Sunday, May 29, 2011

Micro Art / Sports Car Racing Programs ...1950's #2

A second look at micro art.

In this day of push-button high tech computer graphics, and high gloss print material, it's fun to look back to a time when covers of race programs were done with drawings, or B&W photos. Creativity done by X-acto knife in hand, with wax applied and pasted on thin cardboard layout boards. The words, images and colors were carefully cut overlays, photographed and burned into plates for printing. Most were two color, since the use of four color was cost prohibitive for most.

These images are of Sports Car Race programs in the 50's held in California, provided by blog follower Marty Goldsmith. They're simple little works of art depicting action, speed, humor and meant to stimulate spectators imaginations at race tracks that no longer exist.

Pebble Beach Road Races Program, the last year held at Pebble Beach. Some of the drivers running, Phil Hill in a Ferrari, Walt Hansgen in a Corvette, and Ernie McAfee in a Ferrari and OSCA.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Run to the Hills Car Show

Last Saturday...took the cover off the '67 and boogied to the hills with Monique. "Run to the Hills Car Show" that is. This was the ninth year for this cool event and while there looking at the other entered cars meet a guy snapping photos. These are some of John O'Mara's images. Check them out.

Image © Monique Straub

Image © John O'Mara

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Speaking of the Riverside Grand Prix ...

In the post on the United States Grand Prix of 1960 held at Riverside Raceway, Marty spoke about several of the race cars being driven to the track for the race and Bob saw one that he remarked about in the comments. However, for a lot of us, life was to young to remember such things. If you think about it, Riverside Raceway was basically a new track, and had no garages in their paddock area as of yet. Check out the following images. Can you imagine driving today's Formula one cars on the street?

John Surtees makes a pass between two Fords and a Chevy driving his F1 Lotus-Climax up University Avenue heading towards the raceway for the 1960 U.S. Grand Prix. Incidentally, he did not finish the race because of an accident. 

Here Maurice Trintignant, on Highway I-15 heading south coming out of Riverside on his way to the track in a Cooper-Maserati. Maurice finished 15th in the race.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

United States Grand Prix Riverside 1960

Fellow blog follower and contributor Marty Goldsmith sent these images that he had taken at the U.S. Grand Prix, held at a juvenile Riverside International Raceway in 1960. The following is his eyewitness account.

"Today's Formula 1 series exceeds in hoopla and track design even the classic "Indie" race. But it was not always so. In 1960, the final year of the 2.5 litre formula, the last race of the season was the US Grand Prix, staged at the Riverside Raceway. As one can see in the accompanying photos, the paddock facilities were small canopies, and there were no garages. In fact, cars were prepared in garages in the city of Riverside, and some were driven on the street to the track. Facilities for spectators - no problem - the Als and Annies (the slang for porta-potties) were scattered about, and a vendor tent might take care of your gastronomic needs. Anyone recognize Riverside's homie, Dan Gurney, in the paddock?


The venture was a financial failure, offering little money and attracting relatively few spectators. The race wasn't so hot, either. But the driver's list was just outstanding. In order of finish, Stirling Moss, Innes Ireland, Bruce McLaren, Jack Brabham, Jo Bonnier, Phil Hill, Jim Hall, Roy Salvadori, Wolfgang von Trips, Chuck Daigh, Pete Lovely, Olivier Gendebien, Bob Drake, Henry Taylor, Maurice Trintignant, Jim Clark. Not finishing were, Graham Hill, Ian Burgess, Brian Naylor, Dan Gurney, Ron Flockhart, Tony Brooks, and John Surtees.


It was the only Formula 1 race I have ever seen - I was a scrutineer for the Cal Club at the time."

U.S. Grand Prix Riverside Start/Finish. Image Copyright, Marty Goldsmith


Friday, May 13, 2011

Carmel By The Sea Concours... 2011 Latest Update

Carmel By The Sea Concours is coming closer, the date for the event is August 16, 2011. If you've never been to this event you don't know what your missing.

This type of Ferrari is just an example of what you can see. Image Copyright, John Goriup

I received the latest from Doug Freedman, the creator of the show.

"GROWING UP IN ATLANTA BACK IN THE DAY YOU HAD ONLY A FEW CHOICES OF HOBBY SHOPS.............WHICH ONE YOU HUNG OUT IN WAS MORE ABOUT THE SHOP NEAREST YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD OR WHERE YOUR FAMILY WOULD DROP YOU OFF OR LET YOU RIDE YOUR BICYCLE!

"MY" HOBBY SHOP WAS MORE A CANDY STORE OR DREAM SHOP THAN A STORE WHERE YOU MADE PURCHASES..........BUT I GOT IN A FEW ALONG THE WAY!

THE BOXES ON THE SHELVES HAD FANTASTIC NAMES AND ARTWORK ON THEM..........HALF OF THE DREAM WAS THE BOX ART...........THE BOX THE MODEL WAS PACKAGED IN. WHO COULD EVEN DREAM THAT THE BOXES ALONE WOULD BECOME COLLECTIBLE ONE DAY!

YOU CAN STILL FIND ME IN ANY HOBBY SHOP I PASS ALONG THE WAY, HOWEVER TODAY "MY" HOBBY SHOP IS THE DAILY MAIL AT MY OFFICE........EACH DAY FANTASTIC ENVELOPES OF EVERY SHAPE AND SIZE AWAIT ME. INSIDE THESE ENVELOPES ARE APPLICATIONS FOR ENTRY WITH NAMES ON THEM LIKE D'JET, BERLINETTA SCAGLIETTI, PALLAS, MONOPOSTO STREAMLINER, AND SO MANY OTHERS I COULD GO ON FOREVER.........OFTEN THE VERY NAME ON THE "BOX" FROM BACK IN THE DAY!"

Sounds like a great show in the making with around 175 entrees vying for 1st and 2nd in class and 14 major awards. You can find more info here, http://www.motorclubevents.com/

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Sunday, May 8, 2011

If You Were...

If you were born in the Forty's this could've been you. Duck-tail, Pompadour and Flat-top hair cuts, rolled up blue jeans, penny loafers and hanging out with a badass '30 Ford five window. Life was good...friends, cars, and thinkin' about girls, what more could you ask for?

If you were a Hot Rod guy...
Image, courtesy of Life Archives

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Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Dick Barbour's AutoMotion

With an image of ex-racer of note, Dick Barbour in the Riverside Raceway post got me to thinkin' about some of the other images I have.

Back when the Porsche community was rather small, Dick operated a repair, resale, and parts business on Mission Gorge road in San Diego. The building is no longer there, but here are a few images, circa 1969. Shortly after these shots, he would open the first Porsche-Audi Dealer in the city in a different location. The dealer was called Dick Barbour Porsche-Audi and only lasted a few years before being bought out. There is now a Dodge/Jeep dealer taking up the same building in La Mesa.

The front of the parts and resale shop, circa 1969.
 
The repair operation worked out of a four stall building with chassis dyno at one end.

Dick and his 904, turn 6 at Riverside with a checkered flag waving high taking a victory lap.

AutoMotion not only dealt with Porsches, check out the Hemi powered rail wearing "AutoMotion, San Diego" in paint on the tail. Not sure who ran this car.

Rare by todays standards an AutoMotion license frame, circa 1969.


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