This page will carry information on upcoming events for Del Monte Trophy Race Group cars. Please provide information to Rob Manson and Marcus Bicknell (see Contacts page). 2017 August Rolex Monterey Historic Reunion at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, August. Triumphantly completed. 2018 August Rolex Monterey Historic Reunion at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Can’t… Continue reading Events
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William Rooklidge: 1952 Jaguar XK120
Jaguar delivered this XK120-M “open two seater” in July of 1952 through the Hornburg dealership in Los Angeles. The car turned up in February 1955 at Willow Springs Raceway, entered and driven by Howard Fanning of Los Angeles as one of 16 Jaguar XK120s in the “Stock” C class. The car’s racing career was short-lived… Continue reading William Rooklidge: 1952 Jaguar XK120
Rob Manson: 1952 Schaghticoke Streets Manning Special
One of the most characterful, pugnacious and hot-roddy of Rob Manson’s various California Road Race Specials is the Schaghticoke Streets Manning Special. Let’s look at all three Manning specials first. Their most significant feature is Manning’s ultra-lightweight, rigid, tubular chassis. Pre-War Ford suspension and drum brakes are used and power is from a classic hot-rod… Continue reading Rob Manson: 1952 Schaghticoke Streets Manning Special
Marty Stein: 1952 Siata 300BC
Cars in the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion – 1947-1955 Sports Racing & GT Cars group Race #56 The Siata 300BC was a small Italian sports car produced in limited numbers, with approximately 50 examples made starting in 1952. It was built on a modified Fiat chassis and used modified Fiat or Crosley engines, often a… Continue reading Marty Stein: 1952 Siata 300BC
Rob Manson: 1953 Kurtis 500S Dodge
Frank Kurtis based the design for the 1953 Kurtis 500S sports car on his successful Kurtis 500 Indianapolis roadster chassis, widened to accommodate two people and the V8 motors available at the time. Between 20 and 30 of the cars were built in one year only, at Kurtis Kraft in Glendale, California. This Kurtis… Continue reading Rob Manson: 1953 Kurtis 500S Dodge
Rob Manson: 1953 Tatum GMC Special
Charles “Chuck” Tatum was a decorated Marine Corps veteran of Iwo Jima from Stockton, California. He built the Tatum GMC Special in late 1952-early 1953 on a dare from friends Phil Hill, Sammy Weiss and Doug Trotter. Pre and Post War Ford suspension and drum brakes are mounted on a Tatum, designed and built, tube… Continue reading Rob Manson: 1953 Tatum GMC Special
Stu Hanssen: 1951 Hanssen Baldwin Special
This the third car built by Willis Baldwin of Santa Barbara. It was raced from 1954 thru 1960 by Wm. Hanssen at tracks such as Palm Springs, Hanson Dam, Santa Barbara, and the famed Pebble Beach circuit. It is based on a shortened 1947 Ford chassis and is powered by a Ford Flathead V8 with… Continue reading Stu Hanssen: 1951 Hanssen Baldwin Special
1955 Murphy Kurtis 500SX
Frank Kurtis, the highly successful Indianapolis car constructor, built four Kurtis 500SX sports racing cars at his Kurtis Kraft facilities in Glendale, California. Each car was unique. This is chassis number 3 (8 55 SX3) commissioned by Culver City Buick dealer Bill Murphy. Murphy had owned and raced two earlier Kurtis 500S sports cars, but… Continue reading 1955 Murphy Kurtis 500SX
Steve Schuler: 1955 Hagemann Chrysler Special
The Hagemann Chrysler Special was built for amateur racer John Barneson by Jack Hagemann of San Leandro, California. Hydroplane and race engine builder George Nauro was chosen to build the powerful Chrysler 300 Hemi motor. Hagemann developed his metal shaping skills during WWII at the Alameda Naval Air Station. He had already designed and built… Continue reading Steve Schuler: 1955 Hagemann Chrysler Special
Rick Cannon: 1950 Cannon Mk1 Special
Ted Cannon, built the Cannon Mk.1 and two other sports racing Specials at his machine shop in North Hollywood, California. It was mostly built from parts accumulated from other projects. The chassis, from his father’s 1934 Dodge, was shortened and the frame rails were boxed for rigidity. The coil spring front suspension and drum brakes… Continue reading Rick Cannon: 1950 Cannon Mk1 Special