Tag Archives: H-Mod

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

 

 

Subaru-Brat Water Pump Sketch’s

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After finishing the installation of the Subaru-Brat water pump on my H-Mod, SIAM-Fibersport, I was asked for the sketches I used to fabricate. So I went on a massive hunt on where I got these sketches and best I can figure was a 2007 Post in the now defunct Yahoo Groups H-Mod forum that Nat Sherrill, Marty Stein and others managed. Best I can tell is that Marty and Franklin Rudolph were involved in posting these sketches. If I learn otherwise I will correct.

So along with pictures of my installation on here are the sketches I used.

Good luck and share your completed photos.

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

SIAM ARCHIVE

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Work is progressing on the SIAM.  Goal today is to take SIAM to the Crosley National Meet in Wauson, OH in July 2016.

In the interim I wanted to load the SIAM archive files I have gotten from Don Suiter and others through Chuck Reupart back in 1991.

First are a set of pictures Don Suiter took when he bought the car in Wisconsin in 1997 I believe.

Don then sold the car to Mark Brinker in Texas and he sold it to me via E-Bay 2004.  Later I will try to decipher a chronicle of owners of the car.

Siam E-bay Ad 2004

Chuck Reupert dug thru some of his old files and came up with many pictures of the car in action from late 50’s to early 60’s.  More pictures at:

https://picasaweb.google.com/108136620309046715550/SIAMArchiveRacingPhotos

SIAM #33 Archive-1

Steve Hawxhurst in a letter to Jim Wisniewski back in 1964 details many of the particulars of the SIAM.  (Must reading)

Steve Hawxhurst letter w-details on SIAM 1964

In 1997 Bill Mays, son of John Mays, designers of the Mays Fibersport body used on the SIAM, wrote to Mark Brinker and Harold Pace of some personal info he had on the SIAM.  I have kept in touch with Sandi Fodi, Johns Mays daughter, about the SIAM and my other Fibersport car.

A unique piece of history are copies of checks used by the Purdue students that built the SIAM.

Purdue Univ checks etc for SIAM build

Some letters documenting ownership transfers and other info can be found at:

SIAM communication 1961-1997

Sales Brochure from Chuch Walser back in 1962-63 show he had the SIAM for sale in Chicago, IL.  Look at the other cars he had for sale at the time, Jabro, Stanguellini, Lotus 18 etc.  Kinda neat!

Clarke Walser Sales sheets-1

On a side note, H-Mod racing in the Mid-West in the 50’s and 60’s was very vibrant.  I have added a copy of the Class H News, June 1959 for your reading pleasure.

Class H News June 1959

Allot of info now saved for all to share.  Enjoy and look for more updates on the SIAM restoration progress in 2016.

Larry

Adding to the H-Mod family: Fibersport-Crosley

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Fibersport Crosley EngineWith the help of Mike S from Iowa, I have acquired the 1956/57 Fibersport-Crosley. Mike bought the car off e-bay last year. He contacted me about selling the car and I said yes.
The car sure has the lines of the flat sided Fibersport but was bobbed on the front and rear at some point. Also there is a crease in the sides from the wheel opening to the bottom of the chassis near the doors. This looks like it may be from some de-lamination of the fiberglass layers. Compared to the Siam Fibersport body this one has a fiberglass floor, front and rear bulkheads; bolted to the Crosley frame.

The chassis appears to be Crosley Hot Shot with many holes drilled into the frame to lighten the frame. Engine is Crosley, transmission 3 speed Crosley and rear axle is Crosley. Front tire rims are 12″ Crosley and the rear tires are 14″, need to figure out what wheels are. The 14″ tires are needed to offset the high rear gear ratio of the Crosley diff.

I am going to do some digging in the “web” of the frame on the passenger side to see if I can find a Crosley VIN. That will help determine if he chassis is Crosley or custom.Fibersport Crosley Front shotFibersport Crosley Front