Papier Mache Special
The Papier Mache Special was an assignment for the "Future Craftsmen of America" shop class at a Cumberland, Maryland high school in 1959. It rates an "A" for ingenuity and pure funkiness.
Portions of the body were made using paper towels from the boys' bathroom and glue or polyester. The mixture was applied directly over the tube framework. It was powered by a Crosley 750 cc engine hile two 1951 Crosley station wagons donated the transmission, differential and wheels. With its aluminum side sections, pan and interior structure, it weighed just 710 lbs.
Piloted by the shop teacher, the car won its first time out at the Giants Despair Hillclimb despite pouring rain which the students were sure would dissolve the body! It went on to run successfully in SCCA races in the Midwest and East and survives today in the hands of Fred Temps as a vintage racer.
Lynn Mills