Dario Resta

Congratulations on that milestone, Nanni...

Let's hope that your clarification of the exact date and place is echoed around the net.

Good to have a definitive answer - there are several different dates and locations given in this earlier thread:

Dario Resta

Good work Nanni.

It was here all along of course: http://www.oldracing...ver/Dario_Resta 

Naturalised British citizen, this begs a question does it not? Is he in any way related to Paul di Resta?

Naturalised British citizen, this begs a question does it not? Is he in any way related to Paul di Resta?

...who is of course a cousin of Dario Franchitti (get well soon!).

Thanks for confirming what I'd found out 2 years ago with an authoritive statement and sources. Now hopefully this will lead to more and more people both using and trusting my data.

Resta is no relation to di Resta.

Richard, I don't know. My efforts have had mixed results. I'm still trying to figure out where this story came from about Resta residing in Bakersfield, California and building a track at Buttonwillow.

Clip of "Dolly" Resta's Sunbeam racing at Brooklands in 1924: http://www.britishpa...0-miles-an-hour

I am convinced that Dario Resta lived in Eastbourne at some stage, Mrs Goldie (Una) Gardner kept refering to him, and she even though he was buried in Eastbourne, because she said " Goldie would have been touched to have been buried in the same place".

I know some peole with Kelly's guides for Eastbourne go way back, I'll ask, but to according to The Times of 6 September 1924, Resta's address at the time of his death was Silverdale Avenue, Eastbourne.

Number 51 to be precise

Edited by f1steveuk, 17 October 2013 - 15:09.

Re-activating this thread in hopes of tracking down the origins of - and ending - an unfounded story about Dario Resta that has propogated around the internet, seemingly with no basis in fact.

Namely, Dario Resta residing in Bakersfield, California c. 1917-1918. Does anyone know his whereabouts during that time? I can find absolutely nothing to corroborate that he lived in Bakersfield. But, it gets worse, oh so much worse. He's credited with building Buttonwillow Raceway Park, a track which did not open unitl 1997! This story is all over the internet, a classic example of copying off an incorrect page.

The earliest I can find this tale was in "The first king of America" by Remo Paolozzi, which appeared at 8W, dated November 1, 2006:

Quoting the relevant:

"It allowed Resta to dedicate time to his business. A few years earlier he had moved with his family to Bakersfield, California, creating a small racetrack at Buttonwillow, about 30 miles from Bakersfield. The track still exists and is regularly used by racing fans. "

I have absolutely no idea where he got that from. 

Good 'ol Wikipedia picks it up in an edit made June 23, 2007:

"During this time Resta became an American citizen, dedicated his time to his business and moved his family to Bakersfield, California.^[4] During his time in California, Resta created a small racing track at Buttonwillow, California; this track still exists as the Buttonwillow Raceway Park and is used by racing fans to this day.^{[4]"   (}Interesting that the little footnotes say "CITATION NEEDED")

Vitesse has since proven Resta never became an American citizen.

Naturally, the portion quoted above was used in the Wikipedia entry for Buttonwillow Raceway Park as well. And, of course, it's in the Motorsport Memorial entry for Dario Resta.

Google "Dario Resta Buttonwillow" and you'll find site after site after site that has picked up on this. From bloggers and aggregators to the SCCA (!), which simply copied the passage from Wikipedia.

So, similarly to the tale of Bob Hahn, we're supposed to believe that a driver who (apparently) didn't live in Bakersfield, California, originally built a road course c. 1918 that wasn't constructed until 69 years later?

Edited by Jim Thurman, 12 January 2018 - 21:30.

Well, his whereabouts are well known, he lived in New Rochelle/NY and was conducting business in Manhattan, 340 West 86th Street (Resta Motors, Inc.). After giving up on his own manufacturing projecct, he took over the Sunbeam agency at 17 West 50th Street - that was at some point in 1919.

They are well known to you    And that's why I posed it as a question, because I figured someone (most likely you  ) would know! Try to keep in mind, not everyone has looked up every single subject to the length and detail you have    Thanks, Michael 

Which makes the Bakersfield story all the more ridiculous and puzzling.

Well, his whereabouts are well known, he lived in New Rochelle/NY and was conducting business in Manhattan, 340 West 86th Street (Resta Motors, Inc.). After giving up on his own manufacturing projecct, he took over the Sunbeam agency at 17 West 50th Street - that was at some point in 1919.

His exact home address - at least when he was registered for the draft on September 12th 1918 - was 495 Willard Avenue, Pelham Manor, Westchester NY. Here's his draft card, which also gives his employer's address:

ETA: That address can also be found on the 1920 US Census.

There are several UK documents on Ancestry - school admission records and census returns mainly. But I've also just found his UK naturalization papers, dated December 17th 1908. At the time he was living in Reading.

The census, compiled between January 13th and 17th 1920, records that he was renting the property, so perhaps it was a 'sale and leaseback' arrangement? The household consisted of Dario and Mary Resta, their 14-month-old daughter Virginia and two servants; a 65-year-old Irish-born cook called Mary O'Brien and a 60-year-old maid called Margaret O'Loughlin, who was also of Irish descent, but born in New Jersey.

I've also found your Mr Carpenter: James Norman Carpenter (1878-1972). Seems to have lived most of his life in Brooklyn. On the 1910 census he's a 32-year-old bank clerk, but his brother Herbert Lyon Carpenter (two years younger) is recorded as having been an 'automobile agent'. In the 1915 NY census they are listed as 'banker' and 'automobiles', but on the 1920 US census Herbert is now the proprietor of a real estate company.

I can't find James on either the 1920 or 1930 census, but he had married in June 1919 and his first child was born in June 1920, so perhaps he was abroad when the 1920 census was compiled?

I have another Resta question, which the genealogy experts may well answer very quickly: in the eary thirties, there was a driver from Methuen, Massachusetts, name of Darren Vartanian (lots of spelling variants, though), who at times was introduced as Dario Resta's nephew - I suppose that's promoter's BS, but who knows, maybe he was related to the Wisharts? Can anyone prove or disprove this theory?

99.999% chance that it's promoter BS. On the 1920 census he's Derran Vartanian, son of a farmer who was born in Armenia! On the 1930 census he's again Derran, working as a garage mechanic, living with the family of his brother-in-law, who is also an Armenian. In both cases, living in Salem, Rockingham NH. Bit of a gap after that, but VA records reveal he was born on June 15th 1910. Presumably drafted, joined the USAAF January 20th 1942 as Derren Vartanian and then signed on as a USAF regular, with the rank of sergeant, on November 26th 1945. Married Josefina Telón in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, México, January 14th 1949. Retired from USAF October 30th 1963, died Salem, Rockingham NH, October 12th 1985.

I have followed this discussion with no small interest given the role of Resta in the period, 1915 to 1920, that I am currently putting together my preliminary research into some sort of narrative form. Needless to say, his presence in the contemporary literature seems at times almost ubiquitous. As with Michael, no mystery as to where Resta worked and resided since this was mentioned any number of times in the motoring press. The naturalization document and the draft registration card are great additions to the Resta narrative, of course. Although there were mentions in the press regarding Resta becoming a US citizen, this was usually then contradicted by something else that was written later. While Resta might have traveled about the USA, married an American, and conducted business in the USA, his base was in the New York area and he retained his British citizenship.

I must admit that the whole fairy tale about Resta living in Bakersfield and then building Buttonwood simply boggles the mind. That this seems to have seeped from some sort of odd fantasy into accepted lore simply reinforces the problems facing motor sport historians. Like Jim, I cannot even begin to process how such lunacy could even be conceived, much less somehow accepted.

Once again, thank you Richard for sharing the fruits of your always amazing research. The same to Allen, Michael, Jim, and the others for their work on this.

First, Dario Resta's whereabouts in 1918 might be widely known amongst the few of you who bury themselves in the motoring press of 1918, but that's not me Some here seem to lose sight of the fact that not everyone follows their exact path and covers their same ground    To put it bluntly, I've never bothered to look up anything on Resta because it seems like plenty of other people have done so, and obviously continue to do so Instead, I prefer the path less taken, looking into the more obscure, such as drivers like Al Putnam and Speed Hinkley, to name just two. Big names and events only attract my attention when a glaring error pops up, like this ludicrous one about Resta. I believe in at least making the effort at cleaning up those errors and myths. Something some seem to either ignore or shrug away while buried in research and working toward, well, what exactly?    What's more important than cleaning up these sort of glaring errors?

And Michael, like you, I have time constraints, serious time constraints. While I enjoy researching auto racing history, I enjoy other things in life and want to enjoy those as well. Researching auto racing history is fascinating and interesting to me, a true labor of love, but not a full time avocation.

Also, I do not have, and never have had, Ancestry.com or any other pay service. I do not use pay services for research. So, there's that too   If someone wishes to donate expenses or underwrite same for me to do more research, feel free

Edited by Jim Thurman, 12 January 2018 - 19:19.

The Buttonwillow error is just about the wildest rumor I've ever read...

 

It is a true jaw-dropper, which is really saying something considering the level of tall tales that permeate auto racing history.

I must admit that the whole fairy tale about Resta living in Bakersfield and then building Buttonwood simply boggles the mind. That this seems to have seeped from some sort of odd fantasy into accepted lore simply reinforces the problems facing motor sport historians. Like Jim, I cannot even begin to process how such lunacy could even be conceived, much less somehow accepted.

 

Once again, thank you Richard for sharing the fruits of your always amazing research. The same to Allen, Michael, Jim, and the others for their work on this.

You fellows spent more time at 8W than I did. Have you contacted anyone there about making a correction, or trying to get to the bottom of how such a ludicrous myth found its way into an article? And at a website that states: "The stories behind motor racing history's fact and fiction." 

I also want to thank Richard for sharing his research    And, same to the others, save me. I've done very little here other than point out what should seem obvious

Edited by Jim Thurman, 12 January 2018 - 19:18.

Jim,

You do top-notch yeoman's work and  far more than your share of heavy-lifting and have, I would say, the respect and support of virtually everyone here and elsewhere. What you and many others do within the constraints you face is not only remarkable, but deeply appreciated. As in this case and any number of others as well, you have focused attention and raised questions that would otherwise gone overlooked.

Good job, we appreciate it.

You fellows spent more time at 8W than I did. Have you contacted anyone there about making a correction, or trying to get to the bottom of how such a ludicrous myth found its way into an article? And at a website that states: "The stories behind motor racing history's fact and fiction."

Someone at 8W has obviously taken note, as the article no longer mentions Bakersfield or Buttonwillow. It would be nice if they could now join in this discussion and explain how this error came about.

Apparently, someone contacted them about it. Hmm, I wonder who?    As to the second part of that, I'm working on it 

EDIT: Though I do encourage other knowledgeable folks to contact 8W as well, as it provides additional support to my claim about the error.

Edited by Jim Thurman, 12 January 2018 - 20:54.

Sorry, "8W?"

Google is your friend.

http://8w.forix.com/

Jim,

 

You do top-notch yeoman's work and  far more than your share of heavy-lifting and have, I would say, the respect and support of virtually everyone here and elsewhere. What you and many others do within the constraints you face is not only remarkable, but deeply appreciated. As in this case and any number of others as well, you have focused attention and raised questions that would otherwise gone overlooked.

 

Good job, we appreciate it.

Thanks for the kind words Don. I'll admit that I rarely have the time anymore to delve into things the way I wish I could, but I do try to maximize my time. At least in this area. I've joked that my epitaph should read: "I wasn't very good at time management." 

Who was Eva Resta?

Before WWI Dario Resta was photographed on a number of occasions with a lady identified as Eva Resta. See for example the victorious Sunbeam team after the 1912 Coupe de l'Auto Race where drivers, wives and mechanics pose with the large bronze trophies at Bracquemont. She was still accompanying him in 1914 at the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Race. And yet Resta married Mary Wishart in the USA.

Does anyone know anything about Eva Resta and what became of her?

As you're probably aware, Oliver, Dario had two sisters - Linda and Olga.

However, the 1911 census may hold a clue to the identity of 'Eva Resta'. That census shows Dario Resta as living at 11 St Marys Mansions, St Marys Terrace Paddington. He is not the head of the household, merely recorded as a 'boarder'. At that time he was 28. The person recorded as head of the household was stated to be a 37-year-old widow, whose name was Eveline Jeanne Harrison, supposedly born 1874 in Bristol.

In 1895 an Eveline Jeanne Harrison is recorded in the Western Daily Press (i/d April 4th) as applying for transfer of a music and dancing licence at (presumably) a pub [edited] dance hall or ballroom called the Star in Broadmead, Bristol. If it still existed as late as 1940, Goering probably did for it - Broadmead was levelled by the Luftwaffe over the winter of 1940/41.

Eveline Jeanne Harrison then appears in the London Gazette, August 23rd 1898, when a business partnership with one John S Cima was dissolved - the business was called Cima and they traded in Bristol High Street as 'pastry cooks, confectioners and restaurant keepers'. Mr Cima apparently continued alone. Mrs Harrison's maiden name was also Cima and she was actually born in 1871 - she was baptised on November 27th of that year. The baptism record shows her name as Evolina Joanna Cima.

I can't trace any Cima families in Bristol in that period, but on the 1891 and 1901 censuses there is a family of Swiss confectioners and bakers named Cima in Cheltenham.

As will be seen below, Eveline married an Edward Harrison - in the City of London - in 1889.

She next crops up in the divorce index in 1902 and she was apparently accused of adultery with one Arthur Henry Crook. There is however a sting in the tail. This is from The Times, 12th July 1904.

The above of course doesn't necessarily mean that she wasn't a widow in 1911 when the census was compiled - Mr Harrison could perhaps have died by then - but widowhood might equally be a convenient smokescreen. She does seem to have been rather creative with her age though.

After 1911 - nothing definite, although there is a possible death in Sutton in 1940 - an Eveline Jane Harrison, who left a fairly substantial estate of just under £10K. However, date of birth is stated as 1867, so possibly not the right person.

So, could Eveline/Evolina Jeanne/Joanna Harrison née Cima - who seems to have led an interesting life - actually be 'Eva Resta'?

Edited by Vitesse2, 15 August 2023 - 10:18.
Further thoughts!

Dario Resta is also listed as living at 11 St Marys Mansions in the 1914 and 1915 Kelly's Directories. But not - apparently - Mrs Harrison.

Thank you very much Vitesse2 for that astonishing story! Not sure what to make of it. So she wasn't Mrs Resta. I will try to see who first identifies her as such. One wonders what the rest of the team thought when Resta said he was bringing his landlady along for the trip. 

Thank you very much Vitesse2 for that astonishing story! Not sure what to make of it. So she wasn't Mrs Resta. I will try to see who first identifies her as such. One wonders what the rest of the team thought when Resta said he was bringing his landlady along for the trip. 

This is a hypothesis still.

Obviously it's purely hypothetical based on the lady's first name, but it should also be borne in mind that young Dario had grown up in the rather bohemian Soho area of London, where his father was a photographer with premises on Shaftesbury Avenue. So perhaps he wasn't all that straight-laced either.

FWIW, as a younger man, Resta seems to have been a bit of a rebel. I found some examples ...

Reading Observer, June 7th 1906 - fined for driving a car with no rear light.

Daily Telegraph, August 23rd 1907 - fined for speeding in Richmond Park. (Copied by numerous regional papers!)

February 1908 - accused of speeding (twice) on the Great North Road near Grantham. Specialist lawyer TW Stapley Firth got him off the charge for lack of evidence.

July 1908 - was apparently testing his GP Austin on a public road near Abbeville and encountered two carts in the middle of a bend, causing him to roll the car in avoiding them.

As a youngster he won several bicycle races representing Putney AC, but he also seems to have been a roller skater! On September 12th 1912 the Sporting Life reported that he had been appointed Honorary Secretary of the Holland Park Roller Skating Club and on April 11th 1913 the Pall Mall Gazette was looking forward to his performance in the British figure roller skating championship, which he was 'much fancied' to win. Presumably he didn't ...

That is a wonderful find...

DCN

... which Robert Dick quoted as early as 2013 in his book "Auto Racing Comes of Age", p. 149 f.