How do famous cars disappear?

[Joseph T.]

For example the former 1957 Nassau/Daytona/Sebring car that introduced Rochester Fuel Injection to Corvette Racing at the International Governors Trophy races Dec 7th, 1956 Nassau, Bahamas then went on to race on the beach at Daytona, the first ever NASCAR Sports car race and participate at Sebring.

After being retired from its duties was sold on consignment through Dick Doane raceway Enterprises in Dundee, Illinois in 1958.

In 1961 the owner had the former race car painted metalflake gold.

Here you see the famous car on a road trip to see relatives in Florida.

Then 43 years later when I bought the car from that same owners son.

Car retains the original Chevrolet Engineering engine, very early Fuel Injection unit, factory roll bar, short steering column, Sun tach, RPO 581 suspension, original interior although dyed black and so much more.

Joe Trybulec

PS..The original white w/blue inserts and racing stripes lies beneath the gold paint.

[Tom H.]

Re: How do famous cars disappear?

I don't think these cars dissappear. I think they get in the hands of people who don't realize what they have. They get painted, modified, "restored" sold, stolen, and just fade away. They are out there, possibly right under our noses. Neat pictures !!!

[Paul J.]

Re: How do famous cars disappear?

I don't think these cars dissappear. I think they get in the hands of people who don't realize what they have. They get painted, modified, "restored" sold, stolen, and just fade away. They are out there, possibly right under our noses. Neat pictures !!!

I agree. Some of them get damaged or quit running and end up in someone's shed. I also believe that some of them are quietly passed around among collectors, and some of these end up stuffed in the back of thier collection as the newness and novelty wears off.

[Loren L.]

Re: How do famous cars disappear?

Joe, can you identify what the windshield stickers are/were? Parking passes, tech inspections, etc????

[Joseph T.]

Re: How do famous cars disappear?

Joe, can you identify what the windshield stickers are/were? Parking passes, tech inspections, etc????

Loren

I need to study my files..but they are most likely Park Ridge or Elmhurst city stickers. Maybe Northshore club stickers!

One interesting note. Erwin drove the car from Chicago to Arkansas..to visit relatives as his wife was from there.

After I bought the car I got a call from the guy in Arkansas who owned the dual quad airbox car ( featured in the restorer years ago ). He had notes in his file about the Nassau car as the former Sebring car.

Joe

[William C.]

Re: How do famous cars disappear?

Not too much different that the story of the '62 SCCA Don Yenko Car that I found (and Mike Ernst subsequently bought) in a newspaper ad from a local town. It had been purchased by the selling owner from a prominent used Corvette store in NW Ohio. We could see it had been raced (safety wired bolts and body damage) but knew little more until Mike Bought it and started a serious study of it's background based on things he found after stripping paint from the car. They just go on to mundane lives unless someone recognizes small details and does followup of the history.

[Michael J.]

Re: How do famous cars disappear?

It would be great to find out what happened to some of these famous cars. Like Jan Berry's famous '66 Vette

[Robert I.]

Re: How do famous cars disappear?

<It would be great to find out what happened to some of these famous cars. Like Jan Berry's famous '66 Vette

A few years ago my wife saw him at the Burbank airport and said "My husband just loves you, could he have your autograph?"

Of course, just signing his name was very difficult for him.

[Robert I.]

Re: How do famous cars disappear?

Not Corvette related, but I'd love to know what happened to James Dean's Porsche?

It used to be shown at car shows around LA in the 60s, to try and get us young males to slow down (it didn't work!) and it's apparently dropped off the face of the earth.

[George C.]

Re: How do famous cars disappear?

I don't think these cars dissappear. I think they get in the hands of people who don't realize what they have. They get painted, modified, "restored" sold, stolen, and just fade away. They are out there, possibly right under our noses. Neat pictures !!!

These Corvettes that I what to know about are not as "famous" as say the first one or like the exported Corvettes that went all over the world or the one in the Corvette Restorer fall 2009 edition.

Where are the TV series Route 66 Corvettes ?? I saw in Niagara Falls back in the spring of 1963 the CBS crew with CBS trucks and transporters with 2 Saddle Tan 1963 Corvette Convertibles. I saw them and have wondered for years..............were are they ??


Next Corvettes I wondered about are the 1973 & 1974 White Corvette Coupes that Bill Bixy drove in the TV series "Magician". I rememeber a picture I saw of the 1974 had the factory style YJ8's wheels (wish I had that picture).


I could mention more Corvettes, like Larry Tate's (Bewitched) "427" Corvette Convertible. Anybody remember these Corvettes or know where they are ?? Save the Wave.

[Steven B.]

Re: How do famous cars disappear?

Not Corvette related, but I'd love to know what happened to James Dean's Porsche?

It used to be shown at car shows around LA in the 60s, to try and get us young males to slow down (it didn't work!) and it's apparently dropped off the face of the earth.

As the story goes the Porsche was touring the country as part of a National Safety Council campaign. When the remains of the car was to be unloaded in the South for display it was missing and never found.

My parents lived in Fairmount, IN for a few years, James Dean's home town, I had the opportunity to speak with his aunt and uncle a few times. His aunt said she knew that when "Jimmy" went to New York and then California "no good would come of it."

James Dean's headstone was stolen a few times from the Fairmount cemetery and each time fortunately recovered. Once it was found behind a service staiton in Fort Wayne, IN.

[Loren S.]

Re: How do famous cars disappear?

Not Corvette related, but I'd love to know what happened to James Dean's Porsche?

It used to be shown at car shows around LA in the 60s, to try and get us young males to slow down (it didn't work!) and it's apparently dropped off the face of the earth.

A million dollar reward didn't flush it out back in 2005, it must have been reunited with its owner in the great racetrack in the sky:

http://www.cinematical.com/2005/09/01/james-dean-death-car/

http://www.cnn.com/2005/AUTOS/08/30/dean_death_porsche/index.html

[Brett H.]

Re: How do famous cars disappear?

Here's a "not so famous" but notable Tommy Morrison Mobil1 1990 World Challenge car that will be brought back to life soon. John Heinricy had been invloved in a wreck with a Porsche when it was retired to the graveyard.

It was languishing away in FL waiting to be brought back to life before I bought it this year.

[Tom H.]

Re: How do famous cars disappear?

Not a Corvette, but here's a very famous car that I once owned. One of the neatest lost and found stories ever.

http://www.generalleefanclub.com/71/71.html

[Stewart A.]

Re: How do famous cars disappear?

I was convinced that my car was the car in Less than zero. I must of watched it 80 times in one day until I saw Andrew McCarthy slide into the seat and in a milli second caught sight of the auto selector mine is manual. The external and internal none correct bits was the same as mine. I was getting really nervous about it at one stage. I wonder who owns that car. It might still have some good cocaine under the seats.
Joseph would a car with radio, heater and soft top delete be a good tell tale sign it could of been a race car ?
Tom didn't they wreck hundreds of chargers in Dukes. Stewy