The Jalopy Journal

**Ryan** · 08-10-2009, 10:22 AM

Zoltan Glass was a jewish kid that grew up in Germany in the early 1900's. In 1925 or so, he decided to move to Berlin to pursue his passion in both auto racing and photography. It wasn't long before folks at Mercedes, Auto Union, and other manufac...

To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

justanotherguy · 08-10-2009, 10:58 AM

There's a great book titled "Driving Forces" by Peter Stevenson, that addresses the pre WWII era of European racing and the Nazi "influence" on Mercedes and Auto Union. Once I started reading it I could hardly put it down.

**Jive-Bomber** · 08-10-2009, 11:05 AM

Looks like a really good book:

http://www.motorbase.com/shop/profiles/by-id/851/

**fur biscuit** · 08-10-2009, 11:16 AM

just what I need to do, get another book. per your comment about symbols: is there any difference between the swastika and the "hope" stuff tacked everywere? not really, only time will tell what history will decide the symbol comes to mean.

Nuvolari looks so non-chalant. do you know where the picture was shot?

justanotherguy · 08-10-2009, 11:35 AM

[QUOTE=fur biscuit;4209913]... per your comment about symbols: is there any difference between the swastika and the "hope" stuff tacked everywere? not really, only time will tell what history will decide the symbol comes to mean.

uh, yeah, a pretty big difference actually...

DaveInc · 08-10-2009, 11:46 AM

"2. The 1930’s was a hard period throughout the world - not just America. Still, these fellas found a way to make some beautiful machinery a reality. Is it just me or do these cars look and seem much more refined than the machines we were building in states during the same period? Thank god we were better at building performance aircraft just a decade later!"

The German companies had the full support and backing of the government at that time to beat the world and prove German superiority. US companies had a different focus. Of course, like you said, when we worked together later....

Unclee · 08-10-2009, 11:53 AM

The way I understand it, the nazi's (purposely not capitalized) were wanting the prestige that comes with racing victories and were just as ruthless about obtaining them as they were later when they started warring with everyone in Europe.
A small percentage of the masses in Germany at the time had any actual contact with racing and/or these great machines, that were built by the brightest talent they could put together, thus the high level of finish.
Awesome shots, thanx Ryan for posting them!

JeffreyJames · 08-10-2009, 12:05 PM

I am not really familiar with car from the U.S. but I would not find it hard to believe that they were putting out far superior cars when compared to us during that time. I think I have the same car as my Desktop at work. The exhaust is certainly of similar characteristics.

Seeing them salute always carries are errie feeling with it. It definitely took a driving force for Germany's industrial base to become that strong and calculated during a time where the rest of the countries were trying to keep the workforce moving at all.

Love the pictures. He certainly did have a nice eye for this stuff. I am going to google his other stuff now for comparison.

**fur biscuit** · 08-10-2009, 12:07 PM

[QUOTE=justanotherguy;4209970]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fur biscuit

... per your comment about symbols: is there any difference between the swastika and the "hope" stuff tacked everywere? not really, only time will tell what history will decide the symbol comes to mean.

uh, yeah, a pretty big difference actually...

not really, the symbol is linked with the actions of the those associated with it, ad for good or bad, time will always tell. (no I am not making direct corelations between the 2)

the streamliner under the tarp with the clouds and rain, wow.

40 & 61 Fords · 08-10-2009, 12:07 PM

I saw the thread title and thought maybe Ryan got a new windshield...........

63fdsnr · 08-10-2009, 12:13 PM

Unique photos of some beautiful race cars taken by a very talented man. I also think the paving in the courtyard is amazing. Thanks for the pictures and info.
Al

justanotherguy · 08-10-2009, 12:13 PM

I think the "Euro" influence on streamlining is evident here:
Germany 1930s and USA early '50s

BAKERSFIELD · 08-10-2009, 12:16 PM

Great post! I wish I had half of the inspiration / eye that this cat had!

JeffreyJames · 08-10-2009, 12:16 PM

Wish I could find a larger image but I think this one was cool too!

The Man

manyolcars · 08-10-2009, 12:22 PM

[QUOTE=JeffreyJames;4210078]

Seeing them salute always carries are errie feeling with it. QUOTE]

I read an article that said American soldiers saluted the same as the germans before WWII and changed because of the Nazis.
I dont know if its true.

I just hope the guy who owns this website doesnt find out y'all are talking about Nazis.

JeffreyJames · 08-10-2009, 12:31 PM

Heard that same thing about the Salute. Not sure if there is any truth to it but I have heard it.

Steve Hedke · 08-10-2009, 01:13 PM

Auto Union and Mercedes racing teams had unlimited budgets to work with: they didn't even know how much money they spent. The depression had already killed Miller. It's understandable how the Germans progressed so rapidly before 1940.

American hot rodders and racers were aware of the progress being made over there. Henry Ford certainly knew the superior efficiency of the Alfa 8C to his own V8 engine (more power, half the displacement), and Maseratis were seen at Indy before our entry in the war. European styling did influence Indy 'big cars', but road racing wasn't popular in the US until after the war. There was no reason to develop a road racing GP car in the US before the war.

Certainly the Germans figured out how to use 'dope' fuel for even more power, similar to American racers adding nitro as drag racing developed.

From that day to this, the Europeans led the way in automotive performance. Just look at how Dean Batchelor applied German technology to his stremliner, or how the Me262 changed the design of the F-86.

This subject is quite relevant to hot rodding.

Little Wing · 08-10-2009, 01:17 PM

Great Images great Story Thanks

and could we just enjoy the German Engineering without getting politics involve ?

as for the Swastika on the Camera ..I actually had one of those...Will have to go look for it

in the mean time

http://ldtomei2.googlepages.com/leicaiii(military)1937

James D · 08-10-2009, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unclee

The way I understand it, the nazi's (purposely not capitalized) were wanting the prestige that comes with racing victories and were just as ruthless about obtaining them as they were later when they started warring with everyone in Europe.

Not only that - it was a good way to develop high performance engine technology under an innocent appearing pretext. I´d bet they learned a lot about aircraft engines from doing this. IIRC they were actually banned from developing high powered aircraft after WW1. There was a lot of activity around gliders though...

Gigantor · 08-10-2009, 01:27 PM

It's a shame that some of the most beautiful man-made creations are born during some of the ugliest times. Thanks for the history lesson, Boss.

08-10-2009, 10:22 AM	#1
Ryan Administrator Join Date: Jan 1995 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 13,688	The Work Of Zoltan Glass Zoltan Glass was a jewish kid that grew up in Germany in the early 1900's. In 1925 or so, he decided to move to Berlin to pursue his passion in both auto racing and photography. It wasn't long before folks at Mercedes, Auto Union, and other manufac... To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

08-10-2009, 10:58 AM	#2
justanotherguy Grenade Inspector Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: central left coast Posts: 173	Re: The Work Of Zoltan Glass There's a great book titled "Driving Forces" by Peter Stevenson, that addresses the pre WWII era of European racing and the Nazi "influence" on Mercedes and Auto Union. Once I started reading it I could hardly put it down. Last edited by justanotherguy; 08-10-2009 at 11:04 AM.

08-10-2009, 11:05 AM	#3
Jive-Bomber Alliance Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Moraga, Ca Posts: 2,428	Re: The Work Of Zoltan Glass Looks like a really good book: http://www.motorbase.com/shop/profiles/by-id/851/

08-10-2009, 11:16 AM	#4
fur biscuit Alliance Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: corner of 23rd and Cutting Posts: 7,286	Re: The Work Of Zoltan Glass just what I need to do, get another book. per your comment about symbols: is there any difference between the swastika and the "hope" stuff tacked everywere? not really, only time will tell what history will decide the symbol comes to mean. Nuvolari looks so non-chalant. do you know where the picture was shot? __________________ "Zounds! Zorched by Zarches, Spaceman Spiff's crippled craft crashes on planet Plootarg!" Last edited by fur biscuit; 08-10-2009 at 11:24 AM.

08-10-2009, 11:35 AM	#5
justanotherguy Grenade Inspector Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: central left coast Posts: 173	Re: The Work Of Zoltan Glass [QUOTE=fur biscuit;4209913]... per your comment about symbols: is there any difference between the swastika and the "hope" stuff tacked everywere? not really, only time will tell what history will decide the symbol comes to mean. uh, yeah, a pretty big difference actually...

08-10-2009, 11:46 AM	#6
DaveInc Newbie Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Richmond, Virginia Posts: 68	Re: The Work Of Zoltan Glass "2. The 1930’s was a hard period throughout the world - not just America. Still, these fellas found a way to make some beautiful machinery a reality. Is it just me or do these cars look and seem much more refined than the machines we were building in states during the same period? Thank god we were better at building performance aircraft just a decade later!" The German companies had the full support and backing of the government at that time to beat the world and prove German superiority. US companies had a different focus. Of course, like you said, when we worked together later....

08-10-2009, 11:53 AM	#7
Unclee Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: somewhere south'a Houston, in Texas City Posts: 2,069	Re: The Work Of Zoltan Glass The way I understand it, the nazi's (purposely not capitalized) were wanting the prestige that comes with racing victories and were just as ruthless about obtaining them as they were later when they started warring with everyone in Europe. A small percentage of the masses in Germany at the time had any actual contact with racing and/or these great machines, that were built by the brightest talent they could put together, thus the high level of finish. Awesome shots, thanx Ryan for posting them! __________________ UNCLEE!!!!!

08-10-2009, 12:05 PM	#8
JeffreyJames Old School HAMBer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: SUGAR CITY Posts: 16,013	Re: The Work Of Zoltan Glass I am not really familiar with car from the U.S. but I would not find it hard to believe that they were putting out far superior cars when compared to us during that time. I think I have the same car as my Desktop at work. The exhaust is certainly of similar characteristics. Seeing them salute always carries are errie feeling with it. It definitely took a driving force for Germany's industrial base to become that strong and calculated during a time where the rest of the countries were trying to keep the workforce moving at all. Love the pictures. He certainly did have a nice eye for this stuff. I am going to google his other stuff now for comparison. Attached Thumbnails __________________ I PLAY WITH TIGERS WWW.SUGARCITYSPEEDSHOP.COM CHECK OUT MY INSTAGRAM IMAGES

08-10-2009, 12:07 PM	#10
40 & 61 Fords Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: HAMB Lake, MN Posts: 1,858	Re: The Work Of Zoltan Glass I saw the thread title and thought maybe Ryan got a new windshield........... __________________ "You boy's better hold on cuz I'm gonna have to stand on it."

08-10-2009, 12:13 PM	#11
63fdsnr Grenade Inspector Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Novi MI Posts: 348	Re: The Work Of Zoltan Glass Unique photos of some beautiful race cars taken by a very talented man. I also think the paving in the courtyard is amazing. Thanks for the pictures and info. Al

08-10-2009, 12:13 PM	#12
justanotherguy Grenade Inspector Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: central left coast Posts: 173	Re: The Work Of Zoltan Glass I think the "Euro" influence on streamlining is evident here: Germany 1930s and USA early '50s

08-10-2009, 12:16 PM	#13
BAKERSFIELD Grenade Inspector Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bakersfield, Calif. Posts: 170	Re: The Work Of Zoltan Glass Great post! I wish I had half of the inspiration / eye that this cat had! __________________ Geoff Car's & Parts that I am looking for: -Box full of money -Clean 30-31 Model A Roadster Doors -Nice Rumble deck lid 30' -30-31 5 window Coupe body or complete- project

08-10-2009, 12:16 PM	#14
JeffreyJames Old School HAMBer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: SUGAR CITY Posts: 16,013	Re: The Work Of Zoltan Glass Wish I could find a larger image but I think this one was cool too! The Man __________________ I PLAY WITH TIGERS WWW.SUGARCITYSPEEDSHOP.COM CHECK OUT MY INSTAGRAM IMAGES

08-10-2009, 12:22 PM	#15
manyolcars Old School HAMBer Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: ..... Posts: 4,855	Re: The Work Of Zoltan Glass [QUOTE=JeffreyJames;4210078] Seeing them salute always carries are errie feeling with it. QUOTE] I read an article that said American soldiers saluted the same as the germans before WWII and changed because of the Nazis. I dont know if its true. I just hope the guy who owns this website doesnt find out y'all are talking about Nazis.

08-10-2009, 12:31 PM	#16
JeffreyJames Old School HAMBer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: SUGAR CITY Posts: 16,013	Re: The Work Of Zoltan Glass Heard that same thing about the Salute. Not sure if there is any truth to it but I have heard it. __________________ I PLAY WITH TIGERS WWW.SUGARCITYSPEEDSHOP.COM CHECK OUT MY INSTAGRAM IMAGES

08-10-2009, 01:13 PM	#17
Steve Hedke Newbie Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Valencia, CA. Posts: 70	Re: The Work Of Zoltan Glass Auto Union and Mercedes racing teams had unlimited budgets to work with: they didn't even know how much money they spent. The depression had already killed Miller. It's understandable how the Germans progressed so rapidly before 1940. American hot rodders and racers were aware of the progress being made over there. Henry Ford certainly knew the superior efficiency of the Alfa 8C to his own V8 engine (more power, half the displacement), and Maseratis were seen at Indy before our entry in the war. European styling did influence Indy 'big cars', but road racing wasn't popular in the US until after the war. There was no reason to develop a road racing GP car in the US before the war. Certainly the Germans figured out how to use 'dope' fuel for even more power, similar to American racers adding nitro as drag racing developed. From that day to this, the Europeans led the way in automotive performance. Just look at how Dean Batchelor applied German technology to his stremliner, or how the Me262 changed the design of the F-86. This subject is quite relevant to hot rodding.

08-10-2009, 01:17 PM	#18
Little Wing Old School HAMBer Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Northeast Posts: 7,667	Re: The Work Of Zoltan Glass Great Images great Story Thanks and could we just enjoy the German Engineering without getting politics involve ? as for the Swastika on the Camera ..I actually had one of those...Will have to go look for it in the mean time http://ldtomei2.googlepages.com/leicaiii(military)1937 __________________ Wanted: Motometer 120 Oil Temp Gauge Drag Strips Last edited by Little Wing; 08-10-2009 at 01:22 PM.

08-10-2009, 01:27 PM	#20
Gigantor Old School HAMBer Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Hudson, Maine Posts: 3,840	Re: The Work Of Zoltan Glass It's a shame that some of the most beautiful man-made creations are born during some of the ugliest times. Thanks for the history lesson, Boss.

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