Wikipedia to the rescue: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racing_stripe Fitch
and Whitmore created the Fitch Whitmore LeMans Special from Whitmore's XK-120
in 1951. In 1952 Fitch was hired to drive the Cunningham C2 at LeMans which
featured the dual blue stripes over the white body. Given the Fitch-Whitmore
connection, could be he was the source of the stripes. BTW, meeting and
talking to John Fitch is a great experience. He's a true old-school
gentleman.
Rick
Follow My Nasty Boy Build: http://tinyurl.com/yj52fwo
--- On Tue, 3/2/10, Jackson Krall <jackson_krall@yahoo.com> wrote:
From: Jackson Krall <jackson_krall@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [Healeys] Stripes/Racing stripes??????????
To: "AUSTIN HEALEY CLUB" <healeys@autox.team.net>, raymead@comcast.net
Date: Tuesday, March 2, 2010, 9:07 PM
Ray and all
I can't answer your specific questions but here's what I know.
In a conversation I had with the iconic John Fitch at Limerock last summer, he
said Coby Whitmore invented the American racing stripe. Whitmore was a very
wellknown illustrator of the 40's/50's. His Saterday Evening Post covers will
look familiar to you. The late Mr Whitmore was Mr Fitches dear friend,
neighbor, and collaborator on the 1949, XK120 based ,Whitmore/Fitch Special,
which does not have a stripe. I regret I didn't ask him which car was the
first to wear the stripe and hope to see him again this summer to pose the
question but I have a feeling it could be a Cunningham team car. Anyone Know?
Best
JK
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