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 opportunity to create a powerhouse event – one that would capture the growing excitement and enthusiasm of car guys across the country and that would rival General Motors “Motorama” in every way.

Petersen showcased Hot Rods, Race Cars, Dry Lakes Cars, Custom Cars, Motorcycle, Boats, and most importantly…..fiberglass sports cars too.  It’s for all these reasons that we focus on the Petersen Motorama as a historically significant event for all automobiles – and one that is surprisingly….mostly forgotten today.  We’ll see if we can change that view in the next few years.  In the meantime, let’s dive into the 1953 Petersen Motorama Program and check out the cars they were promoting.

And Now….The 1953 Petersen Motorama:

I’m going to concentrate on fiberglass sports cars that were at each of the Petersen Motoramas – today the 1953 Motorama.  If you would like to view the entire 1953 Motorama Program and other Programs too, see the link at the bottom of this story.

The 1953 program gives a nice intro to both Robert “Pete” Petersen and Bill Burke.  For those of you Atlas/Allied fans out there, Bill Burke was in the center of Hot Rod, Dry Lakes, and even magazine publishing back then.  Check out how they introduce Burke in the 1953 Motorama Program:

Bill Burke, a native Californian, has long been identified with the automotive speed and power field on an amateur level.  Burke’s name is pre-eminent in hot rod circles.  He has been an innovator, having constructed the first wing tank bodied hot rod streamliner which was the first machine to hit 160 mph in time trials on the dry lakes.  He has built and driven two record holders for Bonneville Nationals.  This is Bill’s fourth year as Floor Manager and Exhibits Director of the International Motorama.

Wow!  This means that Bill Burke started working in an official capacity beginning in the 1950 Petersen Motorama – the first one ever held.  Bill Burke is truly one of the original Hot Rod pioneers in every way.

List of 1953 Motorama Exhibitors

It’s always interesting to see who was officially at each of the Motoramas.  More “Exhibitors” were most likely there.  For example, Victress isn’t listed in the “Motorama Exhibitors”.  However, we know that Victress was not just there, but Doc Boyce-Smith (Founder) and Bill Quirk (Production Manager) laid up a car body over several days – and displayed a finished Victress S1A on the floor – too.  Here are the key exhibitors in terms of “fiberglass” and some thoughts:

• Allied Products Engineering Corporation:   This is NOT the Allied company owned by Bill Burke, Mickey Thompson, and Roy Kinch.  Rather, this is a fiberglass supply house owned and ran by Ted Kelly which was the supplier for fiberglass needs in Los Angeles.  Interestingly, this was the main supplier of fiberglass and materials for “Victress” and it’s where Doc Boyce-Smith met his future wife, Patricia, who worked as a support person for Ted Kelly.
• Glasspar:   In 1953, they exhibited a “diorama” – an exhibit with a body suspended above a frame to show how easy it was to build a sports car.  I love this year of the Petersen Motorama – if just for this exhibit alone.  Glasspar did a great “exploded view” of how the Glasspar G2 Sports Car was built.  Checkout the picture in the story and the gallery.  I’ve found a few more shots like this, but I hope to get some professional shots in the future.  I just have to find them out there, so time will tell.
• Sonny’s Muffler Shop:   They sponsored Bill Burke’s Allied car at Bonneville
• Vaughan Singer Motors:   In the previous year, Vaughan Singer had created and displayed a modified Singer chassis with Glasspar G2 body back East at the 1952 International Motor Sports Show in New York City.
  

  This Ad Appeared in the January 1954 Edition of Motor Trend – Immediately After the 1953 November Petersen Motorama. Most Likely This Picture was Taken During the 1953 Motorama

• Woodill Motor Company:  At the Motorama in 1953, Woody gave away a new Woodill Wildfire during a free “drawing”.  Click here for additional information.
• Notably Absent From the Exhibitor’s List:  Victress Manufacturing, Atlas/Allied fiberglass cars, Grantham Stardust, and Dick Jones/Jim Byers Meteor SR1 – which debuted at the 1953 Petersen Motorama.  All of these cars participated in the 1953 Motorama.   Terry Baldwin (fiberglass friend) picked up a business card from Bill Grantham and one from Woody Woodill too – on his visit to the Motorama in 1953.  Click Here For Terry Baldwin’s Story.

Fiberglass Cars Shown in the 1953 Motorama Program:

Here’s a bit about each of the fiberglass cars shown in the program.

Bill Burke’s Atlas/Allied Fiberglass Car:

I’ve included a picture from an ad for Burke’s car – that shows his car at the Motorama – most likely from November 1953.  Checkout the picture and the ad copy – below (and in our story).  In the meantime, here’s what is shown in the 1953 Motorama Program about Burke’s car:

Built along the lines of the finest European sports cars, Bill Burke’s Fiberglass record-holder is the only closed coupe of its kind.  Powered by an Ardun-Mercury, built by C and T Automotive, Burke’s “one-of-a-kind” features Mercedes-like doors cut high into the roof.

Karl Hubenthal’s Glasspar G2

Although a particular car is shown in the program – we’re never sure if it actually appeared unless we can get pictures from the actual event.  So far, no pictures of this G2 at the Motorama have been found.  Here’s what is shown in the program on Hubenthal’s G2:

Cartoonist Karl Hubenthal had his own ideas of what a Fiberglass sports car should be, and starting with the popular Glasspar body, proceeded to customize it to his own tastes.  The body was unchanged, but trim, including attractive, hand-formed chromed-tubing bumpers added personality.

For those of you interested in learning more about Karl Hubenthal, here’s a website featuring Karl and his work:

Click Here For Karl Hubenthal website

Rodney Packwood is currently contacting the Hubenthal family to determine if they have more pictures of the G2 and can provide any detail or memories from the family.  It certainly would have been memorable having such a nice sports car – probably one of the first American Sports Cars in Southern California at the time.  I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Rodney is successful in locating additional information about this car from the Hubenthal family.

Woodill Wildfire:

Here’s what is written about the Wildfire in the 1953 Motorama Program:

The Vibrin plastic-bodied Woodill “Wildfire” designed for late model Willys or ’39-’48 Ford chassis, is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful “home product” sports cars.  A replica of this car can be seen in Danny Kaye’s latest film, “Knock on Wood.”

Summary

I hope you’ve enjoyed the short view of the fiberglass cars at this event.  The Petersen Motorama is one of my favorite touchstones and really captures the moment of excitement for building and appreciating these cars back in the day.  In the future, I’ll be writing about each of these Motoramas – held from 1950 thru 1955 so stay tuned.  You’ll be surprised what I’ve found to share.

In the meantime, for those of you who would like to learn more about the Petersen Motorama – and another one – the 1953 Michigan Motor Show – held outside of California….be sure to visit our growing page dedicated to the Petersen Motoramas:

Click here to visit the Petersen Motorama

And for any of you out there who may have pictures from these events (1950-1955), I’d love to see them.  Please contact me and let me know – we’ll share them with all, and perhaps use them in our upcoming book.  Rick D’Louhy and I would be honored to do so.

Glass on gang…

Geoff

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