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

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

Discussion in 'Vintage (thru 365 GTC4)' started by duki, Aug 18, 2020.

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  1. duki

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    #1 duki, Aug 18, 2020
    Last edited: Aug 18, 2020
    Some months ago I got interested in the story of Jan de Vroom, one of the early backers of N.A.R.T. as most of you know. ‘One of the great stories of motor racing history to be told’, somebody wrote on this forum. I am a motorsports historian from the Netherlands and will try to take up at least the Dutch part of this challenge.
    I saw several threads about Luigi Chinetti, N.A.R.T. and the Ferrari’s Jan de Vroom used to own.
    I already did quite some research: on De Vroom’s business, on his taste for Italian design (furniture and glass), on the Ferrari’s he owned, on the races he participated in and much more.
    I even tracked down his family, so I have already collected quite some information.
    Of course I read the article by Dominick Dunne in Vanity Fair and I found the legal proceedings that followed after De Vroom was murdered in 1975.

    But would there be more information? Are there still people alive who met him? I had a couple of short phone calls, with Mr. Chinetti jr. and Bruce Kessler among others, but I am still trying to find some of the mechanics of Chinetti Motors.
    I know that the granddaughter of George Arents jr., Leilani, also tried to find information. Is there anybody who can get me in touch with her?

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    I really would appreciate it when somebody can offer some help.

    Hans
     
  2. 375+

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    #2 375+, Aug 19, 2020
    Luigi Chinetti, Jr. and Dick Fritz would be the best sources.
     
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  3. 375+

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    #3 375+, Aug 19, 2020
    Also writer/historian Marc Sonnery who is a member here: Nembo1777
     
  4. duki

    duki Rookie

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    #4 duki, Aug 19, 2020
    Thank you 375+, I appreciate your help!
     
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  5. 375+

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    #5 375+, Aug 19, 2020
    Anytime. Welcome to FerrariChat!
     
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  6. Jack-the-lad

    Jack-the-lad Six Time F1 World Champ
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    #6 Jack-the-lad, Aug 19, 2020
    Maybe Françoise Sicard knew him, but I’m not sure if he worked for NART or strictly for the dealership/distributor.

    I know that Michael Lynch was doing some research about de Vroom and others in Chinetti’s orbit for his Chinetti/NART book. Since his death I have not heard the status of publication.

    By the way, as far as I know most if not all of de Vroom’s wealth came from those he surrounded himself with. The Dunne article in Vanity Fair is highly recommended.
     
  7. duki

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    #7 duki, Aug 19, 2020
    Hi Jack,
    Good suggestion, thanks very much. I did read the Vanity Fair article of course, an important source. But there is more to tell about his wealth. I hope I can shed some light on his life, please give me some time.
     
  8. Nembo1777

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    #8 Nembo1777, Aug 20, 2020
    https://www.vanityfair.com/magazine/1987/02/dunne198702

    Seems de Vroom was a Francois Marie Banier gold digger type though not to the same astronomical extent.

    In the mid 1990's when I was looking for my first book subject I did speak with Coco Chinetti about doing the NART book and in two meetings in Paris including one at Bardinon's apartment (in Bardinon's absence) he showed me some papers but they were as heavily redacted as CIA archive public releases! In the end I did not feel my hands would have been free enough so I opted against it. Coco is a great character to meet, on the right day.

    It would be nice to find out more about de Vroom anyway so good luck Hans:)
     
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  9. duki

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    #9 duki, Aug 20, 2020
    Thanks, Nembo1777! It's clear Jan depended on the Marquesa to a certain extent, but I found some proof he certainly cannot be compared to Banier. We'll see what comes up during my research.
     
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  10. 375+

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    #10 375+, Aug 21, 2020
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  11. miurasv

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    #11 miurasv, Aug 21, 2020
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  12. 375+

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    #12 375+, Aug 21, 2020
    That was too easy;)
     
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  13. Pmo75

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    #13 Pmo75, Sep 5, 2020
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  14. Giuliana

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    #14 Giuliana, May 2, 2021
    Dear Hans, I am an art and design historian and am interested in Jan De Vroom because of his furniture business. Do you have any information on his educational background, where he studied and what, with whom he mingled? I wonder if he had been trained as an architect. He seemed very passionate about Italian design. Any cues from other bloggers are welcome, and of course will be credited.
     
  15. Marcel Massini

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    #15 Marcel Massini, May 2, 2021
    Dear Mrs Professore

    I suggest you get in touch with Richard "Dick" Fritz, long time head at NART North American Racing Team and Luigi Chinetti Motors. He later opened up his own Amerispec Corporation in Danbury/CT.
    I am sure Dick knew Jan de Vroom and has more to tell.
    Fingers crossed.

    Marcel Massini
     
  16. duki

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    #16 duki, May 2, 2021
    Dear Giuliana, yes, I may have some interesting facts for you, although it is a hard puzzle. And of course I am working on a story as well. Maybe we should call or chat? Best regards, Hans
     
  17. Giuliana

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    #17 Giuliana, May 2, 2021
    Thank you for your suggestion. I am afraid that they met DV long after his involvement with design, but who knows?
     
  18. Jack-the-lad

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    #18 Jack-the-lad, Mar 26, 2024
    @duki @Giuliana

    Hello.

    Did either of you ever have your work about de Vroom published?

    Jack.
     
  19. duki

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    #19 duki, Mar 26, 2024

    Hi Jack, thank you for asking. I’m actually writing these couple of months, while doing some last research. Publication in the Netherlands is scheduled this fall. And then the next step will be to find an American publisher… I’ll post the cover one of these days.
     
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  20. Jack-the-lad

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    #20 Jack-the-lad, Mar 26, 2024
    Thanks, Hans. I’m sure many here will want to know all about it. Please let us know.
     
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  21. Jeff Kennedy

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    #21 Jeff Kennedy, Mar 26, 2024
    To what extent did you also end up with information about George Arents? Anything about ownership percentages of NART or funding splits?
     
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  22. 375+

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    #22 375+, Mar 26, 2024
    Excellent questions.
     
  23. duki

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    #23 duki, Mar 27, 2024
    I'm afraid nothing spectacular on this subject, Jeff. I share your curiosity, but those doors didn't open. I focus on the biography of De Vroom and maybe I can shed some light on details that are interesting for people mainly interested in N.A.R.T. We'll have to wait and see.
     
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  24. omd78

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    #24 omd78, Mar 27, 2024
    Best of luck Hans.

    Gr. Martin
     
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