The Fangio Kidnapping and the Cuban Grand Prix of 1958

From the Article by D.M Bartley, "Not Enough Odds," Sports Cars Illustrated, May 1958, pp.40ff.

"it is questionable that ever in the history of racing has there been an event fraught with so many complications and tensions as the second Grand Prix of Cuba. The accident, which unfortunately killed seven spectators and injured thirty more, was not as serious as that of Lemans in 1955, but the political tension which culminated in the unbelievable kidnapping of world champion Juan Manuel Fangio, the fantastic number of armed policemen and army men crowded into the pit areas, guarding the Sports Palace, stationed at very close intervals around the entire 3.46 mile circuit and even in the hotels where the drivers and crew members were staying: all this made it impossible to forget that one was in a country on the edge of serious revolt."

Hi folks-- i was talking to one of my colleagues the other day -- Juan Santamarina -- about the Cuban GP of 1958. Juan told me that his grandmother's home was on the route of this race, and that his father had seen the race in 1958. It is a perfect time about which to do a study, and so I suggested to him that perhaps we should collaborate on an exploration into this event, and the American response to what happened. Anyone able to add more to the story, or suggest further readings? I will follow with Fangio's account of the kidnapping in the next day or so. And also more about the accident and race.

The Importance of the Ford Fusion and the Motor Trend "Car of the Year" Award

On Tuesday, the Ford Motor Company was awarded the Motor Trend Car of the Year Award for its Fusion, beating out 22 other contenders, including the new Toyota Prius, Nissan 370Z, and BMW 7 series. Those folks who bought Ford stock when it was hovering at a $1 a while back now look like geniuses! The car has had impressive sales, its hybrid has garnered enormous interest, and the fact that Ford claimed "Truck of the Year" honors last year only strengthens its position among a broad range of consumers.

The Ford achievement has significance far broader than the auto industry, however. We are living at at time in which American is seen to be a colossus in decline, with a bankrupt government, a high unemployment rate, fighting a two front war that seems without end -- a mighty power in retreat on many fronts, particularly if we compare ourselves to the rising Chinese economy. Concurrently, Chrysler seems like it doesn't have a hope in hell -- at least if we are to believe the recent statements by Senator John McCain -- and GM is experiencing enormous growing pains as it moves from a culture of consensus to one of decisiveness but also conflict.

Americans must focus on the horizon, at the expense of leaving our past in the background. for if we focus too much on past achievements and not think creatively about future possibilities, we are doomed to drift, if not fail. That has been the case of my place of residence of the past 25 years -- Dayton Ohio. Once a great manufacturing city and a center of innovation, for too long we have been looking back to the great work of C.F. Kettering, John Patterson, etc., etc. And so now we are in quicksand, with a largely apathetic community, many of whom which they could pick up and move to greener pastures. We need more science, technology, business and less humanities, social sciences lawyers, and the arts with the exception of the elite few. In sum, away with laborious thinkers, and on with thinking laborers!

A Brief Review of Robert Casey's Model T: A Centennial History

Hi folks -- one great thing about a sabbatical is you have some time to catch up with your reading. And in the area of automobile history there is so much to read! Last summer I purchased a copy of Bob Casey's The Model T, and experienced a great day around Model Ts in Richmond, Indiana where more than a thousand T's came together for the centennial anniversary celebration. I had never given that much thought to this particular vehicle, even though I have a chapter on Ford and his cars in my book, The Automobile and American Life. And I do agree with David Hounshell that this car was the most important automobile of the 20th century, bar none.

It was great fun that day going to Winchester, Indiana speedway and to see modified and stock Model Ts go around the track. And I must confess that I wouldn't mind owning a Model T speedster with dual Winchester carbs.

Getting to Casey's book. This was a great read. The book is filled with images of the car, of advertising, of various assembly line photos showing the progression of the technique of mass assembly, and far more. it's narrative contains plenty of material that I have read about before, but also a good number of "gems" -- insights that only the curator of the Henry Ford could provide. The chapter on driving a Model T was especially good, as I learned why that drivers side door was just an impression in the sheet metal -- there was a long lever that would have blocked or made difficult your entry into the car!

This is the best kind of academic book -- one that is not overly erudite with theories of knowledge, but plenty of knowledge is contained in this work that can be read in an evening, or thought about for days. The images alone are worth the price, but much more awaits you in reading its pages.

Book Signing, The Automobile and American Life, November 21, 2-5 p.m., at the Skillman Branch of the Detroit Public Library

Hi folks -- this Saturday, November 21, I will be in
Detroit signing books at the National Automotive history Collection. I won't be the only one there, but Iwill be one of the few authors who will speak to auto history fans at 3:15 p.m.

Among the others who will be there to sign books are:

Dimitry Anataksi, Car Nation: An Illustrated History of Canada's Transformation Behind the Wheels.

Andrew Beckman, The Studebaker Museum.

Lindsaty Brooke, Ford Model T: The Car That Put the World on Wheels.

John Clor, The Mustang Dynasty.

Gene Dickirson, GDT Speedster and the Shelton Road Project.

Michael Furman, Curves of Steel.

Robert Genat, Fuelies: Fuel Injected Corvettes, 1957-1965.

George Green, Flying Cars, Amphibious Vehicles and Dual Mode Transports: Special Use Vehicles.

James Harbor, Factory Man.

Charels Hyde, Storied Independent Automakers.

Tom Johnson, History of the American Automobile.

Margery Krevsky, Sirens of Chrome, The Enduring Allure of Auto Show Models.

David Lewis, The Public Image of Henry Ford.

Walt McCall, Encyclopedia of American Fire Engine Manufacturers.

Thomas McPherson, The Henny Motor Company.

Carlton O. Pate III, Pate's Early Ford Automoible Encyclopedia.

Jonathan Stein, The Art and Colour of General Motors.

Anthony Yanik, History of Maxwell Motor Company.

Early 1950s American Car Culture -- Advertising and some Surprises

Hi folks -- these ads were taken from Motor Trend, September and October 1952 issues. My point of inserting these ads is rather simple. Namely, the 1950s is often depicted by auto historians (and historians in general) as a decade dominated by affluence, consumption, waste, youth culture, Detroit Big Three hubris, tail fins and chrome, etc. etc. Yet, there is something else going on in the decade as well, as many individuals were still practicing "Depression Psychology" virtues of thrift, savings, economy, etc. Note that the ad for seat belts appears well before the 1956 Ford safety campaign or the early to mid-1960s impulse that was led by Ralph Nader. Why were the Mobilgas Economy Runs so popular in the 1950s? Precisely because not every American perceived him or herself to be big spenders, ready to dispose of hard-earned income. Indeed, the 1950s, this Golden Age of the automobile in America demands a serious reexamination that goes beyond "buff" historical accounts or interpretations influenced heavily by the present.

"Burn Em' Up Barnes" -- a 1921 Silent Version: Auto Racing and Love in the Early 1920s

Hi folks -- I never cease to keep learning more about car culture and history. In my book The Automobile and American Life, I discuss in the 1930s serial starring Frankie Dario entitled Burn Em' Up Barnes. Recently I learned of a silent film version that was a precursor to the 1930s serial, starring "torcher" Johnny Hines.

Burn Em Up Barnes is the son of a millionaire owner of an high-powered automobile manufacturing company, who supposedly was born on the 2oth Century Limited. Whether this is the cause of his flagrant violation of the speed laws in New Your is questionable, but he is constantly in trouble with law enforcement, and incidentally his father. After a bad turn that includes a fight with his father and an encounter with some crooks, Barnes finds himself a hobo , a member of "The United Travelers of America." A beating by train guards, a friendship and a girl by the name of Madge point this story to a memorable ending with a final race, love, and reconciliation.

First Blood: In the Winter of 1996 first steps are taken to restore my 1971 Porsche 911T Targa -- actually just to get it to run well --The Money Pit

Hi folks -- here are some of my first bills related to my 1971 "shit brown" Porsche. In looking at them after all of these years, they bring back some dark memories, yet also a learning experience that stayed with me to this day. Note the first bill -- two hood struts for the car. Frankly I have never been able to find hood struts that have lasted more than a year or so before they weaken and the hood falls down on your head when you expect it least. The long hooded Porsche 911s made between 1969 and 1973 had hoods that were just too heavy for the strutts. I have purchased lifetime strutts from Automotion (now Performance Products) and then had them replaced under warranty, but after a year they also fail and so I have given up -- but next time I buy anything from Performance, I will call them on the strutts again! At the first sing of cold weather these things weaken and fail. So I always carry around a sawed off ninja stick, just to hold the damn hood up. Porsche quality?

The hood strutts remind me of some of those early challenges in restoring my car, or 7/8 of a car, since there were a number of parts missing. This was especially true of the heater defroster unit in the front hood compartment that was missing. Note a following bill that details my purchase of right and left defrosters, a heater box, and the control unit. All kinds of other miscellaneous stuff were added at this time as well, from a door check on the drivers side to the fuel tank sender to a wiper switch to wiring issues.

I should have cut my losses then. But I am a stubborn person, and what I would gradually come away with is that if this project were to succeed at all, in the long run, I would have to do much more of the work. An academic who had very little mechanical experience, I was forced into a new role that did not come easy, and which I struggle with to this day, especially now that my near eyesight is failing. The car took me out of the library and into the garage.