Tag Archives: ERMA Special

ERMA/SIAM Update and new History and Photos

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Thank you, Jacques Dresang, for his research on the Tanner H-Mod’s he just acquired.  The Tanner T2  driven by Frank Isaacson, named the Lyne Special, who also drove and owned the ERMA/SIAM.  Jacques reached out to Franks daughter, Eve Prebil and she was gracious to share some history and valuable information on both the Tanner and the ERMA/SIAM

The ERMA/SIAM was built by Purdue students between the 1953-1954.  Frank Isaacson was a student at Purdue graduating in 1955.  Eve suggests that he may have been involved in the build of the ERMA as Frank had “built his first car age 15”.

Frank Isaacson raced ERMA, Experimental Racing Motors, orange #33 from 1958-1960 per:

https://www.racingsportscars.com/driver/results/Frank-Isaacson-USA.html

Eves Mother drew this wonderful picture of ERMA

Eve shared these period photos of her father, Frank Isaacson, and the #33 ERMA

 

 

Thank you, to Eve and the Isaacson family for this invaluable history,

Larry

 

 

Additional info on SIAM History

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Well if I read and comprehended half of what I read I would be so much better at this.  The “Class H News” of June 1959 talks about the Wilmont race of May 17th.  Noted is “Frank Isaacson has his car looking better and going well”:

Class H News June 1959

When I did a search of “Frank Isaacson” on:

http://www.RacingSportsCars.com, (permission granted by http://www.RacingSportsCars.com)

Frank Isaacson on Racingsportscars, ERMA on Racingsportscars

I found the correlated information that May 17, 1959 Frank Isaacson was entered as #33 “ERMA Special”.  He finished 5th in the preliminary race and 6th in the race.  Is this a picture of Frank Isaacson?  Right car#.  We also know that when you see the Steve Hawxhurst info below the car was #35!SIAM #33 Archive-1

Frank Isaacson drove the “ERMA Special” from 1958-1959 when he switched to a “Lyne Special”.(per the records on http://www.RacingSportsCars.com)

I think this is solid evidence with other documents and interviews with members past and present that the car built by the Purdue Students was originally “ERMA Special” and rebadged by Steve Hawxhurst to the “SIAM Special” noted by Steve Hawxhurst’s son and also verified by race results:SIAM Emblem 2

S Hawxhurst-SIAM on racingsportscars

This shows that Steve Hawxhurst drove #35 SIAM special on 6-25-1961 at Milwaukee finishing 1st in HM!  Is this a picture of Steve Hawxhurst?  Right car # and now “SIAM Special”! SIAM #35 Archive-2So I think we are starting to understand the history of ERMA and SIAM H-Mod.  Watch for more info to follow.  Larry