| "I have some photos of an
old car that a friend found in a carport in Georgia. It was built by Jim
Frostrom and Dean Batchelor (Road & Track fame). Jim and Dean were
old friends from their days at the Dry Lakes when they were founding members
of the Valley Drifters.
When my friend found the
car it was advertised as a Devin/Chevy V8. When I saw it was obviously
a late 50's California Special with its aircraft quality alloy body. What
was curious was the fact that it was in excellent condition and not raced
out as most old race cars become. After some investigative luck it turned
out that Frostrom was living across the state here in Florida.
Amazing. I went to see him
and was given the whole history of the car plus all his old photos. He
came over to Vero Beach and for the first time in 30 plus years sat in
his creation and fired it up. To see the look on his face was one of the
best moments in my 38 years in racing car repair and restoration. The car
was in the exact condition it was when Jim sold it. Astounding!
When Jim moved to Georgia
to take a new job Dean told him to take the car providing he could race
it when he was in the neighborhood. Eventually Jim sold the car and lost
track of it.
The body was built by Neil
Emory of Hollywood Customs which was across the street from the aircraft
company where Jim worked. The nose is a modified Fiberfab Ferrari Mondial
replica from the days when Fiberfab was in California. The car was raced
little but was fast enough to beat a Ferrari on one occasion.
My friend sold the car and
I understand it has changed hands again. Currently I have no idea where
it is other than the West Coast being readied for vintage racing. I was
hoping through your site I might be able to connect with the current owner
to give him the photos and historical info." |