|
|
The Milwaukee Masterpiece Concours d’ Elegance has made history. For their 2011 event, Porsche will be their featured marquee, as well as a category of cars known as “Fabulous Fiberglass.” This is the first time that a category of cars – namely fiberglass sports cars from the 1950s and 1960s – has been recognized, 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 the 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, automotive historian, 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 this era and continue to be recognized and celebrated as significant cars. These include the Corvette, Kaiser Darrin, 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; plus the Bricklin SV1 has been added to this class even though it was built in the 1970s. DeWayne Ashmead, automotive historian, will chair this class of cars.
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 be debuting the first 1:43 scale model of a Forgotten Fiberglass sports car at the 2011 The Milwaukee Masterpiece – the 1953 Johnny Dark Victress – a car which was featured in the 1954 Universal Studios film, “Johnny Dark,” and starred Tony Curtis and Piper Laurie.
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 contacts, 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 in the mid 1950’s. Merrill is looking forward to meeting with those interested in the history of his company, and participating in The Milwaukee Masterpiece weekend long events too.
We are excited by this multi-faceted approach to the celebration of these “Fabulous Fiberglass” cars, and hope that the addition of “Fabulous Fiberglass”, with all of 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.
For more information:
Milwaukee Masterpiece:
http://www.milwaukeemasterpiece.com/home.htm
Forgotten Fiberglass:
http://www.forgottenfiberglass.com/
Automodello:
http://www.automodello.com/
|
