For Sale
1952 Irwin Lancer
America’s First Fiberglass Bodied Sports Car
— Fresh Restoration – 2024 —
— Ford Flathead (59A) V8 Power With Dual Carburetors —
— 3-Speed Manual Transmission / Columbia 2-Speed Differential —
Pricing / Availability
The car is located in Richmond, Virginia and is available for purchase at $59,900
Contact Joel Driskill at (804) 497-0560 or JoelDriskill@hotmail.com
Description
Eric Irwin’s Lancer is one of those elusive creatures that automotive historians have heard about for years, but never spotted one alive. This rare piece of American sports car history sheds all doubt of their existence and helps place an anchor during a legendary time of sports car development.
Eric Irwin and his friend Bill Tritt both starting building boats in the late 1940s in their adjacent businesses on Industrial Way in Costa Mesa, California. In 1950, Bill Tritt of Glasspar took on a special order for one of his customers – a fiberglass body for a Willys-based sports car that he was building. Tritt argued that fiberglass would give the car an edge due to its lightweight composition, and work began that same year. Irwin and Tritt were friends and Irwin decided that he would build a car too – but for himself – and the race was one.
According to author Joseph Wherry in Modern Man (November, 1952) Bill Tritt was test driving the Glasspar in June of 1951 but Irwin beat him by a month test driving his – May 1951. Irwin called his car the “Lancer” and Tritt named his car the “Glasspar G2”. Both debuted at the November 1951 Petersen Motorama in Los Angeles, California.
Over the next few years, Bill Tritt went on to build over 100 fiberglass cars and bodies. This was possible because of the size of his business and the resources and people he employed. Eric Irwin – still a friend of Bill Tritt – ultimately built 6 cars and 6 bodies and offered three different styles of his Lancer. Interestingly, both cars, a Lancer and a G2, would be featured in the film “Johnny Dark” in 1954 starring Tony Curtis, Don Taylor and Piper Laurie. The Lancer offered for sale is just one of three factory cars known to exist and the only one restored.
This Car
This Irwin Lancer marks a significant time in postwar America when what was considered an American Sports car was still being defined. A perfect fit for an automotive museum as well as a private collection needing a rare American stand-out sports car. No doubt this will be the only Lancer seen at a concours or car event or on display in any museum across the world.
Technical Specifications
Body Design:
- Body Design By Eric Irwin
Drivetrain:
- 1947 59A Ford Flathead V8, 258ci (bored 0.125 over and a 3.75in crank), relieved and ported, period Weber F4B cam, period Weiand “S” heads, period Weiand dual carb intake with Candler Groves 94 carbs, period home made headers and mufflers, modified 49 Mercury radiator
- 1938 Lincoln Zephyr 3 speed gear box
- Columbia 2 speed differential (4:11 and 2:94) actuation lever on the trans tunnel
- Modified shift linkage
- Mechanical fuel pump with an electric backup.
- Dual exhaust
- Original 6v electrical system and ignition
Chassis, Suspension and Brakes:
- 1939 Lincoln axles
- Split front wishbones
- 1939 Lincoln 2inch brakes front and rear
- Wheelbase:105 inches
- Track Front: 55.4 inches
- Track Rear: 58.3 inches
- Stock 1939 Lincoln steering
- Custom perimeter frame designed by Eric Irwin using 1939 Lincoln front and rear frame horns.
Exterior:
- Single Piece body
- No doors or trunk lid for a streamlined look
- Single opening for the engine bay with Hood scoop
- Custom-made V shaped windshield : plexiglass and aluminum
- 1954 Chevy tail lights with Custom lenses
- 1953 Buick headlights
Interior:
- Custom Naugahide covered panels, seats and dash. Red
- Custom folding seats on sliders
- 1940 steering wheel
- 1939 Cadillac speedometer and guages
- Hi-beam floor switch
- Horn button, ignition, choke lights and starter button on the dash
- Trunk access through the interior door.
Additional Features:
- 1954 Plymouth hubcaps
- Parking lights
- New 1935 Chevy fuel tank
- New Coker Bias ply whitewall tires
- 1950s Ford 15 inch wheels: 5×5.5
Production:
- Believed to only be 6 production cars, this is one of the 6
Additional Detail
Condition: The body-off restoration was completed in 2024 – the same year this car debuted to the public on the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance show field.
Concours Embraced: American handcrafted specials have been welcomed across the country, and in recent years this has expanded to rallys, special exhibitions and more. What drives interest in these cars is the unique design and history of the build – in every case a story that is a “one of one.” Since 2007, major concours such as Amelia and Pebble Beach have held classes of these cars on several occasions, and both the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance have featured classes of these cars in 2023 and 2024.
Auction Results / Comparable Sales: Click Here To View Auction Results For American Specials
Hagerty Valuation Guide: Click Here To View Hagerty Valuation Guide
Modern Photos
Cars Shown at the 2024 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance: From Left to Right – Mike Puma and his 1955 Debonnaire, Tom Chandler and his 1952 Glasspar, Joel Driskill and his 1952 Lancer and Leslie Kendall From the Petersen Automotive Museum with their 1955 Hansen Cobra.
Terms
Transportation costs and arrangements from Richmond, Virginia to buyer’s location are the responsibility of the buyer. This car is being advertised locally and we reserve the right to end the auction at any time. Although every effort is made to present accurate and reliable information, use of this information is voluntary, and should only be deemed reliable after an independent review of its accuracy, completeness, and timeliness. It is the sole responsibility of the customer to verify the existence of options, accessories and the vehicle condition before time of sale. Any and all differences must be addressed prior to time of sale. No expressed or implied warranties, including the availability or condition of the equipment listed is made. Full payment via electronic/bank transfer is due no later than 7 days from the end of the auction.