SAHJournal

ISSUE 290 JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2018

SAH Journal No. 290 • January / February 2018 $5.00 US1 Contents

3 PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE SAHJournal 4 THE ANNUAL SAH AWARDS PRESENTATION, HERSHEY, PA ISSUE 290 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 6 THE TUCKER TORPEDO: BIRTH OF AN ICON 8 THE MICHAEL R. ARGETSINGER 2017 SYMPOSIUM THE SOCIETY OF AUTOMOTIVE HISTORIANS, INC. ON INTERNATIONAL MOTOR RACING HISTORY An Affiliate of the American Historical Association 11 BOOK REVIEWS 14 IN MEMORIAM

Officers Billboard Louis F. Fourie President Diecast Hall of Fame: Since its Japanese is currently needed.) Please contact Edward Garten Vice President Robert Casey Secretary foundation in 2009, the DHF has grown the editor directly. Thank you! Rubén L. Verdés Treasurer into one of the diecast community’s best- known and favorite events. SAH member Joint SAH and HVA Auto- Board of Directors Andrew Beckman (ex-officio) † Christian Braun became its chairman last motive History Conference: Robert G. Barr ∆ year. Over the years 167 inductees have April 12-14, 2018, at the Historic Vehicle H. Donald Capps # passed into its annals, including luminaries Association, National Laboratory, Allen- Donald J. Keefe ∆ like , Jay Leno, and Larry town, Pennsylvania. Save the date; and for Kevin Kirbitz # Wood. For more details, visit their website full details, visit autohistory.org. Carla R. Lesh † John A. Marino # at: diecasthall.com. Robert Medis † Matthew Short ∆ Wanted: Contributors! The SAH Vince Wright † Journal invites contributors for articles and Terms through October (†) 2018, (∆) 2019, and (#) 2020 book reviews. (A book reviewer that can read Editor Rubén L. Verdés 7491 N. Federal Hwy., Ste C5337 Front cover: Jeff Mahl, our keynote speaker at the SAH awards presentation in Hershey, arranged Boca Raton, FL 33487-1625 USA for this 1916 Studebaker (chassis 25083) owned by Dennis Barfield to be displayed at our tent on the Orange field during AACA Eastern Regional Fall Meet. This car crossed the U.S. in 2011, and now [email protected] it is signed up to participate in the 110th anniversary run of the 1908 Great Race. The race will [email protected] start in New York on June 18, 2018; and for two reference websites, see: 2018nytoparis.com and tel: +1.561.866.5010 thegreatautorace.com. A good reference is Hard Driving: The 1908 Auto Race From New York to Publications Committee by Dermot Cole (ISBN: 978-1557783608) published in 1991. A review appears in SAH Journal No. 139. Thomas S. Jakups, Chair Patricia E. Chappell Back cover: This promotional ad for the Tucker Torpedo appeared in the December 1946 issue of Louis F. Fourie Science Illustrated. This particular example has the distinction, as noted at the bottom, to have been part of the "Alex Tremulis Archives" and the obscured area that looks to have been made Christopher G. Foster by adhesive tape covers the original footer that gave the date of the issue, but it's hand written Donald J. Keefe in the bottom right of the page. Alex Tremulis was an industrial designer who worked at Cord, Rubén L. Verdés Duesenberg, Ford, GM, and Tucker. The following details are from the Tucker Automobile Club of Steve Wilson America website (tuckerclub.org/alexander-sarantos-tremulis/): "Alexander Sarantos Tremulis SAH Journal (ISSN 1057–1973) (1914 – 1991) was the chief stylist at the Tucker corporation from 1947 to 1949, where he played a is published six times a year by The crucial role in making ’s dream into automotive reality: the legendary (also known as the Tucker Torpedo), a sleek fastback sedan with a rear engine and unique 3-headlight Society of Automotive Historians, Inc. array in the front. In addition to his work for Tucker (including the design of the concept Talisman), Subscription is by membership in the Society. Alex Tremulis’ 60 year long career from 1933 to his death put him in the front lines of envisioning Membership dues are $50 per year ($60 transportation from some of the most celebrated automobiles of all time, to advanced concepts in trains and space flight… and even flying saucers." per year outside North America & Mexico); digital membership dues are $20. Dues and changes of address go to: Submission Deadlines: Society of Automotive Historians, Inc. Deadline: 12/1 2/1 4/1 6/1 8/1 10/1 c/o Cornerstone Registration Ltd. Issue: Jan/Feb Mar/Apr May/Jun Jul/Aug Sep/Oct Nov/Dec P.O. Box 1715 Mailed: 1/31 3/31 5/31 7/31 9/30 11/30 Maple Grove, MN 55311-6715 USA Note: the SAH Journal is a bimonthly publication (printed 6 times a year) and there is ©2018 a two-month horizon for submitted material before it is mailed (e.g., material sub- The Society of Automotive Historians, Inc. mitted by February 1st appears in the Mar/Apr issue and is mailed on or before 3/31.) www.autohistory.org All letters, manuscripts, and advertisement submissions and inquiries go to the editor. Join, renew and more right on-line! 2 SAH Journal No. 290 • January / February 2018 PPresident’sresident’s of the last century. This sapped the resources that might otherwise have created and engi- PPerspectiveerspective neered appealing cars instead of regulatory compliant appliances. By all accounts Mark Fields of Ford has s historians we are likely to promote been a highly respected industry leader, but Athe thought that if we do not respect his failure to articulate a future for Ford’s the past we will repeat previous mistakes involvement in autonomous vehicles likely that we might have been able to learn from. led to his forced departure. Consider that Alternately, what guidance has Alexander Henry Ford was the greatest disrupter of his Graham Bell provided in the creation of the era, but then had to react as GM, followed smart phone? Consider the disruption of Uber by , overtook his company because and Airbnb who have zero investments in cars Henry refused to grasp the future. Maybe or hotels. Is the about to Ford looked at its history and realized that its embark on similar uncharted territory? current leadership needs to have the capacity For someone like myself who has exam- and foresight to anticipate the future. ined at great lengths GM’s involvement in Whatever happens with future technol- Europe, departing this market simply could ogy, automotive history will continue to un- not be justifi ed. This was especially question- fold and generations ahead will refl ect back able when you consider that GM paid the as we do, trying to evaluate the challenges PSA Group to take over Opel and Vauxhall of the past. The sad part is that in the same when you factor in pension obligations. manner that few people today know the But what if Mary Barra and her fellow pleasure of human interaction with a horse, executives recognize the need to start scal- so too will our future generations not know ing down GM’s investment in factories? A vary around the world and you begin to the skill and delight in harnessing the power future of bidding for large contracts to build understand another reason for GM’s con- and handling of an automobile. homogeneous transport modules is hardly traction from several global markets. If you —Louis F. Fourie a lucrative industry to be in. By shedding believe PSA’s claim that GM’s European these fi xed assets along with future pension engines would not be compliant with future Robert & Christine Starinsky (4454) obligations in a progressive manner would standards without unprofi table electric cars, Glendale Heights, IL position GM to be more nimble and able to you realize that maybe, just maybe, leaving [email protected] react to a changing environment. Europe was justifi ed after all. Consider also William & Ann Scheffl er (4455) Throw in the highly regulated environ- that GM may recall the cost of meeting all Palm Springs, CA ment where emission and safety standards the regulations in the USA towards the end wlscheffl [email protected] Ross Bassett (4456) Wheels in Time Raleigh, NC [email protected] Mauro Borella (4459) Milano, [email protected] George & Connie Bradley (4460) Miami Shores, FL [email protected] Roger Hill (4462) Paris, OR [email protected] Eric Bickel (4463) Austin, TX [email protected]

Martin & Becky Merritt (4464) NEW MEMBERS Pearland, TX [email protected] Mark Dwyer (4465) Wake Forest, NC [email protected] Dan & Susan Eastwood (4466) South , MI This photo of a 1896 Morris Salem Electric Coupe is sourced from: [email protected] chuckstoyland.com/category/automotive/early-electric-cars/

SAH Journal No. 290 • January / February 2018 3 TThehe kkeynoteeynote sspeakerpeaker wwasas JJeffeff MMahlahl wwhosehose ggreat-grandfatherreat-grandfather GGeorgeeorge SAH president AAndrewndrew BeckmanBeckman announcesannounces SSchusterchuster SSr.r. waswas thethe driverdriver ofof thethe tthehe CCugnotugnot Award—EnglishAward Language forfor TThomashomas FFlyerlyer tthathat wonwon thethe 19081908 GreatGreat Douglas Leighton, whowho waswas unableunable toto attend.attend RRace,ace, ddeliverselivers hhisis ppresentationresentation oonn thethe The award will be presented in Paris. HHarraharrah rrestorationestoration ofof thethe NewNew York-to-York-to- PParisaris ThomasThomas FFlyer.lyer. Excellence in the writing of history is diffi - cult to achieve. Research must be thorough HHEE NNNUALNUAL WWARDSARDS RRESENTATIONESENTATION and clearly documented. Prose must be clear T A SSAHAH A P and captivate readers. Analyses and explana- HEERSHEY,RSHEY, PEENNSYLVANIANNSYLVANIA tions must offer original insights. Anders Clausager’s study of the Wolseley company he 49th Annual Meeting of Members and its products meets these criteria admira- T& Gala Awards Banquet took place on bly. Readers commended the book as “auto- Friday, October 6th at the Hershey Country motive history at its best” which will be “ac- Club during “Hershey”—the AACA Eastern cepted as the fi nal authority” on the subject. Regional Fall Meet (October 4-7). The high- The author has succeeded in offering cogent light of the evening was the awards presenta- insights into the British automotive industry tion. Here are the awards, descriptions and through the prism of a single company. The the 2017 recipients: Cugnot jury unanimously chose this book from a very strong fi eld as the winner of the Carl Benz Award 2017 Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot Award. “The Cars of 1969: Rising Middle Class” —Douglas Leighton by Kit Foster, published in Collectible Au- tomobile (December, 2016). Don Deefe presents the Carl Benz Award to The Benz Award recognizes the periodical Kit Foster. Language other than English: article or series published during the previ- Los proyectos desconocidos de CETA y ous calendar year which exhibits the most Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot Award PEGASO. Toda la historia contada desde original research and outstanding writing The Cugnot Award is presented for the book dentro by Manuel Lage, published in in automotive history. The award is named published during the previous calendar year Spanish by Fundacion Jorge Jove. for Carl Benz, who built the fi rst vehicle which represents the most outstanding writ- (No ISBN) propelled by an internal combustion engine. ing and original research in automotive his- Benz’s three-wheeled vehicle was built in tory. The award is named for Nicolas-Joseph 1885 in Mannheim, . The Benz Cugnot, a French Army offi cer who is gen- Award was fi rst presented in 1982. From erally acknowledged to have built the fi rst 1972 until 1981, awards for periodical ar- self-propelled vehicle. His steam-powered ticles were made as part of the Cugnot Award. fardier, built in 1769, was designed to be an artillery tractor; its likeness appears on An article like this represents an immense the Society’s emblem. The Cugnot Award amount of research for its size because it was fi rst presented in 1972, and the award requires the compilation of data of every for books written in a language other than manufacturer covered in the timeframe and English was fi rst presented in the year 2000. the information has to be distilled down to The Award of Distinction in each category a consistent level of detail and clarity and recognizes works of exceptional merit. then must be made to read in a smooth and fl owing fashion. Kit did just that and as a English Language: result, was awarded the top honor from a Wolseley – A Very British Car by Anders grouping of very worth nominations. It was Ditlev Clausager, published by Herridge Arthur Jones announces the Cugnot Award— a stellar effort and was recognized as such. and Sons, Ltd. Language other than English, which will be —Don Deefe ISBN: 978-1906133733 presented in Paris. 4 SAH Journal No. 290 • January / February 2018 There have been several recent books on 1909 so that these records will be accessible present themselves. Besides covering Willys the history of the Spanish Pegaso sports car to future members of the company, as well and vehicles, early Ford and Bantam and the commercial vehicles produced by as race fans and scholars all over the world. “” are also covered. The magazine the mother company, including one by this includes bios about individuals who helped author. What is unique here is the focus on shape histories of the vehicles and the com- the engineer’s prewar background at Alfa panies that produced them. Also, product Romeo and his efforts to design a general and book reviews, feature articles, military purpose sedan that might have sustained the and civilian articles, events, readers’ rides, company beyond its brief turbulent career. historical articles, time capsules, technical Wifredo Ricart has always been a controver- articles, off-road adventures, and interna- sial fi gure and his cars which attempted to tional articles. We envision this publication combine the requirements for touring and to be a resource, to be entertaining, and to competition in a single design had little suc- be a forum for our readers. cess. The world had simply taken a different path towards more specialized technologies. Ed Garten presents the James J. Bradley Friend of Automotive History Award Ricart’s proposals for family cars are Distinguished Service Award, which was ac- Robert R. Ebert cepted by Kristi Palmer, the Director of the A person who has exhibited outstanding described and illustrated from factory re- Center for Digital Scholarship at IUPUI (cen- cords not previously published. Again one ter), and Lucy Grogg,the digitization special- service in, and made outstanding contribu- is led to question his grip on the realities of ist who scanned the majority of the collection. tions to, the fi eld of automotive history may the market. Surely a large sedan powered by be named a Friend of Automotive History. a four overhead cam 4.6 litre V-8 installed Richard and Grace Brigham Award This award is not limited to members of in a chassis and body purchased from the The Dispatcher, published by Norris- the Society. It was fi rst presented in 1983. Studebaker Corporation, then struggling to Banonis Publishing Group, Bill Norris, survive, would have been a diffi cult sell in editor. Bob Ebert has served on the SAH Board since the European market. The directors of the The Brigham Award is presented to the 2001. In addition to his dedicated service, company seem to have fi gured this out. periodical which exhibits the best overall Bob has been a prolifi c researcher, author, Ricart’s su ccesses were in the com- treatment of automotive history over all is- presenter and organizer. He has given freely mercial vehicle area where his innovative sues published during the previous calendar of his time and talents to numerous SAH designs responded to real needs and kept year. A publication may receive the Brigham committees and was a key organizer of the the company competitive until its purchase Award only once in a five-year period. by in 1990. Mrs. Brigham and her late husband, both —Arthur Jones founding members of the Society, started the Society’s newsletter, now SAH Journal, and James J. Bradley Distinguished magazine, Automotive History Review. The Service Award Brigham Award was fi rst presented in 1990. The Center for Digital Scholarship, Indiana University – Purdue University, The following edited passage is from the maga- Indianapolis, Indiana. zine's website dispatchermagazine.com —Ed. Award presented to a deserving library or The Dispatcher is a quarterly magazine that archive, or to an individual within such an covers an era beginning in 1904 (Willys- organization, for the preservation of historic Overland) up through the late 1980s—and materials relating to motor vehicles of the ventures beyond that when opportunities world. It is named in memory of James J. Bradley, noted curator of the National Au- tomotive History Collection at the Detroit Public Library. The Bradley Award was fi rst presented in 1982.

AAndrewndrew BBeckmaneckman presentspresents tthehe FFriendriend ofof The following passage is from the IUPUI web- AAutomotiveutomotive HHistoryistory AAwardward ttoo RRobertobert EEbertbert. site ulib.iupui.edu/collections/IMS —Ed. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is recent SAH conference in Cleveland. As committed to preserving its historic assets Secretary, Bob has been a valuable resource to including documents and photographs, the board and provided keen and sage coun- through a comprehensive digital preserva- sel in some turbulent times. The SAH has tion effort. Partnering with the IUPUI benefi tted greatly from Bob’s tireless efforts. University Library, the Indianapolis Motor I cannot think of a fi ner Friend of Automo- SSAHAH presidentpresident AAndrewndrew BeckmanBeckman presentspresents Speedway is digitizing vital parts of the im- tthehe RichardRichard aandnd GGracerace BBrighamrigham AAwardward ttoo tive History that our very own Bob Ebert. mense photographic history dating back to BBillill NNorrisorris. —Andrew Beckman

SAH Journal No. 290 • January / February 2018 5 Richard P. Scharchburg Student Paper Award Not awarded for 2017. The Student Paper Award recognizes the best paper by a thesis-level student at an educational institution. The award is ac- companied by a cash prize and publication of the paper by the Society. The award was fi rst presented in 2001. It was renamed in 2008 in memory of SAH director, offi cer and professor Richard P. Scharchburg. E.P. Ingersoll Award Not awarded for 2017. The Ingersoll Award recognizes excellence in presentation of automotive history in other than print media. E.P. Ingersoll was editor and proprietor of The Horseless Age, the fi rst motoring magazine in the , and was instrumental in organizing the fi rst vehicle trade organization. The Ingersoll Award was fi rst presented in 1992. Source: aacamuseum.org/tucker-torpedo-2/ Source: The evening began with our keynote speaker Jeff Mahl whose great-grandfather George TTHEHE TTUCKERUCKER TTORPEDOORPEDO Schuster Sr. was the driver of the Thomas BBIRTHIRTH OFOF ANAN ICONICON Flyer that won the 1908 Great Race. His presentation covered the Harrah restoration of that very Thomas Flyer. Mr. Mahl is also he year was 1946. World War II was For Tucker, it was the 1946 an- involved with the 110th anniversary run in Trapidly becoming a memory and here nouncement of what he called the “Tucker 2018 of the New York to Paris race start- in the United States, people were looking Torpedo”—a slick two-door coupe by ing on June 19. For details, see the website forward to a return to civilian life and the designer George Lawson—that was to have at 2018nytoparis.com and for even more amenities which had largely been denied a centrally positioned steering wheel, doors details, see thegreatautorace.com. them during the war years. that wrapped up into the roof, front fenders —RR.. VVerderdés Chief among them was access to new that turned with the car when cornering, a cars, something that had for all intent and third center headlight that also followed the ON THETHE ORRANGEANGE FIIELDELD purpose been denied them since roughly turning car like a Cyclops, a rear-mounted 1942. “Detroit Goes To War” had been engine, and seating for three. The latter fea- he SAH’s tent on the Orange fi eld at the credo and the major auto companies, ture was to include an electrically operated THershey is an annual pilgrimage for Chrysler, Ford, , Hudson, platform that would bring each passenger to members. Jeff Mahl displayed Dennis Wilbur's Studebaker, Packard, and Willys, were an open door. 1916 Studebaker featured on our cover. The scrambling to get their assembly lines going While the Torpedo was never built, featured event at the tent was the author's again to fi ll that large market waiting out many of its features did make it into what book signing coordinated by Vince Wright there. became the “Tucker ’48”—a more conven- that included authors (l-r): John Nikodym,Tom For the most part, the initial offerings tional four-door sedan, but retaining the Cotter, Donald Hoke, Kit Foster, John Heitmann, were retreads of their immediate prewar rear-mounted fl at or “pancake” six- cylinder Robert Ebert, Robert Casey, Louis Fourie, and offerings with promises of new models to engine, streamlined styling by former Au- Leon Dixon. Thanks to all the authors that come. burn-Cord-Duesenberg stylist Alex Tremulis supported the book signing event, and all who But then, in 1946, there was one Pres- and the “Cyclops” center headlight. “work the tent” each year to make it a success. ton Thomas Tucker (September 21, 1903 – Safety became Tucker’s big selling point December 26, 1956) of Ypsilanti, Michigan, for the ’48, which was equipped with disc who announced to the car-hungry public he brakes, padded dashboard, a front passenger was going to produce something brand new, “crash compartment” and pop-out wind- unlike any of the usual Detroit offerings. He shield. It featured race car-type independent quickly caught the public’s attention to an suspension and rear wheel direct drive for the extent only matched by that of one Henry fl at-six engine. The engine itself was unique John Kaiser of World War II shipbuilding in that it was developed from an air-cooled fame, who also announced he was going to helicopter engine made by Air-Cooled Mo- bring revolutionary cars to market. tors Corporation of Syracuse, New York, the 6 SAH Journal No. 290 • January / February 2018 remaining vestiges of the former Franklin the David Cammack (1927-2014) Collec- Like the Tucker Torpedo itself, the Automobile Company (1917-1934). It was tion of Tucker automobiles and automobilia, Tucker story isn’t fi nished. John Tucker, rated at 166 horsepower at 3,200 RPM and the largest and most complete collection Jr., Preston Tucker’s grandson, was born in was connected to a 4-speed manual transmis- in the world, including two cars, a chas- 1953 in the Preston Tucker home in Ypsi- sion, with a reported Bendix vacuum-electric sis, several engines, original blueprints and lanti, Michigan. Even as a teenager he began preselector transmission under development. drawings, showroom signs and promotional gathering every bit of information he could Did it work? In 1950—unfortunately, materials. This has become the Cammack on his family and the Tucker automobiles. after the demise of the Tucker Corpora- Tucker Gallery, a permanent exhibit at the In 1974, John discovered the Tucker Au- tion—a Tucker ’48 clocked 131 MPH on museum, and “Mecca” for Tucker enthusi- tomobile Club of America (TACA) and its the Bonneville Salt Flats. asts. small group of owners and enthusiasts and Only 51 of the Tucker ’48 were practi- Builder of the full-scale representa- cheerfully became member #72. cally hand-built by the original company, tion of the Tucker Torpedo, Rob Ida and Today, John Jr. continues to research, very few exactly alike. They were put to- his father Bob, have a family interest in promote and protect the Tucker legacy. gether in a former Dodge aircraft plant in Tuckers that goes back to their father and However, it is his twin sons, Sean and Mi- , . grandfather Joseph Ida, who owned one of chael, Preston Tucker‘s great-grandsons, who Unfortunately, Tucker’s business model the ill-fated Tucker dealerships in Yonkers, have carried it a step further, forming Preston was almost as radical as his car, including New York, back in 1947 and never had the Tucker, LLC (see: tuckercorporation.com) pre-sold dealerships based on little more opportunity to sell this car of the future. and are actively involved in many Tucker- than promises. This attracted the attention Rob‘s family business—a world-famous hot related projects—including the Tucker of the United States Securities and Exchange rod shop—has built replica Tuckers for dif- Torpedo—and will carry the Tucker name Commission, which charged Tucker with ferent purposes, including such Hollywood into the future. Sean, a graduate automotive fraud and violation of its regulations, long movies as “Sin City 2.” engineer, and brother Michael have been thought to have been orchestrated by a U.S. The 2017 representation of the Tucker working closely with Rob Ida Concepts on Senator at the request of the major Detroit Torpedo is far from fi nished. As displayed the Torpedo and it is Sean who is credited auto companies. By the time Tucker was at the AACA Museum, it is a completed with doing the detailed design work on the vindicated in 1950, most of his holdings chassis with body framing completed, but chain-driven, electrically operated rotating were wiped out and he abandoned his plans only half skinned. Engine and drive gear are seat platform. to continue the Tucker Corporation’s pro- yet to be installed. What is fi nished and was We look forward to seeing the com- duction of the Tucker ’48. However, he did operated to the delight of those present at pleted Tucker Torpedo which in 2017 still make headlines again in 1952 when it was the unveiling is the chain-driven motorized isn’t too far off the Tucker’s original sales announced he planned, once again ahead of rotating platform for the three aircraft-style slogan, “The First Completely New Car in the major auto companies, to build a small bucket seats, which brings each in turn to Fifty Years.” car in Brazil. Negotiations for that project the left door opening. —William S. Jackson were still pending when Preston T. Tucker died in 1956. The Tucker Torpedo Today Interest in the Tucker story and the Tucker automobiles themselves has contin- ued to grow within the antique car hobby. This is especially true since Tucker and his cars were made famous by Francis Ford Cop- pola’s 1988 fi lm “Tucker: The Man and His Dream.” Word began to circulate within the hobby that a replica of the 1946 “Tucker Torpedo” design exercise was actually being built by Rob Ida Concepts, Inc. of Mor- ganville, New Jersey, for Tucker collector Bob Kerekes. The rumor became fact with the announcement in August 2017 that the Tucker Torpedo would make its fi rst public appearance at the AACA Museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday, October 4, 2017, during the annual AACA Eastern National Fall Meet in Hershey over that week. Partially completed Tucker Torpedo on display at the AACA Museum. Left to Right: Sean Tucker Why in Hershey at the AACA Museum? (great-grandson), John Tucker (grandson), Mike Tucker (great-grandson), Brenda Ida (wife In 2014 the AACA Museum was gifted with of Rob Ida), Rob Ida, Bob Ida. Front: Ty Tucker (great-great-grandson). Photo: Mark Usciak. SAH Journal No. 290 • January / February 2018 7 TTHEHE MMICHAELICHAEL RR.. AARGETSINGERRGETSINGER 20172017 SYMPOSIUMSYMPOSIUM OONN INTERNATIONALINTERNATIONAL MOTORMOTOR RACINGRACING HISTORYHISTORY

hursday, November 9th, was the kickoff taining to the diverse nature of motorsports Tom’s research and fi ndings during Tom’s Tof a three-day automotive history con- racing. This year’s symposium theme—“The presentation. ference co-sponsored and organized by the Cultural Turn Meets the First Turn”—was Dr. Mark D. Howell, Professor of International Motor Racing Research Center based on diversity. Many fascinating subjects Communications, Northwestern Michigan (IMRRC) and the Society of Automotive and papers were presented. College in Traverse City, Michigan, author Historians (SAH) International Motor Attendees were met by a somewhat of From Moonshine To Madison Avenue: Sports History Section held in Watkins Glen, unseasonably cold series of days; however, Cultural History Of The NASCAR Winston New York. This year was the third annual attendance numbers were up and robust. Cup Series and also a former NASCAR team Argetsinger Symposium on International The event opened with the screening of the crew member, delivered a stirring insider’s Motor Racing History, named in honor of evocative 2015 fi lm, Havana Motor Club, perspective on NASCAR’s current sponsor- the late Michael Reynolds Argetsinger, son that highlighted the struggle of Cuban ship, attendance and revenue concerns. His of Watkins Glen International motor sports street racers to have their sport offi cially presentation, titled: “It is Alive! Monster racing circuit founder Cameron Argetsinger. state permitted and recognized, if not sanc- Energy’s Attempt to Revitalize NASCAR’s Michael Argetsinger (July 12, 1944 – July 7, tioned. The fi lm pulled the veil back on the Top Touring Series,” prompted a lot of audi- 2015) was a respected automotive historian, underground racing scene and their passion ence questions and discussion during as well author and sports car racing driver in his own to race no matter what! as after the presentation’s conclusion. right. Michael wholeheartedly and unselfi shly This fi lm served as the perfect backdrop Following Dr. Howell was last year’s supported all forms of racing events: at “The for Thomas Adamich, President, Visiting keynote speaker, Dr. Daniel J. Simone, Glen” (as the racing facility is internation- Librarian Service, New Philadelphia, Ohio. Curator of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, ally known), at the IMRRC, in the Village Tom’s presentation theme was: “Primer Charlotte, North Carolina. Dan’s presenta- of Watkins Glen and within surrounding Plano Cubano de la Carrera de la Calle – tion focused on the racing history that took Schuyler County. His family continues to Cuban Street Racing Closeup: A Critical place in California during the early 1960s. carry on his legacy of support. Analysis of the Documentary Movie Havana His topic—“Invaders and Invasions: The The purpose of each year’s Symposium Motor Club.” Tom’s study made clear the Motor Trend 500”—examined the East is to bring expert automotive historians from ravenous passions held by Cuba’s automobile Coast – West Coast driver rivalries and area around the world to share their symposium and racing fans despite threats of arrest and racer dominance on certain tracks. theme-related information and to discuss other sanctions. Mr. Luis Martinez, who As Dan explained, West Coast racing and present papers on various subjects per- lived in Cuba, validated and supplemented tended to be dominated by the local rac-

8 SAH Journal No. 290 • January / February 2018 ers, who rarely traveled east to compete on race and win, blurring the lines between on the track! As Trevor so aptly pointed out, circuits there and vice versa. In 1963 the amateur and professional drivers. vehicles intended for racing purposes are Grand National was the esteemed stock car cars competed in the 24 Hours rarely kept intact as when they leave the fac- racing organization. Guys like , of Le Mans races throughout the 1920s with tory—experiencing a myriad of component AJ Foyt and Parnelli Jones were the men to success: 1st place fi nishes in 1924, 1927, changes and alterations often immediately beat on the West Coast, while Richard Petty 1928, 1929 and 1930, and with other cars and throughout the vehicles’ successive op- and Bobby Allison were tops on the East having top 15 place fi nishes in 1923 (4th), erational lifecycles. Coast. Few left their regions, and those that 1927 (15th), 1928 (5th), 1929 (2nd, 3rd, Knowing what components came with did tried to muscle their way onto the others’ and 4th), and 1930 (2nd, 10th, and 11th). which engine and/or chassis for authentica- “home” tracks. (Bentley would not win again at Le Mans until tion purposes, has been particularly dif- Much of that same mentality remained 2003, taking 1st and 2nd place. —Ed.) fi cult for race cars that sometimes largely in place well into the 1990s as Jeff Unfortunately the Wall Street Crash of were tracked by chassis numbers and at Gordon—originally a California-based 1929 and the depression that followed— other times were tracked by engine numbers. driver—burst onto the professional stock along with other factors—led to insolvency, Trevor has broken ground by fi guring out car racing circuit winning the 1995, 1997, forcing receivership for Bentley. (Within that how to identify which racing car chassis left 1998 and 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Se- process, the company was clandestinely acquired the factory with a particular engine. Now ries Championships after winning the 1990 by Rolls-Royce, Ltd. in 1931 for £125,000 in vintage Maserati auto race car collectors, USAC Silver Crown Series Championship a sealed bidding auction—a union that lasted restorers and historians can know and clearly and rivaling legendary great champion, Dale until January 1, 2003 when Rolls-Royce Motor understand this identifi cation process using Earnhardt. Cars became part of BMW as dictated by an the methods that he shared with those of us Much of the supposed geographical agreement with VW in 1998. —Ed.) in attendance. rivalry did not exist among the top driv- Dr. Paul Baxa, Associate Professor, Dr. Elsa Nystrom, Professor Emeritus ers, even though everyone wanted to win, Chair of the History Department, Ave Maria of History, American Studies Department, particularly on “home” tracks. However, as University, Ave Maria, Florida, spoke on Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Geor- television exposure, new product sponsor- the topic: “A Moving Museum: Tourism, gia, was the symposium’s keynote speaker. ships, and audience markets were available in Pilgrimage, and the Iconic Route of the Dr. Nystrom’s book, Mad for Speed: The the West along with a well of fresh new talent .” The Mille Miglia or 1,000 Racing Life of Joan Newton Cuneo, and the that could actually compete on the ovals, mile touring car endurance race got its start research undertaken to write it formed the NASCAR management warmed to the idea in 1927 in Italy and ran on road courses basis of her address and presentation. of expanding the circuits to be run in their through the country side from to As Dr. Nystrom explained, Joan New- regular season premier series, Sprint Cars. Rome and back. ton Cuneo was an American woman of On Saturday, Dr. Elton G. “Skip” Mc- For the most part, the series was domi- means who had a serious penchant to go Goun, William H. Dunkak Professor of nated by from 1927 to 1938, fast and compete in newfangled motorcar Finance, College of Management, Bucknell with the exception of the initial race (when an machines. Joan was the fi rst woman and University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, opened OM or “Offi cine Meccaniche” won the race) American female to race motorcars and the final day’s sessions at 10:00 AM to and in 1931 (when a Mercedes-Benz won). actively participate in races as a driver. Joan discuss: “Win on Sunday & Sell Fifty Years The Mille Miglia was revived in 1977 asserted her right to enter the 1905 Glidden Later: The Strange Competitive and Com- as a revival for pre-1957 cars and has been Tour test of an automobile manufacturer’s mercial Saga of Bentley.” running annually since 1986. The event’s vehicle durability and endurance, despite Bentley Motors Ltd. was formed on celebrated fashion continues to spur tremen- attempts to exclude her made by the tour’s January 18, 1919, but deliveries of its fi rst dous tourism among automobilist and racing organizing and sanctioning body. And, model, the 3-Litre, did not begin until Au- fans; and now it has its own museum: Museo although the diminutive 5’ 2” “tomboy’s” gust 1921. Like its fi rst model, subsequent Mille Miglia in Brescia, Italy. People love the White automobile did not fi nish that tour models were named in accord with their historic course and various competitive cars race, her racing prowess, courage and tenac- displacement. Many of the cars found racing of different eras and displacement classes ity caught the attention of the press and pub- duty in hill climb events and dedicated mo- making it virtually a “bucket list” event and lic. Joan leveraged that attention to enhance tor sports racing circuits like in destination. the opportunity to race her self-maintained Surrey, England, United Kingdom. Captain All the way from Ross, New Zealand cars and those loaned to her by supportive Woolf Barnato—an amateur boxer, heir to a came Trevor A. Lister, editor of The Classic male competitors, and she competed on a South African diamond mining fortune, and Motor Racing Club of N.Z. newsletter, who variety of surfaces and tracks. “Bentley Boy” racing enthusiast—appreci- miraculously fi gured out an accurate way to In 1908, Joan, having made a bit of ated his Bentleys so much that he initially specifi cally identify early Maserati race cars, a name for herself as a competent race car invested some £100,000 so that the company particularly for authentication purposes. driver, entered that year’s Glidden Tour could pay its bills and save the business. Trevor’s research and findings presenta- event. Joan and her car fi nished the tour Barnato then became the company’s majority tion, “Cultural Confusions: Maserati Serial with a perfect score. She went on to effec- stockholder and chairman. Bentley contin- Numbers,” began with a photo of him as a tively compete against top male speedway ued to produce cars and Barnato along with very young lad (circa the late 1950s–early race car drivers such as Bob Burman, Ralph the other elite “” continued to 1960s) watching a race trackside and nearly DePalma, and George Robertson.

SAH Journal No. 290 • January / February 2018 9 Disliking all the attention paid to this Novelty Accessory to Necessary Instrument,” dren. She also later founded organizations to audacious female upstart, and not wanting see SAHJ No. 279. —Ed.) make racing more accessible to women. women to compete in this “man’s sport” the Though she was not the earliest female Dr. Jeremy R. Kinney, Smithsonian American Automobile Association (AAA) auto racer in history, Anne was one of the Museum Curator of the Aeronautics Depart- instituted a ban against women racing in best during the mid-1920s through the ment, Smithsonian National Air and Space their sanctioned events. Although she could 1930s. She endured unfounded disparaging Museum, Washington, DC, covered a lot of no longer race in AAA sanctioned events, she statements about her as a driver (and possibly ground discussing his topic: “Speed through channeled her energies and efforts into being as a woman) and attempts to exclude women a Man’s World: Women Sports Car racers in a prominent advocate for the Good Roads from the sport of automobile racing. Nev- the 1950s and 1960s.” movement; aided charities to help orphans ertheless, she frequently placed high in fi nal Afterwards Jeremy, Francis, and Elsa in New York State; and championed the race result standings whether in hillclimb or joined symposium co-organizer and mod- cause of permitting women to race. (There Grand Prix events. erator, Dr. Patricia “Pat” Yongue, Professor was even a Good Roads Magazine that was Anne effectively drove “light” class or Emeritus of English, English Department, the “Offi cial Organ of the League of American smaller engine displacement Bugatti race University of Houston, Houston, Texas, as Wheelmen And Other Organizations Interested cars in Grand Prix races in the Voiturette the panel for a group and audience discus- in Good Roads” in 1901: and by 1905 it was Class—generally for engines displacing up sion on “Women in Racing.” “Devoted to Street and Highway Improve- to 1100cc. The panel discussion persevered despite ment.” —Ed.) Other women did race cars in Europe a major geographic power outage in the vicin- Joan Newton Cuneo’s story (later Joan at mostly French racing events, though ity of the IMRRC, Watkins Glen, and the Arc Newton Cuneo Sickman after remarrying) primarily in women-only classes during of Schuyler school facility, where that day’s is a fascinating one and Dr. Nystrom’s book the same general period that Anne raced. Symposium events were held. The school’s is well worth the effort to acquire and read. However, Anne primarily raced against the backup power generators proved their worth (See the book review in SAHJ No. 270. —Ed.) men; unfortunately, this and certain female and saved the remaining moments of the Next, this author presented “Anne- drivers’ connections resulted in other women symposium. The event formally concluded Cécile Rose-Itier: Overcoming Gender Bar- drivers receiving far greater attention than with a dinner at the local Upper Deck Grill riers and Earning Legitimacy by Competing the purpose-focused Anne, despite her im- in Watkins Glen. All of the speakers and their and Winning”—the racing career and a pressive accolades. guests really enjoyed this fi nal opportunity to biography of French female auto racer, Anne Anne wound down her active race car socialize among colleagues and close friends. Cecile Rose-Itier. (Our author, Francis G. driving career by competing in fi ve (a record The Symposium was live streamed Clax, is the founder of MotometerCentral™. at the time) races from on the IMRRC’s www.racingarchives.org Attendees at the SAH 2016 Automotive His- 1935 to 1939. Anne went on to work during website and the IMRRC will post individual tory Conference will recall his presentation WWII for the French Resistance to the Nazi presentations on their YouTube web channel. “The Motor Heat Indicator: From Obscure invasion in an effort to help save French chil- —Francis G. Clax AISA Italy has a lot to share about the history and development of the automobile. Most Italian historians and experts are members of Aisa, the Italian Society of Motoring Historians. Since 1987 Aisa has promoted and published motoring history researches and docu- ments, focused on Italian topics and their Europe-wide contributions. Aisa organizes conferences and symposia whose proceedings are scholarly edited and published in illustrated booklets to create a collection of unique historical documentation. Join Aisa and take full advantage of all its resources: publications, events, knowledge, contacts, and researches.

Yearly association fees: € 80 + p&p € 20 outside EU www.aisastoryauto.it / [email protected] / Aisa, corso di Porta Vigentina 32, 20122 Milano, Italia Aisa booklets f le o p sam A

10 SAH Journal J l No.N 290 • January J / February F b 2018 eral material to weave an engaging and Azure, Brooklands, Seraph and Arnage informative narrative. by Richard Vaughan Women at the Wheel is divided into fi ve 363 Insights LLC (2017) BBookook chapters: “Learning to Drive;” “Buying a lulu.com/shop Car,” “Driving a Car,” “Caring for a Car,” 198 pages, 8.5" x 11" and “The Car and Identity.” Each of these 358 color, 1 b/w photos, and 22 illustra- sections highlight the author’s main conten- tions RReviewseviews tion that women had (and still have) a very Price: $104 (hardcover), $94 (softcover) different automotive experience from men, ISBN-10: 136587513X as a patriarchal society defi ned their role ISBN-13: 978-1365875137 Women at the Wheel: A Century of Buying, primarily as “passengers rather than drivers.” Driving and Fixing Cars When they did drive, they often did so to by Katherine J. Parkin do the “domestic work expected of them.” University of Pennsylvania Press (2017) (p. ix). upenn.edu/pennpress/book/15712.html Despite its feminist orientation, this 272 pages, 30 images, 6" x 9" hardcover book is far from a shrill diatribe attacking Price: $34.95 male cultural dominance, however. Parkin’s ISBN-10: 0812249534 prose is engaging, and her use of advertising ISBN-13: 978-0812249538 is most effective. She concurs with Deborah Clarke in asserting that advertising has “the widest and strongest impact in shaping our awareness of cars and car culture,” and thus frequently weaves in specifi c advertisements with her discourse. Nevertheless, I would take issue with that interpretation, as there are experts in the advertising fi eld who argue that ads can also be refl ective of cultural norms. The causal connections are far from only one way. Thus with regards to advertis- ing shaping consumer preferences we have a sort of chicken and egg argument. But overall, the author’s insights are n the Rolls-Royce and Bentley world, the well taken. And Parkin’s willingness to Ivarious models are usually produced for tackle recent history is refreshing. Who hasn’t many years, e.g., regular deliveries of the heard a joke about women drivers and their Rolls-Royce 40/50 hp “Silver Ghost” began competency, as unfair as it might be? In in 1907 and ended with the last U.S.-made the chapter entitled “Caring for a Car,” the left-hand drive versions in 1926, the Silver author convincingly shows how advice was Cloud (and Bentley S1) was introduced in often spelled out with domestic analogies, 1955, ending with the Silver Cloud III (and so that the ideally-cared-for car was healthy, Bentley S3) in 1965, the two-door convert- well fed and carefully maintained very much ible version of the Silver Shadow ran from resh new interpretations exploring the like a child. Her points about women and the 1966 to 1995 in various evolved versions Frelationship between women’s lives and licensing process, car designs as having paral- of the Corniche, and the Silver Spirit (and the automobile have followed the pioneering lels to a woman’s body, the matter of cars that Bentley Mulsanne, the so called SZ models) work of Virginia Sharff’s Taking the Wheel: resonate with women—“chick cars”—all are ran from 1980 to 1999 in various model Women and the Coming of the Motor Age important topics in automotive history. iterations—surpassing the 1998 date of its (1992), including Deborah Clarke’s book In sum, this is a book that I will defi - successors’ introduction (the so called SL Driving Women: Fiction and Automobile nitely use when teaching the automobile and models)—those successors are the subject Culture in Twentieth-Century America and American Life in the classroom. Personally, of this book. now Katherine J. Parkin’s book Women at however, the signifi cance of Women at the The title refers to one Rolls-Royce the Wheel. The author, a history professor Wheel is that it has opened my eyes to the (Seraph) and three Bentley models. It’s a at Monmouth University, has gone beyond very different automotive experience that rare thing where only models are mentioned her previous work on food, advertising and women have had. In particular I now under- in a title, e.g., a book on the E-Type, or gender roles to now examine women and stand far more what my wife and daughter Testarossa, or Countach would usually their place in American car culture. In sum, think when driving or purchasing a motor mention Jaguar, or , or she has done a remarkable job in terms of vehicle. Whether that helps in improving the respectively, but this book’s cover photo research and writing. Parkin’s mastery of the quality of my domestic life or not remains emphasizing a Bentley radiator and badge sources is noteworthy, as she has drawn on to be seen. helps anyone outside of enthusiasts circles considerable archival, printed, and ephem- —John Heitmann to know what’s likely to be inside. SAH Journal No. 290 • January / February 2018 11 There are several ways to approach the records for pre-1980 cars do not have a dash. especially for this simple $100 maintenance subject of marque histories, from an empha- This is a very effi cient method to capture item. You have been warned!” Also, there’s a sis on their genesis and biographies and roles essential vehicle data, which works well for chapter called “Buying and Owning One” played by their makers, to production and the RROC’s policy and custom to track and that gives concise advice and an inspection specifi cation data analysis. The emphasis in identify cars by chassis number in all their checklist nearly three pages long. this book is weighted towards the latter. The publications, but it is not a method that’s These cars originally sold in the models considered in the book comprise an used in media outside of RROC publica- $300,000 range—and often for much more, entire production run of only 10,727 cars tions. Unfortunately, this methodology is but now they are surprisingly affordable to made between 1998 and 2010, but in that not explained in the book, but given this buy and still have a relatively fresh look, number there are 24 distinct sub-models, shorthand includes the sequence number particularly the coupes and convertibles. and that implies an average of 447 cars per (i.e., the last fi ve digits of a 17-digit VIN This book is indispensable for learning what model—though that’s not how it breaks number), readers and posterity will be able you would want to know, whether you are down. For example, of 7,359 Arnage Bent- to identify the cars so captioned. an owner, potential owner, or just curious leys made, there were only 40 Arnage T-24 The author published an earlier book to know about in-depth details that are not Mulliner examples made. While the Bentley in 2016 called The Complete Guide to the readily seen in other books. models covered span a decade-long produc- Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph and Bentley Arnage —R. Verdés tion run, the Silver Seraph had a really (ISBN 978-1329861374), but this book short production run by usual Rolls-Royce focuses in on other variants, though there The Defi nitive Camaro Guide 1970½ to 1981 standards, which ended when Rolls-Royce is overlap. Together, the 2017 book could by Jason Scott Motors moved from VW to BMW effective be viewed as complementary volume to the CarTech, Inc. (2017) January 1, 2003—a production run from 2016 book. cartechbooks.com/ 800-551-4754 1998 to 2002 that totaled only 1,698 cars. This book was self-published—there 192 pages, 8.5" x 11" hardcover Compared to the larger manufacturers, are various methods to go about doing this; 419 color images, index Rolls-Royce and Bentley are “boutique” here lulu.com was the conduit. For those List Price: $39.95 marques, emphasizing bespoke and exclusive interested in the subject of self-publishing, ISBN-10: 1613252196 model runs; accordingly, the devil is really the general print quality, binding and spine ISBN-13: 978-1613252192 in the details to understand these cars— were well done. There are some distracting particularly when looking at them from an elements that look to be issues with layout, historical perspective, or as a potential buyer e.g., the text on p. 190 is right on the edge of these “modern classics.” This book does of the top of the page—that the fi rst line was well on both those levels, but is indispensable not trimmed off is either a matter of luck, or from that later perspective as a buyer’s guide. a testament to precision of the printer; also, The author is a professional car designer the text throughout the book is formatted by trade. He is also a (hopeless) Rolls-Royce in a single column the width of the page, and Bentley enthusiast (he has owned exam- which is probably less reader-friendly than ples of this model range), and editor of The a two or three column format. The number Modern Car, the publication of the Modern of pictures and illustrations far exceeds the Car Society of the Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club number of pages, so the material is very well (RROC). Those three pillars triangulated supported by visual examples. to cause a motivated and passive fl ow of Reviewing this book served as a re- information and images to accumulate in freshing reminder of the aspects, details, his archives, along with sources coming and variety of offerings that went into these from fellow enthusiasts. That is seen in this cars. From that view, this book almost reads book, because in order to bring some of the like a guide, particularly when it comes to information and pictures of some of the pointing out the things that could really be few examples produced of various models, expensive to address—making this a valuable knowing those owners is really helpful. resource for anyone thinking of owning one “Here’s a bit of humorous irony: Camaro was It is also helpful to have cars identifi ed of these cars. Here’s just one example from Chevrolet’s response to the Mustang. But the by chassis (VIN) number; and that is done the book: “Probably the single biggest poten- Mustang was Ford’s response to the Corvair. So, in this book, but those numbers are not tial risk is buying a car that has not had the what was the rear-engine, air-cooled Corvair a in the original 17-digit format. The book cabin pollen fi lters changed regularly with competitor for? VW’s already-legendary Beetle. uses the RROC “shorthand” where the fi rst the required annual service. When this isn’t So, in a roundabout fashion, the Camaro three letters are the ones from the VIN that done, the blower motors have to work harder owes its existence to Wolfsburg’s underpowered represent model, brand, and year, e.g., a car than they were designed to and eventually ‘people’s car.’” captioned as LBX-02221 is an Arnage (L), they burn out. To replace them, the entire Bentley (B), 1999 (X), with its sequence interior of the car must be removed down ompare the exterior of any of the fi rst number of 02221; and the dash is meant to to the sheet metal. It’s a repair that involves Cthree generations of the Camaro to note a chassis number that has been refor- over 40 hours of labor. Walk away from any their Mustang contemporaries and there is matted, as all other RROC chassis number car that does not have documented service, no question that GM’s designers had Euro- 12 SAH Journal No. 290 • January / February 2018 pean shapes on their brain, but supersized Mercedes-Benz: The Grand Cabrios & Coupés “In a coupé, convertible, or roadster, on the in terms of dimensions and—thanks to less (English, Chinese, German) other hand, you are mainly transporting your- restrictive tax and insurance regulations— by René Staud (photos), Jürgen Lewandowski (text) self, while at the same time celebrating the engine choices. teNeues, (2015) aesthetics of a beauty that has no need to attach Nearly two million Gen 2 models were books-teneues.com/ +49-2152 916-0 value to rational functions. Better yet—it is not built and you don’t have to try hard at all to 304 pages, 12" x 15.2" hardcover permitted to attach any such value, otherwise fi nd a decent one nowadays. The world is not 160 color & 35 b/w photos, hardcover the mystery wouldn’t be a mystery anymore.” exactly awash with books about this then and List Price: $125 now popular car, but the publisher’s claim ISBN-10: 3832732934 hich is why Mercedes-Benz “in- that this book is the “fi rst ever to exclusively ISBN-13: 978-3832732936 W vented” something they insisted on cover” it seems a bit of a reach. Be that as it calling the world’s fi rst four-door coupé, the may, it is the newest and shiniest, and in all 2006–current CLS class whose sexy, swoopy, regards a winner. curvy lines are not weakened by having a set Among the older books, the ones cov- of rear doors. No matter the hoopla M-B ering repair and restoration procedures are heaped on it, that lovely car didn’t make it pretty much timeless and worth keeping, but into this book. when it comes to year-to-year model history The common denominator of the 16 and authenticity questions, this new book models in this a book is that they have two offers a new and improved baseline. Author doors—even something as ponderous as Scott had already tackled the Gen 1 cars in his the 1965 600 “Nallinger” coupe that was highly regarded 1967–1969 Camaro Restora- only slightly less humongous than the state tion Guide, and he not only owns a number limousine in the same series—and that they of Chevys but has written about them for are road cars. many years and was, in fact, once the editor Speaking of big, as with all the oversize of Muscle Car Review and Chevy Action. books by this publisher you’ll want to fl ex If you’re a Camaro newbie, the book’s your wrists before picking this one up—al- seven chapters give a solid if brief introduc- most 8 lb and an unwieldy 12 x 15" have a tion to the car, its reason for being, and the key changes over its long life. If you’re a restorer, this book won’t disappoint either, especially when it comes to trim, decals, op- Pre-Publication Sale! tions, and specifi c fi nishes. Most of the photos Get 20% off your purchase when you enter the coupon (there are no tech drawings, diagrams or the code CHANDLER at checkout. This sale is good through April 30, 2018. like) are of modern (restored or original) cars. Four appendices present tables of codes $75.00 $60.00 LIMITED EDITION HARDCOVER (8∂ ¥ ¡¡) (VIN, engine, trim) and a multi-page price 377 photos (46 in color), notes, bibliography, index ISBN 978-1-4766-6393-7 list by year. Also listed are parts sources and other vendors. Any index is better than none ncorporated by veteran automakers in but this one is on the very thin side. I1913, the Chandler Motor Car Company It is worth noting that Scott has a fl air manufactured an array of quality auto- for writing easily fl owing prose arranged in mobiles at a range of prices. Ultimately properly constructed sentences—for readers victims of mismanagement and model who enjoy a good book, regardless of its spe- over-proliferation, Chandler and its lower- cifi c contents, this alone commends Camaro. priced companion marque, Cleveland, were This publisher’s series of Definitive well respected until their untimely demise. Guides is not new and so makes an interest- Drawing on numerous automotive ing comparison to their new Muscle Cars in histories and two large private collections of Detail series (which will have as its fourth memorabilia, this exhaustive, heavily installment 1969 Camaro SS) that rings up illustrated study details the companies, their at only half the cost but also cannot touch founders, and the year-by-year evolution of the “Defi nitive Guides” in regards to detail the model range. Specification lists are although paper and photo reproduction included, model by model. quality and the visuals in general (tables and such) are similar. —Sabu Advani McFarland This review appears courtesy of speedreaders. To order, go to www.McFarlandBooks.com, or call toll-free 800-253-2187. info where it was fi rst published in substan- tially similar form. SAH Journal No. 290 • January / February 2018 13 way of punishing the unwary. And as with all books by German lens- In Memoriam man René Staud (b. 1951)—who won his fi rst photo competition at the tender age of 12— George Nicholas "Nick" Georgano (February 1932 – October 22, 2017) you can expect the most artistically sumptuous and technically sophisticated of photos. Like all his other car books, this book is not meant to be a learned exposition of anything in particular. Approach the book with that expectation and you’ll be sure to fi nd it wanting. There is text, by German automotive journalist and amateur racer Jürgen Lewandowski who absolutely knows his way around a car, but this book is fi rst and foremost a celebration of the visual. Staud is a commercial photographer with decades of experience, not only behind the camera but as an interpreter or translator of what’s in front of the camera. Working for and with manufacturers he is sensitive to brand value and message, to “image” in the psychological as well as the literal sense. This is a long-winded way of saying his compositions are not random or generic but tailored to bring out the quintessence of a thing. Interesting as this all is, it is left to the reader/viewer to tease it out because the scant text confi nes itself to a few introduc-

tory sentences about each model or series alvisarchive.com Source: and tables of basic specs. There is, however, one aspect of his ick Georgano passed away in Guernsey dating committee. He twice won the Guild behind-the curtains activity that readers, N where he had moved to in retirement. of Motoring Writers' Montagu award, for especially photographers, will lap up: a chap- He authored or edited an astonishing array The Complete Encyclopaedia of Motorcars, ter, illustrated no less, of how he and his team of books, over 60 titles published in the UK and in 1995 for Britain's Motor Industry The stage and shoot cars. The book ends with the and the USA apart from many translations, First Hundred Years (of which Nick Baldwin, 1996 Paris show car, the F 200 Imagination ranging from modest Shire volumes to The Jonathan Wood, and Anders Clausager, were that many people will have long forgotten. Complete Encyclopaedia of Motorcars fi r s t privileged to be his co-authors). He was the The foreword is by Bruno Sacco (b. published in 1968 and its ultimate successor fi rst winner of the SAH Cugnot award in 1933), the Italian designer who was M- The Beaulieu Encyclopaedia of the Automobile. 1972 with A History of Sports Cars and won B’s head of styling 1975–1999, after fi rst Nick was born in 1932 and allegedly it twice again, in 1980 for The Complete putting in a stint as chief engineer in 1974 attempted his fi rst motoring encyclopaedia, Encyclopedia of Commercial Vehicles, and and therefore has an uncommonly organic a list of trucks, at the age of 7. His fi rst in 1993 for The American Automobile - A understanding of the marque’s philosophy. published title was the update of Doyle's Centenary 1893-1993. In 2001, The Beaulieu It is much too short to say anything of real The World's Automobiles in about 1958. After Encyclopaedia got a Cugnot award of distinc- value and is noteworthy simply because so graduation from Oxford in 1956, Nick for a tion. Nick received many other honours and many of the cars here fall into his tenure. while followed the teaching profession, but awards. (His favorite design is the 190 introduced from 1976 to 1981 he was librarian at the Nick was a courteous and charming in 1982 which is about as far removed from National Motor Museum at Beaulieu. man, rather private and perhaps somewhat the cars celebrated in this book as possible.) In 1969, Nick was a founder member retiring, but he could display a sly sense To beat a very dead horse: photo books (number 32) of the Society of Automotive of humour. The depth and breadth of his that have images across the gutter should not Historians in the USA, and on 16 February knowledge of automotive history was as- be bound with fl at spines that won’t allow 1980 he was one of the founders and fi rst tounding, and he was enormously respected the book to open fully. secretary of the UK chapter which became by his professional colleagues. He was always —Sabu Advani the SAHB where he was recognized as hon- ready with help and advice. He will be much orary member. He served for many years as missed by all of us in SAH and SAHB, and This review appears courtesy of speedreaders. a trustee of the Michael Sedgwick Memorial by his many other friends and colleagues. info where it was fi rst published in substan- Trust and was a member of the advisory We honor his memory. tially similar form. council of the National Motor Museum. He —Contributed by Anders Ditlev Clausager was for some time a member of the VCC with minor editing by Louis F. Fourie

14 SAH Journal No. 290 • January / February 2018 where professionals and serious historians In Memoriam would gather to exchange ideas and re- sources. Others favored a series of meetings Bobbie'dine Rodda (December 11, 1921-October 27, 2017) where experts on any aspect of old cars could be explored. One night in Hollywood, Mark Dees asked if he could bring in The Miller Dynasty and give us a chance to buy a copy before it was offered to the hobby. Bobbie'dine quickly suggested that any other author should do the same. “We can set up card tables around the room if necessary.” Three months later with a room jammed full of automobile books, she said that it should be an annual affair. “I’ll ask Briggs Cunningham. He has a big parking lot that’s not used Sunday mornings.” And so the SoCal SAH started a long series of highly-successful “Automotive Lit- erature Faire & Exchange” events. Four years later Bobbie'dine started her Automotive Calendar of Events. The SoCal SAH enjoyed plenty of advertising in what hobbyists would come to know as “Miss Information.” This often 32-page magazine would be mailed to over 36,000 hobbyists in California, Arizona and Nevada on a rotating basis. Only a small portion of the 12,500 each month were paid subscriptions. In fact, whenever anyone would mail her a donation for the photographs she distributed, she would list them as subscribers. Subtracting the editors who exchanged publications with Photo: Helen V Hutchings Helen Photo: her, it was diffi cult to say the magazine would obbie'dine Rodda may be remembered asked. “Bill Cannon, editor of that fantastic ever be profi table. B for the tens of thousands of collector new magazine (Skinned Knuckles) wants to Yes, everyone knew about the long cars she photographed in the last half- organize a chapter of the Society of Automo- hours I spent on the magazine, but few knew century. Two prints of each were ordered so tive Historians.” how much Bobbie'dine spent of her own she could mail one to the owner of the car Bill Cannon was a former mechanical money helping her friends in the hobby. (not expecting anything in return). engineer at who Not long after Clint (her husband) died, Quick with a heartfelt smile, Bobbie'dine believed that automobiles were pretty spe- “Miss Information” was sold to Joan Denver. (rhymes with Halloween) not only had a cial as they were originally manufactured. Bobbie'dine missed the daily interaction Christmas card list with 5,000 names way His practical no-nonsense approach made with hobbyists, advertisers and promoters but back when, but she could easily recognize him the perfect choice for treasurer of the without Clint she discovered that she was no many times that… and remember what cars proposed Southern California Chapter. I be- longer on a “500-mile leash.” Bobbie'dine then they owned. came the fi rst president of this organization traveled extensively bringing a basketful of Even more remarkable is that while Bobbie'dine became the vice-president enthusiasm and optimism wherever she went. Bobbie'dine never re-wrote anything. Every because she knew everyone. By this time however, her hearing had note, e-mail or article to be published was There were fewer than 20 people at this almost completely vanished. She would read simple yet powerful. Her use of the English fi rst meeting, half of which I recognized. lips or just answer something to what she language came so easily to her that (in my None of us knew what the chapter was sup- thought someone said… always with a smile. opinion) she took it for granted. posed to do. For Bobbie'dine, the hobby didn’t end Bobbie'dine also read any collector car “Every newsletter editor in the hobby when she physically couldn’t be everywhere. magazine she ever saw. At one time that was is a historian,” Bobbie'dine fi rmly stated. She proofread for a half-dozen quality pub- more than 300 per month covering sports “What they write today becomes tomor- lications well into her nineties. “You don’t cars, motorcycles, kit cars, antiques, muscle row’s history. For the next 25 years she never know how much it means to me being able cars and her beloved Classics. stopped inviting people into the chapter.” to contribute,” Bobbie'dine Rodda wrote me “If you are not doing anything tonight, I favored a quarterly meeting in auto- each month. why not go with me to Monrovia?” she motive museums and specialized libraries —John C. Meyer III SAH Journal No. 290 • January / February 2018 15 16 SAH Journal No. 290 • January / February 2018