The MotorBinder Photo Book Project

As keepers of the flame here at Sports Car Digest, we relish in the glory of cataloging and sharing classic sports car imagery. Some would argue that digital technology makes our jobs easy. Digital tools are certainly taken for granted these days. Imagine then, what it was like in the late 1950’s to mid 1960’s for Bev Spencer, a prominent San Francisco car dealer. Bev had the forethought to document the golden era of sports cars and road racing through his personal exploits. By purchasing one-year old competition Ferraris directly from the factory, Bev achieved a level of access and involvement worthy of envy. Friendships with driving greats Phil Hill, Dan Gurney, and many other prominent figures are part of the lore.

Encompassing over three thousand period images from two inherited binders, hundreds of rare racing programs, and boxes of road racing ephemera, Bev Spencer’s photo collection reveals a unique insider glimpse of the cars, drivers and tracks. Period shots from California’s great tracks – Laguna Seca, Torrey Pines, Riverside and Paramount Ranch etc. – take us back to this golden age of road racing.

These photos are too good to keep hidden away. Roy Spencer, Bev’s son, is compiling his father’s images and unforgettable tales into an extraordinary book called MotorBinder. As sorting, scanning and publishing the collection is a major undertaking, Roy has initiated a Kickstarter campaign called The MotorBinder Project to fund the effort. Enthusiasts can contribute and follow the book’s publishing process from start to finish. Sports Car Digest supported another excellent Kickstarter project to fruition called The Little Red Racing Car. We believe this venture deserves your attention, as well.

More than just vintage racing photos, the Spencer collection places you in the driver’s seat of an unforgettable period. Imagine driving the first-ever V-12 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa as a street car, and you’ll get a sense of where the MotorBinder book might take you.

Passionate Ferrari Patron

Spencer’s father, Bev, caught the racing bug as a child from his father, Packard Motor Cars Executive Vice President LeRoy Spencer, and passed his enthusiasm on to each of his five boys. Not content to simply drive his latest street Ferrari to the epic races of the day, Bev Spencer added a Ferrari Franchise to his San Francisco Buick dealership in 1963.

He was partial to the new GTO and campaigned both 1963 and 1964 versions at Northern California tracks. The Le Mans-winning 1961 Ferrari Testa Rossa also joined the racing fleet as did a Maserati 151 Le Mans coupe and an ex-Cunningham Cooper-Buick.

Ferrari Passion: Bev Spencer poses with his rather exotic Sunday morning entertainment in 1962: the first V12 Testa Rossa constructed, chassis number 0666 TR.

Reunion: Phil Hill beams in front of Bev Spencer’s newly restored series 2 GTO, the car Hill and Pedro Rodriguez shared to win the 1964 Daytona Continental. It’s spring 1964 and Hill had been captivating the Spencers with his recent racing exploits over dinner

Preserving the Legacy

In stark contrast with today’s social media and cell phone cameras, Bev Spencer proactively hired a small army of photographers to meticulously record his exploits. Of course, some of the photography was used to promote the family car dealership. A shiny new Buick Riviera was photographed with a Ferrari in tow surrounded by Spencer Buick Ferrari support vehicles. It wasn’t all about PR, though. Even then, the Spencers knew that these cars were special. They also loved to entertain and would document special occasions. Roy Spencer remembers his mother Josephine frequently capturing memories with her own camera.

Roy Spencer’s MotorBinder project will combine the best images from the “motor binders” with the best shots within the Family Archive and never told stories to create a unique book covering this era of motor racing. He notes, “It’s really time to share this amazing collection of unpublished images with enthusiasts of road racing’s formative decade. I’m excited about the initial images and the thought of creating the MotorBinder book.” Those who contribute to the MotorBinder project will receive regular updates as well as special insider looks at rare images.

Learn more about the MotorBinder project by clicking the link here to their Kickstarter campaign. You’ll love the amazing video footage of Phil Hill chauffeuring Bev Spencer around the original Pebble Beach road course in Spencer’s Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta.

The MotorBinder Project – Photo Gallery

Seventeen year-old Ricardo Rodriguez leans against his Porsche 718 RSK before the start of the 1959 US Grand Prix at Riverside Raceway.

Hillsborough Concours May 1963: Bev Spencer idles his first Ferrari 250 GTO, #4219, out of the show. The car arrived from Ferrari via TWA at the San Francisco Airport at 5 am that very morning. Three of Spencer’s five sons look on. (Photo: Gordon Martin)

Dinner with legends: (l to r) Bev Spencer, Phil Hill, Dan Gurney (photo: Air News Photos)

Roy Spencer’s MotorBinder project will combine the best images from the “motor binders” with the best shots within the Family Archive and never told stories to create a unique book covering this era of motor racing.

Monterey Grand Prix Oct 1966: Phil Hill leads team owner and Chaparral founder, Jim Hall, on his way to capturing Chaparral’s only Can-Am victory. (Photo: Gordon Martin)

Ah, the simple ’60s: Taken in 1962, Graham Hill and Ken Miles commiserate amongst unfazed spectators after both retired from the Monterey Grand Prix (photo: Gordon Martin)

Stan Peterson (driver) and Bev Spencer with the Maserati Tipo 151 upon arrival at Spencer residence (photo: Gordon Martin)

The Spencer “L’Equipe” circa spring 1964: Spencer’s Le Mans winning 1961 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa and ex-Cunningham Cooper-Buick pose with their respective tow and support vehicles on the 18th fairway at Pebble Beach. (Photo: unknown)

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As Spencer notes, “It’s really time to share this amazing collection of unpublished images with enthusiasts of road racing’s formative decade. I’m excited about the initial images and the thought of creating the MotorBinder book.” Those who contribute to the MotorBinder project will receive regular updates as well as special insider looks at rare images.

For additional information or to help support this worthy Kickstarter campaign, visit the MotorBinder project.

[Source: photos: Roy Spencer]

via http://www.sportscardigest.com

The Little Red Racing Car

As the father  of two young boys and the publisher of what I consider my other baby (but obviously not as important as my real children), Sports Car Digest, I hope that by sharing my affinity for classic cars with my kids and their future children, they will in turn become part of the larger classic car community. Thus, I am constantly searching for new ways to help kindle that interest.

Queue Dwight Knowlton, a fellow vintage car lover and father, who’s working diligently to put together The Little Red Racing Car, a story about a Maserati 300S barn-find being restored by a father and son. We sat down with Dwight to find out more about both himself and his newest project.

Sports Car Digest: What is the Little Red Racing Car?

Dwight Knowlton: The Little Red Racing Car is a Father/Son/Car story about a barn-find 1955 Maserati 300S. It’s a story about the love of cars, history and the father-son relationship. And it’s illustrated in a style derived from the vintage racing posters of yesteryear.

SCD: What gave you the idea?

DK: I went looking for the perfect automotive picture book when my son was born and couldn’t find it. It seemed like an opportunity waiting for someone to make it happen. I hope I’m that someone.

SCD: Explain your desire to do this.

DK: I want to create something special for my son — and all car loving families. I’d like nothing better than to influence and energize a new generation of automotive passion — especially for the vintage sports car. In fact, I want it all badly enough that I’ve used a couple years of savings that was supposed to be for a project car! I want to create something timeless — something of quality. Something that while created with children in mind, can still be meaningful for adults…and not grossly inaccurate.

SCD: Connect us with the story. How do you expect readers to identify?

DK: The story begins with a flash of the car at its glory. Then casts time and neglect as the protagonist. From there on, it’s a barn-find story with a boy and his dog, the boy and his dad, and a surprise or two along the way.

Some readers will never see a 300S in person. Others might have one parked in their garage. But we can all connect to this story in different ways. There may be readers that wish it was about a brown Camaro…but that’s OK…they’ll still connect because it’s about a father, a son and a car. We all have dreams of something like this happening.

SCD: Why the Maserati 300S?

DK: The title came first, likely influenced somewhat by the favorite car book of my youth, The Red Car by Don Stanford. But The Little Red Racing Car just sounds familiar, like something you’ve probably already read – even though it doesn’t exist yet. I love that about it. After the title, it was a matter of determining the right car. It’s red, so it had to be Italian. For most that might make Ferrari a foregone conclusion, but I’m never one for the obvious choice. I’ve always loved Maserati, but there were a couple wonderful Alfas in the running, too. Ultimately though, the 300S just had the right combination of stunning looks, great performance and unbeatable heritage. I have a lot of respect for Sir Stirling Moss, and loved that he had piloted this car to numerous victories.

SCD: How much accuracy are you after in representing the car as a 300s?

DK: I’d like to think that if the book were a little longer, it could serve as a Bentley manual for a rebuild! I’m joking, of course. But I really do want everything that is represented visually to be correct. That’s part of what makes this concept unique. It truly has cross- age, cross-demographic appeal.

SCD: How have you achieved this level of accuracy?

DK: I started with extensive online research. When I felt I had pretty much exhausted that, I bought Walter Baumer’s incredible Maserati 300S book. For added visual exploration I have used the gallery feature in the Xbox driving simulator Forza 4, and have purchased a CMC model. I light and photograph the model to create angles and to give myself reference material from which to illustrate.

Personalized Poster Creator App

SCD: Is there anything that you would consider unique about your approach?

DK: Probably the biggest uniqueness for the project as a whole has been my use of social media to grow a following before a product existed and before the story was even written. For those who do this sort of thing, you can Like, Follow, Pin, Sign Up and more through the website: www.theLittleRedRacingCar.com. The Personalized Poster Creator is definitely unique, as well. I’ve not seen anything like it done. If you’ve not tried it, go make one (or a dozen, it’s free to use) for the little car lover in your life…or for yourself.

SCD: What else are you doing that might be interesting?

DK: I’m tucking in little things that are meaningful to me. The vehicle used to pull the car from its hiding place for example, was the first vehicle I ever held the title to, a 1965 Chevy truck. It was my grandfather’s farm truck, and was itself, a barn find for me. It hadn’t run in years, and while I did buy it and get it running, sadly, it never did become my daily driver. Also, the name on the side of the old tow truck is in memory of the man who took me under his wing so to speak, and taught me much of what I know about cars. He passed away about 10 years ago from a brain tumor, and this is just a way of saying thanks.

SCD: What has been the most challenging part of the project so far?

DK: Time. There are just not enough hours. Even now, I am considering that I might have to move the release date from Fathers Day 2013 to later in the year. I am doing it all myself. I’m the Writer, Illustrator, Strategist, Marketer, Social Media Guy, Web Designer, Photographer, Videographer, Voice Over Artist, Editor and Key Grip. I’m just kidding on the last one, I’ve just always wanted to say Key Grip.

SCD: You mentioned quality earlier. Tell us about that.

DK: I want everything associated with this project to be top shelf or not at all. I’d rather not produce the corresponding iPad app, for instance, than to produce anything less than great. I am printing the books in the USA. It’s OK that it costs more. Its my plan to produce everything, every T-shirt, every embroidered patch, everything, in the USA. The only exception so far is some metal casting that I plan to do with Auto-Racing Studio in Cornwall.

LRRC VIN Plate Sketch

Through the Knothole Sketch

Getting Close Sketch

Hands on the Wheel Sketch

SCD: Do you plan to release it internationally?

DK: Without question. I don’t think I can help it. The second email newsletter was opened by subscribers in 18 countries. I have received so many notes from all over the world. So many people just connect with the premise and the style.

SCD: Where do you see The Little Red Racing Car in another ten years time?

DK: I’d like to be a few books in. I’d like to have at least a couple of them animated as short films. I think there are quite a few stories here – and not just for The Little Red Racing Car. But others, such as the already named book 2: The Small Silver Speedster. It’s based on a love of my life, the Porsche 550. And then there’s a certain Jaguar of the 50’s…And…Well, I’m open to suggestions.

SCD: Did you expect as much support as you’ve gotten?

DK: No. I mean, I hoped it and I dreamed it. But I didn’t expect it. As it turns out, picturing something big in your head and having it really happen, are two very different things. I feel a tremendous responsibility now. I have gotten so many amazing notes and emails from people who are behind this. Some from folks that have bottles of red with a higher net worth than me!

SCD: What are you most excited about at the moment?

DK: Well, the response so far has been incredible. So I guess I’m most excited by the possibility of this being bigger than I had planned. The next few months may just determine that I’ve begun career 2.0!

The Little Red Racing Car Sketch Book

Many a Great Race Sketch

SCD: What key goal have you yet to achieve?

DK: Honestly, even more than big book sales, I’d like to see this story as an animated short film. I have buy-in from an extraordinarily talented Emmy award-winning producer/director. If we hit the third milestone of the upcoming Kickstarter fundraising campaign, we’re making the film. So I’m hoping on hope for that!

SCD: What other projects do you have in mind?

DK: How long do you have? I have a few more books and printed products as good as done in my head. Other than that, I’ll limit it to two.

One idea that I very much want to execute is to hand build vintage race and sports car inspired grandfather clocks. Some might be banged up, burned and patina’d. Others might be high gloss showroom quality showpieces. I’ll design clock faces inspired by the instrument panel. I will likely buck-build the skins, then finish with appropriate details, badging and colors. The thought of an XKSS grandfather clock…Oh, man!

I’ve also done some sketching and design for the creation of bespoke car haulers created to match/compliment a couple of the world’s most amazing automobiles, such as this Bugatti Atlantic Coupe. I’d love to play a role in seeing something like this built.

Most importantly though, given any level of continued success for this project, I’d like to either start, or greatly enable a charity for kids. The idea of children in bad situations breaks my heart. So I don’t just want to give a kid a book or a gift at Christmas. I’d like to be part of something that can change lives. I’d like to give kids without a hope or a home the possibility of a new life.

SCD: You are launching a funding campaign on Kickstarter on February 1st. Can you convince the reader to contribute?

DK: This project is pure passion for me. So I want passionate people involved. If anyone has read this article and isn’t sold, I don’t want to convince them. But if you do connect, I cannot tell you how much that means to me. I want you on my team!

SCD: Final thoughts?

DK: In order to create some extra press and hence traction for the project, I’m hoping to organize followers of the project and set a record for the fastest funded campaign ever. Even if we don’t accomplish that, we may succeed in creating some momentum. So please bookmark the site: www.theLittleRedRacingCar.com and visit again on February 1st. I’ll post information and a link on the site when the Kickstarter campaign goes live.

[Source: Dwight Knowlton]

with sportscardigeste fa