Bruce Nunnally Posted June 1, 2016 Report Share Posted June 1, 2016 Around the same time that Frick opened his shop, Cadillac introduced their new V8 engine. Frick quickly saw the potential in the engine, as it was the first short-stroke, overhead valve, high compression production V8. The new powerplant had 331ci and a compression ratio of 7.5 to 1, which generated a powerful 160hp in stock configuration. Despite the powerful new engine, the Cadillac's excessive weight kept it from being a performer; Frick sought to change this by swapping the engine into the much lighter 1949 Ford, creating the first "Fordillac". Briggs Cunningham was one of the first and lucky few to attain a Fordillac - he had become intrigued with the vehicle after witnessing one of its impressive performances at an SCCA hill climb event in Connecticut, and had to have one. Cunningham became a regular at Frick-Tappet Motors and would hire Frick to work on his cars in preparation for the upcoming 24-hour race at Le Mans. Cunningham was so impressed with the work and performance results, he purchased Frick-Tappet Motors, moving the business to Florida where he would set out to win Le Mans and other prestigious races in one of their creations. The Frick prepared cars performed extremely well; after the team produced impressive back-to-back 1-2 finishes at both Elkhart Lake and Watkins Glen, Bill Frick received the first ever "Sports Car Mechanic of the Year" award. Read more: http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/23513/lot/57/ Bruce 2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing Follow me on: Twitter Instagram Youtube Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Nunnally Posted June 1, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2016 American muscle in an Italian suit – the Bill Frick Special GT Coupe Bill Frick may be best known as the mechanical genius behind the Fordillac and, later, the Studillac, but his automotive dreams were grander than dropping Cadillac engines in someone else’s cars. Partnering with Italian coachbuilder Alfredo Vignale, Frick produced three Bill Frick Specials in the late 1950s, of which two are known to survive today. On June 5, this 1957 Bill Frick Special GT Coupe will cross the auction block in Connecticut as part of Bonhams Greenwich Concours d’Elegance sale. Read More: http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2016/04/29/american-muscle-in-an-italian-suit-the-bill-frick-special-gt-coupe/ Bruce 2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing Follow me on: Twitter Instagram Youtube Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Nunnally Posted June 1, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2016 The golden age International recognition came soon. First, a young and brilliant free-lance designer, Giovanni Michelotti, was attracted. Second, after a few victories in various races, the already famous Ferrari replaced Touring by Vignale as the coach builder of their choice. Although the Ferrari period was rather short, Vignale's name was settled for good.The result was that orders came pouring in. Many special orders were placed, not only from Italy but also others found their way to Vignale. Cunningham from the USA is just one example...Bodies were always produced by hand. Sheets were rolled and hammered into forms, and also the finer shaping was done by skilled metal workers, judging by eye without a dummy. Read more about Carrozzeria Vignale http://www.vignale.org/carrozzeria_vignale.html Cadillac Coupe 'Bill Frik' Bruce 2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing Follow me on: Twitter Instagram Youtube Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Nunnally Posted June 1, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2016 Seemingly well proportioned from the front, the convertible is the most attractive of the three Frick Vignales. The Vignale photo and the Bonhams auction and the Convertible here show variances, so perhaps each of the 3 was unique. http://www.velocetoday.com/the-frick-vignales/ Bruce 2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing Follow me on: Twitter Instagram Youtube Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Nunnally Posted June 1, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2016 Bill Frick and Phil Walters, aka Ted Tappett, installing a brand new Cadillac OHV V-8 engine in a brand new 1950 Ford. Photo by The Hemmings Blog. Frick went on to build an exotic Ferrari-like sports car named the Bill Frick Special. The Bill Frick Special was designed by Michelotti, and it featured a hand-made body by Vignale. Three Bill Frick Specials were made, a prototype, a convertible, and a coupe. The coupe was built for Oregon businessman John Blodgett, Jr., and it featured a modified Studebaker chassis, Studebaker front suspension, a modified 1955 Cadillac Eldorado V-8, fourspeed manual transmission and a Mercury differential. The build was completed in 1957.[6] Read More: http://www.kustomrama.com/index.php?title=Bill_Frick_Motors Bruce 2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing Follow me on: Twitter Instagram Youtube Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Nunnally Posted June 1, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2016 This appears to be a restoration story on the convertible: http://www.zoomers-automotive.com/current-projects/vignale Bruce 2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing Follow me on: Twitter Instagram Youtube Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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