Sometime early in the Glendale Chapter’s history, the decision was made to build a race car.  It is unknown where the chassis came from, but the February 1952 issue of Exhaust Notes included news of progress being made on the project.  Reference in that issue was made to purchasing a car for $100.  At that point, welding was being done on the frame to add strengthening and to allow for repositioning the engine two feet further back than the stock position.  Work on the rear springs was initiated.  At that point, the plans called for modifying a stock Austin A40 Devon engine.  Funds were raised via raffles, the sale of spare parts, and donations.

The March 1952 issue of Exhaust Notes reported that Austin of England had offered a free Austin A40 Sports engine for the project.  This was enthusiastically accepted and the Devon engine was later listed for sale in the Exhaust Notes classified ads.  The report also noted that club member Bill Friedauer donated an “Allard type” aluminum body for the car, weighing a mere 40 pounds.  Club member Chuck Smith donated a race tire.  The March issue also reported netting $28.00 from a raffle, bringing the race car fund up to $96.00.  Modified rear springs were now on the car and the front springs were sent out to be cut down and de-tempered.

The June 1952 issue of Exhaust Notes reported more progress.  The major news was the decision not to use the aluminum body offered by Bill Friedauer, but instead to have club member and design engineer Mel White design a fiberglass body.  Interestingly, the photographs (below) of the car appear to show a sheet metal body, at least at the front.

The September 1952 issue of Exhaust Notes reported on the presentation of the engine at the July meeting.  What subsequently happened to the race car?  Little is known.  It was entered, but subsequently withdrawn from one or two races.  I need to go back and research my archives to see what race or races it was listed as an entry.  More on this and more on the race car as I look under more rocks.

If you know more about the history of the race car, contact us!

HERE WE CAN SEE THE LEFT REAR QUARTER OF THE CAR. THE BODY WORK IN THIS AREA SEEMS TO BE PRETTY SOPHISTICATED. THE FOLD-DOWN DOOR IS ALSO INTERESTING.

HERE IS A PHOTO OF THE INTERIOR. IT HAS RIGHT-HAND DRIVE. THE STEERING WHEEL APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN DAMAGED. WAS IT BROKEN IN A RACE OR TEST INCIDENT?

THIS SHOT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CLEARLY SHOWS THE AUSTIN A40 SPORTS ENGINE.

AT THE JULY 1952 MEETING, MR. BOTWINICK, WEST COAST REP FOR AUSTIN, PRESENTS A NEW AUSTIN A40 SPORTS ENGINE FOR USE IN THE RACE CAR.

A YOUNG LADY RECEIVES A TROPHY AT THE JULY 1952 MEETING. THE RACE CAR ENGINE CAN BE SEEN TO HER LEFT.

THESE ARE THE ONLY PICTURES I COULD FIND OF THE RACE CAR. IT IS UNKNOWN IF IT EVER WAS RACED. THIS FAIRLY CRUDE CAR WAS PHOTOGRAPHED AT A JUNK YARD. WAS IT THERE TO BE SCRAPPED?

THESE SKETCHES OF THE CHAPTER'S VISION FOR THE RACE CAR WERE ON THE WALL BEHIND THE RACE CAR.