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From the "you never know who you're going to meet department"

Moms68

Moms68

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Several weeks ago we were on a family vacation at Block Island, RI. While sitting at an outdoor marina bar (Champlains) enjoying a few mudslides, I struck up a conversation with a a group of folks that were sitting near us. One older gentleman was especially chatty and funny and we were talking about all sorts of things. Eventually he started talking about cars, especially older ones. I mentioned that I owned a few and that one of the Corvettes had earned the Zora Duntov award.

He told me the story of his father's experiences as a self-taught auto engineer and that he had actually worked with Duntov and Briggs Cunninham developing cars to compete against Ferrari at Lemans! Turns out this guy's father was Bill Frick who started Frick Motors and had built Fordillacs (Fords with Cadillac engines) to compete at Lemans. Quite an amazing story and I could have talked to this guy for hours. You never know who you'll meet!!

Bill Frick Motors - Kustomrama

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a...-made-the-corvette-an-icon-zora-arkus-duntov/
 
"He told me the story of his father's experiences as a self-taught auto engineer and that he had actually worked with Duntov and Briggs Cunninham developing cars to compete against Ferrari at Lemans! "

It should be noted Briggs Cunningham's car won the 1953 Sebring 12hrs in his own car powered by a Chrysler Hemi. His hemi powered car also finished 3rd at 24hrs LeMans same year, where among other things set the fastest top speed for the race.

And just for accuracy it should be noted Ferrari did not gain sport car dominance until the very late 50's.
 
Last edited:
1967coronet said:
:thumbsup:
Click to expand...
j-c-c-62 said:
"He told me the story of his father's experiences as a self-taught auto engineer and that he had actually worked with Duntov and Briggs Cunninham developing cars to compete against Ferrari at Lemans! "

It should be noted Briggs Cunningham's car won the 1953 Sebring 12hrs in his own car powered by a Chrysler Hemi. His hemi powered car also finished 3rd at 24hrs LeMans same year, where among other things set the fastest top speed for the race.

And just for accuracy it should be noted Ferrari did not gain sport car dominance until the very late 50's.
Click to expand...
The more I read about all of these guys the more interesting it is. True pioneers.
 
I just recently got around to reading "The Sebring Story" by colorful Russian immigrant MIT Aeronautical engineer race promoter Alec Ulmann.
The forward in the book (interesting read btw) is written by Briggs and the Collier brothers are mentioned often in the book. Collier County (Naples) just south of Sebring is named after the brothers, and both their car collections are now combined in one museum in Naples.

P8300279 sebring story.JPG
 
Moms68 said:
Several weeks ago we were on a family vacation at Block Island, RI. While sitting at an outdoor marina bar (Champlains) enjoying a few mudslides, I struck up a conversation with a a group of folks that were sitting near us. One older gentleman was especially chatty and funny and we were talking about all sorts of things. Eventually he started talking about cars, especially older ones. I mentioned that I owned a few and that one of the Corvettes had earned the Zora Duntov award.

He told me the story of his father's experiences as a self-taught auto engineer and that he had actually worked with Duntov and Briggs Cunninham developing cars to compete against Ferrari at Lemans! Turns out this guy's father was Bill Frick who started Frick Motors and had built Fordillacs (Fords with Cadillac engines) to compete at Lemans. Quite an amazing story and I could have talked to this guy for hours. You never know who you'll meet!!

Bill Frick Motors - Kustomrama

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a...-made-the-corvette-an-icon-zora-arkus-duntov/
Click to expand...
More back story with a Bill Frick reference:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/ent...S&cvid=68d28e780f2f47b2a0cae489ed31dc86&ei=48
 
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