1954 S1A  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
1953 Victress S1A news, pictures, and information | ||
| Tweet | ||
 |  |  |
The 'Mabee Special' was manufactured in North Hollywood, CA. The 'Mabee Special' is a Bonneville Land Speed record holder, SAC and SCC road racer show car, dragster, and Pike's Peak entrant. It was built by Denny Larsen for Guy Mabee and Joe Hisson to be developed for road racing by Carroll Shelby. The engine is a modified 331 cubic-inch Chrysler Hemi with Hilborn fuel injection. This racer established a 203.105 mph Bonneville speed record making this the 'world's fastest sports car.'
It was found among the cacti, chickens and junk cars on a ranch in Mexico in 1983 and it has now been completely restored.
The Victress Manufacturing Company of North Hollywood, California, produced kit bodies and racers during the early 1950s through 1961. The company was formed by William 'Doc' Boyce-Smith who had studied engineering at UCLA. His expertise included fiberglass construction and his experiences included circle track racing. He was not alone; he enlisted the help of Merrill Powell to serve as the company's chief of design. Bill Powel, of no relation to Merrill, worked as the company's production manager.
Victress manufacturing used a wind tunnel to form a very aerodynamic fiberglass roadster body which they dubbed the S-1A. One body was outfitted with a Chrysler powerplant and driven at the Bonneville Salt Flats where it achieved a top speed of 203.105 mph.
There were around six body-styles to choose from, which could fit wheelbases ranging from 94 to 118 inches. The S-5 was a small roadster version of the S-1A and could accommodate 94-inch wheelbases.
By 1961, the company had gained many government contracts and had moved away from the sports car business. They sold their interests to LaDawri.
By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2010
For more information and related vehicles, click hereVictress manufacturing used a wind tunnel to form a very aerodynamic fiberglass roadster body which they dubbed the S-1A. One body was outfitted with a Chrysler powerplant and driven at the Bonneville Salt Flats where it achieved a top speed of 203.105 mph.
There were around six body-styles to choose from, which could fit wheelbases ranging from 94 to 118 inches. The S-5 was a small roadster version of the S-1A and could accommodate 94-inch wheelbases.
By 1961, the company had gained many government contracts and had moved away from the sports car business. They sold their interests to LaDawri.
By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2010
| Raw Power Has a Stamp of Its Own Muscle Cars Roar at Spring Classic Auction | |
 | What do you get when you bring the U.S. Postal Service and Dana Mecum's Original Spring Classic Auction together at the State Fairgrounds — a Muscle Car Extravaganza! Since it began 26 years ago, Mecum's Spring Classic auction in Indianapolis has featured the largest auction of muscle cars in the world. This year, the Postal Service will celebrate the raw power of the performance vehicle at the Spring Classic event by dedicating five, limited edition stamps featuring iconic muscle cars...[Read more...] |
| Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival Celebrates Corvette'S 60 Years At Sonoma Raceway | |
 | • Fast cars, fine food and wine highlight May 18-19 weekend • Paul Reinhart is honored guest, popular racing seminar scheduled for second year SONOMA, Calif. (April 27, 2013) - The Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival returns to Sonoma Raceway on May 18-19 for the fourth straight year under that title. The program for the 27th annual historic-car event organized by General Racing Ltd. in Sonoma will celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the popular Corvette, created by the ...[Read more...] |
| The Mecum Marathon In Kissimmee Sets New Record As World's Largest | |
 | Unprecedented 10-day Auction Goes Where No Other Auction Has Ever Gone Before Mecum Auctions' record-setting 10-day auction, held Jan. 18-27, exceeded all expectations transforming more than 100 acres of land at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Fla., into the nation's collector car epicenter. A total of 3,337 lots filled every building and 15 acres of tents with a total of 2,610 cars crossing the auction block and a huge selection of Road Art and memorabilia. With 1,811 vehicles sol...[Read more...] |
| Barrett-Jackson Generates Nearly $109 Million In Sales | |
 | • Sets Record Attendance At The 42nd Annual Scottsdale Auction • Batmobile sells for $4.62 million dollars to a lifelong fan to worldwide audience; marks second-highest single-car sale at Barrett-Jackson •1,343 cars sold •$108,766,069 gross sales – A 17% increase over 2012 •300,000 in attendance •Charity cars – 21 total for $5,005,000 Scottsdale, Ariz. – Jan. 22, 2013 – Barrett-Jackson Auction Company, The World's Greatest Collector Car Auctions™, generated nearly $1...[Read more...] |
| The WeatherTech® CHICAGO REGION SCCA JUNE SPRINTS® | |
 | Winning the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) June Sprints at Road America has been every sports car driver's dream since the thrilling first event in 1956. That's when a tall, curly-haired chicken farmer from Texas named Carroll Shelby drove all night to make the race, jumped into the cockpit of a Ferrari 121 LM without even changing out of his work clothes - striped farmer's overalls - and won the 152-mile feature. No one back then knew that his win would set the tone for his momentous racing ...[Read more...] |
| Similar Vehicles | |
 | 1952 Glasspar G2 |
| Similar Automakers | |
| Bocar | Byers |
| Devin | Glasspar |
| Kurtis | Mysterion |
| Victress: 1951-1960 |
| Similar Automakers |
| Other models by Victress |
| Related Articles and Event Coverage |
| Ault Park Concours d'Elegance |
| Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance |
| S-1A |
| 1954 S1A |
