses on discovering the true history and provenance of items brought forth to their show each week. It’s like a cross between … Continue reading
Hi Gang… What’s the first vehicle that comes to mind that runs on air? For me, I’m a bit abstract so my answer was a “hot air balloon.” Noel Bangert, founder of Bangert Sports Cars, quickly corrected me back in … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I have the honor of again welcoming Jim Simpson of “Simpson Design” to our flock of fiberglass fanatics and have asked Jim if he would be willing to contribute stories from time to time to Forgotten Fiberglass. I’m … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I’ve asked Jim Simpson of “Simpson Design” if he would be willing to tell us a bit more about some of his other design projects that he’s shepherded these past few years. Jim is a gracious friend and … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We’re going to have some exciting information to share about the Shamrock sports convertible. I’ve just located two owners of these cars, and the company – The Wilbur Curtis Company – is still with us and going strong. … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Back in May 2011 (was it that long ago?) Daniel Strohl of Hemmings Motor News featured a great story on Steve Steers Victress S1A special in “Hemmings Muscle Machines“. The story was called “The 58th Variety” and Dan has … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Fiberglass, plastic, Plexiglas, Lucite, plastic….let me count the non-metal ways….. Starting in the 1930’s, “plastic” was becoming the new wonder material, and car manufacturers were looking for innovative ways to incorporate this new material in all ways possible. … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I love dinosaurs. I mean, who couldn’t? I seek them out wherever I go, and usually find them in fiberglass or concrete – and occasionally a building. Click here to see my recent “dinosaur find” just north of … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Let’s go “forward to the future” – to today. Right now. What happened to the idea of designing and building your own sports car? Where are the folks today that were inspired by – and have the entrepreneurial flame … 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… Forgotten Fiberglass is evolving. We’re expanding our authorship to include more articles from folks who have interesting stories to tell – and fascinating background as well. Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to a new friend … Continue reading
Hi Gang… There’s no way Forgotten Fiberglass is the work of just one or two car guys. This is a team, gang, and I do my best to introduce you to all of the players across the world. Today I … 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… Great news gang! The new issue of “Hemmings Muscle Machines” for May 2011 is on the newsstands and I think every one of you fiberglass fanatics out there should run out and buy it. Author and historian Daniel … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I feel fortunate to be blessed with so many good friends – even outside of our own fiberglass fanatics (since you are reading this….each one of you is one of these..). In the past few years I have … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I’ve been fortunate to have excellent help from all corners of our planet in terms of research into fiberglass sports cars of the 1950’s and 1960’s. In the past year, two folks who are both automotive historians for … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Who was the first author to critically review and research American postwar automobile manufacturers down to the tiniest detail? That might seem like an unusual question, but that’s what Rick D’Louhy and I started to ask early on … Continue reading
Hi Gang.. It’s with great excitement that I share with you the recent publication of the automotive book “The Corvette in the Barn” by good friend Tom Cotter. This is the most recent of a series of “…In the Barn” … Continue reading
Hi Gang… The quest for research and information – so long after when it happened – is both fun and challenging. Just finding the people and talking to them about events that occurred 50 years ago has its own strengths … Continue reading
