4 replies to this topic

[LLP]

Awhile back I came across a thread here where a gentleman writer was asking for information on a specific car and person. It seems the person was my father Bob Webb, and the car was the Durlite 550A Spyder he built. I dug out some old pictures and newspaper articles I had about my father and decided to post some of the salvagable ones here for all you vintage road racing fans.

Our home garage, late 50's early 60's with two cars under construction
http://i129.photobuc...b/B_Webb_01.jpg

Unknown car, driver is Bob Webb. The body on this car shows one of his trademarks - beautifully polished aluminum.
http://i129.photobuc...b/B_Webb_02.jpg

Newspaper article from Indianapolis profiling home made super light frame.
http://i129.photobuc...B_Webb_bike.jpg

I believe this is Stout Field. This car ran under #4 and #44.
http://i129.photobuc...B_Webb_4_01.jpg

Rear view of the same car
http://i129.photobuc..._Webb_44_01.jpg

The second person from the left is Bob Webb. I don't know who the others are. This car was the Concannon Flying Special. My father was the assistant chief mechanic on this one. On the back of the photo is stamped: Speedway Official Photos - Indianapolis Motor Speedway - Speedway 24, Indiana
http://i129.photobuc...ndySpeedway.jpg

[Jerry Entin]

Thanks for starting the thread on your dad, who must have been a great craftsman. It looks as though the finned Porsche design by Bob was copied from the works Porsches running in the World Championship rounds. I forgot who ran the car in the Midwest [perhaps Tom Schultz can revive my memory banks], but it ended up with Joe Hoppen in Florida in the early 60s.

Now for the Durlite/Duralite controversy. Which is the proper name or did Bob change the trademark name of his construction overtime? All early cars are called Durlite, but by 1962 Roger Penske's cheater car was called Zerex-Duralite Special, and your dad built its body.
Willem Oosthoek

[LLP]

The original name was Durlite, used by Bob.

I'm familiar with the Zerex Duralite Special. This 'cheater one-seater' car appears on the Feb 1963 cover of Motor Sports magazine and there's a four-page write up on it. My copy of the magazine isn't prime, but the picture on the front is still pretty clear. Included below.

The story I heard over the years from my mother concerning the name goes this way. My dad did build this body and Roger wanted to use the Durlite name for the car. Bob said no, not without some type of 'monetary consideration' - so instead of paying to use the name Durlite, Roger inserted the 'A' and came up with Duralite. Who knows what's true and what isn't after all this time.

http://i129.photobuc...liteSpecial.jpg

[Jerry Entin]

Your dad sure looked very fit. It seems everyone around him was either smoking or out of shape. I would just like to say I find the caliber of the work he did to be of the highest quality. He was a true craftsman.

[Charles Helps]

Originally posted by LLP
Awhile back I came across a thread here where a gentleman writer was asking for information on a specific car and person. It seems the person was my father Bob Webb, and the car was the Durlite 550A Spyder he built. I dug out some old pictures and newspaper articles I had about my father and decided to post some of the salvagable ones here for all you vintage road racing fans.

Our home garage, late 50's early 60's with two cars under construction
http://i129.photobuc...b/B_Webb_01.jpg

The car at the top of the picture above seems to be a Lotus Eleven S1. Perhaps it was in for repairs rather than new build?