Folks Of Interest R.I.P. Fritz Voigt

I just got a call from Greg Sharp that one of motorsports greatest mechanics has passed. Fritz Voigt was Mickey Thompson's right hand man throughout all his endeavors and the hundreds of records set by Thompson including Challenger 1 and the 406 mph one way record run at Bonneville in 1960. Mickey had the vision most of the time but Voigt had equal talent to carry out the innovations including Challenger 1 and dozens of other race cars. Voigt was a great racer in his own right winning the first race at the Mickey Thompson managed Lions Drag Strip in 1955 with his dragster. He was truly a mechanic's mechanic.
My condolences to his family and friends.

 

Fritz Voigt
March 22, 1924 - December 5, 2014​

 

Mickey & Fritz (circa 1959)​

 

Fritz is interviewed at the 0:37 & 1:39 marks​

 

Fritz is interviewed at the beginning of the footage​

 

Fritz Voigt interview​

 

RIP, he was a long-time racer in his own right, before he went to work for Mickey...little known fact that I just learned recently...he build the flathead for the Jesse Lopez coupe...

 

Here are a couple of pictures of Fritz, the first in his own Open Gas car, and the second is Fritz standing next to Mickey behind the hemi Pontiac that Jack Chrisman drove:

 

Fritz Voigt also built the flathead in Dick Carter's '41 Ford 'vert (by Barris Kustoms):

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... and the 331ci Cadillac in Roth's "Outlaw":

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Fritz also built the 421 Hemi head Pontiac engine in the Mickey Thompson dragster Jack Chrisman won the 1962 NHRA U.S. Nationals with.

 

Wow - sad to hear - lived life in the fast lane - sincere sympathy goes out to his family & friends

 

He was one of the greats - nearly unsung.
RIP, Fritz.

 

Having met Fritz many years ago at the Long Beach swap meet, I also went to his open air shop / business, to get parts from him. he was very knowledgeable and friendly. I am happy to have met Fritz, and had several friendly phone conversations with him. he was very understated about his accomplishments, a real person.

 

I remember the first time I met Frits, it was at a hamburger spot in Maywood ca. called Apollo's a block away where I grew up at and still do. A friend of mind told me about him. He described him as a tall old white man that always wore an Oldsmobile cap with a blue jump suit. I would always go buy food at Apollo's just to go talk to him about cars and the business. he always had great stories about his life and the pioneers he came up with back in the day. his stories inspired me to go back to school and pursue my automotive career. I never had the chance to thank him in person but I pay my respects to him and his family. he was a great man and had a great career. a career I could only dream about. I'm glad I had the chance to meat a pioneer of his caliber. thank you for everything and I hope one day your old shop can open up once again and put Maywood back on the map.
R.I.P FRITS VOUGHT