Burkhard Family Photos – Early 1950s
John Burkhard has been a tremendous help in building the FCCA History Archive. His mom Jean and dad Jack were very early members of the FCCA. John was a teenager at that time and came to know many of the early club members. Here are several photos John sent to me that capture the fun and enthusiasm of the early days of the FCCA. Browse through these and enjoy a rare look at this fabulous period in sports car history.
John and Jean Burkhard at the start of a Santa Monica Chapter event at Brentwood Motors in late 1952 or early 1953. The car is a 1952 MG-TD Mk. II that Jean ran in many FCCA and Cal Club events.
Perry Peron drove the last Burkhard race car at Torrey Pines in late 1953 or 1954.
This is an Allard race car project, not FCCA related.
(Left to Right) Jean Burkhard, Ann and Tom Gwaltney with the Gwaltney Simca in 1951. Note the sign strapped to the front bumper. It advertises the third Palm Springs Road Race, held October 28, 1951. For more information about this race, see Art Evans' book, "The Fabulous Fifties".
Jean Burkhard at the Sandberg Hill Climb, April 6, 1952. The black TD (#34) is Sandy Sanderson's car.
"The crew" driving John Burkhard's modified Citroen roadster to Pebble Beach in the fall of 1951. Art Evans covers the history of Pebble Beach in his book, "Pebble Beach Remembered"
Sandy Sanderson mugs for the camera with the Burkhard Singer at the 1953 Sports Car Motor Week at the Ambassador Hotel
The Burkhard Singer at an early1950s FCCA driving event.
Jack Burkhard and Bob Garett in a Citroen at the start of the Cal Club "Press On Regardless" rally of the early 1950s.
The Burkhard Singer at an early 1950s FCCA driving event.
Jean Burkhard at the Santa Barbara road races in the mid-1950s.
The Burkhard Citroen at 1951 Pebble Beach's Tech Inspection. Jack Burkhard is at the front left side of the car. Jack Burkhard is the left front of the car and John is at the right rear looking off to the right.
Jean Burkhard's Sandberg Hill Climb entrant's card.
I currently own this wonderful car and it is still much as when the Burkhards owned it and has never been restored. It also appeared in the March 1953 issue of Road & Track magazine in the ‘Salon’ section.
If anyone knows any more about the car’s history after Jack sold it in ’53 I would love to hear from you.
It is very likely that Jack sold the Singer to William Smith, who ran British Motor Works in La Jolla. Smith then sold it to the Turner family, who then sold it to me. Since Bill Smith seems to be a name that appears in So Cal sports car circles back in the day, I would bet the Singer saw some activity in his hands.
BTW, Tom Turner was a Navy Seal stationed in San Diego and he shipped the car back east to Chicago in the early ’60’s.
I would also like to thank John Burkhard for sending me photos and items of interest linked to the car. All part of the history and very much appreciated!
Thanks! No pix of “2Jr.” the V8 60 powered TC that Jack bought from Bill Cramer? I don’t think that’s it behind Perry, tho that is a mod. TC. The shot of the pre-war Singer at the Ambassador may be ’52, as behind one sees the noses of the two Cunningham C2s that were driven from Florida by Phil Hill and Jerry Cheesebrough (sp.?) and sold to Irving Robbins (the black one) and a guy named Cameron (the white one). Both raced at the 4th Palm Springs (early ’52). Perry Peron gave me a ride from our motel (the Silver Saddle) in Santa Barbara out to the track at Goleta in his Panhard Spl. probably at the ’55 event. MJ
I’ve heard of the V8 powered TC. I may have a pic of it somewhere. Do you have any photos of the events to which you refer? I’ll send you the latest batch of photos I received showing early 1950s FCCA events.
Bill Wilkman
I was great friends with Both John (same high school, LAHS)
And Jean.
At that time 1954-55 John and I spent many hours in his(the familys) garage working on our cars.I never met John’s father. He had a auto “lifter” business. His mother was secretary as I recall for the SCCA. Such a very wonderful woman.
John would sometimes drive their Aston Martin, DB2 I think, to school(RH steering). They also had a Talbo Lago powered sprint car we followed to a couple of races.
John was quite an artist and had planned to go to Art Center school after high School but enlisted in the Coast Guard and we lost touch except for one get-to-gather in Orange County where his Mother had moved to after the loss of Mr. Burkhard.
We toyed with Hot Rods in those days. Even at age 16-18 we often would go to the “Grand Prix” Bar in Hollywood and watch films of the races, and have a drink at the bar.
This is the first time I have even come close to finding a contact.
I shall never forget them……….They were a part of my life.
Sorry for the slow response, William. I’ve been up to my neck in work for the last few years and have reluctantly had to set aside my work on the Four Cylinder Club of America. Fascinating story about your relationship with the Burkhards. If you come across any photos of them I’d appreciate receiving scans. I should be back into my FCCA archival work sometime mid-year.
Jack and Jean threw a wonderful send off party for Phil Hill before he went to drive in Europe. Richie Ginther was also honored.
Barbara, how interesting to know that the Burkhards were friends with these iconic drivers. If you have any photos of these events or similar, I’d love to receive scans of them.
Hello all,
Jack and Jean are my grandparents. I have always been intrigued by their racing days (so much so I raced on a female go cart team to continue the tradition). I would love to hear more. If any of you would like to connect it would be my honor.
Kristin
Jack and Jean were very interesting members of the FCCA. That you carried on their tradition is very cool. Cart racing is not for the faint of heart! I have several photos supplied by their son. If you have any photos to share, please send them to me at wilkmanracing@aol.com
I see that Mike Jacobsen posted, I raced with Mike’s dad who ran if I remember a 1936 MG race car and when I stripped one of my Singers just for racing I gave the top (they were really ugly) to Mike around 1958 or 1959 for his Singer. Mike was part of my rag-tag pit crew and I am sorry to say has passed on a couple of years ago. Ralph
So nice to hear from you, Ralph. Your racing history is quite interesting. Whenever you decide it’s time to let go of your FCCA materials, I’ll gladly add them to the FCCA archive.
Bill Wilkman
FCCA Archivist
Hello Phillip,
Jack and Jean are my maternal grandparents. My mother is Michelle, Jack and Jeannie’s daughter. It would mean the world to me if you could send photos of this beautiful car as it looks today. I also have a few photos I could contribute to this page.
Kristin