Hi Gang… You know the cars still out there gang….beautiful sports cars, crazy wild customs and everything in between. We’ve found so many that were thought extinct or gone for decades that I always begin my research with the 100% … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Recently I’ve been peering deeper into the mysterious and never-ending Petersen Digital Archive. Last time I found a very interesting unknown car from 1956. Click Here To View the Last Mystery Car I Found and the Story About … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Creating a special body for a car was more the norm for the wealthy before World War II, but much less so in the postwar years. Custom work after the war was often done in fiberglass (even the … 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… We hunt for cars but not all cars – we hunt for unusual cars, and have been doing this since 2006. and since that time, we’ve been on some amazing adventures. Today’s adventure started with a Hemmings post … Continue reading
Dan Palatnik and the Art of Lost Cars Dan Palatnik has led the effort of creating 3D renderings for all handcrafted specials we study and celebrate. Dan’s been with us since nearly the start and has worked with the entire … 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… Think of all the sports cars being designed and built in postwar Europe. It was a time of building and rebuilding. Coachbuilding companies that started before World War II like Spohn were doing their best to take orders … Continue reading
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… Undiscovered Classic cars are finding themselves across the world. Today’s story herald’s from the UK, but it started out in the 50s on a lost American road. And perhaps “you” may find the pieces to solve this puzzle. … 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… Several years ago we rescued and acquired a 1952 Singer AD SM Roadster that had been built and raced by Ralph Bush – and what a treat that story has been. Over the years, Ralph and I have … Continue reading
Hi Gang… There are a great many stories of lost cars and lost history out there – waiting for someone to begin the research where finding the family and/or car would be rewarding and worthwhile to all. Today’s story on … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I’ve been searching for the history of this car for 10+ years – and I’m still looking. Why you might ask? Well the more I find out, the more interesting it gets. I’ve traced the car back to … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Recently, more information surfaced on the Sportstar sports car company of San Diego, California. We’ve written about the Sportstar Company before – a company founded in 1952 and whose first car, the Crosley-based “Torrey Pines”, debuted in a … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I bet this car is still out there. I’ve said this many times about many cars, and more often than not – we find the car or the car turns up. Back in 2010 in the book “Corvette … 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
Hi Gang… This car has been close to home for us since we started Undiscovered Classics in 2006. Robert Cohen’s 1953 Gussenbauer Special has been on display at the Sarasota Classic Car Museum for around 15 years. It’s a “one … Continue reading
Hi Gang… There’s a quote by Mark Twain that I enjoy and while I often paraphrase the quote, the gist of it is this: “It Takes A Long Time To Write A Short Letter” Today’s story is ten years in … 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… The first Jabro….so much different than the later Jabro sports cars that James P. Broadwell was best known for. But it all started in 1952 with a sport custom also called the “Jabro.” The wheelbase of this car … 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… Here’s a mystery with some history – that may be exactly right. Or not. That’s why we need your help. Recently, Ralph Thomas and his soon Brooks contacted me about a car they purchased recently via Craigslist. And … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We often think of all fiberglass car activity having occurred in California during the 50s, but that’s far from the case. We estimate that about 80% of the companies were in the Los Angeles, California area but others … Continue reading
Hi Gang… November is going to be great fun this year – for us and those of you who are fans of Undiscovered Classics. The Cigar City Concours d’Elegance has officially accepted the 1949 Panache Sport Custom for presentation on their field next … 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
Hi Gang… For me researching cars began a long time ago – about 40 years ago to be exact. I bought my first “classic car” when I was 14 years old – a 1955 Cadillac Fleetwood (with my mom’s approval … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Today we’re honored here at Undiscovered Classics to share the story of Paul E. Gibbs and his Almquist roadster. Born in 1931, 88-year-old Paul Gibbs contact me via e-mail recently and over several phone conversations I learned about … Continue reading
LOST CAR The 1955 Jules “J” Heumann Singer Special Help Us Find This Car! We’ve found plenty of interesting, cool, and lost famous cars over the past decade or so at Undiscovered Classics. It’s now your turn. As we’ve often said….. … Continue reading
LOST CAR 1949 Rogue by Robert Monroe Help Us Find This Car! We’ve found plenty of interesting, cool, and lost famous cars over the past decade or so at Undiscovered Classics. It’s now your turn. As we’ve often said….. “The Cars … Continue reading
Hi Gang… If you want to understand the heritage of American fiberglass cars, you have to delve into the postwar history of Sport Customs – handcrafted sports cars made in metal or aluminum and built to create an American sports … Continue reading
Studebaker Stilleto – Anticipated Car Build – We found this car in Colorado approximately 10 years ago which featured a design with much potential but needing some help to make it all that it could be. With the assistance of … Continue reading
Hi Gang… In the last few years, we’re seeing fewer mystery cars from the 40s and 50s. We have expertise now that spans the world and are fortunate to have so many of you that bring your knowledge and research … Continue reading
Hi Gang… For the last several years we have done small “tours” of Fiberglass Farms as time allowed and interested folks surfaced. Time and time again we’ve been asked about the origins of this special place, and we’ve shared the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Jim and Lea Ann Robinson sure keep things interesting Ever since I first met them in 2006 and then learned about the car they were finishing at the time – the famous 1953 Guy Mabee Victress Special – … Continue reading
Hi Gang… You may remember last fall when we shared a 3-part story on the building of a Woodill Wildfire in 1955 by the father-son team of Ed and Phil Cox: Click Here To Review this 3 Part Story on … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Today’s story comes from the depths of the “Frank Cornell Archives” – materials Frank amassed while studying Woodill Wildfire and related cars for more than 30 years. Frank had these materials for a good reason – he’s our … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Fifteen to twenty years ago, Glasspar Historian Emeritus (also a legendary car finder) Jean Poirier and his brother Emile went on a trek to see a long lost Devin racecar. It was being sold by a private owner in … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Recently shared the exciting news in a story last week revealing two significant “finds:” The Jim Potter collection of Woodill Wildfire photos– unseen for nearly 60 years and stewarded by his son Jim North The story of Ed and … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Someday I hope to see this car in person. It must be the most traveled and owned and shown and celebrated Woodill Wildfire in the last 50 years. But we have to find it first – and the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Recently shared the exciting news in a story last week revealing two significant “finds:” The Jim Potter collection of Woodill Wildfire photos – unseen for nearly 60 years and stewarded by his son Jim North The story of … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I first shared the exciting news in a story last week revealing two significant “finds:” * The Jim Potter collection of Woodill Wildfire photos – unseen for nearly 60 years and stewarded by his son Jim North * … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Renault Specials have a special place for me given that my first fiberglass sports car was Renault based – the 1962 Shark Roadster – a car I still have today. So when I recently came across an article … Continue reading
Hi Gang… What a great looking sports car! And I love the write up. As Rick D’Louhy and I continue to locate rare magazines, newspapers, race programs, show programs, and the like….we continue to uncover fiber-treasure inside – cars we’ve … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Today’s story is brought to us by good friend Chris Wolfe of Denver, Colorado. Chris forwarded several magazine articles I’ve not seen before and it’s from his generosity that we owe our first story of his today. Thank … Continue reading
Hi Gang… When you distill down what we do here at Forgotten Fiberglass, it’s really about the search for history – reuniting lost cars with the history and the people that built them. This sometimes takes us beyond fiberglass (blasphemous, … Continue reading
Hi Gang… So far, I’ve found this custom car – the Ogle-Orbed Olds – in two Trend publications. It first appeared on the cover – in color – along with a one-page article in the August, 1953 issue of Motor … Continue reading
Hi Gang… How could I resist? This photo was being offered with other press release photos I found in the Florida area and it called to me from afar. Is it fiberglass? Is it a steel custom? I’m going to … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I love mystery cars! These stories often show what was possible when hard working, talented, and creative individuals put the rubber to the road and brought forth their own creation for their own satisfaction and drive. What more … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Ok….I’m getting jealous of Alden Jewell’s collection so let me feature something from my own fiber files. Today’s feature is the long-lost, coveted almost as good as what Alden has item – the 1958 Sports Car Engineering catalog … Continue reading
Hi Gang… First I thought this was a Byers SR-100. Then….a modified Meteor SR-1. But…in consulting with Erich Schultz and Guy Dirkin, we now think it’s a one-off body either pulled and modified from another sports car or cast uniquely … Continue reading
Hi Gang… We keep looking and looking and looking but so far in the “Geoff vs Vale Sports Car” quest for a car we have yet to find a single “Vale” out there. Which is surprising because it’s so beautiful … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Bill Berry and your Falcon…..where are you??? Read on to learn more…. What a great find this is that we’re sharing today. I first saw this car in the 1955 Petersen Motorama program (known in 1955 as the … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Think about what it takes to produce a Mysterion…. First…someone has to have a dream of building a car. Then, that person and probably his friends and family jump on board and help him work toward that goal. … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Bill Fester of Houston, Texas wanted an Allied Swallow Coupe. The Allied looked just like the car he saw – a Multiplex Sports Car – shown in John Gunnell’s book “Standard Catalog of American Cars: 1946-1975.” Bill had noticed … 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… The Commons Crusader, built by William G. Commons, appeared in several magazines in ’53, and had some really neat features that you’ll read about today and in future stories here at Forgotten Fiberglass. It was conceived, designed, and … 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
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… I love finding new fiberglass sports cars…. That is, information about new cars – cars that I have not heard of before built in fiberglass or forms of plastic where creativity shows no bounds. And that’s what happened … 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… Finally….after more than three years of searching, my copy of the British publication “The Motor” dated January 30th, 1952 arrived. I really mean it. I’ve been waiting for 3+ years and looking daily for a copy. I must … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Who can’t show a bit of affection for a fiberglass car called an “Imp?” You know… if I would have created a car, the name of it would have been something glorious – something memorable – something fantabulous … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I got a phone call this weekend, and just like Paul Revere, Don Anderson proclaimed to me: The Sportstar Exists! The Sportstar Exists!! Well…at least it did in 1953. In our last installment on the Sportstar Associates company … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Here’s another beautiful fiberglass roadster from the 1950’s – it’s missing and no information has been found save for the wonderful article that appeared in Hot Rod Magazine in 1957. This particular car was brought to my attention … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Another mystery for you – and this one’s from New Jersey – a place that we’ll be talking more about in the future concerning fiberglass cars. As for fiberglass cars made in New Jersey, I can think of the Gazelle/Navajo … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I love mysteries. In fact, good fiberglass friend Jack Molleur of Florida completed my phrase last week on “ice cream” as follows: “I scream, you scream, we all scream for….glass dreams” I need all the help I can … Continue reading
Hi Gang… I scream, you scream, we all scream for….fiberglass mysteries. Or at least newly discovered fiberglass sports cars and their history (I couldn’t find anything that would rhyme with “ice cream.”) You’ll be hearing more about my good friend … Continue reading
Hi Gang… From looking at the picture above, I’m sure you thought to yourself…”Jaguar C-Type.” Not so fast gang….its much much better. And smaller too! Back in 1954, Kelly Buchanan and college friend Bob Arnt decided to build a sports car … 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… I love “Mysterions.” Doesn’t everyone? “Mysterions” are a class of cars that Rick D’Louhy and I have so named based on their unknown history. They are truly “Mystery Cars” in every way. The 1950’s was a time when … Continue reading
Hi Gang… It’s Superbowl Sunday February 2011 and Dennis Blietz stopped over at my house – all the way from California. So of course, I thought I could sneak in another “Forgotten Fiberglass” story before kick-off time. Let’s see if … 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… 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… 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… I love research…and who doesn’t love a mystery too! That’s what landed in my lap when I met Mike Wittman several years ago – Meteor SR1 owner and restorer. Mike grew up in the San Francisco Bay area in … 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… Mysterions… why do I keep bringing up this name and talking about these kinds of cars? Because it’s time we bring them forth and recognize them for everything they represent. The 1950’s was a time when competent builders … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Scott Perrot is the friend….. I almost never had. About 2 years ago, I started making trips across the country – both with my research compadre Rick D’Louhy and without him -when my adventures might turn into a … Continue reading
Hi Gang… The best research often has nothing to do with effort or expertise. It often happens to just be plain old fashioned luck. That’s what happened to me when I was first contacted by Jules Heumann about a year … 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.. This is almost like a barnfind story – except without finding the car. How can that be (you say)?… Well…the first time I heard of this car was from Tom Householder. Tom is a Doretti enthusiast and was … Continue reading
Hi Gang… Daniel Strohl from Hemmings enjoys these cars as much as we do. Recently, he offered to help in Rick’s and my quest to find examples of some of the cars we have researched – that are still missing. … Continue reading
