New Winter (Cool Season) project

[Stuart F.]

While rumaging through two unopened shipping boxes from our move here to Florida in 2004, I located a "Mother Lode" of my old car magazines from the mid 50's thru early 60's. The very first magazine I picked up (Auto Age) had a picture of a 1956 Corvette on the cover with a feature story entitled "The 1956 Chevrolet Corvette Engineering Report" with Zora Arkus Duntov. Whoaa!

I recall having reboxed them several moves before and pitching out a bunch that had gotten wet and stuck together. These apparently are the survivors. I intend to spend some time pre-viewing them over the next few months and probably set aside those with good Corvette specific articles. Beyond that, I'm not too sure what I will due with them afterwards. I'm sure there are many others who have such collections. It would be interesting if there were some way that we could pool our collections in a library of sorts.

One other interesting side light, I also found my program from the 1961 NHRA Nationals at Indy. There were 897 entries listed, and I recognized the names and cars of a number of them that went on to greater fame and glory, besides yours truly.

Stu Fox

[Stuart F.]

Re: New Winter (Cool Season) project

My son suggests I scan them all to make my own electronic library. I told him it would take me the rest of my life, and says so then it will probably lengthen my life as I'd have a good project goal to keep living for, Ha!

Actually, what I will probably do is page through them all, and set asiide all those with Corvette related articles, pictures or ads.


Stu Fox

[Oliver B.]

Re: New Winter (Cool Season) project

Scanning them would have been my proposal, too! C'mon: DO IT!

[James G.]

Re: New Winter (Cool Season) project

Hello Stu,

I am most interested in what magazines you may have, especially anything related to racing results. You may have heard that I and Jan Hyde from New York and Wayne Ellwood from Canada have created our web site REGISTRY OF CORVETTE RACE CARS. (www.registryofcorvetteracecars.com)

We are always looking for history on these great cars which I believe, without their racing success, the Corvette would have been extinct like the Thunderbird.

Sports Car Illustrated from 1955 thru 1959 is one of a few sources I have found that has story histories on the early days of SCCA Racing. It became became Car Life in 1959 and went thru the 60's. Sports Car Graphic in the 50's and 60's is another great reading adventure. Road and Track has excellent history as well. 1955 thru 1967 is what I need, but Wayne covers the SHARKS 1968 and newer, so all of these magazines are helpful.

You ask why do we care, well just last month we helped a Wisconsin owner who bought a 1958 RPO #684 heavy suspension / brake car out of an estate in Southern California find the cars original race owner. When he bought the car, he was not aware it was an RPO 684 car or what that even ment. Mike Ernst helped verify the car.

And how did we do this? Pictures and stories in magazines got us looking for more. And once we talked to people like Bob Bondurant and Andy Porterfield, the color of the car indicated if it was raced, it had to be the Bill Gaskin's car, as he had the only Charcoal / red 58 raced in So. Cal. back in the day.

Often, pictures are black and white, but roll bar locations, and no radio antenna will give clues as to former history of the car.

We found Bill in October, alive and well in Northern California and today's internet and cell phone walk around ability and digital photography has resulted in a cars whole life made available to and owner/ restorer.

Look forward to hearing what you have.

Regards,
JIM

[Stuart F.]

Re: New Winter (Cool Season) project

Jim;

I intend to begin my sorting project soon. My own interest has been tweaked with just the few I have looked at as I am enthralled by all the memories they bring forth for me, and I am certain will do likewise for others.

Will keep you posted.

Stu Fox

[Bert L.]

Re: New Winter (Cool Season) project

Many, many in my collection, beginning with late 50's HOT ROD which often featured customized or drag Corvettes. Would take weeks to sort!

[Steven B.]

Re: New Winter (Cool Season) project

Jim;

I intend to begin my sorting project soon. My own interest has been tweaked with just the few I have looked at as I am enthralled by all the memories they bring forth for me, and I am certain will do likewise for others.

Will keep you posted.

Stu Fox

I know what you mean about the memories. I have saved all from the late 50's to date and special stacks for Corvettes. The rest I have just transferred to 100+++ bankers' boxes (the packing boxes wore out) and have them stored in closets. My wife. I go through them each year, each one, late at night when I can't sleep. The memories come back vividly! 'think I will go read a '57 FI road test--- As for my wife, she can sell them on ebay when I go see Zora.