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Hi Gang… With only about 125 Victress S1A bodies produced back in the day, we don’t often see a new one – a car we haven’t see before – pop up on our radar. This one showed up on Facebook … Continue reading
Category Archives: Victress
Presenting…..Mike Akens Beautifully Done Victress S1A Roadster
Hi Gang… I’ve been tracking Mike Akens Victress since he bought it in a remote location of Colorado back in 2014. Right from the start, Mike jumped on its restoration and hasn’t looked back. You can check out his first … Continue reading
Steve Steers Victress S1A Hemmings Motor News: February, 2012 … Continue reading
Steve Steers Victress S1A Hill Country Car Culture: Nov – Dec, 2016 … 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
Two Models of the Victress S1A Roadster Are Now Available For Purchase
Hi Gang… Great news…..you can now create your own Undiscovered Classics collection and save some garage space while doing so. Thanks to the efforts of Alex Kotyar of Esval Models and some keen rendering work of artist extraordinaire Dan Palatnik, scale models of a 1953 and 1954 … Continue reading
Alex’s Father Built One Beautiful Victress S5 Roadster
Hi Gang… We’re still working on gathering the story of this Victress S5 VW Special to share with everyone here at Undiscovered Classics, but I thought we would start out with a bit of history on the car and the … Continue reading
What A Great Porsche Special This Would Be To Find. Go Get ‘Em Gang 🙂
Hi Gang… Just 3 photos – that’s all we get. But what tantalizing clues there are to perhaps finding this car – and maybe it survives today. I know our friend Gordon Maltby of the Porsche 356 Registry would be … Continue reading
Cory Flindt’s 1955 Victress C3 is Nicely Taking Shape
Hi Gang… In the last two years, several of our Undiscovered Classics aficionados have begun restoration of the Victress C3 coupes – and that’s great news. We have Rodney Packwood in California restoring his Packwood Special, John Steggles in Canada … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Thanks to the help of Dan Palatnik, we’ve been releasing more artwork of Undiscovered Classic cars of late. You can see some of his work that we recently released via the link below: Click on this Link to … Continue reading
Sportscar Specials Trend Book #196: 1960 Multiple Cars … Continue reading
Sportscar Specials Trend Book #178: 1958 Multiple Cars … Continue reading
Victress Manufacturing Home Page 1952 – 1961 This section of our website is under construction as of 10/1/2019. We will continue adding details and features over the next few months so check back and see our progress. And….welcome to our … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Undiscovered Classics is not an individual effort. It’s a collaborative, team effort that started before we got involved as folks like Fred Roth, Jean Poirier, Frank Cornell, Bill Hoover, John Gulow, Jon Greuel and others gathered information and … Continue reading
The Magnificent Victress S4 Designed by Hugh Jorgensen
Hi Gang… We haven’t had a chance to write about the Victress S4 very much in the past and that’s been for two reasons. First, the Victress S4 sports car is quite rare – even by my standards for our … Continue reading
Hi Gang… The 2020 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance was quite an event. Three different American Specials in three different classes which included a 1959 Devin “D” sports car, the one-off “1952 Voodoo Gardner Special” and today’s story – a 1958 … Continue reading
Hi Gang… One of the items that has been lacking for most of our cars are logos, firewall plates and other marque-specific items. These are needed to identify the car at car shows and other events as well as celebrate … 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… More and more we’re seeing handcrafted American sports specials being “discovered” and written about across America. But something else interesting is happening too. They’re being restored – just like Mike Akens’ Victress S1A roadster in today’s story. Mike … Continue reading
Hi Gang… There’s never a dull moment here at Undiscovered Classics. And although the 2020 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance ended mere hours ago, Dan Palatnik and I have been hard at work the last week to bring artwork on handcrafted … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We attended the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance last weekend and helped present the 1952 Voodoo Gardner on the field with its owners Brian and Sue Ford of Christchurch, New Zealand. And while that was exciting for myself and … Continue reading
1953 Victress S1 – Guy Mabee Special Links to magazine articles Film? Review Denny Larson’s story here (go thru recordings) … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Here’s an interesting time capsule that was sent in to us from Bill Quirk – foreman for Victress Manufacturing in the 1950s and early 1960s. While the article is about the culture of hot rodding in the San … Continue reading
Introducing The Victress S1 Sports Car Motor World Magazine: August 28, 1953 … 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
The 58th Variety: Steve Steers Victress S1A Hemmings Muscle Machines: May, 2011 … Continue reading
Showcase 1954 Victress S1A Design By Doc Boyce-Smith and Hugh Jorgensen Owner: Guy Dirkin, Clermont, Florida — The Lost Motor Trend Victress — Built By Fred Bodley – Motor Trend Technical Editor History of This Car The 1954 “Motor Trend” … Continue reading
Victress Brochures Catalog Featuring a Victress S1 and S4 1954 Hellings Flyer For Victress And More Various Years Catalog Featuring a Victress S1, S4, S5 and Dragster 1955 Sample Letters From Victress … Continue reading
Corvette In The Barn The Lost Motor Trend Victress Special Story Author: Guy Dirkin Tom Cotter: Published 2010 … Continue reading
Fifty Shades of Rust (Book) By Tom Cotter Foreword by Wayne Carini Introduction by Tom Cotter and Geoffrey Hacker Ten Stories of Handcrafted Cars Published 2014 … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Timing is everything in life and the timing of today’s story sets the perfect stage for those wanting to learn more about Victress. Why might you ask? Because in less than a week a beautifully restored and built … Continue reading
Hi Gang… During the time folks were in Tampa preparing for their visit to the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, we had a chance to visit not only “Fiberglass Farms” but also our workshop – “The Glass Menagerie.” The photos below … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We track cars. We collect stories. We hunt down the tiniest of details to see if we can flush out any vintage fiber sports car build stories, period photos and cars from across the nation. And sometimes we find … 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… Have camera….will travel. In this case to Amelia Island in 2010 and later the following week to Fiberglass Farms. Back in 2010 we had a class of Forgotten Fiberglass cars at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. Click here to review the cars … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Back in April, 2013 I heard for the first time from Mike Akens of Grand Junction, Colorado. Mike contacted me because he had just located a vintage Victress S1 roadster and was beginning restoration. What great news! As … Continue reading
Hi Gang… You thought I may have finished with our stories of Carlisle this year? But wait – there’s more! Quite a bit more and several more stories. And off we go… One of the stars of the Carlisle, … Continue reading
Hi Gang… One of the challenges we have here at Forgotten Fiberglass has to do with the very reason that the cars we study are so special – their rarity. And because of this, the number of cars under restoration … Continue reading
Hi Gang… More and more, Rick D’Louhy and I are trying to get to different parts of the country to meet and greet all the fiberglass folks, see their restored cars and projects in process, and hear fantastic fiber-stories too. … Continue reading
Hi Gang…. “So how was Carlisle?” you might ask….” In one of our last stories back in early May, Rick D’Louhy and I were prepping for our trip to participate in the Import and Kit Nationals held yearly in Carlisle, … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Well this was an interesting bit of research. Back in May of last year, I found a photo on eBay (can’t remember if someone sent me the reference or if I found it – if someone sent it … Continue reading
Hi Gang… One of the most comprehensive articles that summarizes the history of the Guy Mabee Drilling Company Special was written by Bruce Gross back in 1995. Today we are honored to share it with you here at Forgotten Fiberglass. Great … Continue reading
Hi Gang… As part of our first “Victress Weekend” of stories, let’s have a look at one of the first magazines to cover the record-breaking 200+ mile an hour run of the Guy Mabee Special. This was covered in January, … Continue reading
Hi Gang… The “Import & Kit Nationals” show at Carlisle, Pennsylvania which is being held later this month keeps getting better and better. I covered the seminar that we’ll be hosting in a story here last week. Click here to … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We are honored to participate this year in the “Import & Kit Nationals” hosted by Carlisle Events – less than one month away from today. First, let’s review what they have to say on their website announcing the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… It’s been a busy year. Lots of reorganization, renewal, and even a “reset” or two, so let’s see if we can end this year with a few new “Forgotten Fiberglass” stories. In the past many months, I’ve been … Continue reading
Hi Gang… That darn ‘ole Erich Schultz. Every time I tell him about a car that needs “saving”, he’s off faster than a speeding bullet…..down the road….with Michelle and his son Kenny and on his way to his next “adventure” … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Great news….we found another Victress employee – and a very special one at that. Barry Tousley joined Victress in late 1953 – the same time as Merrill Powell – at the ripe ole’ age of 9 (Merrill was … 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… Well…I’ve been looking for this car for 10 years and the trailer keeps getting colder and colder. Back in 1954, Merrill Powell of Victess Manufacturing penned a beautiful design for a 94 inch wheelbase coupe and called it … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Recently, I heard from a former Victress S1 owner, Jere Duke, and his story on his Victress S1 purchased in the early 1970s. While he didn’t know the story of who originally built the car many years before, … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Merrill Powell, parner and co-owner of Victress Manufacturing with Doc Boyce-Smith from 1953-1961, turns 82 years old today. Happy Birthday Merrill! Our “fearless leader of fiberglass” has joined us at nearly every significant fiber-event in the past 6 … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I’m sure that Doc Boyce-Smith, founder of the Boyce-Smith Company which produced the Victress S1 sports car body in ’52 and ’53, felt like Paul Revere when a car using the Victress body set the record for “Fastest … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Let’s talk Victress Dragsters! Recently, we discussed the Victress Dragster which became a reality in ’55-’56. Bill Quirk and Bill Powell of Victress Manufacturing put forth innovation, hard-work, and determination to make this concept a reality for themselves … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I love stories about fiberglass cars built “back when” that were carefully crafted and have an interesting history in terms of ownership and build. And this one fits the bill in every way. It was built by Dick … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Sports Cars Illustrated published annual “Directories” from 1958 thru 1961. In the summer of 1961, they changed their name to “Car and Driver” and ceased publication of annual directories from that point forward. But the “Directories” spanning 4 … Continue reading
————— Note: This is a multi-part story on the advertising, flyers, and brochures put out by Hellings in support of Victress sales. These primarily occurred when Hellings was the exclusive distributor for Victress in ’53 and early to mid ’54. … 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… 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… This is our eleventh and final 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 … Continue reading
Hi Gang… The guys at Victress were always thinking, and in this case they were changing their approach to marketing once again. Here in ’56 they released yet another new design for their company – a foldout brochure. For the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… This is our ninth 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… This is our eighth 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… How did our favorite ‘glass companies get new business? Was it thru articles in magazines? Was it thru brochures? How ‘bout racing events at Bonneville and road courses? And course thru word of mouth – right? So how … Continue reading
Hi Gang… This is one of my favorite titles for the larger and more powerful sports cars – most of which were fiberglass by ’56 – built in America. Jim Potter, the author of this article, had been covering the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We’ve seen electric powered cars in the ‘50s use some of the fiberglass bodies as the “finish” to their car. When I think “electric”, the LaSaetta comes to mind. The Banning Electric car used a Glasspar G2 body, … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I have been searching for the original copy of this ad for 5+ years. And one of our Forgotten Fiberglass Fanatics delivered it once again. I work with the greatest gang of car guys in the world 🙂 … Continue reading
————— Note: This is a multi-part story on the advertising, flyers, and brochures put out by Hellings in support of Victress sales. These primarily occurred when Hellings was the exclusive distributor for Victress in ’53 and early to mid ’54. … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Doc Boyce-Smith was busy putting together the materials people needed so that they could build their fiberglass sports cars in ’55. He wanted his customers to be successful in every way. Recently I wrote about his first effort … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Here it was in ’55 and Victress Manufacturing was doing great. The new coupe models had been released (C2 and C3) and they were heading to the Petersen Motorama for their biggest appearance yet showing an example – … Continue reading
————— Note: This is a multi-part story on the advertising, flyers, and brochures put out by Hellings in support of Victress sales. These primarily occurred when Hellings was the exclusive distributor for Victress in ’53 and early to mid ’54. … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Actually, Doc and Ted were going to show you how to build any fiberglass body of your design – and the molds to make more than just one of them! Talk about giving away the house! (trade secrets, … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We’ve established in previous stories what happened to Victress and Byers in the ‘60s: Victress sold their company…lock, stock, and barrel….to Les and Joan Dawes of La Dawri Coachcraft in 1961 Byers bodies first appeared in Kellison sales … Continue reading
————– Note: This is the fourth in a series of articles here at Forgotten Fiberglass that showcase a story called “The Glassmakers 1960” published in Sportscar Graphic in May-June 1960. In this 1960 article, Almquist, Devin, Kellison, LaDawri, and Victress were showcased. We have … 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… Today’s article is a result of a recent magazine find from Ray Wise – owner of Rollie Langston’s ‘50s built Byers SR-100 and avid vintage ‘glass sports car fan. Ray recently came across a stash of cool old … 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… 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… Here at Forgotten Fiberglass we look high and low for information concerning vintage ‘glass in every way. And when I first came across this article several years ago, I wondered where this wonderful Victress C3 coupe might be … Continue reading
——————————- Note: This is the third of a three-part story on the Dick Foster Victress Special. Click here to review all parts of the story. ——————————- Hi Gang… Some of you wrote in and asked more about what the Dick Foster … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I love finding Victress articles. I can’t get enough of them. And when I can’t find ‘em – I write ‘em! But today I didn’t have to. The article I found today shows a beautifully built Victress S1A … 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
——————————- Note: This is the first of a three-part story on the Dick Foster Victress Special. Click here to review all parts of the story. ——————————- Hi Gang… Here’s your “Forgotten Fiberglass” question for the day: How many people who built a … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Victress Manufacturing started as a dream by Doc Boyce-Smith and his good friend Hugh Jorgensen who was an Art Center student of Los Angeles, at the time. While Doc was the owner of the company, Jorgensen was the initial … 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
————————————— Car Craft Magazine, February ’54, commenting on the Petersen Motorama held in November, ’53: “One of the most interesting bits in the show was the heavy sprinkling of Fiberglass creations. These cars came in all shapes, sizes and for any … Continue reading
Hi Gang… As we’ve discussed in earlier stories, the Victress S1 body became available to the public in late 1952, and by the summer of 1953, Hellings was the sole distributor for the company, and had completed one of the … 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… 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… 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… 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… 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… 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… 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… How many Victress S5’s have you seen? Ok….let’s back up….what is a Victress S5? It’s a petite version of the famous Victress S1, but rather than the 100 inch wheelbase that was unique to the S1, the Victress … Continue reading
Hi Gang.. Thanks to the efforts of Tom Householder, a fine friend of fiberglass for many years, we have a rare treat – a panorama of the start of a race back in 1956 – and square in the middle … 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… 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… This is our fifth 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… 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… Back in the day, which Victress received more top prizes than any known fiberglass car in the 1950’s? I thought that question might go unanswered for years as Rick D’Louhy, Erich Schultz, Guy Dirkin, Phil Fleming, Rollie Langston, … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I first wrote about Jerry Sutton’s Victress C3 coupe back in January of this year. I had located a short article that appeared in the July 1960 edition of Hot Rod, and Jerry’s ride (Victress C3) looked to … 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
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
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… This story is for my good friends John Gulow and Javier Munoz – both who are Nic-L-Silver Battery “Pioneer” car enthusiasts, and one (Javier) who owns at least one of these cars. Background of Project: George Lippincott was … Continue reading
Hi Gang… How many people customized their C2 coupes? Who was the first to do so? I bet you’ve been asking these questions for years, and now we can begin to offer some possible answers. Let’s review a bit about … 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… I’ve been doing detailed interviews over the past few months with several of the folks from Victress about the history of their company and car designs. One of these folks, Mel Keys, sent photos in of an interesting … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Fiberglass aficionado Erich Schultz sent in some information about an intriguing Victress S1 that was seen not too long ago on distant roads in America. Erich wrote: “Geoff….Several years ago I considered purchasing a Victress S1 that had … Continue reading
Note: 3/28/2011 I’ve just published another story on Jerry Sutton and his Victress C3. Click here to review the story on Jerry Sutton’s Victress C3 Coupe. —————————————- Hi Gang… I love magazines that featured our favorite fiberglass sports cars – … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Building a fiberglass sports car early in one’s life usually has long-term implications. That’s what happened to Keith Kaucher when he first came across a LaDawri Castillian in shop class in the late 1970’s, and ultimately resulted in … 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… Rick D’Louhy and I continue to ferret out little known publications and booklets from the early and mid 1950’s on how to build a fiberglass car body. After all, this was a time when sports car excitement was … Continue reading
Note: This is the final 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
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
Note: This is the first 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: Click … Continue reading
Hi gang… Well…. it’s starting to happen. More people are noticing the “Forgotten Fiberglass” cars of the 1950’s and they’re doing something about it. More museums are recognizing these cars for exhibits. More Concours d’Elegance events are creating classes around … Continue reading
Hi Gang… How many Victress Models were there??? Let me count the ways…. When I first met Merrill Powell (co-owner of Victress from 1953-1961) back in 2006, we spent a lot of time reviewing the history and models that they … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Today I’m pleased to present part 3 of “Fiberglass Day” which was held at the Petersen Automotive Museum on Saturday June 26th, 2010. During this segment, Merrill Powell from Victress takes the stage and discusses the history of … 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.. 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… A fair number of Sports Specials have been surfacing in the past few years in need of restoration or completion. We’ve had great fortune that these cars survived in any way, shape, or form, so we welcome each and every one – … 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… Rick and I have scoured the country looking for vintage fiberglass history and stories. During this journey, we’ve met and befriended many people, but I knew I met my match when I met Steve Cowdin of Colorado. What … 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.. As most of you know, we had a great time at Amelia Island on March 14th at the Concours d’Elegance. Bill Warner and Tom Cotter put on a masterful show – worthy of all recognition and respect for … 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… Back in August 2009, Guy Dirkin was prepping his Victress for the beginnings of a long and arduous restoration. He has been dedicated to documenting each step of the process including some video of separating the body and … 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
Hi Gang… The red hood of the Victress glistened in stark contrast to the raw fiberglass…finally exposed from being hidden by years of paint, dirt, grime, and neglect. You could almost hear the distant roar of Guy Dirkin’s “Lost Motor Trend Victress Special” … Continue reading