#undiscovered classics

Rudy Makela’s 1950 WOW Cadillac – One of America’s Earliest Custom Cadillacs – @UndiscoveredClassics

Hi Gang…

The story below was written by my good friend Rik Hoving who runs the Custom Car Chronicle.  Rik and I share a great appreciation for both custom cars and sport customs.  Those of you interested in these kinds of cars should visit his website via the link below:

Click Here To Visit Rik Hoving’s Custom Car Chronicle

For me this story goes back to 2010 when I was well into my research…

B.R. “Woody” Woodill’s Last Wildfire – Part 1 – Geoffrey Hacker @UndiscoveredClassics

There’s so much good information to be had in vintage magazines – but the articles are just the tip of the iceberg.  Crucial information is often found in the editorials – like the editorial we found in the November, 1951 issue of Motor Trend Magazine.  In this issue, the editor, Walt Woron, recognized that styling ideas from Detroit were coming from California customs, sport customs and hot rods…

Mike Akens Victress S1A Nears Completion – Geoffrey Hacker @UndiscoveredClassics

Hi Gang…

More and more we’re seeing handcrafted American sports specials being “discovered” and written about across America.  But something else interesting is happening too.  They’re being restored – just like Mike Akens’ Victress S1A roadster in today’s story.

Mike and I first met about 7 years ago when he discovered and brought home a Victress S1A.  Click here to view the first story we…

American Specials Buyer’s Guide: History, Trends, Valuation & Appraisal Services – @UndiscoveredClassics

What  Did  You  Find?  Should  You  Restore?  What  Might  It  Be  Worth? Begin  To  Answer  Your  Questions  Here.

The Buyers Guide For American Specials focuses on four areas:

“History” – An area where people can read modern and vintage articles on American sports specials

“Trends” – Recent events which support a growing appreciation of American handcrafted sports cars

“Valuation” – Auction…

Arthur C. Radebaugh: Detroit’s Most Prolific Futurist Illustrator – Geoffrey Hacker @UndiscoveredClassics

Hi Gang…

There are automotive artists that I find fascinating for their futuristic vision of what might be or in their stylings and designs which capture speed, motion, color and seemingly more than I can see and appreciate with my normal eyes.  We’ve covered Howard “Dutch” Darrin quite a bit on our website and another of my favorites – Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky.  But one I’ve not shared…

Another Sport Custom Surfaces: Meet The 1953 Porter Pegasus – Geoffrey Hacker @UndiscoveredClassics

Hi Gang…

I love Sport Customs – but it took me a long time to learn to call them by this name.  If you think handcrafted fiberglass specials from the 50s are rare, just try to find a sport custom.  We estimate that for every 10 or more fiberglass specials that were built, there may have been 1 sport custom.  But what is a sport custom?

The term “Sport Custom” was first used by in “Dan Posts’s…

1955 Woodill Wildfire Wins “Car of the Exhibition” at Stuttgart Retro Classic – Geoffrey Hacker @UndiscoveredClassics

1955 Woodill Wildfire

I first wrote about this Wildfire when it was spotted at the 2014 Retromobile Show in Paris, France.

Click here to Read About The Woodill Wildfire Discovery in Paris France

Since then we have become friends with the new owner, Jiri Jirovec, and he has brought his Wildfire home to Pizen in the Czech Republic.  I bet it’s the only Wildfire in that country!

I’ve Always Loved…

1959 Cheetah “Moon” Transporter – The Journey Begins – Geoffrey Hacker @UndiscoveredClassics

1959 Cheetah “Moon” Transporter

Many of you know that I own the 1959 Moon Transporter.  Actually, it goes by many names:

Norm Holtkamp called it the “Cheetah Transporter”

Others refer to it as the “Moon Transporter” because Dean Moon owned it and was updating its power and braking

Still others (mostly in Europe) call it the “Holtkamp Transporter” because it was designed and built by and for Norm…