<VV> VVDV64I107 Jn Fitch Write-up

[James P. Rice]

Bob:  Good write up.

When you and Brian went to see John and work on the Phoenix, did Brian share
with you any of the material I sent him last month?  I was hoping he could
pick John's brain some.  Specifically,  I was hoping for info on:
	1. How he got from N. Africa in the 15th AF flying A20's to England in
mid-1944 flying Mustangs.
	2. Did he do a stint at what we know today as Wright-Patterson between the
two combat assignments?
	3. Info on what became of the backbone chassis Jerry Mong did, which was to
be used on his stillborn Formula C car and then the Phoenix
	4.  The Corvair VIN number, maybe hidden, of the Phoenix.

And one other bit of history:  How did he become the Corvette team manager
when he returned from Europe in 1955 as a unemployed racecar driver.

If Brain did not share the material with you, let me know and I'll send the
same stuff to you.

It is my understanding he is to be honored at Rd America in July.  I expect
to be there.

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Message: 7
Date: Wed, 26 May 2010 15:20:48 -0400
From: Vairtec Corporation <Vairtec at optonline.net>
Subject: <VV> Fitch Phoenix Press Release
To: Virtual Vairs <virtualvairs at corvair.org>

Below appears a press release I wrote a few weeks back for promoting the
appearance of the Fitch Phoenix at this weekend's show in New Jersey. I post
it here for those who may not be entirely familiar with the man and the
car. --Bob Marlow


An American Hero?s Prototype Sports Car to be Featured at Franklin Lakes Car
Show on May 30


Midland Park, N.J. The Corvair powered, Italian-bodied 1966 Fitch Phoenix
sports car ? the only one ever built will be among the attractions at the
35th Annual Franklin Lakes Car Show and Flea Market on May 30, as part of a
special display highlighting the 50th anniversary of the Chevrolet Corvair.

The show is conducted by the Jersey Lakeland Region of the Vintage Chevrolet
Club of America and sponsored by Paramus Auto Mall and Cadillac of Mahwah.

The Corvair, an air-cooled, rear-engine compact car from Chevrolet, was
introduced as a 1960 model, and not long thereafter Connecticut-based World
War II fighter pilot, sports car racer and highway safety advocate John
Fitch began marketing Corvairs modified for enhanced performance and
comfort. The cars were known as Fitch Sprints.

When the second-generation Corvair was introduced for 1965, Fitch not only
continued to modify the cars into Sprints, he also designed a two-seat
targa-topped roadster based on the Corvair mechanicals, which was to go into
production as the Fitch Phoenix.

With a stunning body hand-crafted by Intermeccanica in Turin, a leather
interior, and a modified six-cylinder Corvair engine, the Phoenix debuted in
New York City to rave reviews and strong initial orders.

But just as production was to begin, the National Highway and Traffic Safety
Act was implemented, requiring automakers to crash-test their cars. Crash
testing was not in the budget for Fitch's small operation, and the Phoenix
project was canceled.

The prototype car was the only one built, and it is that car that will be on
display in Franklin Lakes, one week before its appearance at the prestigious
Greenwich Concours in Connecticut.

Fitch, now 92 years of age and not yet retired from advocacy on behalf of
highway and racing safety, has retained ownership of the car through the
years and still drives it regularly. Its appearance in Franklin Lakes is
being facilitated by the members of the New Jersey Association
of Corvair Enthusiasts.

More than two dozen additional Corvairs will be part of the anniversary
display, along with prototype Corvair engines built by Chevrolet in the
mid-sixties, early wind tunnel models, and more.

Corvairs were built in a wide range of body styles, including trucks and
vans, all of which will be on view at the show along with stock and
race-modified Corvair cars.

John Fitch studied civil engineering at Lehigh University, and in 1941
volunteered for the US Army Air Corps. During the war he was credited with
shooting down a German Messerschmitt jet while piloting the propeller-driven
P-51 Mustang. Two months before the end of the war he
was shot down himself while making a strafing pass on an Axis train and
spent the rest of the war as a prisoner.

Following the war Fitch began racing sports cars and ultimately became the
first American to drive for the Mercedes-Benz factory team. It was during
this period that Fitch participated in the renowned 24 Hour of LeMans, where
in 1955 a horrific crash involving his Mercedes teammate
spurred Fitch's enduring interest in matters of safety.

Among Fitch's contributions to safety are the near-ubiquitous sand-filled
barrels at highway barriers, a design he demonstrated to skeptics by
personally driving into them at high speed.

In 2005, at the age of 88, Fitch was still racing, piloting a vintage
Mercedes in pursuit of a land-speed record at Bonneville. That effort was
chronicled in a riveting 2006 PBS documentary, A Gullwing At Twilight: The
Bonneville Ride of John Fitch.

[end]