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 Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California, another exciting event has weighed in.  Namely, the Milwaukee Masterpiece Concours d’ Elegance in Milwaukee Wisconsin.

Introducing the Category of “Fabulous Fiberglass”

The Milwaukee Masterpiece Concours d’Elegance has made history.  For their 2011 event, Porsche will be their featured marque, as well as a category of cars known as “Fabulous Fiberglass.”  These two “classes” of cars will lead as the two featured “marques” of the Milwaukee Masterpiece.  What extraordinary news!

This is the first time that a category of cars – namely fiberglass sports cars from the 1950s and 1960s – has been recognized as a featured “marque” of cars at a Concours d’ Elegance, and no doubt will elevate their relevance and appreciation by those that attend.

To ensure that patrons of the Milwaukee Masterpiece are treated to as wide a variety – and rare a variety – of “Fabulous Fiberglass” cars as possible, Leon Flagg, Chairman of the Milwaukee Masterpiece, has divided the “Fabulous Fiberglass” category into two classes: “Forgotten Fiberglass” and “Famous Fiberglass” as follows:

Forgotten Fiberglass:  This class will focus on fiberglass sports cars from the 1950s and 1960s that, while famous during their day, have not been recognized or celebrated until recent years.  These include builders such as Victress, LaDawri, Meteor, Allied, the Covington Tiburon and others.  Geoff Hacker and Rick D’Louhy, automotive historians, will chair this class of cars.

Famous Fiberglass:  This class will focus on fiberglass sports cars from the 1950s and 1960s  which were well known during their era and continue to be recognized and celebrated as significant cars.  These include the Corvette, Kaiser Darrin, Kurtis 500M, Studebaker Avanti, Devin, Woodill Wildfire, and the car most recognized as the first fiberglass sports car produced for (and by) the public – the Glasspar G2 roadster.  DeWayne Ashmead, automotive historian, will chair this class of cars.

More Pomp and Circumstance:

In addition, to add excitement and importance to the emergence of early fiberglass sports cars as a recognized category at Concours events worldwide, Automodello, an elite modeler of special interest cars, will debut the first 1:43 scale model of a Forgotten Fiberglass sports car at the 2011 Milwaukee Masterpiece – the 1953 Johnny Dark Victress.  This particular car was featured in the 1954 Universal Studios film, “Johnny Dark,” starring Tony Curtis and Piper Laurie.

Honored Guests Include Merrill Powell from Victress Fame:

Also participating will be Merrill Powell who co-owned the Victress Manufacturing Company from 1954 thru 1961.  During his tenure, Merrill helped steer Victress thru projects such as car design, military contracts, and even the production of the celebrated Olympic Rings for the 1960 Olympics in Squaw Valley – over 3 stories tall!

Merrill also designed and debuted two Victress cars of his own design, attractive coupes known as the Victress C2 and C3 respectively, in the mid 1950’s.   Merrill is looking forward to meeting those who are interested in the history of Victress and the era of building your own fiberglass bodied sports car.  He will also be participating in the Milwaukee Masterpiece weekend events.

We are excited by this multi-faceted approach to the celebration of “Fabulous Fiberglass” cars, and hope that the addition of “Fabulous Fiberglass”, with the other classes of cars being celebrated at the Milwaukee Masterpiece, will give you every reason and more to join us on August 28, 2011.

Countdown to the Milwaukee Masterpiece August 27th-28th, 2011:

Make your plans now to attend the Milwaukee Masterpiece in August 2011.   To help keep you excited about this event, I’ve created a “countdown timer” so you’ll know exactly how many days, hours, minutes, and seconds there are until the event begins.

Just bookmark this page and you’ll have instant access at your convenience.  And in fact, this countdown clock may help those of you restoring your cars out there for the Milwaukee Masterpiece.  Hint, hint, hint….Dick Foster, Stan Fowler, Jon Greuel, and others.  For the first time, I’m not on that list, and both Rick D’Louhy and I are relieved 🙂

Here’s the “Countdown Clock”:

For more information:

For more information, you can visit the following websites:

Milwaukee Masterpiece: http://www.milwaukeemasterpiece.com/home.htm

Forgotten Fiberglass: https://www.undiscoveredclassics.com/

Automodello: http://www.automodello.com/

And as always….

Glass on Gang…

Geoff

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