The Sports Car in America May 22 - October 11, 2009
Ask someone just what constitutes a “sports car” and you are bound to receive a wide variety of answers. Some will identify with performance oriented cars like Chevrolet’s Corvette or anything built by the likes of Lamborghini, Alfa-Romeo, Ferrari and a host of other companies that reside chiefly in Europe and offer seating for two. Some will include muscular cars like the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger in this group, arguing that their back seat is more of a luggage compartment than actual seating for additional passengers. Ask a car enthusiast, particularly one who is into racing and they will tell you that a true sports car is a purpose-built two-seater with a history of success in motor racing. The Antique Auto Museum in Hershey has its own take on the subject and is hosting a spectacular 28 car exhibition covering a sixty-year history of sports cars in America.
In the earliest days of the automobile, manufactures proved their reliability, durability and performance through competition. This took many forms, including dirt track races, timed events, hill climbs and long-distance runs. Some of the first “competition” cars were actually production models driven by personal owners who doubled as amateur racers. Single-seat cars termed “Runabout” or “Raceabout” offered sports car-like performance and were often driven on America’s emerging highways by daredevil drivers, both male and female. The earliest American sports cars are represented in the exhibition by a 1920 Mercer Raceabout once owned by the actor, Buster Keaton.
As the automobile developed in the United States, race cars became a breed of their own and performance vehicles became status symbols. Power and size grew side by side. Wealthy owners who wanted powerful cars purchased large cars with big, powerful engines. By the late 1920s, American manufacturers were placing V8, V12 and V16 engines into a wide variety of body styles – none of which were small, two-door, two-seat vehicles.
The sports car as we have come to know it, took shape in America after World War II. American servicemen stationed in England and throughout Europe came into contact with the small, nimble, sporting two-seaters long embraced by the European motorist. Many fell in love with the vehicles. These cars, particularly the MG (illustrated by the Museum’s excellent 1948 MG TC in British Racing Green) were brought back to America by the returning soldiers. It wasn’t long before the cars were officially imported and dealership networks established across the nation. Other foreign manufacturers followed MG, such as Mercedes-Benz, Triumph, Jaguar, BMW and Austin-Healey. By the 1960s several Japanese companies had also entered the market.
Though arriving relatively late in the game, American manufacturers have had tremendous success with sports cars. The Chevrolet Corvette, which debuted in 1953, is traditionally viewed as America’s only true sports car; it is certainly the nation’s most successful, with volume sales, racing success and a cult following that cannot be matched by its competitors. The Museum’s collection boasts a beautiful 1954 Corvette, one of only about 5 finished in black paint that year. This car is supplemented in the Exhibition by a 1963 Split Window Coupe and a 1967 race-prepped model. While Corvette is the longest running American sports car, it shared its early limelight with a host of other American vehicles, including the two-seat Ford Thunderbird of 1955-1957 and other sporty offerings from companies such as Nash and Kaiser, both represented in the Exhibition.
In choosing the vehicles for this display, the Museum defined the “Sports Car in America” has being a purpose-built two-seater that was either manufactured in America or imported by the manufacturer for domestic sale. We used the Antique Automobile Club of America’s definition of an “antique” being 25 years old or older to limit the selection to pre-1984 models. That turned out to be a good thing because it allowed for the inclusion of very popular cars such as the Mazda RX7 and the Delran DMC-12, best known for its supporting role in the “Back to the Future” movie series.
All in all, “The Sports Car in America” offers vehicles to please a wide range of tastes. In addition everything already mentioned, we will have a Ford GT40, the car that took the coveted Lemans racing title from Ferrari in the mid-1960s, a P-1800 Volvo once owned by Roger Moore, of the Sainte and James Bond fame and a “big-block” Cobra formerly owned by the legendary Carroll Shelby. The Sports Car in America opens on Friday, May 22nd and runs through Sunday, October 11th.
The Antique Auto Museum at Hershey, a member of the Smithsonian Institution Affiliations Program, displays beautifully restored automobiles, buses and motorcycles in unique scenes and settings. This Museum is one of the nation’s newest and largest automotive museums. Visitors are transported through eight decades in time from New York to San Francisco, making each visit a visual adventure for all ages. Admission to the Museum is $10 for adults, $9 for Seniors and $7 for children 4-12 years of age. The Museum is located just off Route 39, one mile west of Hersheypark Drive in Hershey, Pennsylvania. For further information, please call 717-566-7100 or visit www.aacamuseum.org.
Greg's Automotive now has GM licensed reproduction outside door handles.
GM licensed restoration parts for Chevrolet and other GM cars and trucks. When you see the "GM Restoration Parts" emblem associated with our restoration parts, you can be assured that each part is licensed by General Motors for reproduction and meets GM guidelines for quality and authenticity.
Available for:
1955-1957 Chevys
1962-1974 Chevelles
1964-1967 El Camino
1972-1977 Monte Carlo
1955-1967 Pontiac
For more info or to purchase
WHAT WERE THEY THINKING? The Misfits of Motordom
Opens 2/28/09
http://www.petersen.org
Opening soon is What Were They Thinking?, the newest in a series of Petersen Automotive Museum special exhibitions, describes how innovators throughout automotive history have sought to overcome automobile design and engineering challenges with the application of “out of the box” thinking. Though a large number of poorly conceived or badly timed innovations werenecessarily abandoned at the design phase, a large number have been developed into full-size, operational vehicles. On view will be examples of such vehicles (both popular and obscure) from throughout automotive history whose designs embodied innovations, styling themes, and other characteristics that were ultimately revealed to be of questionable value or limited appeal.
Whether mass produced or prototype, the Misfits of Motordom serve to illustrate that while certain cars are important because of what they are, an equally large number are important because of what they are not. It will be an autotorium of automobile oddities from around the globe, and certainly the only assembly of vehicles where an Edsel is the "normal" car, these vehicles are sure to amaze and amuse.
Curator’s Tour: What Were They Thinking? The Misfits of Motordom
Tuesday, March 24, 2009, 7:30pm
Grand Salon
Join Curator Leslie Kendall for an in-depth tour of the Museum’s latest exhibit, What Were They Thinking? The Misfits of Motordom which showcases how innovators throughout automotive history have sought to overcome automobile design and engineering challenges with the application of “out of the box” thinking. During his tour, Mr. Kendall will share the history of the vehicles on display whose designs embodied innovations, styling themes, and other characteristics that were ultimately revealed to be of questionable value or limited appeal. For more information, call 323-964-6347 or email cdrescher@petersen.org.
Panel Discussion: What Were They Thinking? Industry Perspectives
Tuesday, April 7, 2009, 7:30-9:00pm
Grand Salon
Expert insiders from different areas of the automotive industry (e.g. sales, design, journalism) will gather to share their experiences dealing with different vehicles and the positive and/or negative public perception surrounding them. Topics of discussion will include: what is the most important feature of a successful car?; what is the most common mistake manufacturers make when they introduce a new model?; what should have been a great car and why wasn’t it? Guest panelists will include author Dan Neil of the LA Times; Mike Sullivan, owner of the LA Car Guy dealerships; production and design consultant Eric Noble of The Car Lab; and Charlie Vogelheim, automotive analyst with experience at both Kelley Blue Book and J.D. Power & Associates. For more information, call 323-964-6347 or email cdrescher@petersen.org.
Philip S. Egan, a designer of the famed 1948 Tucker automobile, passes away at 88.
Automotive designer and author Philip S. Egan of Fairfax, California passed away peacefully on December 26, 2008. Phil was one of the designers of the innovative Tucker 1948 automobile, later celebrated in a 1988 Francis Ford Coppola movie, "Tucker: The Man and His Dream." He designed the driver control area and other details of the car, a rear-engine, four-door sedan promoted as “The first Completely New Car in 50 years.” Only 51 Tucker ‘48s were produced before the venture ended. Today these highly sought-after collector cars sell in excess of one million dollars a piece.
Egan was born December 13, 1920, in Oak Park, Illinois, the son of artists—his mother working in water colors, and his father as an advertising art director. Phil also was an accomplished artist, as well as a designer, amateur astronomer, and author throughout his entire life.
As a young man following his service in the Army Air Corps during World War II, Phil joined the design firm of J. Gordon Lippincott in New York, where he soon was assigned to work on a new automobile project—the dream car of Preston Tucker. Phil went to Chicago to work as part of the Tucker design team and was later hired by Chief Designer Alex Tremulis to stay on with him at the Tucker Corporation.
Egan is the author of “Design and Destiny, the Making of the Tucker Automobile,” which chronicles the insider’s story of how the legendary automobile was designed. He also served as a consultant to Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas during the making of the 1988 film.
After his work with Preston Tucker, he became a senior product designer with Sears, Roebuck in Chicago, focusing on household appliances that bore the Sears and Kenmore nameplates.
Mr. Egan ran his own design practice for several years in the Chicago area before moving to California, where he joined the renowned design firm of Walter Landor and Associates. Later in his career, he worked as a designer for Phonic Ear hearing aids, designed four scientific teaching calculators, and again opened his own design business. His clients included Lucasfilm Ltd., where he was a consultant at THX and on a new editing device at Skywalker Ranch.
Besides his book on the Tucker automobile, Phil Egan was the author of three books for young readers; “Space for Everyone,” “Where in the World,” and “Rivers of the World,” all published by Rand, McNally. He recently completed another book, a yet to be published history of the 20th Century told in an easy-to-read anecdotal style.
Phil Egan is survived by his wife of 36 years, Virginia Egan, and daughters Frances Anamosa, and Sandi Strand, both of California, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
At Mr. Egan's request, no funeral will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to “Doctors Without Borders”, 333 Seventh Ave., 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10001, or to a charity of one's choice in his memory.
Photos Credit: Tucker Automobile Club of America / TuckerClub.org
Jay A. Follis, President - Tucker Automobile Club of America, Inc.
Director - Tucker Historical Collection and Library
at GILMORE CAR MUSEUM
6865 Hickory Road,
Hickory Corners, MI 49060
PH. 269-671-5089 ext. 13
FAX 269-671-5843
www.TuckerClub.org
The Tucker Automobile Club of America, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) Non–Profit Corporation organized under the laws of the State of Indiana.
Classic Cars & Parts
Description:
Geared toward collector car enthusiasts. Featuring editorial content, events calendar, price guide, and thousands of cars, parts, and accessories. For the casual fan or serious collector.
Company:
AutoTrader Classics
5775 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd Suite A-100, Atlanta, GA, 30342, USA
727-712-0035
Website:
www.autotraderclassics.com
1960-87 Chevrolet C10 Truck Modular 13" SOS(tm)
Description:
Modular 13"" SOS kit for 1960-87 Chevy pickups. Our exclusive new design helps solves tire to fender interference commonly found with lowered trucks.
Company:
Classic Performance Products Inc.
Address:
175 E Freedom Ave, Anaheim, CA, 92801, USA
Phone:
(714) 522-2000
Website:
www.classicperform.com
Part Number:
6087SWBK-55213
Holley
Ultra HP Billet Mechanical Fuel Pumps
Holley Performance Products is proud to announce the availability of its new line of Ultra HP mechanical fuel pumps for small- and big-block Chevy and small-block Ford engines. The Ultra HP mechanical pumps flow 200 gallons per hour and are capable of fueling up to 1,200 hp. The five-valve design utilizes high-pressure check valves for stable fuel pressure and high-volume flow throughout the engine’s rpm range.
Holley
800/HOLLEY-1
www.holley.com
Brodix
New Small-Block Ford Head
The Brodix KC ST 5.0 is a CNC-ported small-block Ford head designed for the street enthusiast. According to the company, at 185 cc, this head flows over 270 cfm at .500 lift. This fully CNC-ported head comes complete with 2.020 intake valves and 1.600 exhaust valves. The KC ST 5.0 is offered with studs and guide plates or may be used with existing Ford pedestal rockers.
Brodix
479/394-1075
www.brodix.com
Dampney Company Inc.
Heat-Resistant Automotive Paint
According to the company, Alvin high-temperature automotive spray coatings from Dampney come in 23 different colors and, when properly applied over its silicone primer, can withstand repeated thermal cycling up to 1,200°F and will not blister, flake or peel. Suitable for engines, exhaust headers, manifolds, firewalls and other parts, these 12-oz. aerosol coatings dry for handling in 15 minutes.
Dampney Company Inc.
617/389-2805
www.dampney.com
EngineQuest
327/350 Cylinder Heads
EngineQuest has introduced a new replacement cylinder head for the Chevy 327/350 made from the highest-grade cast iron. Designed to fit ’55–’86 Chevy vehicles, the new head is available in either 67cc or 76cc combustion chambers with either 2.02 or 1.94 intake valves and uses a straight-positioned sparkplug.
EngineQuest
800/426-8771
www.eqcylinderheads.com
