The Norman Timbs Special, benefitting from a recently completed full restoration, will be making its way onto the "field of dreams" for the 15th annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, March 12-14, 2010. Conceived and built by Los Angeles-based automotive engineer Norman E. Timbs, the roadster is reminiscent of the sleek Auto Union cars from Germany that racked up numerous land speed records in the 1930s.
Constructed in the late 40s over a period of about three years, the aluminum-bodied, tube-frame design is a wind tunnel's delight at 17 feet long with a 117-inch wheelbase and a track of 56 inches. Weighing in at about 2,200 pounds, power came from a modified Buick eight-cylinder engine mounted directly behind the driver. The entire rear section of the car is hinged and rises hydraulically for easy access to the engine compartment, fuel tank and spare tire.
Applying principles learned from his design work in the aircraft industry, Timbs also became a respected Indy car designer and produced such notable rides as the Blue Crown Specials of the late 40s, Bill Vukovich's Indy streamliner, and the rear engine Halibrand Shrike cars of the 60s. Timbs estimated that the car cost about $10,000 to build, which was a significant sum in the 1940s, and it's not known if there were plans to mass produce it.
"Finding a car like the Timbs Special is like striking gold; you know it's out there somewhere and you enjoy digging for it," says Amelia Founder and Co-chairman Bill Warner. "Just like with the Phantom Corsair we had here last year, I love it every time we can put a vehicle on the show field that most people have never seen or haven't seen in many, many years. The car's owners, Gary and Diane Cerveny, should be congratulated for bringing it back to life; it's a fabulous find." The Timbs Special was the cover car for the December 1949 issue of Motor Trend magazine and was also the featured car in the seventh issue of Road & Track magazine.
Tickets for the 15th annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance are $45 for adults purchased in advance and $50 the day of the show. Students ages 12-18 are $20, and children under 12 are admitted at no charge when accompanied by a paying adult. A VIP ticket has been added for 2010 and it includes admission to the Concours, VIP parking, food & beverages, cash bar, preferred viewing tent for the awards, commemorative gifts, and an autograph session with show honoree Richard Petty. All event tickets can be ordered in advance at www.ameliaconcours.org or can be purchased at the door.