Apollo Owners Registry

Spring 2005 Volume Two, Issue Two

Gran Turismo

The Official Publication of the Apollo Owners Registry

Inside this issue: From the Editor’s Desk...

Editor’s Message 1 As I mentioned in our pre- ist Robb Northrup, are step- roles come to mind:

Original “Un-Built” Apollo 1 vious issue of Gran Turismo, ping in to continue this my medical problems have work. • How about a concours/ made it such that I can no events coordinator? Technical Notes—More Bor- 2 James will focus on the his- rani News longer continue enjoying my • A full-blown registrar to early 3500 coupe. As of this torial records — our histo- handle membership

Apollo Updates—Need a 2 date, I still cannot press in rian, if you will. James is Grille? looking to go vintage racing With more folks involved, the clutch pedal. My wife we can elevate our organiza- Concorso Italiano 2 and I still hope for the best, with one of his cars. tion to actual club status, but we don’t expect this And Robb will continue as Market Place 3 with more benefits available condition to improve; hope- editor and will add publicist to us all. Supplier Showcase 6 fully it won't get worse. to his responsibilities. He owns No. 1003, one of the At any rate, I will stay in- With the sale of No. 1011 volved from the sidelines. last Summer to James Tay- earliest cars made.

lor, I no longer have the Of course, there is always impetus to continue as reg- more work than two people Bob Lee istrar. So at this point I am can do, and I ask that if any pleased to announce that of you want to get involved, both James Taylor and our we’ll find something for you newsletter’s editor, journal- to manage. A couple of

Gran Turismo A Rare Find...Original “un-built” car finds home in Memphis It’s strange how an Apollo faced is a story in and of Editorial Board (or Vetta Ventura) finds its itself. I bought the car from Editor: R. Northrup way into somebody’s life. Tony Martorana in San And one found its way into Francisco following the Historical Ed.: Milt Brown Don Mann’s that must be Monterey Weekend last Au- Assist. Editor: J. Taylor one of THE Apollo finds – gust,” claims Don. Design Analyst: R. Plescia it appears to be the last un- “Although the body and built Apollo/Vetta Ventura paint had suffered from the in its original, uncompleted Graphic Design: R. Northrup left. And how this car sur- storage conditions, the car is Continued on page 2 Page 2 Gran Turismo

Un-built Apollo...discovered and sold

state.” Tony picks up the “As I was cleaning it out (it from time in storage. Cer- narrative: “My family owns was piled high with boxes of tainly oxidation had taken a building with a detached junk!) I discovered there a small toll on paint and garage, and it was this unit was a car inside. I didn’t chrome. However, the that we rented to a man in know what it was, but that interior remained assem- the mid 1960s. Over the week I saw an article in a bly line fresh, even retain- years he paid his rent, but magazine about the Apollo, ing the “as new” leather sometimes sporadically. and that led me to Milt aroma that every new Then not at all in 1995. We Brown.” Apollo had. [I saw the car decided we could rent it for in 1997 while in the me- a lot more than he wasn’t But this was not just any chanic’s shop and can Yes, Don Mann’s car really is a Apollo: Under the debris zero-mileage Apollo! paying, and, as an attorney, I attest to it’s pristine con- sent him abandonment pa- was a brand new dition – editor.] pers (he was living in Ten- body/chassis unit – com- nessee at the time), which pletely assembled and “We had a couple of hic- he signed, giving us the con- trimmed. When discovered cups during our com- tents of the garage. by Tony, the car was practi- pany’s existence,” states cally new, only suffering Milt Brown. “And car no. Continued on page 4 Technical Notes

More on Borrani Wheels: Borrani wire wheels — al- By the way, the Jaguar E- most universally fitted, ac- Type (XKE) used When specifying new cording to their literature, Dunlop wire wheels with wheels, or when ordering No. 42 (42 mm) splined a No. 52 hub, and of replacement components, hubs (the same as MGBs, course, utilized the same be sure to remember that Triumphs, Morgans, and Rudge standard hub sys- the splined hubs on Borrani even the famed AC Cobra tem as Borrani. Hence, wire wheels are No. 52 (52 289. The No. 52 hub used you can use Jag wheels as mm), This is important be- by the Apollo is obviously a back up (or less expen- cause most Ferraris, Masera- larger and therefore used a sive alternative to the tis, and Lamborghinis — larger three-eared knock-off Borrani Rudge Record- once the largest users of nut. wheel).

Grille Update — Some things move slowly…

The new grille surround panel beater, drop editor project is one of them. To Robb Northrup a line and date, we’ve contacted two he’ll follow up with it. shops – in different parts of the country – for bids. The Actually, our intent is to first to come back was high. create a source for more We’re still waiting on the than just grilles – we’re in- second, and a third com- terested in establishing a pany will be contacted resource for new body pan-

shortly. els as well.

If you’ve got a favorite Volume Two, Issue Two Page 3

Tech Notes, cont’d Apollo “Meets the Press”

Got the Gearbox Blues? Go Our beloved GT finds itself (featuring Denny Paul lus- to Richmond! featured in yet another ma- cious coupe). Certainly an jor article, although the unusual choice for a story The four-speed transmis- venue is a little odd. on a production car. How- sion (“gearbox” for you gear ever, Kit Car has been fea- heads) was originally de- Writer Harold Pace visited turing other cars of similar signed by Chevrolet engi- the Apollo display at last parentage, and overall it neering in the mid-1950s for year’s Concorso Italiano and only continues to draw at- the Corvette and manufac- worked a way with a short tention to the Apollo/Vetta tured by Borg Warner. (The feature on the Apollo…that Ventura. design was based on Borg just appeared in the March Warner’s existing T-85 issue of Kit Car Magazine three-speed transmission with external shifting rails to accommodate steering col- umn shift linkages.) Concorso Italiano Details

Well, today, the T-10 is carefully crafted by Rich- It’s not too soon to consider mond Gear of Liberty entering your car in the up- South Carolina. In addition coming Concorso to be held to supplying a complete August 19 in Seaside CA. replacement gearbox, Rich- mond offers replacement Registry members have sup- gear clusters, transmission ported this event for several cases, seals, bearings, and years, now, and it would be gaskets. nice to see four or five cars on display this August. Richmond Super T-10s are NASCAR staples. Get more information at Contact Richmond at 864- www.concorso.com. 843-9231.

Market Place

As the Apollo was such a mond Milo. The car had a limited production car, it’s a number of non-standard rare occasion when one is features including Dayton offered for sale. Apollo No. knock-off wire wheels (not 1013 (mistakenly listed as to be confused with Day- 1031) – one of the first 5000 ton’s new Borrani replica GTs – has been offered for wheel). At the Barrett Jack- sale for nearly a year by that son auction in January, No. amenable purveyor of clas- 1013 was finally sold. sic cars, “Le Patron” Ray- Page 4 Gran Turismo

Un-built Apollo... discovered, sold continued from page 2

It was a transition car that had contacted Bob Lee (as suspension and various had a few features of the President of the Apollo components are still shiny, early cars with some of the owners club) just a few day paint on mechanical compo- later updates, and no one prior to the Concorso to ask nents is as new, gauges, “The car had wanted it as such. So when for help in selling this un- switches, weather stripping, the company needed the usual car that was taking up and rubber on moldings are never been likewise as new. The only completed and cash, 1043 was sold to an space in his garage. The car enterprising wannabe car had never been completed sign of age in the interior is was missing a builder.” and was missing a number that the rubber pad on the number of drive of drive train elements, but carpet on the driver's side is train elements, but Initially, Tony set about to was otherwise complete. now cracked and dry. The was otherwise complete the car himself, challenge, as the car was but eventually ran out of complete.” “We quickly did the deal never assembled, is that so time and money before fin- and I arranged to have the many components are miss- ishing the project. And car trucked back to Mem- ing. I have yet to make a full that’s when Don Mann ap- phis, where it sits in my inventory, but there's no gas peared: “ I attended The shop as I take an inventory tank, no gearbox or drive Concorso Italiano for the first of items need to make it shaft, no radiator, no sun time last August.” drivable. The body will visors (just the attaching have to be stripped and Says Don. “ One of the pri- screws sticking out of the Repainted, and the chrome headliner), no parking brake mary reasons I went was to will need attention. Other knob-lever-linkage etc. The see if there would be any than that, what's there is clutch and brake pedals are Apollos there. I finally virtually new. The tires are waving loosely in the air stumbled into the far corner probably unsafe at any (although there is a brake of the Concorso field and dis- speed, but would be great master cylinder, drum covered two red Apollo for showing the car (they brakes mounted on the rear, coupes (I was too late to still have the mold nubs disc brake calipers are loose view the convertible) and sticking out of the tread, in a box in the trunk and having never been driven). met Bob Lee. The good none of the brake lines connected to the brakes.” news was that he knew of a Says Don: “There is noth- car and it was rather special. ing but dust on a car that Any one with parts leads It turned out that Tony has never been driven: can call Don at 901-726- 6633 or e-mail him at don- Martorana, owner of 1043, Screws and bolts on the [email protected].

The Want Ads

A number of Apollo enthu- CA purchased Bob Lee’s that he didn’t keep a Ven- siasts continue looking for a no. 1011 coupe last year. tura when he left the car car… You can contact James at building business and he 407-761-1926 or hopes to make up for it This is an indication that [email protected]. now. Fred’s phone number interest in the Apollo/Vetta is 830-257-2688. Ventura is growing. And two members of the Apollo Another interested party is Owners Registry are looking Vetta Ventura builder Fred for convertibles no less. Ricketts. His one regret is James Taylor of Los Altos Volume Two, Issue Two Page 5

New Apollo Generates Interest in the Old

At this year’s National Milt, “and I’m working with tions and writing about the Roadster Show, the nation’s several magazines on stories original car.” premiere hot rod event, Milt right now. But here’s the Brown introduced yet an- good part: As most of the It’s publicity like this that other variation on the origi- editors are 40 or younger, drives car values up, some- nal Apollo theme. And this they don’t know the history thing the Apollo/Vetta Ventura sorely needs. one took first prize in the of the original Apollo; many Sports Car class. don’t even know it existed. Stay tuned to Market And all of a sudden we have Place…let’s see if the values As he did with the Verona media types asking ques- roadster in the early 1980s, go up! Milt drew on the original car’s theme by combining an American-derived chassis with svelte Italian-type body. Only this time the inspiration comes from the 1930s. He calls it the Apollo Monza Spyder.

“My inspiration was the Alfa Romeo 2900 of the late 1930s – those nice, rounded lines,” says Milt. “The en- gine is a BMW six, but un- derneath it’s pure Apollo.”

So, why a mention of this new car? “The media has gone nuts over it,” claims

Own All of the Apollo History

And now for something ing records gleaned from original copies of maga- The price should be expen- completely different… Apollo International of zine containing road tests, sive. But it is a once-in-a- Pasadena, California (for typed minutes to board lifetime opportunity. Ned Davis, International whom Ned worked once meetings, and much Contact Ned at 303-933- Motor Cars’ CEO, CFO, that company took over more. Everything a motor and all-around businessman 1229 for details. from IMC). car company would have informs us that he is selling The collection includes hun- kept records of. Essen- the entire collection of IMC tially a Ford Motor Com- production records, includ- dreds of photographs, build sheets, correspondence, pany in miniature. Robert R. Northrup Editor P.O. B0x 1720 Lake Dallas TX 75065 USA Gran Turismo Phone: 940-497-3101 Fax: 940-497-9611 The Official Publication of the Email: [email protected] Apollo Owners Registry

Supplier Showcase — Re-Originals®

An ongoing service of this “Years ago I had a restora- ping, floor mats, etc.]. ‘I’ll for our customers, we try to Gran Turismo publication is tion shop in the Houston take you there,’ he replied. find the guy that originally to highlight those compa- area,” say Matt. “I special- made it – if he’s alive. We “When we arrived, we nies that support the ized in the rare Italian exot- always go with original ma- entered an old shop that Apollo/Vetta Ventura. This ics and was working on a terials and compounds, had the only two ma- issue features Re-Originals Giulieta Spyder, and OSCA which have a high differ- chines left on the planet (“original parts…all over 750, and a Ferrari 212 Eu- ence in quality (the old stuff that made rubber floor again!”), a Houston Texas- ropa. All old stuff. But I is much better and has the mats the traditional way. based enterprise that sup- just couldn’t find the cor- right feel). We’ve also All hand processed stuff. rect rubber and upholstery branched out into locating a So I struck a deal… materials. Other shops were lot of difficult-to-find NOS making do with stuff that “ Since then I’ve parts [New Old Stock – left was currently available, but branched into other areas over original replacement it didn’t look or feel right. I – electrical, upholstery components – ed.]. just couldn’t restores these stuff such as windshields, “You know, every little nut cars incorrectly. carpet, headliner material, and bolt is important. When even leather. And through “I told my wife Vicki: ‘Gee, somebody restores a car this contact I’ve found why doesn’t someone bring today, and deviates from either the original suppli- this stuff back for us that original specs, 30 years from ers of the items, or com- restore these Italian cars.’ now it’ll be considered origi- plies a number of new and panies with the tooling to Her response was: ‘Maybe nal, which is not right. It NOS parts for Apollos. produce OEM compo- you’re the one that’s sup- maybe costs another 20 per- Most notable is the com- nents. posed to do it!’ cent to do it correctly. pany’s selection of wind- “The Apollo windshield is shields and window gas- “That year [1991] I was Matt’s interested in doing a a good example of how kets/weather stripping. But headed to the Mille Miglia recreation project of the we move into a market owner Matt Jones supplies retrospective, and thought Abarth mufflers that graced niche. I was doing glass much more than this. I’d spend a couple of extra Apollos so many years ago. for a 2600 Zagato Alfa weeks in Italy looking to see If enough of us want them, A recent visit by Robb Romeo – only 105 were if the stuff was till available. he can proceed (see last is- Northrup revealed that, ever built – and found 18 While I was there, I called a sue of Gran Turismo). more than anything, Matt owners around the world guy I had sold a ’56 Alfa offers a tremendous amount that wanted them. And You can contact Re- Giulieta spyder to. I had of enthusiasm not only for one of those owners had Originals for material sam- lived for six years in Italy in old Italian exotics such as an Apollo. That contact ples or a catalogue by calling the 1970s doing an import- Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Ro- led to a run of about 18 713-849-2400. export business and still meo, and Lamborghini, but Apollo windsheilds. And could speak Italian. When he extends it to the likes of the mold for that cost we connected, I asked him hybrids such as Apollo, Iso $3,600. Rivolta, and Bizzarini. He is where he was getting his an incurable Italophile… rubber parts [weather strip- “When we need something