Glasspar: Fiberglass Revolutionary American Car Collector: May-June, 2019 … Continue reading
Category Archives: Glasspar
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A Wrap-Around Windscreen on the Glasspar G2 Might Just Look Great!
Hi Gang… Many years ago when I was out west on one of our car adventures I stopped by and visited with Erich Schultz. At the time, we were testing out a sectioned piece of glass from a 1955 Ford … Continue reading
What A Sound Car To Start From For A Full Restoration – This Will Be Exciting To Watch
Hi Gang… What’s better than having just one Glasspar G2 to restore? Well if you ask Tony St. Clair it’s having TWO Glasspar G2 sports cars to restore. And in the last few months, Tony has kept us busy here … Continue reading
1953 Mameco-Ardun Glasspar G2 A Fiberglass Flyer Returns Old Cars Weekly: September 1, 2016 … Continue reading
From Left To Right: Unrestored, Dan Palatnik Rending and Finished Car
Hi Gang… Our thoughts and the use of imagery for our Undiscovered Classic cars has evolved over the years, and during this time we’ve walked step by step with our friend Dan Palatnik. Dan and I first started out with … Continue reading
Andreas Graf’s Beautiful Restored 1953 Glasspar G2 Sports Car
Hi Gang… There’s a beautiful Glasspar G2 sports car for sale right now in Germany – and it’s one that I’ve been tracking for 10+ years. I first learned about this G2 from the Hoover family. Bill Hoover was an … Continue reading
The Glass Menagerie The Vibrin Roadster Revealed NASOC: Issue 4, 2002 … Continue reading
Vaughn-Singer Glasspar Dream Cars: Trend Book #107, 1953 … Continue reading
Plastic Sports Car Glasspar Vaughn-Singer and More Auto Sport Review: July, 1952 … Continue reading
Indianapolis Custom Auto Show Vaughn-Singer Appearance: 1952 … Continue reading
Plastic: Its Promise and Problems Glasspar, Vaughn-Singer and More Motorsport: August, 1952 … Continue reading
Another Glasspar Connection February 21, 2011 … Continue reading
Plastic Fantastic – 1953 Glasspar G2 Gasoline Magazine (German): March, 20018 … Continue reading
American Rides: Glasspar Richard Vining and Edge Motor Museum MUS Today: Spring, 2020 … Continue reading
American Treasure Smithsonian Induction of Glasspar G2 Kit Car Magazine: January, 2001 … Continue reading
Jean Poirier Archives Glasspar G2 Historian Emeritus In Process Newsletters Bill Tritt Video Smithsonian Induction American Treasure – Smithsonian Induction of Glasspar G2 Kit Car Magazine: January, 2001 1994 Letter … Continue reading
Hi Gang… American handcrafted cars are being shipped across the world. We’ve sent our cars to Paraguay and Chile in South America. We’ve shipped our cars to the UK, Germany, France, Holland, Italy, Greece and more in Europe. Now we … Continue reading
Check Out The Roof Trusses in both photos – This Match Helped us ID The Building
Hi Gang… I like to put names, faces, locations – all of it together. Just like the first Glasspar location we’re discussing today. I was fortunate enough to get to know Bill Tritt and discuss his memories of Glasspar as … Continue reading
California’s Little Detroit Nation’s Business: July, 1953 … Continue reading
Plastic Bodies For Autos Life Magazine: February 25, 1952 … Continue reading
Tony St. Clair’s Glasspar G2 – Next In Line To Begin Restoration at Undiscovered Classics
Hi Gang… I’ve been waiting to tell this story for 10+ years. And this week the saga begins – for Tony St. Clair, myself and all of you who are part of Undiscovered Classics. Glasspar Found: Detroit Back in 2008, … Continue reading
Hi Gang… And we’re off! On the heels of releasing our first poster of America’s Handcrafted Cars last week. Today, Dan Palatnik and I are releasing our second poster of these cool, handbuilt cars that appeared across America in the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We’ve been working up a new tool for current enthusiasts and newcomers to Undiscovered Classics – a tool where you can learn more about these handcrafted cars via a single page. And this new tool is ready as … 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
“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
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
Hi Gang… Alan and Jen Mortlock are getting ready to move back to the UK, and I’ll be sad to see them go. I met Alan and Jen over 10 years ago when they first acquired their Glasspar G2 sports … Continue reading
Hi Gang… This past weekend we participated in our final concours d’elegance event of the year – the Cigar City Concours d’Elegance of Tampa, Florida – and we were honored to attend. For this event we did something a bit … Continue reading
Plastic Bodies For Home Production Hop Up Magazine: April, 1953 First known photo of a Victress S1A sports car. Person next to car is Jim Byers. Most likely the First Victress S1. … 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
Ship Shape: A 1953 Glasspar G2 is Restored and Ready to Make Waves Around Missouri Hemmings Motor News: April, 2012 … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Great news gang. The Cigar City Concours d’Elegance has officially accepted the 1952 Glasspar G2 for presentation on their field later this year in November, 2019. We at Undiscovered Classics are excited to be showing the car on behalf … 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
Hi Gang… The Leo Lyons Custom Mercury Saga is now behind us and the car is tucked safely away and on display at the Sarasota Classic Car Museum in Sarasota Florida. I’ll write a bit about our experience with this … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Another restored Glasspar G2 sports car is nearing completion. Hooray!!! Last week Jeff McKay shared an update of the restoration of his and his wife Anne’s G2 and it’s looking great! Let’s check out the known history of this … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Rodney Packwood, Glasspar Historian and wrangler of our Glasspar G2 Registry, and I have been tracking down the Glasspar G2 sports cars whereabouts for nearly a decade. And this process was started by others before us such as … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Good friend and Jaguar historian Terry McGrath from Australia sent in this article last year – something that was completely new to me and should be exciting to see for you Glasspar G2 fans out there. And what … 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… Paul Strassberger was quite a man. When he began building sports cars for an enthusiastic public in late 1952, he choose the Glasspar body and built not one but at least two Yankee Clipper sports cars. Click Here To … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We search long and wide for detailed information about the vintage handcrafted car builds of yesterday, and recently we hit paydirt – video (actually film) from the 1951 Petersen Motorama. Wow! It’s hard to believe that it survived … Continue reading
Hi Gang… If you’re here at Forgotten Fiberglass, then you HAVE to see this 1954 movie starring Tony Curtis, Piper Laurie and Don Taylor. It’s manna from heaven if you like the handcrafted sports cars of the 1950s and includes … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Back in 1952, Sig Monson – already a custom car builder, hands-on automotive man, and automotive dealership owner – was one of the individuals who read about the new fiberglass bodied sports car trend. But…being that he lived … Continue reading
Hi Gang… One of my favorite stories and cars of the 50s was a Glasspar G2 built by Don Cook. Erich Schultz first introduced me to this story and the detail that appeared in Hot Rod in April, 1953. You … 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… The golden age of postwar racing in America started in the late 1940s and folks like Bill Tritt of Glasspar watched ringside in California with great interest. And I’m sure the thoughts of racing were on his mind when he … 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… 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… This is one early article on Glasspar G2 sports cars! Bill Tritt didn’t really start rolling out the bodies from his Costa Mesa, California plant in any numbers until late in 1952 when Shorty Post had his frames … 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… It’s rare we get to see a car in color “back in the day” but it does happen – most recently with the 1951 Lancer by Eric Irwin. Pretty cool stuff gang, and when I see something in … 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… Blame the title of this story on good friend Jon Greuel – founder of LaDawri.com and LaDawri Coachcraft celebrateur. He’s returning from nearly a year overseas in the military and wrote in: “Geoff….any ‘glass on the grass’ that … Continue reading
Hi Gang… More great fiber news! Thanks to the efforts of Bill Sigworth, retired Chemtura executive (legacy company from Naugatuck Chemical / U.S. Rubber days) and Ann Harmon, expert Chemtura Librarian, we now have excellent scans of the U.S. Rubber … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Haven’t we all been to “mecca” as children and driven sports cars before the age of nine? Opps…I mean haven’t we all been to “Disneyland” and driven “Autopia” cars during our childhood, young adulthood, or later? If this … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Rodney Packwood, Glasspar G2 historian and fiberglass finder extraordinaire, found another Glasspar G2 to add to the ranks of survivors. The story of this car is great fun, and let’s have Rodney share it – as he saw … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Some people go the extra mile in the restoration of their vintage fiberglass car. And then there’s Jim Lattin. Back 4 years ago, Dennis Gerdes and I set off on a Glasspar G2 hunt. We had just spent … 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… This is our tenth 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
———– Motor Trend Magazine was so impressed by the success of fiberglass sports cars and the excitement over them that by late ’53 they featured a 6 page article featuring 7 different fiberglass cars you could purchase or build yourself. They … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I believe we’re going to witness the second birth of this Glasspar G2 – and I hope today’s story helps bring the latest chapter of the Ron Amos Glasspar G2 to fruition. Ron has owned this G2 since … 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… Imagine how excited the automotive world was with the introduction of fiberglass sports cars at the November ’51 Petersen Motorama. And by the Fall of ’52 – nearly one year later – enthusiasts and entrepreneurs across the country … Continue reading
————————— Note: This is the fourth in a series of articles on Bill Tritt, his legacy, and his impact on the boating and sports car world. For additional articles in this series on Bill Tritt, click on the link below. … 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… 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… Back about two years ago, I introduced you to a car in progress at the home of Alan and Jen Mortlock of Missouri. They were well on their way to completing a beautiful restoration of their G2 and … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Just got home from my Forgotten Fiberglass “jaunt” into the Northeast this holiday. Some of the highlights include: Ten days on the road behind the wheel of my Suburban with car trailer in tow Had two tires “explode” … 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
Hi Gang… Here’s what a Classic Glasspar G2 Sports Car was – in every way, shape, and form – back in the ’52-53 timeframe. It was a race car. It was a sports car. It was a drag car. I’m … Continue reading
Hi Gang… What a long article this is – but worth the read in every way 🙂 I’ve been putting off sharing this article with you not because it wasn’t important – it is. The article was printed just after a … Continue reading
Hi Gang… What a great name: “Fabulous Forgotten Fiberglass Flyer…” There was tremendous “buzz” about fiberglass sports cars at our recent appearance at the 2011 Milwaukee Masterpiece Concours d’ Elegance. And all of us who were there delighted in sharing … Continue reading
Hi Gang… What do you do if you “invent” the market for a new type of product like Bill Tritt did for sports car bodies made out of fiberglass? Well…. one of the activities that you have to undertake is … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Anyone want to go vintage racing??? What a car this would be to blast down the road….if only Florida was closer to Oregon. Oh well. I first heard of this car in of all places – Florida. Years … Continue reading
Hi Gang… This is the first in a series of articles on the design, construction, build, and creation of the sports car ride at Disneyworld – known by all as “Autopia” which opened in July 1955. When Walt Disney began … Continue reading
Hi Gang… This is another of a multi-part story on the “Mota” electric car by Banning Electrical Products Corporation of New York. Click here to review the first part of the story on the “Mota” Glasspar Electric Car. We shared … Continue reading
Hi Gang… This is the first of a multi-part story on the “Mota” electric car by Banning Electrical Products Corporation of New York. Click here to review the first part of the story on the “Mota” Glasspar Electric Car. Fiberglass … 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… Who were the “rock stars” of the automotive world in the early 1950’s? Fiberglass sports cars, of course, and they appeared on cover after cover of major American car magazines. Rick D’Louhy and I are still “counting covers” and we’re approaching … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Cliff-diving Glasspar G2 body??? Who would have done such a thing? Why do such a demonstration? I heard rumors of an article showing Glasspar G2 bodies being tossed off a cliff for years – but I never could … 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… Look at how early the date of this magazine is gang…..February 18th, 1952. That’s less than 90 days from when fiberglass sports cars debuted at the November 1951 Petersen Motorama, and Glasspar was already making news in Time … 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… 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… We’re getting “two-for-one” with this article today. At first, I thought it was just a great article about the building of Mike Ricker’s Nash “grilled” Glasspar G2. But then….I read started reading it. Instead, what I found was an … 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… 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… 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… As we continue the “march” of our specials…how ‘bout one that appeared in April 1955 Road & Track? Namely, the Glasspar Ascot. We’ve seen this car before. It first appeared on the streets in the February 1955 issue … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Here it was October 1961 and the magazines were already calling Glasspar G2’s “Classic.” Music to my ears, gang…. Tony St. Clair first alerted me to this article – and so did Rodney Packwood along the way. When … 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… Let’s celebrate the Ford Times Magazines of the 1950’s. Why? Their section in nearly each postwar issue called “Custom Conversions” is a treasure trove of lost customs and hot rods of the 40’s and 50’s. And boy do … Continue reading
Hi Gang… In earlier stories here at Forgotten Fiberglass, I’ve had the honor of introducing you to Frank Hecox. In today’s story – Frank is back 🙂 Frank started working for Glasspar in the early 1950’s and his first job was working in … Continue reading
Hi Gang… After years of searching, the long lost Bill Tritt interview from 1993 was found by Jean Poirier. You Glasspar guys out there should know Jean’s name by now. Jean is the first Glasspar G2 historian of record, and … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Think back to how early this article is gang….July 1952. Fiberglass cars had just been introduced as a possibility 9 months before at the Petersen Motorama in November 1951. By now the American culture had heard about this … 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… This is the beginning of a series of articles on the “Bill Disbrow Glasspar G2 Special.” I just didn’t know I’d be writing a series of articles about Major Disbrow and his car until I started doing the … Continue reading
Note: This is the second in a series of articles on the Glasspar Racecar, built by Bill Tritt of Glasspar, Ted Mangels and Ed Martindale of Mameco, and Clem TeBow and Don Clark of CT Automotive. This car was first … Continue reading
Note: This is the third in a series of articles on Bill Tritt, his legacy, and his impact on the boating and sports car worlds. For additional articles in this series on Bill Tritt, click on the link below. Click … 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… As promised, here’s another fiberglass special showcased in a Ford Times magazine – the J.A. Wright Glasspar G2 Special – and this one’s built in Covington Virginia! That’s a long way away from California – the heart of … Continue reading
Hi Gang… The golden age of building your own fiberglass bodied sports car was 1951-1956. This is what Rick D’Louhy and I call the “First Generation” of fiberglass sports cars because designing and building your own car from scratch was being … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I’m a voracious reader. Or collector of magazines. Maybe both. I love the old Road and Track Magazines, Hot Rod, and even the obscure ones like “Hop Up” and “Auto Speed and Sport.” That’s where the cool articles … 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
Note: This is the second in a series of articles on Bill Tritt, his legacy, and his impact on the boating and sports car world. For additional articles in this series on Bill Tritt, click on the link below. Click … Continue reading
Hi Gang… The more you study the fiberglass sports car history of the 1950’s, the more you end up studying design. “Ground zero” for the fiberglass sports car industry was California, and in fact for a short time in the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I love little known fiberglass sports cars. Those are the ones that capture my attention – just like Glasspar’s Ascot which debuted in early 1955. I’ve written once before about this car and it was to highlight its … 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 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… 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
Note: This is the first in a series of articles on Bill Tritt, his legacy, and his impact on the boating and sports car world. For additional articles in this series on Bill Tritt, click on the link below. Click … Continue reading
Hi Gang… One of my best Glasspar friends is Pat Hoover. He is currently finishing the restoration of his father’s Glasspar G2 that was given to him by his dad as a family keepsake. Pat’s father, Bill Hoover, was one … 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… Think back to the golden era of fiberglass sports cars….. Anything was possible. Enterprising young men could look to the future with a gleam in their eye and see so many possibilities. So could older and more experienced … Continue reading
Note: This is the third installment of a 3 part series of articles on “Designs That Influenced The Styling Of The Victress S1 And Glasspar G2.” Here are links to the other parts of the story: Click Here to Read Part … Continue reading
Hi Gang… It was 1955 and Bill Tritt and Glasspar were getting ready for their next big “splash”. Tritt fancied the classics – 1920’s and 1930’s cars. His son Matt tells me that he liked the long hood, excellent weight … Continue reading
Note: This is the second installment of a 3 part series of articles on “Designs That Influenced The Styling Of The Victress S1 And Glasspar G2.” Here are links to the other parts of the story: Click Here to Read Part … Continue reading
Note: This is the first installment of a 3 part series of articles on “Designs That Influenced The Styling Of The Victress S1 And Glasspar G2.” Here are links to the other parts of the story: Click Here to Read Part … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Another research story for you gang – and a car for you “Los Angeles” guys to find. I’m sure the owner would appreciate being found too! Jean Poirier Features “The Norm Jensen Glasspar G2:” I first came across … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Fiberglass cars were introduced to the public at the November 1951 Petersen Motorama to great acclaim. Two of the cars produced were designed and created by Bill Tritt and Eric Irwin of Costa Mesa, California. Not only did … Continue reading
Hi Gang… In celebration of the “Fabulous Fiberglass” class that will be featured at the Milwaukee Masterpiece Concours d’Elegance on August 28th, 2011, I thought it would be good to showcase the cars that will be participating. We’re getting closer and … 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… 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 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
Hi Gang… As you know, I’ve been collecting more stories from each person who either has a vintage fiberglass car or built one back in the day. Recently, I asked my good friend, Jean Poirier, about writing up a 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… That’s right. You too can help Glasspar win a race, but rather than on the racetrack, this one’s at the prestigious Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington D.C. I was contacted this week by Roger White, … Continue reading
Note: This is the first in a series of articles on the Glasspar Racecar, built by Bill Tritt of Glasspar, Ted Mangels and Ed Martindale of Mameco, and Clem TeBow and Don Clark of CT Automotive. This car was first … Continue reading
Hi Gang… How many automobile designs do you know are patented / copyrighted? Well….if you know at least “one” then you can add a few more to your list – some of our wonderful fiberglass cars of the 1950’s. Research … 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… Some of our favorite fiberglass cars are just now emerging from years of restoration. This one’s gonna knock the socks off you. Remember the song by the Beach Boys….”She’s Real Fine, My 409…”. Well…after you see Jerry Wood’s … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Let’s review some of the greatest (recent) mysteries of vintage fiberglass sports cars: Who wrote the article showing a Glasspar G2 body being pushed off a cliff and…. Where/when did it appear in print? Who designed and built … Continue reading
Hi Gang… The best solutions come from teamwork. That’s how we found the history of this fantastic Glasspar G2. Jean Poirier started the Glasspar G2 club in the early 1990’s. He created the first newsletter for Glasspar owners and later … 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.. A short story today…about a beautiful Glasspar G2, lost in time… The Doug Nichols Glasspar G2 Back in late 2008, I was contacted by one of our fiberglass friends about a mystery car that was published in the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Lots of great stories to share with you “Glassheads” out there. This one comes in from fiberglass friend and Glasspar Co-Historian Rodney Packwood. Rodney has been working with Meagan Watkins of Washington State (the far Northwest from myself in … Continue reading
Hi Gang… What’s that? Faster than any car with a steel body! More flexible and repairable than any automotive material made today! Able to leap….. Ok….You get the picture. Back in 1952 fiberglass was the “Wonder” material. Lightweight but strong. … Continue reading
Hi Gang… “Watch 1953…..Plastic bodies are not only the coming thing – they have come, and they are too good not to stay”. That’s what Jim Potter, managing editor of Motor Trend wrote in December 1952 – and he was exactly right. … 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… Rick and I are continuing to share information across each of the fiberglass car marques in the hopes of carefully and completely building a history for each of the companies – on our website and in our upcoming “Forgotten … 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
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
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… Bill Tritt and Glasspar were an amazing combination back in the 1950’s concerning sports cars. For a (long) moment in time, Glasspar was the go-to company concerning so many things that were fiberglass – including automobiles. Glasspar was … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Thanks to Alan Emory who owns one of the neatest Victress S1A’s out there, we have found more video (color film) of vintage fiberglass cars racing at the dry lakes in the 1950’s. There are even a few … 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
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
Hi Gang… How many people could possibly help me with researching these vintage cars???? It’s way too long ago, and I’d be lucky to find anyone who could help with the details. That’s how I felt about moving forward in … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Getting the website up and running is exciting….but a challenge. I’ve had great help from Shannon Smith, the programmer and web designer extraordinaire, but it’s a new program to me and will take time to learn. But…I think … Continue reading