Hi Gang…

The saga of a nearly 60 year old unfinished fiberglass body continues.   You just can’t stop the potential in this car body!  Here’s what has happened so far in our story:

• Produced in the mid ‘50s in the Pasadena, California vicinity
• Purchased by Denny Allen around 1960 and ultimately moved by him many years later to his home in Ft. Benton, Montana
• And now freshly arrived in Fiberglass Farms in Florida, secure in its new home, like many folks who retire to this state each and every year

The story of this mysterion just keeps on going and going and going 🙂

We’re still working on what this car is – it’s heritage, that is.  Click here to read our initial story of this car (body) and its story.

Recently, we’ve made some progress and have reason to believe it was built by a company in ’52 / ’53 called “Plastic Age Company” of Pasadena, California.  We’ll share more about our thoughts as research reveals more information.

For now…let’s talk transport!

Denny Allen Retires To Montana – And So Does His Car (Body):

Denny always had plans to build himself a fiberglass bodied sports car.  In fact, he did build some terrific cars, but just never got to finishing the “build” he started with this car, so he saved the body all thru:

• the swingin’ 60s
• the disco-dancing 70s
• the “me-decade” of the 80s
• the internet boom ‘of the 90s
• and the homeland security focus of the 00’s

Denny is one patient guy!  And we love him for saving such a rare piece of ‘glass as we continue to appreciate these rarified designs and match their true history to their designers, fabricators, and company founders.  Denny is truly one of the “Forgotten Fiberglass” team!

So, Denny and I started talking about saving this body about 5 years ago, and we had to work thru some obstacles.  The first one was that he had already sold the body.  As we tracked the new ownership, an opportunity presented itself to “re-acquired”it.  That took about three years.

Then.. Denny “sprang” into action, and with the speed of a leopard and the focus of a laser.   And we were back on track 🙂

Fall 2011:  The Planning Begins

So, with much patience and planning, Denny and I teamed up with good friend and moving expert David Henton of “Engines Direct Freight” and put together a plan to move the “mysterion” body from “there” to “here.”  “There” being Montana.  “Here” being Tampa, Florida.

Step 1:  Crate The Cargo

Denny was up to the task.  Probably excited at the proposition of, again, moving the “mysterion body” to a new location, he jumped to action – a “call to arms” so as to say.  Denny and his team put together a crate and positioned the body ready for pick-up.

Luckily, Denny had portioned the car into two sections and nested them to reduce space.  This made it easier to crate – and less costly too.

But would the shipment beat the first snow in Montana of 2011?

 

Step 2:  Transportation Teamwork

David Henton got the call that the shipment was ready.  Fierce negotiations ensured and after what must have been hours, a shipment price was settled on and the carrier determined.

It would be Federal Express.

That’s cool!  When they told me, I wondered if it would be here in two days, ground shipment?

Step 3:  Florida Fiberglass

The “package” arrived safely – but not in two days (I wonder how much THAT would have cost!).  Now to unload the cargo.

Step 4: Unloading

So…here’s the modern version of a fiberglass car body arriving at your house.

In the ‘50s, the crates were not solid like this – more of a series of boards to protect the body – and most of the body could still be seen from outside the crate looking in.  Back then, I understand many of the “crates” arrived via railcar.  I’ll have to ask if the folks who built their cars in the ’50s if they had to pick up the crates or if they were delivered.  

Ted Griffin and Dick Foster (original Woodill Wildfire builders and owners) – how did your Woodill Wildfire bodies arrive back in the ’50s?  Please let us know by commenting at the end of this story.

Step 5: Hiding

So where to hide the body (crate, that is) so my neighbors won’t notice.  I found just the best place of all – at the front of my driveway.

Who would complain?

Step 6: Unpacking

Several days later when the neighbors showed up with hot tar and feathers, we decided to uncrate the body (I thought hot tar, pitchforks, and feathers were a thing of the past…)  Here I pressed my Uncle Phil – “Phoon” as he is known in our family –  into action.  First we uncrate the package, and then check out the vintage ‘glass body for the very first time in its new home in Florida.

Step 7: Moving To Fiberglass Farms

So I thought to myself…”How do I get this body moved again – to Fiberglass Farms?”   Luckily, patience and procrastination favors the unprepared, and when I came back from my McCormack holiday trip in late 2011, I had my answer.  Let’s drop off two cars at once.  What a deal!  How lucky could I get?

Step 7: Let’s Have a Look

So here’s what the mysterion body looks like as of today – having safely made it out to the secret location of Fiberglass Farms – somewhere lost to time in Florida…

So What Does a Finished Mysterion / California Special Look Like?

Great question – and there are two finished / restored Mysterions out there.  Click here to learn about our recent restoration of one we call “The California Special.”  And soon…I’ll be sharing a story about the other one owned by good friend Bob Deull of Buffalo, New York.

Summary:

So the mysterion body – aka the “California Special” (for now) – is safely stored at “Fiberglass Farms” – saved for future generations to appreciate and cast wondering glances on the true history and heritage of this “special” car from a “special” day.  With any luck, we’ll know the true story of this car sometime in the future.

And for those of you who would like to know what one of these cars looks like when completed and restored, click here to see our “California Special” and its debut at the Amelia Island Concours d’ Elegance in 2010.

Pretty good history and heritage for a car where we don’t yet know the name or designer!

Hope you enjoyed the story, and until next time…

Glass on gang…

Geoff
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