Questions To The Editor

Questions  To  The  Editor

Use the “Leave A Reply” section below to post your question to the editor of Undiscovered Classics.  We’ll get back to you shortly.  Thanks! 

Geoff Hacker, Undiscovered Classics

Comments

Questions To The Editor — 50 Comments

  1. Would anyone know if a Kelli J4 ever raced in period and if so some documentary proof if possible, perhaps a magazine article?
    I am trying to get FIA papers for my race car here in the U.K.

    Thanks in anticipation

    Reply ↓

  2. Hello, regarding the numbers produced, there are many cars that only one appears to have been built. Were there more bodies produced and are there any clues as to their whereabouts?
    I can think of several: 51 Cheetah, 52 American Enterprises, 52 Ferro, 52 BMC (most likely a 2nd body), 54 Rex, 55 Clearfield, 56 Texas Skyfire,
    56 Woodill coupe, 56 Hollywood, 56 US Mark 2, 58 Jim Webb Savage (many Savage monikers in the car world), 65 Formula Libre, and 75 Gracer come to mind. Have a pleasant day.

    Reply ↓

  3. Wow just found this site looks great I might have a few pictures you might like I have been in the custom car bis since 1965 check out my Facebook page Spinout garage would like to talk to someone there

    Reply ↓

  4. Hello, I think that I just got a Doran three wheeler? Does anyone have any info on this?
    I found that they were made in Nevada I think. Thanks

    Reply ↓

  5. I’ve just read the article (undated) saying that you were in the process of making molds to recreate the Allied Swallow that was a copy of the Cisitallia 202, and that you would be making bodies from the molds so that people could keep the Swallow alive. I’d love to purchase a Swallow coupe body that I could put on a period chassis. Are the molds finished, and are bodies available?

    You’ll remember me from the FB Devin Sports Cars group — I’m the one who built the beautiful Devin bodied Morgan that just had its debut at Luray, VA. The Cisitallia dimensions would be nearly perfect for a Morgan 4/4 chassis, and I would hope that the Swallow coupe dimensions would be about the same. Many Thanks!

    1
    Reply ↓

  6. Geoff, I have a pic of a body I am trying to identify – I can forward a pic. Open cockpit, I suspect VW pan application but not certain…has decent lines and looks vintage race appropriate.

    Thanks,
    Steve

    1
    Reply ↓

  7. Visited with a guy today that had a fiberglass body in a barn. This is what he told me with an attached picture:

    We called it the Dorati because Don, Ray, and Tim were the 3 guys who first created the mold and made the bodies back in the 50s.
    The one my friend had was on a Henry J chassis and had a Buick engine. Henry J’s had small brakes and that was a problem. it was stolen in the 60s and never recovered.

    The body is set up for a 100 inch Chassis and would fit on a 2WD S-10 chassis,
    Maybe a short box.

    I though the shape looked familiar so I checked, it is something like a 1953 Glasspar G2, because it didn’t have doors, but the differences are obvious, especially where the front and rear fenders meet.

    Is there a way to include some photos he had and I took?

    Thanks,
    Dale Olson

    1
    Reply ↓

    • Hi Dale.

      Do you have access to Flickr or some other site that will let you upload these photos to the internet?

      That’s the only way you’ll be able to get photos up on here..

      Nathan.

      2
      1
      Reply ↓

  8. In 50 shades of rust,do you know the website or phone number of the garage in quarter mile cobra? Thanx, JKHTG

    Reply ↓

  9. Hi guys I was wondering if any of you know anything about the cortez project from the north american motors in dallas texas .I guess tom tjaarda was the designer for the cortez back in 1947-1950.I would really appreciate it if you could find information on it.Thank You! best regards kevin

    1
    Reply ↓

  10. Hello Geoff,I am curious about a car that was called the geni car built in 1970 from portland oregon,it was supposed to be steam powered.Geoff have you ever heard of it?If so could you show a picture or info on it.I have a world automobile registry by suman-hreblay and this car is listed.Thanks.Kevin Gibbs

    Reply ↓

  11. Geoff,have you ever heard of a car known as the Geni ,from what I,ve heard it was a steam-powered car from portland oregon,1970.If you have heard of it could show a picture or pictures of it,I would really appreciate it,THANK YOU!

    Reply ↓

  13. Hello Geoff, Do you know who bought the David Simon LaDawri? I was told Robert Signom III sold it to someone in Cleveland. I am David Simon’s nephew and we would just like to keep track of it.

    Thanks!
    John SImon

    Reply ↓

  14. I am 75, live in Helotes TX and own a Blakely “Baron”. I was going to restore it but figured out “time is of the essence” and I don’t think I have enough of it. (I owned 14 Sunbeam -Talbot Alpines at one time and am finishing the resto of the last one now — down to 4). It was never finished, even back in the 80’s and needs interior and of course, restoration although it did drive at one time — has a period Chevy engine. Have a thick history of it. Anyone out there interested in it? Can see it on . It’s the red one. Cheers!

    Reply ↓

  16. Hello Geoff and the UD gang…I am researching startup carmakers of the 1940s. After a search of your sight, there doesn’t seem to be many fiberglass cars out there built before the early 50s. There was R.K.Griffin’s 1949 Imp, but as far as I can see, not much else. Could the little Imp be called the first fiberglass car, or am I missing something?

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Mal….there were many more in the late 1940s, also during World War II and several in about 40 years earlier. Remember that fiberglass is just one of many ways to make a “composite” material. One of the earlier materials was hemp. A current material is carbon-fiber. The answer to your question involves many cars, many manufacturers, many concepts and is a great story to share. Hope this helps, Geoff

      Reply ↓

  17. Hello Undiscovered Classic !
    I own the Fairchild Panhard and I just saw your new post about it and the Doc Molle ! I would know if you have others photo of it ?
    Find below the link about your 3 new photos.
    Hope to hear from you soon,
    Thank you,
    JLR

    https://www.undiscoveredclassics.com/forgotten-fiberglass/forgotten-fiberglass-generations-1-2-3/generation-1-1951-to-1956/1955-2/byers-sr100-cr90/vintage-photography/frank-tift-collection/custom-bodied-fairchild-panhard/

    Reply ↓

    • Hello JL….the photos were shared by friend Frank Tifft who was a Byers employee and friend of Doc Molle. Those are the only photos I have of the car. Sadly, Frank is no longer with us. You have a great car. Is it now in Europe? Best, Geoff

      Reply ↓

  19. Hi Geoff (or whoever else might see this!)

    I’ve spent the morning reading your pieces on the Covington Shark, and absolutely fell in love with the car. I saw an autoweek piece on your shark roadster years ago, and loved it then as I do now – as a rear-engine Fiat enthusiast, I thought it would make the perfect basis for a H-modified racer.

    I noticed in one of your stories that you had molds knocked up for a new coupe shell, and was curious if you ever got around to production of either a coupe or roadster shell? Very interested in your progress, though I’m wrapping up a concours-level 850 spider that’s drawing most of my attention and budget at the moment. I’d love to start a dialog about this project in case you’re still considering production, or perhaps willing to sell one of your roadster shells? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

    Keep up the incredible work; you might not be reminded as frequently as you deserve to be, but you’re doing an important service documenting and preserving the history of these specials.

    Hope to hear from you soon,

    – Shaheen Merhej

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Shaheen…we’re getting ready to build two bodies next month. These will be the first pulled from the mold since the virus hit us earl y last year. I remember you called and we talked by phone. Feel free to call or e-mail me if you need more information. Best, Geoff

      1
      Reply ↓

  20. Hello Geoff
    Christian Reichardt from SoCal.
    I haven’t seen any posts from your website over the last few month and just wanted to check in with you to make sure you are ok?
    I started looking forward to your updates about the “undiscovered classics” you dig up!

    1
    Reply ↓

  21. Super safari; I made the original fiberglass body that went to a race in Mexico. I am the missing link in this story.give me a call 619-370-3687 in San Diego
    This goes back over 50 years hope I can help
    George Bagdasarian
    Fibertech

    Reply ↓

  23. Hi !!
    Would anyone have any latest word on the Don James “Special” out of San Bruno, CA. ?? This is my Dad’s car and I’ve been looking for it on/off for about 5 years. I’ve found no trace at all; so I’m just checking in. The last known whereabouts is when my Dad traded the car to a friend in SoCal in the early ’60’s; we drove the car down to L.A.; he made the swap; and we rode the Harley home; I was in 1st or 2nd grade. I know it’s a longshot but it would be super cool to find the car and bring it back to life.

    Reply ↓

  24. Hi, I am in so cal and I just am getting started on Wildfire 9945. Someone put a plastic wrap around (vette) windshield on it but the autction photo from the 2015 Santa Monica auction shows it with the straight windshield which I would live to find or recreate. Also, I have the original hard top fit for the straight windshield and but I want to getbuy/build/ design a frame and soft top for it.
    Anyone know who has one or can bend a frame up?
    Paul R. Pwresq@att.net

    Reply ↓

  26. Just bought this car, coming out from WA. Please help me identify the year and make! Been told it is a 1959 Ladawri, but folks on the Hamb say a Vitress S4. all and any help and identification and history will be greatly appreciated. It arrives in early December and I can wait to get starts with my 8-year-old boy on it!

    Bob

    Reply ↓

  28. Have you heard anything from anyone about my Paul E. Gibbs 1960 Almquist Special? Looks like the comments have gone silent on my original story a couple of years ago.

    Stay well. We have stayed at home all year due to the dangers of COVID. I NOW HAVE LESS THAN 60 DAYS UNTIL I WILL BE 90. DOLORES IS 88 AND IN GOOD HEALTH.

    PAUL

    Reply ↓

    • @ Doug – love to do it. Hopefully in coming years. Most new models are on hold pending economy starting up again. Thanks for your thoughts. Geoff

      Reply ↓

    • @ Jeffrey – Not all cars are mine and some stories I write are just sharing a car for sale via a link in the story. Which car / story are you asking about? Geoff

      Reply ↓

  32. YES WHEN I WAS A CHILD, BORN IN 48 MY DAD AT THE TIME WAS AN ARTIST THAT HAD IMMIGRATED FROM HOLLAND AFTER THE WAR, AND SETTLED IN WINTER HAVEN FLORIDA. HE WAS VERY TALENTED AND ONE OF MY MEMORIES OF HIM IS THAT HE WAS ALWAYS CREATING. ONE OF HIS CREATIONS WAS ,THAT HE BUILT A FIBERGLASS CAR STARTING SOMEWHERE IN 1951. I STILL HAVE FOND MEMORIES OF THIS CAR AND AS A CHILD I WAS AROUND THIS CAR MANY TIMES. I HAVE A COMPLET SET OF PICTURES OF THE CAR AND OF HIM BUILDING THE CAR FROM THE MOLD HE BUILT OF IT. MY LAST SIGHTING OF THE CAR WAS AROUND 1958. I KNOW THAT IS A LONG TIME AGO, BUT I AM WONDERING WITH THE LARGE READERSHIP YOU HAVE I MIGHT BE ABLE TOO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED TO THE VEHICLE, AND POSSIBLY IT MIGHT STILL BE ALIVE. I HAVE PICS THAT I CAN SEND IF NEEDED . A LITTLE MORE HISTORY IS THAT I BELIEVE IT SAT ON AND FORD 19509 FRAME , WITH A V8 ENGINE. THANKS JAMES

    Reply ↓

    • James…send all photos to me at Geoffrey.Hacker@Gmail.com Then let’s do a story and hit our readership with it. We may just find it and it starts with sending me photos. Hi resolution/detail photos – 3 photos per e-mail but not more. Thanks, Geoff

      Reply ↓

    • Hi Geoff
      Sorry for bothering you but I’m trying to locate Alden Jewell. He has posted two photos on Flickr from the
      1956 New York International Automobile Show.
      If you blow it up you can see an Arnolt-Bristol Coupe in the background. Arnolt had six coupes built in Italy in 54-55. I own the car in the photo. Only four of the six cars built still exists today. Very best regards Kenneth

      Reply ↓

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.