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Post by jager on May 6, 2022 23:41:21 GMT -5
I only have a handful of signed models, this one from Sir Jack Brabham.
A work colleague in Florida is friends with Hurley Haywood and offered that if I sent him my books and models he'd get them signed for me. However, without actually meeting him in person and having that personal connection there didn't seem a lot of point to me sending them halfway around the world?
How many of you actively pursue getting your models and/or the bases or cases signed by drivers. Obviously Jerry does, but who else?
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Post by oldirish33 on May 7, 2022 1:19:57 GMT -5
Are you only getting autographs if you have met them Ian?
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Post by GBOAC002 on May 7, 2022 4:33:34 GMT -5
As mentioned recently. 2004 in Melbourne I wandered into a book store basement where Sir Jack Brabham was signing his latest book. I'd purchased a Holden Ute 500 Anniversary edition from a model shop in the city that same morning and asked if Sir Jack would kindly sign it for me and he said yes. I do have a pic of that chance event.
2011 I didn't realise that Sir Norman Dewis would be at Sandown Park Toy Fair. I quickly found a stallholder who had an IXO 1961 Anniversary E-Type which I quickly bought and then took it to Norman to sign which he gladly did. Didn't have a camera with me that day but was happy to have a chat with the great man.
1996 at Laguna Seca Raceway spotted Carroll Shelby doing signing session so because there were no model cars to hand I bought a poster for forty dollars and had it autographed. Have got a photo of it somewhere. Poster still rolled up in tube.
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Post by 105epaul on May 7, 2022 8:04:45 GMT -5
Pre-pandemic my local motorsport club had John Fitzpatrick as the guest speaker so I took four models and asked him to sign them which he willingly did. They were his 1966 BSCC championship winning Broadspeed Ford Anglia 105E (he asked me where to get one), two Escorts and a Porsche 935 K3. I also bought his book which he duly signed. We also had Rosemary Smith who was delightful and she happily signed some books that I had taken along.
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Post by jager on May 7, 2022 8:41:47 GMT -5
Are you only getting autographs if you have met them Ian? That's sort of my theory Jerry. Unfortunately that makes it pretty difficult in this part of the world. Pre-pandemic my local motorsport club had John Fitzpatrick as the guest speaker so I took four models and asked him to sign them which he willingly did. They were his 1966 BSCC championship winning Broadspeed Ford Anglia 105E (he asked me where to get one), two Escorts and a Porsche 935 K3. I also bought his book which he duly signed. John Fitzpatrick is quite a keen model collector. He has a sizeable 1:43 collection of the cars he's raced that I saw several years ago on a 1:1 historic racing forum. Through that, I acquired a couple of his Bathurst cars that he didn't know had been modelled. |
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Post by WallOfCars on May 14, 2022 16:06:53 GMT -5
I only have a handful of signed models, this one from Sir Jack Brabham.
A work colleague in Florida is friends with Hurley Haywood and offered that if I sent him my books and models he'd get them signed for me. However, without actually meeting him in person and having that personal connection there didn't seem a lot of point to me sending them halfway around the world?
How many of you actively pursue getting your models and/or the bases or cases signed by drivers. Obviously Jerry does, but who else?
Ian, your mention of Florida piqued my interest. I have a very vague knowledge of Haywood as I'm not really a racing fan. I knew he was associated on the executive side of Brumos Porsche in nearby Jacksonville but further research just revealed that he lives only about 2 miles from me!!! Even did a street view and noticed a Porsche SUV in driveway. What a small world and no, I'm not some creepy stalker...just be glad I am not a race fan  |
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Post by oldirish33 on May 14, 2022 17:16:30 GMT -5
I reached out to Hurley Haywood a bit over a year ago to sign a plate for the base of one of the pieces I made and he graciously complied. He enclosed a nice note and a couple of photos, one from Portland because I mentioned watching him race there in IMSA and Trans Am. He seems like a genuinely nice guy and appreciates fans. I pretty sure he is no longer involved with the dealership which is no longer Brumos, but is with the Brumos Collection Museum. Some day!  |
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Post by WallOfCars on May 14, 2022 21:06:52 GMT -5
I reached out to Hurley Haywood a bit over a year ago to sign a plate for the base of one of the pieces I made and he graciously complied. He enclosed a nice note and a couple of photos, one from Portland because I mentioned watching him race there in IMSA and Trans Am. He seems like a genuinely nice guy and appreciates fans. I pretty sure he is no longer involved with the dealership which is no longer Brumos, but is with the Brumos Collection Museum. Some day! What a thoughtful gesture Jerry! I'm sure he recognized your sincere enthusiasm and knowledge and his signature is certainly at home on your creation! I believe the Fields Group bought Brumos and perhaps Gregg Motorcars (Mercedes-Benz) a few years ago? I think Brian Redman was also a principle in the Mercedes franchise for years after Peter Gregg's widow sold her interest. To be honest, it is pretty fascinating to think a 3 times LM winner (not to mention Daytona etc) is so nearby.
I'm only living here temporarily with my Dad until I can start building my new place. Nonetheless, Haywood chose a lovely town to reside, it's just getting too crowded...and I would think especially so for an endurance champion You must have patience on these roads... |
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Post by oldirish33 on May 15, 2022 14:57:48 GMT -5
Mentioning Brian Redman, he is certainly an outstanding driver and one I have had the opportunity to meet on several occasions over the years. He is also another motorsport personality that is generous with is time. With his name primarily associated with the big vintage race festival at Road America each year, that is primarily where I have run into him. He signed a model of the Chevron B16 he drove to the European 2.0L Championship in 1970, as well as a BMW 3.0CSL he co-drove with Peter Gregg to win Daytona in 1976. He was taken with the Chevron and clearly it was one of his favorite cars driven during a long and varied career. He also told me about how he had driven most of the Daytona 24-Hours since Gregg apparently was ill. Here's a photo of Brian and Jim Hall (Chaparral) signing my programs and Chaparral book in 2012.  Fast forward to 2020, Brian was one of the first drivers I contacted to sign a plate for one of my small signature dioramas. He promptly returned it to me with a couple of photos of himself with the Chevron and when I sent him images of the completed work, he sent me a signed photo from his Group 44 days. I am delighted with the response I have gotten from drivers when asked to sign plates for my work (Jim Hall has too!) and as I have said multiple times, wish I had started this years ago. We have lost too many great drivers over the past few years and that opportunity is gone forever unfortunately.  |
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Post by Alfaholic on May 15, 2022 23:28:24 GMT -5
Great stories Gentlemen. I like hearing about chance meetings, or organised ones, with different racers. The tyranny of distance doesn't see that happen over here very much, although I do cherish a programme signed by Jack Brabham a few years ago - one of our few genuine motorsport stars.
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Post by jager on May 16, 2022 6:08:32 GMT -5
Always enjoy hearing your stories Jerry.
Tell us, how do you go about contacting all these drivers. I know some will have their own websites or Facebook pages, but what about those that don't?
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Post by fortythird on May 16, 2022 10:11:00 GMT -5
In my case I have been very fortunate having built several models for a lovely chap who was a great friend of Sir Jack Brabham and who had David Brabham lodge with him when he first came to England. He is well connected and invariably was able to get me these signatures. Fortunately in most cases before they passed away. ![]() All were built by myself from kits. I was first introduced my customer thanks to Stewart Frazer of this forum. Attachments:
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Post by fortythird on May 16, 2022 10:12:04 GMT -5
In my case I have been very fortunate having built several models for a lovely chap who was a great friend of Sir Jack Brabham and who had David Brabham lodge with him when he first came to England. He is well connected and invariably was able to get me these signatures. Fortunately in most cases before they passed away. ![]() and a few more Attachments:
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Post by fortythird on May 16, 2022 10:17:56 GMT -5
and a couple more Attachments:
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Post by fortythird on May 16, 2022 10:34:51 GMT -5
This one is Dan Gurney who was one of the drivers over the years to drive This hot rod. It regularly out performed Ferraris, Maseratis, Jaguars etc., and was described by Gurney as the most comfortable race car he’d ever driven. Attachments:
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