http://www.conceptcarz.com/z19742/Fitch-Whitmore-Le-Mans-Special.aspx Its the Fitch Whitmore Special of the JWR collection. Neat car, interesting lines, great history. Sold for $198,000 at 2011 RM Auctions. John Fitch was a World War II fighter pilot and had a fascination with racing which began at an early age. After the War, Fitch actively raced an MG TC. He joined forces with famed commercial illustrator Coby Whitemore in 1950 and raced Whitmore's new Jaguar XK120. Though the XK120 was a capable car, Fitch believed that it could enjoy even more success if the overall weight of the car was reduced. Andy Salada was tasked with creating a hand-formed, lightweight aluminum racing body for the car, at Fitch's own Sports & Utility Motor Shop. This new body saved 800 pounds. The car's track was widened with new wire wheels, larger 'Alfin' drum brakes, and the front torsion bars were reset. Other modifications included lowering the rear end and fitting hotter cams to the 3.4-liter DOHC six-cylinder engine. The modifications to the car were intended for Le Mans, but Fitch and Whitmore soon realized potential Achilles' heals. The car's exposed wheels and cycle fenders may not have been well suited to the high-speed LeMans course. Rather, the car performed well on the shorter American road-racing circuits, where it proved to have excellent acceleration, cornering, braking and handling. The Fitch-Whitmore Special made its racing debut at Bridgehampton on May 26th of 1951, where Fitch drove it to a class victory and fourth overall. Fitch would race the car three more times and into late 1952, when it was sold to Gerry Georgi of Nyack, New York. While in Mr. Georgi's care, the car was given a Buick V-8 engine and raced at Lime Rock for a few years. The car remained in his care until 1973 or 1974, when it was sold to Jim Haynes. Mr. Haynes raced it occasionally, removing the Buick engine in favor of a Jaguar 4.2-liter unit and a four-speed gearbox before selling it to Bob Grossman. The next owner was Joel Finn in the late 1980s. Finn made no modifications to the car, and used it in several races. Randolph Lenz acquired the car in 1990 and gave it a professional restoration to comply with VSCCA and HMSA-sanctioned events. The work was completed in 1991. A period-correct 3.4-liter Jaguar DOHC 'six' was rebuilt and fitted into the engine bay. In 1992, the car raced at the Monterey Historics and displayed at Pebble Beach during the same weekend. In 2009, it joined the collection of Mr. John M. O'Quinn. In 2011, the car was offered for sale at the Amelia Island sale presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for $175,000 - $250,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $198,000, including buyer's premium. By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2011
I was down course when that happened. I heard the motor stop and wondered what happened. these photos were taken by Ed Hyman of Connecticut. I talked to Frank later and he said it was pretty scary. There are many trees that line the course that he could have found, like the Austin Healey did... There was a bunch of hay all in the undercarriage of the vette as well.
Thanks for the pictures and information! Here's some info on the award-winning Alfa. http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/...eo-8c-wins-elegance-at-hershey-governors-cup/
What a kick ass thread. Thanx to all the generous contributers for sharing these awesome machines. Wowser! ~sololobo~
I love the 1912 Mercedes Grand Prix race car. This thing has a huge engine and just thumps up the hill. I got a ride in this relic on a wet day in St Michaels. We drifted around every corner. Scary on a beast with crude brakes at best. The 57 Devlin was pretty cool. Corvair powered if you could believe it. The motor was way over the back axle. Made the handling just a bit tricky. The double Bubble Abarth was pretty cool as well. The Norton 500 powered special was the noisiest ride up the hill, accordinto the corner guys.
Ken, I talked to the owner of the Devin. It was sold new as a complete car not just a body like most, built with '62 Corvair running gear. Sure seemed like it would have been tail happy.
I just guestimated that I've taken and processed over 10,000 photos in the past 6 weeks or so. I just finished going thru 2000 photos from a wedding this past weekend so I was able to process more of my Elegance photos. I'm gonna start with a few more from the hill climb. Now this one is the Old Grey Mare, I do believe. Please educate me as to its history and specs.
The old grey mare's owner is a friend of 37kid, maybe he will chime in. It has a flathead Ford and has been a very fast race car for a long time, about all I know.
Ben Bragg is the current owner/driver/caretaker of The Old Gray Mare, and a HAMB MEMBER, I'll ask him to post the cars history. Its history goes back to Model T power I believe. Bob
This 32 Maserati is quite the cool car. Willem was pointing out that the straight 8 valve cover was made in 3 parts because the Maserati boys didn't have the machining to cast it in one piece.
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