 The 1961 SCCA Chicago Region June Sprints at Road America- Frank Issacson's freshly repainted Lyne Special, formally the Martin Tanner T2, sits in the paddock, getting ready for the weekend at-hand. Behind the orange #33 entry is Sandy MacArthur's #89 Stanguellini Formula Jr. MacArthur was a Stang' stalwart going back to the early 1950s with his Mercury outboard powered Stanguellini specials.
A few years after this picture was taken, Isaacson and MacArthur worked together to put one of the 650cc Mercury outboard motors from MacArthur's earlier endeavors into the Lyne Special. It turned a decent runner into a car capable of winning races. And it did. Years later, MacArthur kept his old friend's car safe and sound at his shop, and carried on doing so after Issacson passed away. That's friendship. [Isaacson Family Collection]  Duke Argetsinger, Dad and J.C. Argetsinger with Michael Argetsinger's former Elden Mk10B last week at the IMRRC in Watkins Glen before we brought it back to Wisconsin.
Among the things we learned during the Elden's time at the IMRRC is that their brother Rob once took the car out for a spin in Germany and had a light shunt with it, and also, more importantly; Peter Argetsinger also drove it. He may have actually raced it, but we'll await some more proof before jumping to that conclusion. But the Elden spent the winter where it belonged, at the place that Michael championed so passionately to create. Argetsinger family photos were taken with the car over the holidays, and it was surrounded by people who hold Michael in the same regard we do, nearly 8 years after his passing. Eight years ago, around this time, we planned on having Michael pedal the Eagle DGF in the 2015 Hagerty Concours d'Elegance in downtown Elkhart Lake during what is now known as the Weathertech International Challenge weekend. Sadly, we lost him a few days beforehand. So in what will be the 50th anniversary of Michael campaigning the Elden across Europe, I'm pleased to announce that for its first event since its 2021 restoration, we'll be entering his Elden in the 2023 edition of the WeatherTech International Challenge in the Vintage FF category. Just look for the cherry red exhaust... Cheers Mike.  Last week, a package arrived from the United Kingdom from Paul Clarke, a long-time friend of John Victor Bedford, who was the first owner of our 1962 Lotus Seven #SB1290.
Paul and I have been corresponding over the last two years regarding Bedford, his time racing, and the kind of man he was before his passing in 2019. In our talks, Paul mentioned he saved three trophies John had won with the Seven, and although he wanted to keep them, they would someday rejoin the car. That day was last Tuesday, as Paul felt the time had come. About 2 hours of Dad's handiwork later, all three awards that were earned at Brands Hatch in 1962 shine like new. Cheers John, and thank you Paul for saving these amazing pieces from John Bedford's racing life. |
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Kettle Moraine Preservation & Restoration
KettleMorainePR@gmail.com Hubertus, Wisconsin 'Where History and Integrity Meet' |