Jan de Vroom, early N.A.R.T. backer

I’ll look forward to the English version.

For those interested there’s an old article from Vanity Fair about JDV that can easily be found on line. I’d like to know your opinion of the article, @duki

 

As I can recall Ken Hutcheson obtained a few cars from de Vroom at one time, but I will have to dig out my old records on Kens cars to see which ones came from him.

 

I believe Fritz retired to Baldwin, NY. And Sicard came along after the era your speaking about. You might try the SCCA, they sanctioned many of the races you’re interested in.

 

Hi everybody, thanks for all your help. Time to wrap it up, I thought a couple of months ago, tomorrow is the official launch.
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Congratulations! Please let us know when there's a version in English.

 

Hi Jeff, thanks again for helping me out. When I did my research, I found some interesting articles which were overlooked of maybe cast aside - I don't know - in earlier N.A.R.T. histories. These writers helped me tremendously by the way, both the O'Neil book and the Lynch book are great sources. But my theory about the beginning of N.A.R.T. is slightly different. It started with a bang in Bridgehampton, 1957, if you would ask me. Reading The Golden Sawdust, Arents' novel from 1971, also helped me, together with the history of David Cunningham's Ferrari dealership in Coconut Grove. But nothing on exact amounts of money or percentages, I'm afraid.
All the best!

 

Thanks so much! I'm working on it. Any ideas about a suitable publisher in the USA are more than welcome.

 

Some possibilities would be Dalton, Bull and Octane Press, all specializing in automotive titles, but I would think your publisher would assist. Perhaps a publisher in the UK.

 

Great, thanks. I'm trying to keep this in my own hands

 

YESSSSSS!!!
Looks great.
Can't wait.

Marcel Massini

 

Tried to order it.
Seems shipping to Germany not possible.

 

you may contact them at:
[email protected]

 

Hi Manfred, did you try the publisher’s site Edicola.nl or a general site like Bol.com? I will help you out. The publisher should ship to Germany. If not, let’s start a private conversation and I’ll send you the book myself. Best regards, Hans

 

Ordered mine!

Gr. Martin

 

That's probably a fair judgement, IMO

THe other thing to think about, in those times was a very hard line between "sports car owners" that went racing for fun and glory, and the paid drivers that reaced for the "brand" if you will, worldwide. Ferrari, Jaguar, an host of brands were building some outrageous Specials that looked pretty stock.

Mr. Chinetti had a foot in both worlds, and sent cars in both directions, into the hands of the best gentlemen racers, and often the were works models that had already seen a few track miles in Europe! and of course he comissioned some pretty wild Specials himself thru his access channels.

Congrats on your effort!
I also look forward to news of an English Edition.

Man, as that Vanity Fair piece shows, huge money doesn't always buy happiness.
It can kill you.

 

Thanks very much. Actually, this was exactly what the late Bruce Kessler told me, when I called him for an interview. 'We didn't consider them to be competitors, we saw them as car owners. The only one that had some talent, was David Cunningham.' I was very thankful that Bruce Kessler took the time to answer some questions, he was a very friendly man.

 

I certainly would not "know so much" without reading about the same period of your research.

Walt Hansgen is a another good thread thru that same period, with Jaguar...Amatuer, but then at Pro levels.

And James Glickenhaus is the modern version of Briggs Cunningham..
One still finds vintage periodicals in Houston, because of the cross pollination.

Rosebud Racing in Victoria, TX ending up with a '62 250GTO
AJ Foyt building Specials for Nassau Races, with the Mecoms

It's always taken "big money" but in those simpler times, that term itself had a simpler meaning!!!
Thanks so much for your reply!

The Internet made a big improvement in communication, but very glad your effort gathered some first hand interviews.
Thay are all very aged at this point.

 

The Auction Catalog of 8971 365P Speciale has some interesting tidbits from Coco.

It covers much the same ground, De Vroom beng the second owner, but points out that after shipping the car to France probably put more road miles on it than any other owner.

"I'm not entirely sure where his money came from, but it was never in short supply.........Along with George Arents, De Vroom was some of the money behind NART in the early years"

Great brochure on that particular car (and old news, to Marcel!)